CHED: OFWs won’t lose jobs in Qatar

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) yesterday allayed fears of some 12,000 Filipino engineers and architects who were reportedly in danger of losing their jobs in Qatar.

CHED chairperson Patricia Licuanan personally met high-level Qatari officials earlier this week to discuss the problems faced by Filipino engineers and architects in the Middle Eastern country.

“The results of the visit were most positive and productive. The worst fears of Filipinos losing their jobs in Qatar are unfounded,” Licuanan said in a statement.

The CHED chief, along with Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) acting chairperson Angeline Chua Chiaco, went to Qatar on Sunday amid concerns raised by Filipinos who were prevented from registering with the country’s Urban Planning and Development Authority (UPDA).

Qatari law requires all practicing engineers and architects to be registered with the UPDA. However, Filipinos were prevented from registration as they lack the usual 12 years of basic education.

Licuanan, Chiaco and Philippine Ambassador to Qatar Wilfredo Santos met with Qatar’s Minister of Education and Higher Education Mohd Alhamadi, along with other education officials, to discuss the matter.

Licuanan said the UPDA has agreed to accept for registration all applicants who graduated from institutions that are on a list of approved Philippine higher education institutions.

“CHED will provide them with an expanded list of recognized programs. Graduation from an institution in the approved list along with the possession of a PRC license will qualify professionals to apply for registration,” she added.