PRC Issued Public Advisory Recognizing the Heroism of Filipino Professionals

The Professional Regulation Commission has issued a public advisory in which it recognizes the heroism of our professionals in the time of COVID-19 pandemic by granting or awarding Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credit units (CUs) to all registered professionals who are providing essential services. The initiative is under the CPD's Informal Learning, Professional Work Experience and Self-Directed Learning.

Professionals who wish to avail of the said grant shall submit Certification from Institution, Agency, Entity or own Declaration, as may be applicable.

The CPD Councils shall issue their respective advisories to assist and guide the applicants on the award of CPD credit units.

This is under PRC Res. No. 1239 s.2020.

For details and guidelines on its availment, please click the link below:

https://www.prc.gov.ph/sites/default/files/2020-1239_0.pdf

What are Informal Learning, Professional Work Experience or Self-Directed Learning? Or how can a professional earn CUs through these means acknowledging the fact that professionals are constrained from attending CPD programs and activities that entail mass gathering due to the imposition of social distancing during this time of COVID-19 Public Health Emergency?

The PRC is reiterating the ways of learning that can earn CPD CUs by issuing Res. No. 1240 s.2020.

To understand these CPD ways of learning, the following PRC Resolutions elaborated on the matter:

[From Res. No. 1208 s. 2019]:

a. INFORMAL LEARNING (IL)

This refers to learning that occurs in daily life and which can contribute to a qualification. Examples:

1. Reading of books, magazines, journals, and the like 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 gardening for home consumption of organic vegetable and fruits.

b. PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE (PWE)

This refers to practice at work place that is directly related to profession.

Examples:

1. Reading of books, magazines, 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.

[From Res. No. 1197 s.2019]

c. SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING (SDL)

This refers to the 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.

Professional Activity (PA) - refers to activity which promotes and facilitates enhancement of knowledge, skills and values as a professional.

Volunteer Engagement (VE) - refers to activity done under the ambit of social responsibility, which may or may not directly involve the practice of profession, but may help in the development of the professional in the social milieu.

d. ONLINE LEARNING ACTIVITIES (OLA)

These refer to structured or unstructured learning initiatives, which make use of the internet and other web-based Information and Communication Technology solutions. [Sec. 3(p), Art. I of the CPD Act of 2016]

Additional Info:

The PRC is extending the acceptance of Undertaking until December 31, 2021 to enable the professionals to apply for the renewal of their Professional Identification Card (PIC) even without or incomplete CPD units.

For details of the Resolution, please click the link below:

https://www.prc.gov.ph/sites/default/files/2020-1240ReteratingWays.pdf

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