Pinoy workers in Chile attend economic partnership consultation

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine embassy in Chile and Philippine government agencies held consultations with licensed Filipino professionals residing and working in Chile that focused on how their qualifications can be recognized.

The embassy, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Labor and Employment and the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) jointly organized a virtual consultation for the licensed Filipino professionals that also aimed to gather their insights for the Philippines-Chile Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) negotiations.

The consultation was spearheaded by the DTI-Bureau of International Trade Relations, with Director Jan dela Vega presenting the broader economic objectives of the CEPA. He emphasized the importance of enhanced professional mobility in contributing to overall trade in services.

Lawyer Melissa Jane Comafay Yeachana from the PRC provided updates on the procedures related to professional services.

The stakeholder consultation focused on how Filipino professionals can potentially benefit from the CEPA through their mobility and recognition of their qualifications in Chile.

The online meeting aimed to collect targeted feedback from PRC license holders across various fields, including health care workers, engineers, electricians and teachers, to ensure that their concerns and opportunities are adequately addressed in the evolving agreement.

Key topics discussed during the consultation included Mutual Recognition Agreements; Facilitation of Professional Mobility, such as streamlining visa processes, permits, and other requirements for Filipino professionals seeking employment opportunities in Chile; and Renewal, Revalidation, and Recognition of PRC licenses in Chile.

The input gathered during this consultation is expected to contribute to the position of the Philippine team in the CEPA negotiations.