CPD law designed to gain profit, not to give services, teachers tell PRC

TEACHERS led by the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), hold a protest-rally in the Professional Regulation Commission to condemn the impending implementation of the Continuing Professional Development Act of 2016 or Republic Act 10912.

In a news release, Mr. Raymond Basilio, secretary-general of Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), said: “CPD Law aims to make professionals, including the teachers, as the government’s ‘milking cows’ sugarcoated in ‘quality, competency and internationalization’ concept. 

"Continuing Professional Development is a RIGHT and is therefore supported under 1987 Philippine Constitution Article XIV Sec 4, where, teachers have the right to enhance their competencies as professional and Sec 5, where Education must have the highest budgetary appropriation inclusive of the trainings and seminars of the professional teachers,” said  Basilio.

The group is asking to make CPD free as it is the government's responsibility not just to elevate the competencies of the teachers but for the benefit of the students.

“Professional Regulation Commission must recognize the In-Service Trainings conducted by the Department of Education (DepEd). This is also the situation in other government agencies and even in companies which has their own human resource program based from the identified needs. There are several programs in place already and these are for free. The Implementing Rules and Regulations of this law is nothing but putting in place privatization schemes in the delivery of the program,” added Basilio.

“We call on the commissioners of the PRC to immediately recall the IRR that the issued and that the conduct genuine consultations and involve the existing employees’ organizations and unions," he said, adding, "we need continuing professional development programs but this should not come as an additional burden to the teachers and professionals."

"Teachers and professionals will be forced to attend seminars and trainings conducted by different private entities which charges 5,000 to 10,000 per seminar/training and is good for 3 credit units only. Following the 45 credit units needed for the renewal of license to practice profession every three years, a teacher should spend 50,000 at the minimum. It is a fact that teachers are still underpaid and overworked already. Just and decent pay with enough benefits are the needs of the teachers and not additional burden. We need benefits and services. We are not milking cows,” said Basilio.