THE Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) on Monday said it will resume operations in eight regions which have transitioned from enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to general community quarantine (GCQ) status.
“Pursuant to Executive Order No. 112 (s.2020) imposing a General Community Quarantine in some areas of the country from 01 to 15 May 2020, please be informed that the following offices of the PRC will open and resume work starting May 4,” the PRC said in an advisory.
Regional Offices and Service Centers that are slated to open are those in Tuguegarao and Robinsons Place Santiago in Cagayan Valley; Robinsons Place Palawan in MIMAROPA; Robinsons Place Naga in the Bicol region; and Robinsons Place Dumaguete in Central Visayas.
Also resuming operations are PRC Tacloban and Robinsons Place Ormoc in Eastern Visayas; PRC Pagadian in Zamboanga Peninsula; PRC Cagayan De Oro in Northern Mindanao; and PRC General Santos, PRC Robinsons Place General Santos, Kidapawan and Koronadal Service Centers in SOCCSKSARGEN.
The PRC advised the public to follow the appointment schedule based on their previous scheduled appointments.
This is regardless if their transaction is for application for examination, initial registration, renewal of PRC IDs, request for duplicate IDs, and certification of passing/rating.
“(This is) in order to regulate the influx of transacting clients and avoid crowding within the premises of the PRC Offices,” explained PRC.
Under the new appointment schedule, those scheduled from March 17 to 20 will be scheduled for May 4 to 8; March 23 to 27 to May 11 to 15; March 30 to April 3 to May 18 to 22; April 6 to 8 to May 25 to 29; April 13 to 17 to June 1 to 5; April 20 to 24 to June 8 to 11; and April 27 to 30 to June 15 to 19.
“If the previous appointment falls on a particular day, the client may transact on the same day under the new appointment schedule. For example, if the original appointment schedule is on March 17, 2020 (Tuesday), then the new appointment schedule will be on May 5, 2020 (Tuesday),” said PRC.
For those scheduled to visit PRC establishments and centers, they are advised to observe the proper precautionary measures to prevent the transmission of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Prior to entering PRC premises, the public is advised to fall in line and observe social distancing by standing on the lines marked on the pavement; wear face masks all throughout your stay in PRC premises; and avoid spitting on the sidewalk or pavement.
At the entrance, have your temperature taken; pass through a sanitizing foot bath by stepping/soaking the soles of your shoes in disinfectant; and disinfect your hands with 70% alcohol or sanitizer prior to entry into the building.
Clients can only proceed when the Security Guard signals them to enter, and for them to go directly to the appropriate office or window; or stay on designated chairs only and do not move from one chair to another unless you are transferring to another area.
On the other hand, clients with fever, colds, cough are advised not to proceed with their transaction, but have their names registered with the Security Guard so that they will be accommodated at a later date when their health issues have been resolved.
CHED
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) said only 20 percent of state universities and colleges (SUCs) in the country are capable of implementing flexible learning approaches in their systems.
CHED chairman Prospero de Vera III said most of the SUCs in the country have not prepared for new and online education schemes.
“We in the Commission are making our efforts triple just to train our teachers in SUCs in the country for the next three months, so that they will be fully equipped as they shift to the new norm of education”, he said.
He said the CHED is likewise checking internet connectivity capabilities of SUCs.
Under flexible approaches, De Vera said teachers and students can meet “once a week or every other week,” with teachers developing modules and learning pockets to be distributed to students at the beginning of the school year or semester. — With Noel Talacay
