UAP attends 5th Philippine Professional Summit

The United Architects of the Philippines, through its official delegates attended the recently concluded 5th Philippine Professional Summit held at Fiesta Pavilion, Manila Hotel last October 27, 2016 (Thursday). Initiated by the Philippine Association of the Professional Regulatory Board Members Inc. (PAPRB) in cooperation with the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), this year’s summit was conducted the with the theme, “Professionals Going Global: Skills Mobility in the ASEAN and Beyond”.

UAP delegates include: Executive Directors Architects Antonio A. Valdez (Commission on Conventions, Assemblies and Exhibits), Corazon F. Tandoc (Commission on Internal Affairs), Benjamin K. Panganiban, Jr. (Commission on Professional Practice), Wilfredo G. Gacutan (Commission on Education), UAP National Auditor Arch. Eldred Tan. Photos at the left include PRBOA Member Arch. Robert Mirafuente, PRBOA Chairman Arch. Robert S. Sac, PRC Commissioner Arch. Angeline T. Chua Chiaco and PRC Commissioner Arch. Yolanda David-Reyes.

The Summit aims to facilitate awareness on the status and development of the Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRA’s) of the professions regulated by the PRC; explore possible strategies to promote intra-ASEAN mobility of professionals; examine key challenges, opportunities and relative successes of ASEAN members in fulfilling commitments to the Movement of Natural Persons (MNP); and provide a venue for ASEAN Professionals to discuss and exchange perspective on how to respond and overcome the key challenges in MRA implementation and other qualification framework. The Summit also aims to inform the professionals about the Continuing Professional Development Act of 2016 (R.A. 10912) and its impact on practice, regulation and related activities.

Formal Declaration of the Opening of the 5th Philippine Professional Summit was primed by the Executive Vice President of the PAPRB and Summit Chairman, Mr. Gerard B. Sanvictores, CPA. PAPRB President Francis V. Mapile, PEE, who also serves as the Chairman of the Board of Electrical Engineer, delivered the opening remarks and invited all the delegates and supporters of this years’ summit to be united in achieving common goals and objectives. Messages from PRC Commissioners Ar. Yolanda D. Reyes and Ar. Angeline T. Chua Chiaco both inspired unity and encouragement to meet international standard. PRC Chairman Teofilo S. Pilando Jr. also delivered an inspirational message expressing the Commission’s full support to the undertaking.

The keynote message in behalf of Atty. Silvestre H. Bello III Secretary of Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) was delivered by Undersecretary Dominador Say who emphasized the use of the ASEAN Qualification Reference Framework (AQRF) to facilitate the skill mobility of professionals in the global market. Usec. Say stressed the urgency of working towards the completion of MRA’s of the other regulated professions.

Morning Plenary Session

Substantial information regarding ASEAN MRA’s were presented in the initial session. Dr. Jose Y. Cueto, former Chairman of the Board of Medicine talked about the Filipino Professionals at the crossroads of Regionalization and Globalization. He was then followed by Mr. Lord Louis P. Valera, Officer-In-Charge of the International Affairs Division of PRC, who presented the reality check of the MRA implementation. Engr. Leandro Conti, former Chairman of the ASEAN Chartered Professional Engineers Coordinating Committee (ACPECC) and the first Filipino Registered ASEAN Engineer in Singapore enumerated the benefits of being a Registered Foreign Professional Engineer (RFPE).PRC Commissioner Arch. Yolanda D. Reyes elucidated the ways to optimize the benefits of MRA’s. She shared that the goal of the MRA is to facilitate a close border practice of professionals across ASEAN region. She recommended that the PRC and the accredited Professional Organization (APO) work together to promote the profession through various approaches in branding and advertising.

Afternoon Plenary Session

The proposition of Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications (MRPQ): A PRC Initiative was presented by Ms. Cecilia Herras-Tence, FPALA Member of the PRB of Landscape Architecture. She presented the same paper in a conference in Indonesia in 2015 and in Korea this year which were both well received. Program Manager of CPD Program Management Committee and Chair of CPD Council on Accountancy Mr. Gerard B. Sanvictores, CPA, discuss the Impact of R.A. 10912 (Continuing Professional Development Act of 2016) on the practice of Professionals. His presentation was followed by an Open Forum addressing questions and taking suggestions for CPD Council to consider as they continue to work on the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR’s).

The Summit was attended by over four hundred delegates composed of PRC Officials, Professional Regulatory Boards and professionals in the field of Business, Education, Social Work, Engineering, Technology, Medical and Health

Courtesy/Credit: Professional Regulation Commission website