Amending R.A. No. 8981 (Prc Modernization Act)

10: 12 Dife at TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PRELIPPINES, First Regular Session 25 JUL 17 P3:47 SENATE RLCEN LLE S. No. Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid AN ACT ALLOWING FOREIGN NATIONALS TO TAKE LOCAL LICENSURE EXAMINATIONS FOR CERTIFICATION PURPOSES, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE R.A. NO. 8981, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "PRC MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2000" EXPLANATORY NOTE Our country takes pride in providing international quality English-language education in our institutions for higher learning. This allows for schools to attract foreign students and elevate the status of their institutions by catering to a diverse studentry and promoting international exchange of knowledge and ideas. One such vocation is the medical education in our country. Over the past decades, many international students have opted to take their medical training here with the hopes of returning home with their degrees which would allow them to practice their profession in their domicile. However, proliferation of substandard and fly-by-night schools and diploma mills have led to some countries requiring their students to take the licensure examination in the country where they receive their degrees as proof of completion of their education. This bill empowers the Professional Regulatory Commission to allow foreign nationals to take official licensure examinations here for certification of their professional training here. This, however, does not result in their being allowed to practice here, which shall be regulated by other laws.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. Senator

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES JUL 17 P3:47 TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) First Regular Session SENATE RECEI S. No. Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid AN ACT ALLOWING FOREIGN NATIONALS TO TAKE LOCAL LICENSURE EXAMINATIONS FOR CERTIFICATION PURPOSES, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE R.A. NO. 8981, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "PRC MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2000" Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. A new Section 7-A shall be inserted after Section 7 of R.A. No. 8981,

otherwise known as "PRC Modernization Act of 2000" which shall read as follows:

Section 7-A. Licensure Examinations for Foreign Nationals

with Locally Obtained Degrees. - Notwithstanding the laws regulating the practice of profession by foreign nationals in the Philippines, foreign nationals who obtained the necessary degrees from higher educational institutions in the Philippines shall be allowed to take licensure examinations as provided in

Sec. 7 (d) of this Act and shall be issued a corresponding

certification of the result of said examination by the Commission.

SEC. 2. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act shall be declared

unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 3. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, decrees, executive orders and

issuances, proclamations, rules and regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof

1 that are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended, 2 accordingly.

SEC. 4. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

4 publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,