I will be introducing a bill that will repeal Republic Act 10912, or the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Law. Like many pieces of legislation, its intention was good, but not its implementation.

It is not the first time that what was appealing in theory, failed in practice. And because no law is written in stone, Congress, which bears collective responsibility for its passage, should correct the mistake it has made.

Pulling the plug on the CPD experiment should give all of us time to ponder other means of improving professional competence without the coercive force of the CPD model.

I am confident that together, we can find a system for professional development that will be embraced by all without the disruptions, inconveniences and the high expenses the present one causes.

Senate offices have been bombarded by appeals from professionals in all disciplines, from all over the country, especially teachers and nurses, who protest against the hurdles in getting CPD credits and their PRC licenses renewed. A large nurses alliance, for example, complained that nurses lack the money and the time to complete the 45 CPD units which can cost between P15,000 to P30,000. In one online poll reportedly conducted by the PRC, 90 percent of the respondents want CPD abolished.

At a time when red tape is being shredded, rules simplified, the period of validity of licenses lengthened, I.T. maximized for remote transaction and even online learning, compulsory requirements of dubious value like CPD go against this trend.

It is time for Congress to heed the clamor of 3.2 million registered Filipino professionals to unburden them of this law.