The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and Continuing Professional Development Program Management Committee (CPD-PMC) announced a significant effort to provide convenience to professionals and CPD providers through the recently concluded virtual launching of the Continuing Professional Development Accreditation System (CPDAS) last September 7, 2020.
Around four point three (4.3) million Filipino professionals and two thousand four hundred sixty (2,460) CPD providers as of June 2020 are expected to benefit from this program, including those incoming professionals and providers.
The PRC, through its CPD-PMC, has been trying to streamline its operations to make its services more accessible and affordable to professionals and CPD providers. It has done this through a number of resolutions that provided guidelines for professionals and CPD providers that enable them to acquire CPD units even during the COVID-19 pandemic or choose undertaking where they promise to complete the CPD requirements in the next renewal cycle. It also provided a transition period where the CPD credit units required were lowered to fifteen (15); the CPD requirements for OFWs, new board passers were waived, and senior citizens reduced.
With all of the above in place, the PRC then focused on speed and efficiency of service; thus, the computerized CPDAS was developed through the PRC's Information and Communication Technology Service (ICTS) efforts.
The two-fold objective of the system gives both parties-- CPD providers and professionals equal opportunity to process transactions from the comfort of their homes and workplaces, which includes: application as CPD provider; uploading of requirements needed; payment and awarding of notice of approval; application for changes in programs when needed, and submission of completion reports.
On the other hand, professionals can upload their certificates for accredited CPD activities. They can also view their accumulated CPD units as well as forthcoming CPD activities. All these are essential prerequisites to renewal of Personal Identification Card (PIC), which is also done online.
Moreover, the digitalization of CPDAS is not only beneficial to clients, but PRC as a public agency as well. More spaces will be available for the staff since there will be less paper to handle and store; more accurate information will be received because the applications will be more legible; access to information will be faster because the filling system will be more accurate; and more importantly PRC will be going green and advocate environmental sustainability.
The CPDAS launching was made possible through the active participation of approximately one thousand three hundred (1,300) Facebook live viewers and the client-centered leadership of the Members of CPD-PMC with the guidance of Commissioners Jose Y. Cueto and Yolanda D. Reyes, and Chairman Teofilo S. Pilando.
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