A bill has been filed in the Senate seeking to extend the validity of Professional Identification Cards (PICs) issued by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) from the current three years to five years to help reduce the financial and administrative burden on millions of Filipino professionals.
Senate Bill No. 2326, filed on July 15 by Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, proposes that all PICs issued by the PRC under existing regulations implementing Republic Act No. 8981, or the PRC Modernization Act of 2000, remain valid for five years, subject to compliance with all legal and procedural requirements for their issuance.
The proposed measure recognizes that while the current renewal system helps ensure professionals comply with regulatory standards, requiring license renewal every three years often results in added expenses, time, and inconvenience.
“Layunin ng panukalang ito na gawing mas magaan ang proseso para sa ating mga propesyonal. Kung maaari namang mapahaba ang validity ng kanilang Professional Identification Cards nang hindi isinasakripisyo ang kalidad ng professional regulation, bakit hindi natin gawin?” Go said.
According to Go, renewing a professional license involves more than paying renewal fees. Licensed professionals must also prepare documentary requirements, comply with Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements when applicable, take time off from work, and travel to PRC offices or service centers to complete the renewal process.
“Hindi lang ito usapin ng renewal fee. Marami sa ating mga propesyonal ang kailangang mag-leave sa trabaho, bumiyahe, at gumastos para lamang makapag-renew ng kanilang ID. Maaari nating mabawasan ang mga abalang ito sa pamamagitan ng mas makatuwirang validity period,” he said.
The bill also aims to reduce the number of renewal transactions, allowing the PRC to devote more time and resources to other regulatory and frontline services.
“Kapag mas kaunti ang renewal transactions, mas magiging mabilis rin ang serbisyo ng gobyerno. Ito ay makabubuti hindi lamang sa ating mga propesyonal kundi pati na rin sa PRC,” Go said.
Go said the proposal forms part of his broader push to make government services more efficient, accessible, and responsive to the needs of the public.
“Ang serbisyo ng gobyerno ay dapat nakatuon sa kapakanan ng tao. Kung may paraan para mabawasan ang gastusin, oras, at abala ng ating mga kababayan nang hindi isinasakripisyo ang kalidad ng serbisyo, dapat natin itong isulong,” Go underscored.
