Alternative Ways of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Compliance during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abolish CPD Call of Certain Sectors of Society

About 4 years after the Republic Act 10912 or the "Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Act" became law, the presidential son, Rep. Paolo Duterte recently said that he will be proposing a bill to repeal the law authored by former Senator Antonio Trillanes, IV. 

He also emphasized that he will personally work with his colleagues in the House of Representatives, the senators in the Senate and with President Rodrigo Duterte to advocate for the abolition of the said law. He cites the undue burden that the law has imposed to hard working and selfless professionals especially during the COVID-19 Pandemic. 

It is noted that the said law has mandated that professionals has to comply with prescribed number of CPD units of their profession before they will be allowed to renew their Professional Identification Card (PIC) with the Professional Regulations Commission.

The Professional Regulations Commission on its part has recognized the hardships of complying to the requirements of the law during this pandemic and specifically noted that accredited CPD providers has cancelled their scheduled offerings of their programs, including conventions, conferences and other forms of mass gatherings, which are significant means of CPD compliance by professionals and which may not be available during the COVID-19 crisis.

So the Professional Regulations Commision recently released Resolution No, 1240 series of 2020 reiterating the various alternatives to earn CPD units during this COVID-19 crisis and has resolved to extend the acceptance of Affidavits of Undertaking for the renewal of Professional Identification Cards until December 31, 2021. This means that from January 2019 until December 31, 2021, applicants who wish to renew their (PIC) MAY RENEW their PRC cards without having to fully comply with their CPD units requirement but the applicants shall execute an "Affidavit of Undertaking" prior to the said renewal.

The Affidavit of Undertaking basically is a document indicating the applicant's express assurance that he/she will undertake and comply with the required CPD credit units upon the NEXT PRC card renewal date.

The affidavit contains specific promises to:

1. Undertake to comply with the required number of CPD credit units during the validity period of your PRC card; and to
2. Submit proof of compliance with the required number of CPD credit units during the next renewal of the said PRC card

Take Note: The Affidavit of Undertaking has to be notarized by a Notary Public prior to the submission of requirement with the PRC. And also take note that the affidavit also states that failure to comply with the required number of CPD credit units on your next renewal date (usually after 3 years) may prompt the PRC to no longer renew your PRC license, unless of course that the law is repealed or abolished.

Also included in PRC Resolution 1240 are alternative ways of CPD compliance such as:

• Informal Learning - learning that occurs in daily life and which can contribute to a qualification such as: 1.) Reading of books, magazine journals and the likes that will develop leadership, management and other skills; 2) Learning how to use cross platform Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) and instant messaging using cloud-based video conferencing tool to meet with co-workers; 3) Learning how to prepare gluten free meals and baked products; and 4) Learning how to do urban gardening for home consumption of organic vegetables and fruits. 

• Professional Work Experiences - any participation that a professional gains while working in a specific field and work place. Examples are: 1) Reading of books, magazine, journals, and the like on how to improve knowledge and skills in the field of professional practice; 2) Learning how to fashion wheelchairs for pediatric patients with special needs; 3) Learning how to design homes for the elderly population; 4) Learning how to design modules for online teaching; 5) Learning ways of collecting and disseminating information to faculty and students who are studying by distance education; and 6) Providing professional consultancy services to clients 

• Self-Directed Learning Activities - learning activities such as online training, local/international seminar/non-degree courses, institution / company-sponsored training programs, and the like, which did not undergo CPD accreditation but may be awarded CPD units by the respective CPD Council. These activities are driven by one's need and motivation to learn either through a professional activity or volunteer engagement. 

• Online Learning Activities - structured or unstructured learning initiatives, which make use of the internet and other web-based Information and Communication Technology solutions. 

Click the following link below for a copy of the PRC Resolution and for a copy of the Affidavit of Undertaking:

PRC BOARD RESOLUTION NO. 1240 s. of 2020

AFFIDAVIT OF UNDERTAKING