Gaspar P.

Caluna
MAED -1
Educ. 912 A Final Output
Professor: Elinesa Eboña-Abamonga, PhD

I choose CPD as my first topic because as an educator this is the most important.

“Take care of the Goose that lays a golden eggs.”

1. Title: RA 10912 known as “Continuing Professional Development Act of 2016”

Description: An act mandating and strengthening the continuing professional

development program for all regulated professions, creating the continuing
professional development council, and appropriating funds therefore, and for other
related purposes.

Critical Analysis, What is beneficial and what is not, Synthesis, Implication

The CPD is beneficial in the sense that it upholds on the continuing education
of professionals. As the saying “Education is always a continue process.” And it is not
only upgrading its competence but the goal is in accordance with the international
practice. Thus, it is beneficial for it contributes not only to the quality education of
Filipino citizen but to the “general welfare, economic growth and development of the
nation” (Art 1, sec 2). The end goal of the law is really good however, the IRR
(Implementing Rules and Regulation) is problematic. According to Raymund Basilio,
ACT (Alliance of Concerned Teachers) secretary general, this Law makes “milking
cows” of teachers (the comment dated last March 18, 2018 in Manila Times, online).
Furthermore, he argued that in the Philippine Constitution of 1987, (Article XIV section
4) provides that teachers have the rights to enhance their competencies as
professionals. But on the same article section 5 states that education has the highest
budgetary allocation inclusive for trainings, seminars, workshops, etc. In this law
(given in the Matrix of CPD activities) to attend a seminar or training it will cost around
3,000-5,000 pesos and the credit is only 3 units. Given that figure, to earn 45 units as
requirement for renewal of license, the teacher need to cash out an average of
50,000.00 for three years.
 In my point of view as an educator and professional this RA 10912 is more of a
burden than a help for the following reasons. One, a burden not only that we need to
cash out an average of 50,000 but we already paid our education and license long
before. Why we need to pay that much to upgrade? I hope they will amend soon this
law with subsidy from the government. And if the government will subsidize this I
suggest not less than 25 units.

Second, accessibility of CPDs. I clicked the website of PRC and I found out
in their list that only four (4) CPDs accredited in the city and nearby places with
thousands of teachers. How can they serve the big number of teachers? How do we
also know that the seminars being offered will really upgrade the competencies of the
teachers? Part of my suggestion is the government itself will conduct the training
nationwide to ensure the competencies they want to target will be achieved. In doing
so, they can tap/train the regional offices and the regional offices will also train/accredit
the organizations/schools, universities, etc. under them.

Third, getting the certificates. Aside from the fact that teachers are
underpaid, it is also overload. In this law two credits units is generally given when you
join a seminar. To get 45 credit units averagely you need to attend 15-20days of
seminars. That is a burden to a busy teacher teaching the whole year. If I may suggest
instead of three (3) years the renewal will be five years or more. I believed that is
logical enough for the teacher to gather the certificates needed.

Given the suggestions above, if implemented, I believed this law will not be a
burden anymore but truly a joyful and meaningful upgrading competencies
towards quality education and nation building.

References:

Alcober, N. (2017, March 18) Manila Times. Retrieved from

https://www.pressreader.com/philippines/manilatimes/20170318/281608125247885
Read, E. (2016, October 18) Business and Beyond. Retrieved from
https://jaesguerra.wordpress.com/2016/10/18/ra-10912-a-business-and-a-burden/
Chan, Robles Virtual Law. Retrieved from
http://www.chanrobles.com/virtualibrary.htm