P24 M allotted for entry of Pinoy professionals in Asean

MANILA, Philippines - At least P24 million has been allocated for the forging of an agreement that would allow doctors and other Filipino professionals to freely practice their profession in the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reported over the weekend.

The ASEAN community will pave the way for the free movement of professionals in the 10 member-countries, including Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam and Laos.

For the next two years, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the government would undertake negotiations and other necessary measures for the forging of the mutual recognition agreement (MRA) for the country’s 46 professions.

“This year, we allocated P7.5 million for the MRA for five professionals, including medicine, dentistry, accountancy, nursing and surveying,” Baldoz said.

She said the government also allotted a total of P16.6 million for the conclusion of an MRA for the remaining 27 professions, adding that the DOLE had forged the MRA for 14 professions as of last year.

The DOLE chief said the government is also hoping to come out within the year with the Philippine Qualifications Framework (PQF) and to be able to develop the required work force competencies.

“With PQF in place, it is assured that the qualification issued in the country will be recognized by other countries, which means our licensed professionals can freely practice their professions and get salaries equal to the nationals of host countries,” she said.

Baldoz said DOLE is currently working on the Skills Occupational Shortage List (SOSL) to determine the foreign professionals who would be allowed to practice in the country.

She said the DOLE would consult with stakeholders and would conduct an industry-to-industry inquiry in order to be specific and precise on the needed skills that should be included in the SOSL.

Baldoz said the agency would work with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in addressing the shortage and shorten the employment of foreign workers in the country.