Senate bill seeks extension of PRC ID validity to 5 years

Senator Christopher “Bong’ Go has filed a measure extending the validity of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) professional ID to five years.

The PRC professional ID currently has a validity of three years. Go believes that while the renewal system helps ensure that licensed professionals comply with regulatory standards, the short validity time is costly to workers.

To address this, Go filed Senate Bill No. 2326 on July 15, which proposes to extend the ID validity to five years.

“This measure aims to lighten the process for our professionals. If it is possible to extend the validity of their Professional Identification Cards while not sacrificing the quality of professional regulation, why don’t we do it?” Go said in Filipino on Tuesday.

Go said that renewing a professional license entails paying renewal fees, preparing documentary requirements, securing a continuing professional development compliance when needed, taking a leave from work, and traveling to PRC offices.

Reducing the frequency of renewal also streamlines the work of the PRC, Go said.

“If there are fewer renewal transactions, government services will be faster. This will be better not just for our professionals but for the PRC,” Go said in Filipino. —RF, GMA News