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SERVING THE FILIPINO PROFESSIONAL
The Philippine Star More than a year has passed since the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC) was rocked by the leakage scandal involving the nursing board exams. After all the lamentations by nursing graduates who had to re-take selected parts of the tests, interspersed by the flip-flopping of Malacanang on the issue, the incident seem ready to be archived. We would like to quickly put behind such humiliating headline-hogging stories that only reinforce perceived, albeit negative, views of Americans and Europeans on the quality of education that Filipino medical professionals receive from our schools. Post-scandal though, the PRC continues to work on making sure that college graduates who aspire to receive accreditation into their respective prestigious circle of professionals will never encounter such a harrowing experience. During my recent talk with PRC Chairperson Leonor Tripon-Rosero, she pointed out that administrative and criminal charges have already been filed against those allegedly involved in the leakages, which include two former Board of Nursing and Dentistry members as well as officers of three review centers. Aside from ongoing trials against those suspected to have perpetuated the nursing exam leakages, Chairperson Rosero stated that the PRC is taking steps to strengthen the screening process of future nominees and ensure that the integrity and credibility of all the Board of Examiners are preserved and enhanced. Modernization challenge But much more needs to be done, not just with regards strengthening the integrity and capability of Filipino professionals in the context of today's global world, but also within the organization confines of the PRC and the 43 professional regulatory boards it supervises. Created by law in 1973, the PRC is unique to the But this has left some governments like Flattering as this may seem, Chairperson Rosero quickly pointed out that there are still a number of must-do changes that the PRC urgently needs to work on, after about seven years since the PRC Modernization Act was passed in December 2000. One urgent amendment to the PRC Modernization Act that the Board is currently keen on is the restoration of the implementation and monitoring of the Continuing Professional Education (CPE), the compliance of which is currently being managed by the respective professional associations, and thus is not a PRC requirement for renewal of registration. This is seen as a means towards keeping each and every one of our 2.3 million professionals suited to the latest world standards. Computerization initiatives Like so many other government agencies modernizing its facilities to be more responsive to the needs of its publics, the PRC experiences perennial budget constraints. It is allotted a meager P45 million annually for five years that started in 2003 to put in place a host of much-needed information technologies. So far, completed and running is the central records MIS, a computerized system that manages digital records such as registry books, professional records, certifications, Board resolutions and other vital commission documents. Currently on phased implementation and piloting with the maritime profession is the licensure examination and registration information system. Using a fully integrated set of computerized systems and processes, this will allow the PRC to employ online servicing of applications, payments, registration, even examinations. This is also expected to ease manual servicing by the PRC to the daily traffic of some 3,000 people who go to the PRC's main office on Chairperson Rosero also sees the move of the PRC to automate most of its vital services as an opportunity to increase its revenues, and therefore its contributions to the government's coffers. If getting a professional license will be painless, this would entice more to renew on a more regular basis. Uplifting PRC Without doubt, the PRC, given its limited resources, has performed its role in the development of Filipino professionals now reputed worldwide for their admirable work ethics and attitudes. The commission has demonstrated its strong resolve to wage a war against antiquated technologies and inefficient systems, against an attitude of laxity and complacency, and against misperceptions and a negative image. It is now time to forget the old PRC image that had been riddled by licensing anomalies and exam leakages. It is now time to support the Commission as well as the members of the 43 regulatory professional boards in their aspiration to nurture Filipino professionals towards technical proficiency and civic responsibility in the service of the Filipino nation. PRC Chairperson Leonor Tripon-Rosero, who is quietly and without much fanfare moving PRC towards the achievement of its mission, needs all the support she can get. Fil-Oil/Flying V Collegiate Champions League sponsor In line with its objective of promoting the development of sports particularly collegiate basketball, Fil-Oil/ Flying V Sports group headed by Virgil Villavicencio joined hands with the Collegiate Champions League (CCL) in the search for the best collegiate team for the 2007 season. Virgil Villavicencio was also responsible for promoting and organizing the pre-season collegiate games that featured teams from UAAP and NCAA preparing for the regular season's competition. Virgil believes that the CCL season-ending tournament is the next level of competition that collegiate teams in the country should look forward to after being crowned champions of their respective leagues. He added that winning the title, “Philippine Collegiate Champion,” is the highest goal a collegiate team should aspire for. The CCL competitions start on Joining them are CUSA champion MLQ University Stallions and NAASCU champion STI Olympians. Competitions are still ongoing in “Pag-usapan Natin” at IBC-TV 13 Watch “Pag-usapan Natin,” a segment of the IBC-TV 13 news program News Tonite, from Should you wish to share any insights, write me at Link Edge, 25th Floor, 139 Corporate Center,
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