ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro opposed the proposal to scrap licensure exams, saying the Continuing Professional Development Act should be repealed instead.

“Mahalaga pa rin ang mga licensure exams bilang requirement para sa mga propesyunal. Ito ay pagpapatunay na siya ay kwalipikado at may sapat na kaalaman para makapagsanay bilang isang nurse, abogado, dentista, guro, accountant, doktor at iba pa,” the lawmaker said.

“Ang dapat tanggalin ay ang pahirap na renewal na nire-require ng Continuing Professional Development Act na isang dagdag na balakid para sa ating mga propesyunal sa kanilang renewal ng mga lisensiya,” she added.

Castro noted that even those applying for a driver’s license have to take exams.

“Why then should we remove exams as a requirement to get licenses for doctors, nurses, lawyers, and other professionals?” she asked.

Castro said that she filed House Bill 510 that will repeal of Republic Act 10912 or the Continuing Professional Development Act of 2016.

“Teachers, as well as other professionals, reported to our office that the law has imposed multiple financial, logistical, and psychological burdens to professionals as it requires them to accumulate credit units every three years by attending seminars, training courses, and other professional development activities to be able to renew their licenses or continue practicing their professions,” she added.

Castro lamented that the continuing professional development program had been turned into another business opportunity for the private sector to exploit.

“The required units range from 15 or 45 units for most professionals to as high as 120 units for certified public accountants. These units equate to thousands of pesos, unpaid leaves from work just to comply with the CPD law,” she explained.

Castro stressed that professionals, especially those working in government like public school teachers, nurses and doctors, should not be burdened by the CPD Act since it is the employer’s obligation to provide professional development programs to its personnel.

“RA 10912 is an unnecessary law. Prior to its enactment, laws, and regulations, including the various professional charters, codes of conduct, and complementary administrative issuances governing all the 53 existing professions, were sufficient to regulate the practice of these professions,” the lawmaker said.