PCAP Is Born

I wrote the following article and submitted it as requested for the PGCA (Philippine Guidance and Counseling Association) newsletter which was published and given to the participants during the Midyear Convention held in Davao last Sept. 2006. Have a nice reading!

After many tries (like many couples do), finally an organization that aims to integrate all Guidance-related associations is born! With the able leadership of PGCA President Dr. Rosa Maria Llanes and some PGCA Board members together with representatives from seven guidance-related organizations, with the motivating presence of Dr. Letty Asuzano, the first integration meeting took place last February 4, 2006 at the Assumption College in Makati City to thresh out this integration mandated by Article III, Section 21 of The Counseling Act of 2004 (Republic Act 9258), and further affirmed in Rule 32 of the RA 9258’s Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). There and then, PCAP became its name: the Professional Counselors Association of the Philippines. Since then, monthly meetings have been held mostly in Assumption College, Makati. The latest meeting was held last Sept. 19, 2006 in Christ the King Seminary, Quezon City. The next meeting is scheduled on Oct. 28, 2006 in Mary Ridge (RGS), Tagaytay City. The current officers, while taking on the nature of a “steering committee” are the following: Chairperson – Dr. Rosa Maria Llanes (PGCA President), Secretary – Fr. Bernardo R. Collera, SVD (PACERS President 2006), Treasurer – Dr. Conchita Salonga (PGCA PRO), and PRO – Ms. Maria Lourdes Chavez (PGCA Secretary). All participating organizations contributed P2,000 to fund the succeeding activities of this organization. PGCA, the current APO (Accredited Professional Organization) for all Guidance Counselors for the next three years hopes PCAP will truly integrate all registered, hence professional, counselors into this organization.

In a position paper by former PGCA President Dr. Leticia Peñano-Ho, attempts at establishment of a federation of guidance associations have failed to produce concrete results. But with RA 9258 finally signed by President GMA in March 2004, concerted efforts by the seven guidance-related associations led to the formation of the PCAP. Among its activities include: the submission to the President of the Philippines all nominees to comprise the first Professional Regulatory Board of Guidance and Counseling (PRBGC); the formulation of the Code of Ethics, the Standards of Professional Practice of Guidance & Counseling, and the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for RA 9258. Two focused group discussions (FGD) on the Code of Ethics, the Standards, and the IRR have been conducted by PCAP. FEU sponsored the first FGD last Aug. 26, 2006 while Adamson University hosted the second FGD last Oct 2, 2006. These three documents shall assist the new PRBGC as it implements its tasks. The Constitution and By-Laws of PCAP are next to be formulated, starting on Oct. 28, 2006 in Tagaytay.

The organizations and persons that came and continually support the organization of the PCAP include the following: PGCA – Dr. Rosa Maria Llanes, Dr. Chit Salonga, Ms. Julie Basco, Dr. Tess Castillo, and Ms. Malou Chavez; PACERS (Philippine Association for Counselor Education, Research & Supervision) – Dr. Julian Montano, Fr. Bernardo Collera, SVD, Dr. Susan Eslanislao; PACC (Philippine Association of Christian Counselors) – Ms. Jane Lee, Dr. Linda Bubod, Ms. Joy Laverinto; GCP (Guidance Circle of the Philippines) – Dr. Leticia Asuzano, Ms. Belen Mandin; CDAP (Career Development of the Philippines) – Dr. Chit Umali, Ms. Cecilia Regaya, Sr. Alegria Avellaneda, SPC; PAPSHP (Philippine Association of Psycho-Social Helpers) – Dr. Priscila Dizon. IOTA PHI represented by Dr. Leticia Rebillon backed out from PCAP on its second meeting in March since they are few in their Honor Society, and are PGCA members as well. PCAP has adopted a policy of inclusion, i.e., all other SEC-registered guidance-related organizations are welcome to this promising federation that may yet lead to the growth and development of the practice of Guidance and Counseling, also known as Counseling Psychology. For more information, please contact any of the following:
Dr. Rose Llanes (09178460590, rosellanes29@yahoo.com ), Ms. Malou Chavez (09174324440, mchavez@mc.edu.ph ), Dr. Chit Salonga (0927-7367175, chsalonga_pap@yahoo.com ), or Fr. Bernardo Collera, SVD (09196236605, berngu721@yahoo.com ).

By: Fr. Bernardo R. Collera, SVD
PCAP Secretary
PACERS 2006 President