House approves bill extending PRC license validity to 5 years on final reading
House approves bill extending PRC license validity to 5 years on final reading
The House of Representatives has unanimously approved on third and final reading a measure that will extend the validity of Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) identification cards from three years to five years.
Voting 266-0 with one abstention, lawmakers passed House Bill No. 8876, which aims to cut red tape, reduce congestion in government transactions, and ease the renewal burden on millions of licensed Filipino professionals, including nurses, teachers, engineers, and accountants.
House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, who championed the bill, emphasized that the reform is a practical step toward making government services more responsive.
"Our professionals deserve a government that values their time and hard work. This measure cuts red tape, reduces unnecessary expenses, and makes public service more responsive to the realities faced by millions of Filipinos," Marcos said. He noted that the extension will significantly decongest PRC appointment slots without compromising regulatory standards.
Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, a principal author of the measure, added that the extended validity will allow professionals to dedicate more time to their careers and families rather than navigating bureaucratic hurdles.
"If the validity of their PRC IDs is longer, they can focus more on their jobs, family, and how to be productive public servants," Romualdez stated. "This bill is in recognition of the sacrifices and contributions of our professionals."
To accommodate the transition, HB 8876 mandates the PRC’s Information and Communication Technology Service to upgrade its systems. Specifically, the agency is given six months from the law's effectivity to complete necessary enhancements to the Licensure Examination Registration Information System (LERIS) and other administrative processes.
The PRC has already expressed full support for the measure. In a recent interview, PRC Assistant Commissioner Lord Louis Valera confirmed that the extended validity aligns with the government's push to streamline services, similar to the longer validity periods now applied to passports and driver's licenses. Valera also assured professionals that the extension would not bring additional Continuing Professional Development (CPD) burdens; licensed workers will simply need to comply with existing legal requirements when their 5-year renewal comes up.
Voting 266-0 with one abstention, lawmakers passed House Bill No. 8876, which aims to cut red tape, reduce congestion in government transactions, and ease the renewal burden on millions of licensed Filipino professionals, including nurses, teachers, engineers, and accountants.
House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, who championed the bill, emphasized that the reform is a practical step toward making government services more responsive.
"Our professionals deserve a government that values their time and hard work. This measure cuts red tape, reduces unnecessary expenses, and makes public service more responsive to the realities faced by millions of Filipinos," Marcos said. He noted that the extension will significantly decongest PRC appointment slots without compromising regulatory standards.
Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, a principal author of the measure, added that the extended validity will allow professionals to dedicate more time to their careers and families rather than navigating bureaucratic hurdles.
"If the validity of their PRC IDs is longer, they can focus more on their jobs, family, and how to be productive public servants," Romualdez stated. "This bill is in recognition of the sacrifices and contributions of our professionals."
To accommodate the transition, HB 8876 mandates the PRC’s Information and Communication Technology Service to upgrade its systems. Specifically, the agency is given six months from the law's effectivity to complete necessary enhancements to the Licensure Examination Registration Information System (LERIS) and other administrative processes.
The PRC has already expressed full support for the measure. In a recent interview, PRC Assistant Commissioner Lord Louis Valera confirmed that the extended validity aligns with the government's push to streamline services, similar to the longer validity periods now applied to passports and driver's licenses. Valera also assured professionals that the extension would not bring additional Continuing Professional Development (CPD) burdens; licensed workers will simply need to comply with existing legal requirements when their 5-year renewal comes up.
The bill will now be transmitted to the Senate for its concurrence.
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