If you have any further comments, let this dialogue continue among us who seek understanding so we go on with our lives clear about what we are about daily. Here is Dialogue #1:
From: Donna Althea (I'll keep her complete name and contact address until she allows it to be released)
To: Fr. BernardCollera berngu721@yahoo.com
Sent: Monday, March 5, 2007 4:10:37 PM
Subject: Grandfather's Clause, clarification please?
Dear Fr. Collera,
I am well aware of the schedule for submission of requirements for the licensure. Please enlighten me about the conditions for inclusion of the grandfather's clause. I missed the discussion during PACERS but have the schedules presented on the first day. There have been opinions from different schools in Manila. I need to know straight from you. Pasensya na po Father. Sana huwag kayong makulitan.
Hi Donna,
Peace!
The Grandfather's Clause is a phrase referring to the generosity of the law in granting those who should be granted the license because they've been in the profession long before the licensure mandated by the law. In our case, counselors who've been in the field for 7 years doing ( i.e., active) counseling or teaching, provided they have the academic training or the degree (MA or PhD) are to be granted that. Of course, prior to that is the granting of the license to the first members of the Professional Regulatory Board of Guidance & Counseling (PRBGC). These three evaluate whether applicants have what it takes to be licensed:
A) 7 years of counseling work, or 3 years of teaching counseling subjects, good morals as certified by the counselor-applicant's employers,
B) their actual counseling work or teaching work as certified by the counselor's employers,
C) the Transcript of Records (TOR) which will bear out the claim of training and competence, and of course
D) membership in the Accredited Professional Organization, in our case it is PGCA.
Membership in PGCA is supposed to be "active" i.e., participation in PGCA's activities such as conventions, workshops, or other activities which PGCA holds for its members at least once a year. But since there are counselors who may not have been "active," their paying the membership fee (P500) may suffice for now. Make sure you have the Official Receipt (OR), or in case you pay through the bank, you will need your bank deposit slip as proof of payment.
As to the procedure for applying for licensure under the Grandfather's Clause, you have
A) first to submit to PGCA the certificates of good moral character from your employer/s, your bank deposit slip or Official Receipt (whichever you have). PGCA will then reply to you with a certificate of active membership in PGCA.
B) With these documents, you submit to PRB your other documents mentioned:
1. your TOR (undergraduate & graduate)
2. NBI clearance, (and if you're in government you will also need the Ombudsman clearance) as proof of moral integrity,
3. the certificates of your employers for the past 3 years for teaching, and/or 7 years of counseling,
4. your NSO birth certificate as proof of citizenship because only FIlipinos as to be given the license, unless you are a foreigner and your country has reciprocity with the Philippines as regards the counseling profession.
5. Of course, the latest ID 2x2 colored with white background is needed when you apply at PRC where the
6. Application form you need to fill in, submitting the application form with other documents in person. For foreigners, they may do so through someone they provide a special power of attorney (SPA) to represent them. The SPA must be duly certified by the Philippine embassy where they are currently as proof of one's presence in that country at the timethe SPA was granted.
I will post this in my blog for everyone to read para mayron tayong same understanding & actions. If you have any questions, please write me at berngu721@gmail.com kasi mapupuno na tong yahoo ko baka di makapasok ang email mo. God bless
Bernard Collera
I hope this one answers some of our queries. If you have more, please feel free to dialogue with me so I myself can be alerted of concerns I may not have become aware about. Until the next dialogue. Take care and God bless
