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

Invitation to GDAP 3rd Organizational Meeting

The Guidance Directors Association of the Philippines (GDAP) has been meeting for two times already. This time on June 4, 2009, we will meet again for the 3rd time. Some have contributed their personal funds which will be credited as membership fee later on, and so we were able to purchase the SEC proforma papers for registration.

The forming of this Association involves both licensed and unlicensed, former and present Guidance Directors, Coordinators, Heads or Guidance Office/Center Administrators in order to help in the development of the Guidance and Counseling Profession in the Philippines. If you have worked in this area before or are currently in this work, licensed or unlicensed as RGC, please feel free to attend the meeting which will start at 9AM and last until the afternoon, about 4 or 5PM. We shall be preparing our papers for SEC registration. We are grateful to our Guidance Director of Dr. Dr. Carlos Lanting College Mr. Ricky Lawas for his generous service in procuring the said SEC proforma papers. The meeting place is at the University of the East, Manila campus (in Recto). Please proceed to the Guidance Office of UE, Manila. They have reserved our meeting place.

God bless and take care

Re the May 13, 2009 GDAP Meeting

I have received the following questions from fellow Guidance Counselors, and here is my response:

Q: Is there a registration fee in attending the GDAP meeting? How long will the meeting be, half-day or whole day? Our Guidance Director (Carol) is on leave, that we might send a representative on her behalf; will that be okay?

A: There is no registration fee for this meeting. We will just have to help pay for snacks. The meeting will last for two hours: 9AM to 11AM.

Here is a comment from one of the respondents:

C: I could not file a leave as of today due to pressing institutional matters but I hope you still include me in future activities and notices.

A: Yes, we will keep everyone informed. People who are "in the know" about the practice of the profession will need to best update themselves on this matter. It's best if GDAP were there to help in this matter. I will do my part to help disseminate information on developments regarding this matter. I can only inform though through the following media: email, text messages, and, if I have a way other than, this blog. So stay connected. It's important that we help each other be updated on developments in our field.

Another Comment: Will be with you through my prayers and interest. Thanks a lot and regards.

C: Please update me of whatever information perusal to the organization and my involvement in the organization.

A: That's very nice of you. Thanks and yes, we'll keep you updated.

God bless

Invitation to form the Guidance Directors Association of the Philippines or GDAP

Herein is the letter of Dr. Elvira Irene G. Ramos to ALL GUIDANCE DIRECTORS all over the Philippines. Welcome are all PAST and CURRENT Guidance Directors, Guidance Coordinators whose task is that of a Guidance Director in any school or legitimate institution doing Guidance and Counseling. The meeting shall accept Guidance Directors and Coordinators with or without the license to do the job as Guidance Counselor. Please read along.

May 8, 2009

THE GUIDANCE DIRECTOR

Ma’am/Sir:

Peace greetings!

On May 13, 2009, Wednesday there will be a gathering of past and current Guidance Directors and Heads at 9:00am at the College of Education – Room 108, Philippine Normal University, Taft Ave., Manila.

The assembly aims to organize the Guidance Directors Association of the Philippines (GDAP). Though this association has been conceptualized some five years ago, this is the first time that we are formally organizing it as an association.

Aware of your leadership as a Guidance Director, it is our honor to invite you to this forthcoming activity so we can plan together worthy endeavors which we may adopt in the future.

Thank you and see you on May 13, 2009 at PNU, and let’s share a morning of camaraderie and togetherness.



Very truly yours,


Sgd. Dr. Elvira Irene G. Ramos
Co-convenor