GDAP now GMLP

In our last meeting on June 4, 2009 at the University of the East, Manila, more contributions for GDAP came in. We reviewed the requirements for SEC registration. While we were doing our planning, our elected Treasurer Mr. Ricky Lawas, RGC of the Carlos Lanting College went to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to have our name reserved. Much to the fulfillment (talk of wish fulfillment!) of Dr. Elvi Ramos' womanly hunch, the name Guidance Directors Association of the Philippines (GDAP) was no longer available. We tried to reserve another name, the Association of Guidance Administrators of the Philippines or AGAP, and this too was no longer available. Anyway, we picked another name. Now, we have reserved a new name which we will announce once we get the SEC registration. Mabuti na ito para wala nang mambabara, whoever you are. Better luck next time po. We are very happy with the way things are moving for us. In fact, we will be meeting (#4) again this coming Wednesday, June 10, 2009 from 1-5PM at the University of the East, Manila.. Again, calling on all present and former, licensed or unlicensed Guidance Directors, Administrators or Heads in school, community or even private practice in Guidance Counseling clinics anywhere in the Philippines: please feel free to come and attend this meeting which aims to organize ourselves as persons in charge of the practice of Guidance and Counseling in the Philippines. And, yes, abangan na lang natin ang susunod na kabanata regarding this new organization which we promise will spearhead in looking at a lot of matters concerning our dear profession which is right now in a risky situation.

Risky situation?

Yes, risky. At the moment, there may only be more or less 1500 of us who have been granted the license as Registered Guidance Counselors under the Grandfather's Clause and the 1st Board Exam. According to a party-list Congressman we met at the Congress or House of Representatives last May 26, 2009, there are 37,500 elementary schools all over the country. Note that the high schools and colleges have not been included in this count. Even if each of the 37,500 elementary schools were to have ONE Guidance Counselor, the present number of licensed Guidance Counselors would simply be TOO SMALL! We will be TOO FEW who are legitimate Guidance and Counseling practitioners at the beginning of this school year 2009-2010. Haven't I prophesied (if it can be used here) that there will be Guidance and Counseling practitioners who are not licensed, and their number will be more than those who are licensed. Quo vadis, ma'ams, sirs? The said meeting at the Congress was called by the Committee on Civil Service and Professionalization. I pray that we won't have to go for a full blown congressional inquiry because this would reveal what you, my readers and colleagues have been reporting in your comments to this blog.

Guess what? The CPE or Continuing Professional Education is something that is not to be monopolized by one organization, as we were meant to believe. In fact, at the said meeting where the PRC and the PRBGC attended, it became clear as day that while our regulatory law (RA 9258) mentions something about the CPE, there are currently no guidelines yet promulgated by the PRBGC. Remember, the CPE is for updating and NOT OUTDATING! And, what was really heart warming was the fact that non-attendance at the CPE will never be a reason for non-renewal of license. Thanks God. Legislative history shows us that then Senator Nikki Coseteng (kapangalan niya ang namatay kong pusang magaling magmasahe hehe) led the scrapping of the CPE requirement in license renewal. Why? Kasi naman nabibili!!! Talk about diploma mills? There was then "convention certification mills." Meaning to say, those who did not attend the CPE managed to get such certifications for a fee of course. Sa Recto ba nakuha yun? Those among us who follow events are aware of these malpractices. And we do not want these things to happen in our profession.

But of course, for the sake of the updating of our professional practice, the CPE is highly encouraged. But as some commented, how can we be encouraged when the fees have risen like the Risen Lord? Joke only. Kung kailan naghirap ang buhay, tsaka pa tinaasan. I really feel this is regrettable. Someone even told me na medyo kulang ng sensitivity ang action na taasan ang bayad ng pag-attend sa conventions. Of course, we need to remember that our organizations are there NOT TO EARN, NOR TO PROFIT. In fact, it may be best to look into our Constitution and By-Laws again if the word earning is ever mentioned. Remember we are NON-PROFIT, NON-STOCK. So why think of EARNING? Siguro kung ito na lang ang ating means, pagkakakitaan talaga! Please naman! My father would say POR DIOS POR SANTO! And remember, there is a ceiling for non-stock non-profit organiaztions, professional orgs at that! We may not be holding money beyond that limit lest we be questioned by the BIR. Hala ka, puro ka na penalty. Ah, kaya siguro tinataasan kasi may penalting babayaran! What? I will be paying my membership and convention fees to pay for those penalties? Wag naman po.

Present Directions

There are schools whose Guidance Services areas have been tagged differently. Talk about old dog, new collar! There are Student Formation Center, Student Well-Being Center, etc. You know why this has to be done. In fact, it was recommended as a way to skirt the law! (Alam na ngang mali, ire-recommend pa! Por Dios por Santo!)

The problem here is that with a new name, the scope of work will also be affected. With "Student Formation Center" comes the possibilities that the school will include discipline, even the chaplaincy inside the said center, and Guidance Counselors may be given work that will distract from what Guidance and Counseling is all about. How can this profession ever grow? We are in the time of professionalization and yet we are still besieged by these problems. When will we ever learn? Ma'ams, sirs, let's look into these matters because we are serious about our profession that is trying to make a difference for this country!

Solution? Amend the law! Yes, and we have seen areas for amendment. In the next blogs, I shall mention the areas which need immediate amendment. If you have any recommendation, please email me about it AGAD so we can compile them and send them the soonest possible time. The way to do this is of course to read the law, the Guidance and Counseling Act of 2004, or the Republic Act No. 9258 and its Rules and Regulations and compare these in the light of our practice. Please consider too the practice of our fellow active Guidance Counselors. I tell you, madaming dapat ayusin sa batas na ito! For love of Guidance and Counseling!

Ito na muna. God bless and take care