A texter's question: Will you please enlighten me about Sec 16 CPE, 60 credit unit 4 wt baccaureate degree, 30 crdt unit w/o baccalaureate degree? Thank u n God bless u.
Answer: When I called up the Standards Division last Feb. 5, 2010, I got this answer: "every professional needs to gather 20 units per year (60 credit units every time one renews the license."
You know? I think we need to channel this question to the Council for CPE in Guidance and Counseling so they can make an OFFICIAL STATEMENT. Anyone may care to also inquire with the PRC Standards Division, tel. # (02) 314-0048. Ask either Ms. Aida or Marjorie (I may be mistaken because I immediately associated Ms. Margie, former 1973 Ms Universe of the Philippines) Moran to help you understand this matter. You may quote directly from the PRC document which I posted in the blog. In fact, it may be best to write a letter of inquiry which they are obliged to respond w/in 15 working days so we get official responses. From there, we can make appropriate and correct statements, and even make further questions when left still unanswered. K?
In the meantime, let that be the answer. God bless and take care
Friday, February 19, 2010
Some thoughts on the CPE Documents
First, my apologies for my statement emailed to our IPCAP members about there being no Guidelines from the Board of Guidance and Counseling. The more recent truth is, the PRC-set Guidelines (PRC BR 2008-466 Series of 2008 & Annex A) have now become THE Guidelines. Thanks to the PRC Standards Division for enlightening me. That mistaken thought or impression has led me to actually clarify why there is no official word from the CPE Council for Guidance & Counseling except a statement I read somewhere about which are the accredited CPE providers for the profession. I would really want to read MORE OFFICIAL STATEMENTS coming from the legitimate source like the CPE Council for Guidance and Counseling without which doubt can be an easy preoccupation. Aren't they supposed to meet ONCE A MONTH (Article II Section 11 which reads: "The Council shall hold regular meetings once a month on dates to be fixed by said Councils.") Since the PRC Board Resolution No. 2008-466 Series of 2008 & Annex A has taken effect - Oct. 22, 2008, I have yet to get more reliable information, at least the PRINTED one like the aforesaid PRC Resolution. Maybe the Board is still busy with the many documents submitted for Grandfather's Clause licensure. Nonetheless, it is essential for our profession that this matter be attended to. We at IPCAP have been discussing these matters in our meetings.
With that taken care of, let me share some thoughts on the documents I published in here. There are more PRC Resolutions connected with the ones I placed here (e.g., the payments for applications for CPE provider-ship, etc...), but for the purposes of those who read this blog on this matter (I bet I haven't read this document somewhere else other than the ones I got from PRC Standards Division), let these thoughts be for now. I shall add as the days come.
1. Is there a discrepancy between these two statements coming from the document (Annex A) itself? Here are the statements, to wit,
"No CPE provider shall be allowed to conduct CPE programs, activities and sources without approval and accreditation from the Council." (Article III Section 15 sentence 2)
"Programs and activities conducted by providers which were not pre-accredited may be given credit upon submission of documents relevant to the programs to the APO CPEC and upon approval of the Council." (Article III Section 16 par 4)
This is how I understand the first statement (Sec. 15 sentence 2): A CPE provider may not conduct CPE programs, activities and sources WITHOUT approval and accreditation.
As regards Sec. 16 par 4, this is how I understand it: If there were programs and activities that were not pre-accredited, just submit documents relevant to that program/activity to the APO for approval by the Council (CPE Council), and the units there may be given credit.
The first statement PROHIBITS holding of non-pre-accredited events (programs and activities and sources) even by a CPE PRovider, which the second statement denies because submission of relevant documents suffices. Isn't there a discrepancy? Akala ko di pwede, bakit pwede pala? All in one document. Ano ba talaga Kuya? Ate? Lolo? Lola?
2. What about professionals (read: those with PRC IDs) invited to give talks and workshops by organizations that are not accredited CPE providers: are those experiences of being a RESOURCE PERSON not given credit?
I'd like to think that the document itself provides for credit units being given to those programs and activities having sources other than the CPE provider organizations. Just look at the credit units given to masteral and doctoral degrees (academic preparation), journal articles published and presented, and obviously MOST of the other programs may obviously not come from accredited CPE providers alone. I don't know if I have missed a portion of the document, but the impression left in me after the many readings I did on the document is that if one is over one's masters, or doctorate, one may be left with participation as the only mode by which one can get credit units from the accredited CPE providers. Well, if my understanding were right, when one becomes resource person/panelist reactor or facilitator/moderator, one must be the resource person/panelist reactor or facilitator/moderator ONLY in the CPE provider-sponsored event. I hope I am mistaken. It is thus best for the Board or the Council to really think about it.
Let these be for now. I am open for discussion and exchange. I may be mistaken. Let me know where. Thanks and Good Day. God bless
With that taken care of, let me share some thoughts on the documents I published in here. There are more PRC Resolutions connected with the ones I placed here (e.g., the payments for applications for CPE provider-ship, etc...), but for the purposes of those who read this blog on this matter (I bet I haven't read this document somewhere else other than the ones I got from PRC Standards Division), let these thoughts be for now. I shall add as the days come.
1. Is there a discrepancy between these two statements coming from the document (Annex A) itself? Here are the statements, to wit,
"No CPE provider shall be allowed to conduct CPE programs, activities and sources without approval and accreditation from the Council." (Article III Section 15 sentence 2)
"Programs and activities conducted by providers which were not pre-accredited may be given credit upon submission of documents relevant to the programs to the APO CPEC and upon approval of the Council." (Article III Section 16 par 4)
This is how I understand the first statement (Sec. 15 sentence 2): A CPE provider may not conduct CPE programs, activities and sources WITHOUT approval and accreditation.
As regards Sec. 16 par 4, this is how I understand it: If there were programs and activities that were not pre-accredited, just submit documents relevant to that program/activity to the APO for approval by the Council (CPE Council), and the units there may be given credit.
The first statement PROHIBITS holding of non-pre-accredited events (programs and activities and sources) even by a CPE PRovider, which the second statement denies because submission of relevant documents suffices. Isn't there a discrepancy? Akala ko di pwede, bakit pwede pala? All in one document. Ano ba talaga Kuya? Ate? Lolo? Lola?
2. What about professionals (read: those with PRC IDs) invited to give talks and workshops by organizations that are not accredited CPE providers: are those experiences of being a RESOURCE PERSON not given credit?
I'd like to think that the document itself provides for credit units being given to those programs and activities having sources other than the CPE provider organizations. Just look at the credit units given to masteral and doctoral degrees (academic preparation), journal articles published and presented, and obviously MOST of the other programs may obviously not come from accredited CPE providers alone. I don't know if I have missed a portion of the document, but the impression left in me after the many readings I did on the document is that if one is over one's masters, or doctorate, one may be left with participation as the only mode by which one can get credit units from the accredited CPE providers. Well, if my understanding were right, when one becomes resource person/panelist reactor or facilitator/moderator, one must be the resource person/panelist reactor or facilitator/moderator ONLY in the CPE provider-sponsored event. I hope I am mistaken. It is thus best for the Board or the Council to really think about it.
Let these be for now. I am open for discussion and exchange. I may be mistaken. Let me know where. Thanks and Good Day. God bless
Saturday, February 13, 2010
PRC Documents Regarding the CPE for Guidance & Counseling Part III
It was only after I had these pages blogged that I realized the pages were reversed. This matter is divided into 3 blog entries. I have identified each by the Roman numeral. Pardon the technological glitch here. Thanks.
i. Submission of the proposed budget and seminar or convention fee to be collected shall be reviewed by the Council.
j. Seminar or convention fee to be collected.
k. Evaluation to be used which could either be any of the following modes or systems:
i. evaluation of seminar by participant
ii. evaluation of participants by CPE providers, tests.
iii. other methods of evaluation.
3. If the Council concerned finds the CPE program, activity or source to be relevant to the profession, cost effective to the participants and to be in accordance with these guidelines, said Council shall issue a certificate of accreditation within thirty (30) days from receipt of application.
Section 18. Post-accreditation Requirements. – Upon the completion of an accredited CPE program, activity or source, the CPE Provider shall submit a report to the Council concerned within fifteen (15 days) from the last day of the offering. The report shall include, but shall not be limited to the following information:
1. Name of CPE provider.
2. Name or description of CPE program, activity or source.
3. Accreditation number and date of issuance of accreditation.
4. Certified list of participants indicating names and PRC professional license/identification (ID) cards and expiry dates, resource speakers, lecturers, discussion leaders, panelists, moderators or facilitators who took part or participated in the CPE program, activity or source.
5. Date and time of start and completion of the holding of the CPE program, activity or source.
6. Venue location of the holding of the program.
7. Summary evaluation results and participants.
8. Name of Secretariat representative who monitored the CPE program or activity.
Section 19. Sanctions. –
a. Accredited CPE Provider – Accreditation shall be withdrawn from the Provider who:
1. Is found not complying with the prescribed rules and regulations for CPE, or
2. Has committed substantial deviation from the approved program, or
3. Has submitted false reports, or
4. Has committed such other acts that the Council finds to be in violation of the interest of the program.
b. Commission employees –
Any employee of the Commission who causes, abets or helps in the renewal of the ID card/license of a registered professional without complying with CPE requirements shall be considered to have violated office and/or civil service rules and regulations and shall be proceeded against administratively, and, if found guilty, shall be meted out the penalties provided for by the said laws and rules and regulations.
Nothing follows.
This one below I got from http://www.clinicalcounselor.blogspot.com/ and decided to bring it in here so everyone can read it as well. Hope there is no mistake in the typing here.
Republic of the Philippines
Professional Regulation Commission
Manila
Resolution No. 2009-542 Series of 2009
AMENDING SEC.19(b) of RESOLUTION No. 2008-466 SERIES OF 2008
“Revised Standardized Guidelines and Procedures for the Implementation of the CPE/CPD System for All Registered and Licensed Professionals
WHEREAS, the Commission issued Res. No. 2008-466 Series of 2008, prescribing,
issuing and promulgating the “Revised Standardized Guidelines and Procedures
for the Implementation of the Continuing Professional Education/Development
(CPE/CPD) System for All Registered and Licensed Professionals,” Annex “A”;
WHEREAS, Sec. 19 Sanctions of the aforesaid Resolution states, to wit
“b. Commission employees –
Any employee of the Commission who causes, abets or helps in the renewal of the ID card/license of a registered professional without complying with CPE requirements shall be considered to have violated office and/or civil service rules and regulations and shall be proceeded against administratively, and, if found guilty, shall be meted out the penalties provided for by the said laws and rules and regulations.”
WHEREAS, the aforequoted provision is appropriate if the submission of CPE units requirement for the renewal of the professional identification card (PIC) issued to a registered and licensed professional is a mandatory provision under the concerned PRB, and
WHEREAS, the CPE Task Force decided to recommend to the Commission for the amendment of Section 19 (b);
NOW, THEREFORE, the Commission Resolves, as it is hereby Resolved, to amend Sec. 19 (b) Res. No. 2008-466 Series of 2008 which shall read as follows:
a. Commission employees –
Any employee of the Commission who causes, abets or helps in the renewal of the PROFESSIONAL IDENTIFICATION CARD [license] of a registered and licensed professional without complying with THE MANDATORY CPE REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE PERTINENT PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY LAW (PRL) shall be considered to have violated THE PRL AND ITS IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS (IRR), office and/or civil service rules and regulations and shall be proceeded against CRIMINALLY AND/OR administratively, and, if found guilty, shall be meted out the penalties provided for by the said PRL (laws], IRR, OFFICE and/or CIVIL SERVICE rules and regulations.”
i. Submission of the proposed budget and seminar or convention fee to be collected shall be reviewed by the Council.
j. Seminar or convention fee to be collected.
k. Evaluation to be used which could either be any of the following modes or systems:
i. evaluation of seminar by participant
ii. evaluation of participants by CPE providers, tests.
iii. other methods of evaluation.
3. If the Council concerned finds the CPE program, activity or source to be relevant to the profession, cost effective to the participants and to be in accordance with these guidelines, said Council shall issue a certificate of accreditation within thirty (30) days from receipt of application.
Section 18. Post-accreditation Requirements. – Upon the completion of an accredited CPE program, activity or source, the CPE Provider shall submit a report to the Council concerned within fifteen (15 days) from the last day of the offering. The report shall include, but shall not be limited to the following information:
1. Name of CPE provider.
2. Name or description of CPE program, activity or source.
3. Accreditation number and date of issuance of accreditation.
4. Certified list of participants indicating names and PRC professional license/identification (ID) cards and expiry dates, resource speakers, lecturers, discussion leaders, panelists, moderators or facilitators who took part or participated in the CPE program, activity or source.
5. Date and time of start and completion of the holding of the CPE program, activity or source.
6. Venue location of the holding of the program.
7. Summary evaluation results and participants.
8. Name of Secretariat representative who monitored the CPE program or activity.
Section 19. Sanctions. –
a. Accredited CPE Provider – Accreditation shall be withdrawn from the Provider who:
1. Is found not complying with the prescribed rules and regulations for CPE, or
2. Has committed substantial deviation from the approved program, or
3. Has submitted false reports, or
4. Has committed such other acts that the Council finds to be in violation of the interest of the program.
b. Commission employees –
Any employee of the Commission who causes, abets or helps in the renewal of the ID card/license of a registered professional without complying with CPE requirements shall be considered to have violated office and/or civil service rules and regulations and shall be proceeded against administratively, and, if found guilty, shall be meted out the penalties provided for by the said laws and rules and regulations.
Nothing follows.
This one below I got from http://www.clinicalcounselor.blogspot.com/ and decided to bring it in here so everyone can read it as well. Hope there is no mistake in the typing here.
Republic of the Philippines
Professional Regulation Commission
Manila
Resolution No. 2009-542 Series of 2009
AMENDING SEC.19(b) of RESOLUTION No. 2008-466 SERIES OF 2008
“Revised Standardized Guidelines and Procedures for the Implementation of the CPE/CPD System for All Registered and Licensed Professionals
WHEREAS, the Commission issued Res. No. 2008-466 Series of 2008, prescribing,
issuing and promulgating the “Revised Standardized Guidelines and Procedures
for the Implementation of the Continuing Professional Education/Development
(CPE/CPD) System for All Registered and Licensed Professionals,” Annex “A”;
WHEREAS, Sec. 19 Sanctions of the aforesaid Resolution states, to wit
“b. Commission employees –
Any employee of the Commission who causes, abets or helps in the renewal of the ID card/license of a registered professional without complying with CPE requirements shall be considered to have violated office and/or civil service rules and regulations and shall be proceeded against administratively, and, if found guilty, shall be meted out the penalties provided for by the said laws and rules and regulations.”
WHEREAS, the aforequoted provision is appropriate if the submission of CPE units requirement for the renewal of the professional identification card (PIC) issued to a registered and licensed professional is a mandatory provision under the concerned PRB, and
WHEREAS, the CPE Task Force decided to recommend to the Commission for the amendment of Section 19 (b);
NOW, THEREFORE, the Commission Resolves, as it is hereby Resolved, to amend Sec. 19 (b) Res. No. 2008-466 Series of 2008 which shall read as follows:
a. Commission employees –
Any employee of the Commission who causes, abets or helps in the renewal of the PROFESSIONAL IDENTIFICATION CARD [license] of a registered and licensed professional without complying with THE MANDATORY CPE REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE PERTINENT PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY LAW (PRL) shall be considered to have violated THE PRL AND ITS IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS (IRR), office and/or civil service rules and regulations and shall be proceeded against CRIMINALLY AND/OR administratively, and, if found guilty, shall be meted out the penalties provided for by the said PRL (laws], IRR, OFFICE and/or CIVIL SERVICE rules and regulations.”
PRC Document Regarding the CPE for Guidance & Counseling Part II
Article III
CRITERIA FOR ACCREDITATION OF PROVIDERS, PROGRAMS, ACTIVITIES OR SOURCES; EQUIVALENT CREDIT UNITS; CREDIT REQUIREMENTS; EXEMPTIONS AND OTHER MATTERS
Section 14. Criteria for Accreditation. – In order to merit accreditation, the following criteria shall be complied with:
A. For CPE Provider
1. Must be a duly registered organization, firm, institution or agency, or a registered and licensed professional of good standing in the APO concerned, and who has never been convicted of a crime;
2. Shall have an established mechanism for measuring the quality of the program being offered or administered;
3. Must have adequate, modern and updated instructional materials to carry out the CPE programs and activities;
4. Shall have a pool of regular instructors, lecturers and resource speakers with good moral character and technical competence and must be holders of current/valid professional registrations and licenses, if they are professionals regulated by the Commission.
B. For CPE Programs, activities or sources
1. The scope shall be beyond the basic preparation for admission to the practice of the profession. The contents shall be relevant/related, but not limited to, the practice of the profession.
2. The programs, activities or sources shall enhance the competence of the registered and licensed professional by upgrading and updating knowledge and skills for the practice of the profession as brought about by modernization and scientific and technical advancements in the profession.
Section 15. Programs, Activities and Sources for Accreditation and Equivalent Credit Units. - Any provider may submit to the CPE Council programs, activities or sources to be approved and accredited for credit units (CUs). No CPE provider shall be allowed to conduct CPE programs, activities and sources without approval and accreditation from the Council.
As used in these guidelines, the following terms shall mean:
1. Seminars shall refer to the gathering of registered and licensed professionals which shall include, among others, workshops, technical lectures or subject matter meetings, non-degree training courses and scientific meetings.
2. Conventions shall refer to the gathering of registered and licensed professionals which shall include, among others, conferences, symposia or assemblies for round table discussions.
3. Doctoral degree shall refer to a post-graduate degree from a recognized school, college or university.
4. Masteral Degree shall refer to a graduate degree from a recognized school, college or university.
5. Fellowship shall refer to the completion of a post-doctoral training program in a specific field pre-approved by a duly recognized institution, scientific faculty meeting and the like.
6. Residency/Externship shall refer to the apprenticeship training at the graduate level which is beyond the basic preparation for the regulated and licensed health professionals. This should be conducted by duly-accredited hospitals and medical centers and the like.
7. Authorship shall refer to the ownership of intellectual property which includes technical or professional books, instructional materials and the like. Credit units (CUs) earned must be claimed within one (1)b year from the date of publication.
8. Self-directed Learning Package shall refer to learning which uses course manuals or accredited learning modules. Accredited learning modules include self-instructional materials or programs which may be in the form of printed manual, audio and video cassette tapes, films, computer-assisted learning (CAL), study kits, learning aids and modules or the use of the information highway. These should include among others, clearly defined objectives, adequate content and an evaluation component for each module.
9. Post-Graduate/In-Service Training shall mean training or specialization at the post graduate level for a minimum period of one (1) week.
10. Resource Speaker shall refer to a professional who acts as a discussion leader or lecturer, in a convention or seminar or similar gathering.
11. Peer Reviewer shall refer to professional who acts as an evaluator of a research paper, conference paper or journal article before it is presented or published.
12. CPE Provider shall refer to a natural person or a juridical entity which includes among others, accredited or non-accredited professional organization, firm, partnership, corporation or institution which offers, organizes or arranges CPE programs, activities or sources for implementation and administration.
13. CPE Programs, Activities or Sources shall refer to the regime of CPE which enhance the competence of the professional by upgrading and updating knowledge and skills for the profession as brought about by modernization and scientific and technical advancements in the profession. The scope shall be beyond the basic preparation for admission to the practice of the regulated profession. The content shall be related but not limited to the practice of the profession.
The following is the Matrix for CPE programs, activities or sources with their corresponding credit units and supporting documents required. Credit unit (CU) allocation for other CPE activities may be decided upon by the concerned Council.
MATRIX FOR CPE PROGRAMS, ACTIVITIES OR SOURCES
PROGRAMS / CREDIT UNITS / SUPPORTING DOCUMENT
1. SEMINARS/CONVENTIONS
1.1. PARTICIPANT 1 CU PER HOUR CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE
WITH NUMBER OF HOURS, SEMINAR
PROGRAM, CERTIFIED LIST OF
PARTICIPANTS
1.2 RESOURCE SPEAKER 5 CU PER HOUR PHOTOCOPY OF PLAQUE
CERTIFICATION AND COPY OF
PAPER, PROGRAM INVITATION
Section 16. CPE Credit Units. – The total CPE credit units (CUs) for registered and licensed professionals with baccalaureate degree shall be sixty (60) credit units for three (3) years. Any excess credit units earned shall not be carried over to the next three-year period except credit units earned for doctoral and masteral degrees or for other special training.
The total CPE credit units (CUs) for registered and licensed professionals without baccalaureate degrees shall be thirty (30) credit units for three (3) years. Any excess shall not be carried over to the next three year period.
One credit hour of CPE program, activity of source shall be equivalent to one (1) credit unit.
Programs and activities conducted by providers which were not pre-accredited may be given credit upon submission of documents relevant to the programs to the APO CPEC and upon approval of the Council.
Section 17. Procedures. - Each Council shall observe the following procedures for the accreditation of CPE providers and CPE programs, activities, or sources:
A. Procedure for Accreditation of CPE Provider:
I. In case of natural persons:
1. Any person seeking to offer an organized or arranged program, activity or
source shall accomplish and submit to the appropriate Council an application
form.
2. An application shall include, but shall not limit to the following information:
a. Full name, address and telephone number of the applicant provider.
b. Relevant educational background.
c. Profession, principal area of professional work and number of years in
the legal practice of the regulated profession.
d. PRC License Number and date of expiration.
e. Current employment.
3. Applicant-provider shall submit a valid NBI clearance.
II. In case of juridical entity:
1. Any agency, organization, institution, association or similar juridical
entity seeking to offer an organized program, activity or source shall
accomplish and submit to the appropriate Council an application form.
2. An application shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following
information and documents:
a. Full name, address, and telephone/fax number/s and email address.
b. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or Department of
Trade and Industry (DTI) original registration papers.
c. List of officers with their PRC License Numbers and expiry date if officer
is a member of a regulated profession.
d. Plans for CPE programs or activities for the year applied.
e. Proof of past CPE activities or programs conducted/arranged (immediate past
year) for applicants renewing accreditation (not required for first time
applicants).
III. All applicants shall submit to the CPE/CPD Council concerned the following:
1. Mechanism for measuring the quality of the program, activity or source being
offered.
2. Criteria for selecting and evaluating speakers, resource persons or
lecturers.
IV. Issuance by the Council of Certificate of Accreditation (CoA) as CPE provider in the case of natural persons and juridical entities and their programs, activities and sources by the Commission Proper. Accreditation shall be for a period of three (3) years, renewable every three years (3) years.
B. Procedures for Accreditation of a CPE Program, Activity or Source
1. A CPE provider seeking accreditation of an organized or arranged CPE
program, activity or source shall submit said program, activity or source
(in triplicate) to the Council concerned for its evaluation and approval.
The program, activity or source shall cover a period not to exceed three (3)
years.
2. The application for accreditation of a CPE Program, activity or source shall
include the following information and documents:
a. Title/s of program/s, activity/ies or source/s.
b. Name of CPE provider, address, phone and fax numbers.
c. Date and venue of the Administration of the program.
d. Objectives.
e. Targeted audience or participants.
f. Contents and number of hours.
g. Resource speakers, lecturers, discussion leaders, panelists, reactors,
moderators, and facilitators including their qualifications and current PRC
license if they are members of the regulated profession.
h. Actual program and schedule.
PRC Documents Regarding the CPE for Guidance & Counseling Part I
Herein are the pages of the PRC Resolution for CPE Provision. I can only place 5 pages per entry, hence the rest shall follow in the succeeding blogs. I would like to understand it myself, so I decided to type it and place it here for us to read the documents directly. You may check if my verbatim copying of the document herein printed is faithful to the original, and if alright with you, let me know where I failed so we can correct it immediately. My email is berngu721@gmail.com. Thanks and Happy Reading! God bless
Republic of the Philippines
Professional Regulation Commission
Manila
Resolution No. 2008-466 Series of 2008
REPEALING RESOLUTION 2004-179, SERIES OF 2004, THE “STANDARDIZED GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION/DEVELOPMENT (CPE/CPD) SYSTEM FOR ALL PROFESSIONS” AND IMPLEMENTATION OF REVISED STANDARDIZED GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CPE/CPD SYSTEM FOR ALL REGISTERED AND LICENSED PROFESSIONALS
WHEREAS, Sec. 14, Article XII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution partly provides that “the sustained development of a reservoir of national talents x x x professionals x x x shall be promoted by the state;”
WHEREAS, the Professional Regulation Commission (the “Commission”), under Section 7 (a), (n) and (y) of Republic Act (RA) No. 8981 otherwise known as the “PRC Modernization Act of 2000,” has these specific powers:
“(a) to administer, implement and enforce the regulatory policies of the national
government with respect to the regulation and licensing of the various professionals and occupations under its jurisdiction including enhancement and maintenance of professional and occupational standards and ethics and the enforcement of rules and regulations relative hereto;”
“(n) To adopt and promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary to effectively implement policies with respect to the regulation and practice of the professions;”
“(y) To perform such other functions and duties a may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act, the various professional regulatory laws, decrees, executive orders and other administrative issuances;”
WHEREAS, Section 9 (b) of R.A. 8981 provides that one of the Powers, Functions and Responsibilities of the Various Professional Regulatory Boards (PRBs) is “[T]o monitor the conditions affecting the practice of the profession or occupation under their respective jurisdictions and whenever necessary, adopt such measures as may be deemed proper for the enhancement of the profession or occupation and/or the maintenance of high professional, ethical and technical standards, x x x;”
WHEREAS, the formulation of the policy on CPE is in consonance with the objective to enhance and maintain high professional and occupational, ethical and technical standards in the practice of the professions;
WHEREAS, the President of the Republic of the Philippines issued on June 23, 2003, Executive Order (E.O.) No. 220, “Directing the Adoption of the Code of Good Governance for the Professions in the Philipines;”
WHEREAS, the said Code was adopted by the Commission and the forty-four (44) PRBs, embodying principles of professional conduct, specifically, integrity and objectivity, professional competence, and global competitiveness;
WHEREAS, all the forty-three (43) PRBs and the forty-three (43) accredited professional organizations (APOs) are in favor of implementing a CPE in the practice of their respective professions;
WHEREAS, the Commission, as the instrument of the Filipino people in securing for the nation a reliable, trustworthy and progressive system of developing professionals whose competencies are globally competitive, has decided to prescribe guidelines and procedures to carry out the CPE for the registered and licensed professionals;
WHEREFORE, the Commission hereby RESOLVED, as it now RESOLVES, to prescribe, issue and promulgate the Revised Standardized Guidelines and Procedures for the Implementation of the Continuing Professional Education/Development (CPE/CPD) System for All Registered and Licensed Professionals, which is made the integral part hereof as Annex “A”.
This Resolution shall take effect after fifteen days following its complete and full publication, in the Official Gazette or any newspaper of general circulation.
Done in the City of Manila, this 1st day of August, 2008.
Sgd. Leonor Tripon-Rosero
Secretary
Sgd. Ruth Raña-Padilla
Commissioner
Nilo L. Rosas
Commissioner
Date of Publication in the Official gazette: 10-6-08
Date of Effectivity: 10-22-08
ANNEX “A”
REVISED STANDARDIZED GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION/DEVELOPMENT (CPE/CPD) SYSTEM FOR ALL REGISTERED AND LICENSED PROFESSIONALS
Article I
CPE DEFINITION, OBJECTIVES, NATURE, AND RATIONALE
Section 1. Definition. – Continuing Professional Education (CPE) refers to the inculcation, assimilation and acquisition of knowledge, skills, proficiency and ethical and moral values, after the initial registration of a professional, that raise and enhance the professional’s technical skills and competence.
Section 2. Objectives. – The CPE Programs shall have these objectives: (1) To provide and ensure the continuous education of a registered professional with the latest trends in the profession brought about by modernization and scientific and technological advancement; (2) To raise and maintain the professional’s capability for delivering professional services; (3) To attain and maintain the highest standards and quality in the practice of his/her profession; (4) To comply with the professional’s continuing ethical requirements; (5) To make the professional globally competitive; and (6) To promote the general welfare of the public.
Section 3. Nature. – The CPE programs consist of properly planned and structured activities, the implementation requires the participation of a determined group of professionals to meet the requirements of maintaining and improving the occupational standards and ethics of the professionals.
Section 4. Rationale. – Compliance with the CPE program is deemed a moral obligation of each professional and within the context of the concerned professional’s code of ethics and is considered a necessary, effective and credible means of ensuring competence, integrity and global competitiveness of the professional in order to allow him/her to continue the practice of his/her profession.
Article II
THE CPE COUNCILS: CREATION, COMPOSITION, TERMS OF OFFICE, FUNCTIONS AND MEETINGS
Section 5. Creation. – Each of the concerned Professional Regulatory Boards (PRBs), upon the approval by the PRC (the “Commission”), shall create a Council within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this resolution. This shall be known as the CPE Council (the “CPEC” or the “Council”) which shall assist its corresponding PRB in implementing its CPE programs.
Section 6. Composition. – Each CPE Council shall be composed of a chairperson and two (2) members. The chairperson of each CPE Council shall be chosen from among the members of the PRB by the members themselves. The first member shall be the president, or in his absence or incapacity, any officer chosen by the Board of Directors of the Accredited Professional Organization (APO). The second member shall be the president or, in his absence or incapacity, any officer of the organization of deans or department heads of schools, colleges or universities offering the course requiring licensure examination. In the absence of such organization, the second member shall be chosen and appointed by the PRC from at least three (3) recommendees of the PRB concerned. Said recommendees shall be academicians.
All members of the Council shall be appointed by the Commission and shall take their oath of office before any or all member/s of the Commission.
Section 7. Terms of Office. – The term of office of the chairperson of each Council shall be co-terminus with his/her incumbency in the PRC or determined by his/her capacity to fully discharge such functions. Should a change be required by the PRB before the end of the Council Chairperson’s incumbency, the necessary replacement shall be nominated/named by the simple majority of the PRB and thereafter appointed by the Commission in accordance with due process. The first member shall have a term of office co-terminus with his/her incumbency as officer of the APO; the second member shall have a term of office co-terminus with his/her incumbency as officer of the organization of deans or heads of departments. In the case of the academician chosen and appointed by the Commission, his/her term of office shall be two (2) years with one reappointment. Except in the case of the academician-member, upon the expiration of their respective terms of office in the PRB, APO or organization of deans or heads of departments, the chairperson, first member and second member shall continue to function as such in the Council until the appointment or election of their respective successors in the PRB, APO or organization.
Section 8. Exercise of Powers and Functions. – Each Council shall, upon a majority vote, exercise powers and functions which shall include but shall not be limited to the following:
1. Accept, evaluate and approve applications for accreditation of CPE providers.
2. Accept, evaluate and approve applications for accreditation of CPE programs, activities, or sources as to their relevance to the profession and determine the number of CPE credit units (CUs) to be earned on the basis of the contents of the program, activity or source submitted by the CPE providers.
3. Accept, evaluate and approve applications for exemptions from CPE requirements.
4. Monitor the implementation by the CPE providers of their programs, activities or sources.
5. Assess periodically and upgrade criteria for accreditation of CPE providers and CPE programs, activities or sources.
6. Perform such other related functions that may be incidental to the implementation of the CPE programs or policies.
Section 9. Function of the Council Chairperson. – Each Council Chairperson shall have the following functions:
1. To preside over the meetings of the Council.
2. To direct or supervise the activities of the Council.
3. To submit minutes of regular and special meetings within thirty (30) days from date of said meetings.
4. To submit Council annual reports before the end of February of the succeeding year.
5. To issue the certificate of accreditation (the “CoA”) to CPE providers found by the Council to be qualified in accordance with these Guidelines as well as the certificate of accreditation of program/s (the “CoAP”), activities and sources.
Section 10. Secretariat. – The Chairperson of the Commission shall designate or appoint an official of the Commission with the rank not lower than Division Chief who shall act as the Secretary of all CPE Councils. The designated official may participate in the deliberations of the CPE Councils but shall not vote. His/her main duties and functions shall be as follows:
1. To see to it that the sessions, meetings or proceedings of all the Councils are recorded;
2. To prepare the minutes of all meetings and proceedings of the Councils;
3. To receive applications for accreditation of CPE providers, programs, activities or sources;
4. To submit to the Councils applications for accreditation of aspiring CPE providers and CPE programs, activities or sources;
5. To release Certificates of Accreditation to CPE providers and programs, activities or sources;
6. To assist the Councils by providing relevant statistical data on the renewal of professional licenses and other related matters.
The Secretary shall exercise general supervision and control over each of the Council Secretaries, the staff of which shall be selected by the Chairperson of the Commission from among the existing personnel of the Commission. Each of the Council Secretaries shall have, among others, the following functions:
1. To release CPE certifications of credit units (the “CUs”) earned to the registered and licensed professionals concerned;
2. To keep all records, papers and other documents relative to the evaluation, approval and accreditation of CPE programs, activities or sources.
3. To maintain records of accredited CPE providers, ongoing, continuing or completed CPE programs, activities or sources, the list of participants and other relevant data.
Section 11. Meetings. – The Council shall hold regular meetings once a month on dates to be fixed by said Councils. Special meetings shall be called by a Chairperson or upon written request of at least a member of a CPE Council.
Section 12. Budgetary Requirements. – Direct costs and other expenses of all the Councils may be provided for in the annual Commission Budget.
Section 13. Involvement of the Accredited Professional Organization (APO). – The Council, if the need arises, and upon approval of the Commission, may delegate the APO the processing of the application, keeping of all records of CPE providers and their respective programs and credit units (CUs) earned by each registered and licensed professional who avail of the CPE programs and related functions. For this purpose, the APO may create a counterpart CPE Council know as the APO CPE Council (the “APO-CPEC”) and mask for reimbursement of reasonable processing and recordkeeping fees directly from the applicants apart from the accreditation fee that such applicants pay directly to the Commission. The APO CPEC shall keep separate books of accounts of its expenses and amounts collected from applicants and make a monthly report thereof to the Commission through the PRB. Any excess collection shall be used exclusively as working capital of the APO for the CPE activities.
Republic of the Philippines
Professional Regulation Commission
Manila
Resolution No. 2008-466 Series of 2008
REPEALING RESOLUTION 2004-179, SERIES OF 2004, THE “STANDARDIZED GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION/DEVELOPMENT (CPE/CPD) SYSTEM FOR ALL PROFESSIONS” AND IMPLEMENTATION OF REVISED STANDARDIZED GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CPE/CPD SYSTEM FOR ALL REGISTERED AND LICENSED PROFESSIONALS
WHEREAS, Sec. 14, Article XII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution partly provides that “the sustained development of a reservoir of national talents x x x professionals x x x shall be promoted by the state;”
WHEREAS, the Professional Regulation Commission (the “Commission”), under Section 7 (a), (n) and (y) of Republic Act (RA) No. 8981 otherwise known as the “PRC Modernization Act of 2000,” has these specific powers:
“(a) to administer, implement and enforce the regulatory policies of the national
government with respect to the regulation and licensing of the various professionals and occupations under its jurisdiction including enhancement and maintenance of professional and occupational standards and ethics and the enforcement of rules and regulations relative hereto;”
“(n) To adopt and promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary to effectively implement policies with respect to the regulation and practice of the professions;”
“(y) To perform such other functions and duties a may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act, the various professional regulatory laws, decrees, executive orders and other administrative issuances;”
WHEREAS, Section 9 (b) of R.A. 8981 provides that one of the Powers, Functions and Responsibilities of the Various Professional Regulatory Boards (PRBs) is “[T]o monitor the conditions affecting the practice of the profession or occupation under their respective jurisdictions and whenever necessary, adopt such measures as may be deemed proper for the enhancement of the profession or occupation and/or the maintenance of high professional, ethical and technical standards, x x x;”
WHEREAS, the formulation of the policy on CPE is in consonance with the objective to enhance and maintain high professional and occupational, ethical and technical standards in the practice of the professions;
WHEREAS, the President of the Republic of the Philippines issued on June 23, 2003, Executive Order (E.O.) No. 220, “Directing the Adoption of the Code of Good Governance for the Professions in the Philipines;”
WHEREAS, the said Code was adopted by the Commission and the forty-four (44) PRBs, embodying principles of professional conduct, specifically, integrity and objectivity, professional competence, and global competitiveness;
WHEREAS, all the forty-three (43) PRBs and the forty-three (43) accredited professional organizations (APOs) are in favor of implementing a CPE in the practice of their respective professions;
WHEREAS, the Commission, as the instrument of the Filipino people in securing for the nation a reliable, trustworthy and progressive system of developing professionals whose competencies are globally competitive, has decided to prescribe guidelines and procedures to carry out the CPE for the registered and licensed professionals;
WHEREFORE, the Commission hereby RESOLVED, as it now RESOLVES, to prescribe, issue and promulgate the Revised Standardized Guidelines and Procedures for the Implementation of the Continuing Professional Education/Development (CPE/CPD) System for All Registered and Licensed Professionals, which is made the integral part hereof as Annex “A”.
This Resolution shall take effect after fifteen days following its complete and full publication, in the Official Gazette or any newspaper of general circulation.
Done in the City of Manila, this 1st day of August, 2008.
Sgd. Leonor Tripon-Rosero
Secretary
Sgd. Ruth Raña-Padilla
Commissioner
Nilo L. Rosas
Commissioner
Date of Publication in the Official gazette: 10-6-08
Date of Effectivity: 10-22-08
ANNEX “A”
REVISED STANDARDIZED GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION/DEVELOPMENT (CPE/CPD) SYSTEM FOR ALL REGISTERED AND LICENSED PROFESSIONALS
Article I
CPE DEFINITION, OBJECTIVES, NATURE, AND RATIONALE
Section 1. Definition. – Continuing Professional Education (CPE) refers to the inculcation, assimilation and acquisition of knowledge, skills, proficiency and ethical and moral values, after the initial registration of a professional, that raise and enhance the professional’s technical skills and competence.
Section 2. Objectives. – The CPE Programs shall have these objectives: (1) To provide and ensure the continuous education of a registered professional with the latest trends in the profession brought about by modernization and scientific and technological advancement; (2) To raise and maintain the professional’s capability for delivering professional services; (3) To attain and maintain the highest standards and quality in the practice of his/her profession; (4) To comply with the professional’s continuing ethical requirements; (5) To make the professional globally competitive; and (6) To promote the general welfare of the public.
Section 3. Nature. – The CPE programs consist of properly planned and structured activities, the implementation requires the participation of a determined group of professionals to meet the requirements of maintaining and improving the occupational standards and ethics of the professionals.
Section 4. Rationale. – Compliance with the CPE program is deemed a moral obligation of each professional and within the context of the concerned professional’s code of ethics and is considered a necessary, effective and credible means of ensuring competence, integrity and global competitiveness of the professional in order to allow him/her to continue the practice of his/her profession.
Article II
THE CPE COUNCILS: CREATION, COMPOSITION, TERMS OF OFFICE, FUNCTIONS AND MEETINGS
Section 5. Creation. – Each of the concerned Professional Regulatory Boards (PRBs), upon the approval by the PRC (the “Commission”), shall create a Council within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this resolution. This shall be known as the CPE Council (the “CPEC” or the “Council”) which shall assist its corresponding PRB in implementing its CPE programs.
Section 6. Composition. – Each CPE Council shall be composed of a chairperson and two (2) members. The chairperson of each CPE Council shall be chosen from among the members of the PRB by the members themselves. The first member shall be the president, or in his absence or incapacity, any officer chosen by the Board of Directors of the Accredited Professional Organization (APO). The second member shall be the president or, in his absence or incapacity, any officer of the organization of deans or department heads of schools, colleges or universities offering the course requiring licensure examination. In the absence of such organization, the second member shall be chosen and appointed by the PRC from at least three (3) recommendees of the PRB concerned. Said recommendees shall be academicians.
All members of the Council shall be appointed by the Commission and shall take their oath of office before any or all member/s of the Commission.
Section 7. Terms of Office. – The term of office of the chairperson of each Council shall be co-terminus with his/her incumbency in the PRC or determined by his/her capacity to fully discharge such functions. Should a change be required by the PRB before the end of the Council Chairperson’s incumbency, the necessary replacement shall be nominated/named by the simple majority of the PRB and thereafter appointed by the Commission in accordance with due process. The first member shall have a term of office co-terminus with his/her incumbency as officer of the APO; the second member shall have a term of office co-terminus with his/her incumbency as officer of the organization of deans or heads of departments. In the case of the academician chosen and appointed by the Commission, his/her term of office shall be two (2) years with one reappointment. Except in the case of the academician-member, upon the expiration of their respective terms of office in the PRB, APO or organization of deans or heads of departments, the chairperson, first member and second member shall continue to function as such in the Council until the appointment or election of their respective successors in the PRB, APO or organization.
Section 8. Exercise of Powers and Functions. – Each Council shall, upon a majority vote, exercise powers and functions which shall include but shall not be limited to the following:
1. Accept, evaluate and approve applications for accreditation of CPE providers.
2. Accept, evaluate and approve applications for accreditation of CPE programs, activities, or sources as to their relevance to the profession and determine the number of CPE credit units (CUs) to be earned on the basis of the contents of the program, activity or source submitted by the CPE providers.
3. Accept, evaluate and approve applications for exemptions from CPE requirements.
4. Monitor the implementation by the CPE providers of their programs, activities or sources.
5. Assess periodically and upgrade criteria for accreditation of CPE providers and CPE programs, activities or sources.
6. Perform such other related functions that may be incidental to the implementation of the CPE programs or policies.
Section 9. Function of the Council Chairperson. – Each Council Chairperson shall have the following functions:
1. To preside over the meetings of the Council.
2. To direct or supervise the activities of the Council.
3. To submit minutes of regular and special meetings within thirty (30) days from date of said meetings.
4. To submit Council annual reports before the end of February of the succeeding year.
5. To issue the certificate of accreditation (the “CoA”) to CPE providers found by the Council to be qualified in accordance with these Guidelines as well as the certificate of accreditation of program/s (the “CoAP”), activities and sources.
Section 10. Secretariat. – The Chairperson of the Commission shall designate or appoint an official of the Commission with the rank not lower than Division Chief who shall act as the Secretary of all CPE Councils. The designated official may participate in the deliberations of the CPE Councils but shall not vote. His/her main duties and functions shall be as follows:
1. To see to it that the sessions, meetings or proceedings of all the Councils are recorded;
2. To prepare the minutes of all meetings and proceedings of the Councils;
3. To receive applications for accreditation of CPE providers, programs, activities or sources;
4. To submit to the Councils applications for accreditation of aspiring CPE providers and CPE programs, activities or sources;
5. To release Certificates of Accreditation to CPE providers and programs, activities or sources;
6. To assist the Councils by providing relevant statistical data on the renewal of professional licenses and other related matters.
The Secretary shall exercise general supervision and control over each of the Council Secretaries, the staff of which shall be selected by the Chairperson of the Commission from among the existing personnel of the Commission. Each of the Council Secretaries shall have, among others, the following functions:
1. To release CPE certifications of credit units (the “CUs”) earned to the registered and licensed professionals concerned;
2. To keep all records, papers and other documents relative to the evaluation, approval and accreditation of CPE programs, activities or sources.
3. To maintain records of accredited CPE providers, ongoing, continuing or completed CPE programs, activities or sources, the list of participants and other relevant data.
Section 11. Meetings. – The Council shall hold regular meetings once a month on dates to be fixed by said Councils. Special meetings shall be called by a Chairperson or upon written request of at least a member of a CPE Council.
Section 12. Budgetary Requirements. – Direct costs and other expenses of all the Councils may be provided for in the annual Commission Budget.
Section 13. Involvement of the Accredited Professional Organization (APO). – The Council, if the need arises, and upon approval of the Commission, may delegate the APO the processing of the application, keeping of all records of CPE providers and their respective programs and credit units (CUs) earned by each registered and licensed professional who avail of the CPE programs and related functions. For this purpose, the APO may create a counterpart CPE Council know as the APO CPE Council (the “APO-CPEC”) and mask for reimbursement of reasonable processing and recordkeeping fees directly from the applicants apart from the accreditation fee that such applicants pay directly to the Commission. The APO CPEC shall keep separate books of accounts of its expenses and amounts collected from applicants and make a monthly report thereof to the Commission through the PRB. Any excess collection shall be used exclusively as working capital of the APO for the CPE activities.
Sunday, February 07, 2010
IPCAP 2nd National Convention
This is just to announce that IPCAP will be holding its 2nd National Convention and 1st General membership meeting this coming April 14-16, 2010 (Wednesday-Thursday-Friday) at the University of the East, Recto Ave, Manila Please keep tab here in the coming days when we will publish our formal invite. The theme is related to the many roles of the Guidance Counselor in our Society wherever we are. We have ready 6 workshops from which each participant may attend two workshops. We shall be making this event one for CPE accreditation good for at least 20 hours of credit units (CU).
Meanwhile, there shall be published here in the coming days as well the often heard but never-read written PRC Guidelines for conducting CPE as well as crediting CPE units. IPCAP has always been of the spirit of transparency, making every Registered Guidance Counselors aware and knowledgeable about the documents related to our profession (so we don't end up feeling duped or swindled of our hard-earned money, something we would not want to waste on organizational expenses that lead to nowhere) but focused on the development of the Guidance and Counseling profession and its practitioners. Rest assured we at IPCAP only want us to advocate for the erasure of corruption in our midst by printing here what we must know so we end up happy and satisfied, competent and confident in our work wherever we are.
Also in the next few days, we shall also be publishing here the list of active IPCAP members.
Yes, by the way, please go to your city or municipal hall and pay your PTR (professional tax receipt) at the Treasurer's Office. In Quezon CIty, we were made to pay for P300 per year (payable on January of every year). There were some of us who didn't pay their PTRs in the year/s following the release of their PRC ID and were penalized with paying that unpaid year/s plus penalties. Likewise, we realized that the PTR in the provinces appears to be lower - one RGC reported that P150 was paid, not P300. I bet we believe the government deserves our tax with the many needs it can provide with our taxes. Di po me sipsip hehe. Just doing our moral obligation to the state. Of course we do our part as well to expose what must be exposed so we have updates of our situation and reduce, if we cannot easily erase the evil in our midst that impoverishes us.
Yan na muna. God bless and take care
Meanwhile, there shall be published here in the coming days as well the often heard but never-read written PRC Guidelines for conducting CPE as well as crediting CPE units. IPCAP has always been of the spirit of transparency, making every Registered Guidance Counselors aware and knowledgeable about the documents related to our profession (so we don't end up feeling duped or swindled of our hard-earned money, something we would not want to waste on organizational expenses that lead to nowhere) but focused on the development of the Guidance and Counseling profession and its practitioners. Rest assured we at IPCAP only want us to advocate for the erasure of corruption in our midst by printing here what we must know so we end up happy and satisfied, competent and confident in our work wherever we are.
Also in the next few days, we shall also be publishing here the list of active IPCAP members.
Yes, by the way, please go to your city or municipal hall and pay your PTR (professional tax receipt) at the Treasurer's Office. In Quezon CIty, we were made to pay for P300 per year (payable on January of every year). There were some of us who didn't pay their PTRs in the year/s following the release of their PRC ID and were penalized with paying that unpaid year/s plus penalties. Likewise, we realized that the PTR in the provinces appears to be lower - one RGC reported that P150 was paid, not P300. I bet we believe the government deserves our tax with the many needs it can provide with our taxes. Di po me sipsip hehe. Just doing our moral obligation to the state. Of course we do our part as well to expose what must be exposed so we have updates of our situation and reduce, if we cannot easily erase the evil in our midst that impoverishes us.
Yan na muna. God bless and take care
Sunday, December 06, 2009
Tiger Woods and Couples Therapy: A Video Review for Ethics in Counseling
Most of us know what has been recently reported about the world's leading athlete. In pursuit of understanding their situation, it is normal for press people to dig as deep as they can. This is sometimes thought of as "sensationalizing" the matter.
In the video that I just watched tonight (it's 8PM Philippine time Dec. 6, 2009), a couples therapist is shown talking about "couples therapy." As she talks on the topic, particularly on the issues and concerns involved in couples therapy sessions, pictures of Tiger Woods and his wife were posed throughout the said video, as if to hint that the couples therapist is expressly talking about the said couple. I rewinded the video and re-listened to the therapist, but NOWHERE in this segment of the video did the lady therapist particularly identify the currently-under-public-scrutiny-couple as her client.
In fact, upon looking at the title of the article-video "Therapist to Tiger: 'talk it through' with wife", I immediately thought "What? Isn't she supposed to keep things in confidence? Why talk about the said couple's purported therapy in public?" An ethical question, in short. Hence, by rewinding, rewatching and relistening to the video, I searched for any statement from the interviewed couples therapist Dr. Melinda Douglas where she would have explicitly mentioned that the said couple is her client for couples therapy. Thank God, she didn't do that, or else, people will have the right to ask now: "Can my therapist now talk publicly about my problems publicly (with the press at that)?" That would surely compromise the profession of therapy, or Counseling or Guidance and Counseling for that matter.
Hence, go ahead and watch this segment, and tell me if Dr. Douglas ever mentioned Tiger and his wife as her clients. Perhaps, this is a way the unidentified media person used to inform us about couples therapy. He has succeeded in that aspect.
But if you read the following words written under the video:
"Tigers Woods and his wife Elin Nordegren are reportedly undergoing marriage counseling at their home in Orlando. San Francisco-based couples therapist Melissa Douglas describes the difficulties…"
you may be easily led to think that indeed Dr. Douglas said so to Tiger. Linking Dr. Douglas with the couple may lack basis (because of the confidentiality concern). It is the title of the article which purports the relationship. But that is all it wants to: purport. But it failed miserably. It thus becomes a concern for the profession to consider seriously.
Scary, isn't it? All the more it is essential for Guidance Counselors, Counseling Psychologists and everyone entrusted with private matters in counseling sessions to keep in mind the confidentiality matter in our ethical practice. RA9258 Article IV Sec. 28 Right to Privileged Communication for Guidance Counselors specifies that "A Certified or Registered and Licensed Guidance Counselor...cannot without the consent of the client be examined as to any communication or information which has been acquired while attending such client." There you go! Learn to politely say "I'm not in the position to speak about this (privileged) communication" to anyone who would like to lure you (even by the courts, remember) into it.
To continue, the said section further says: "The protection accorded herein shall also extend to the records and secretary or clerk of an Registered and Licensed Guidance Counselor, who may not be examined concerning any fact, the knowledge of which has been acquired in such capacity." With this provision of our RA 9258, we have to ensure that our secretary is made aware of her obligations in the confidential nature of one's work as Guidance Counselor. Records of our clients have to be labeled CONFIDENTIAL to ensure the boundaries are kept.
Look at this: "Any evidence obtained in violation of this provision shall be inadmissible for any purpose in any proceeding." That's the statement under Sec. 24 of the law's Article IV. So, you have the right as a Guidance Counselor to object to any purported evidence dug from your confidential files (usually by foul means or by any other means).
Thus far my thoughts on the confidentiality clause of our practice as Registered and Licensed (though lacking our Certificates as of this writing) Guidance Counselors. God bless and all the best in our practice. Take care always. Read your law and live it!
In the video that I just watched tonight (it's 8PM Philippine time Dec. 6, 2009), a couples therapist is shown talking about "couples therapy." As she talks on the topic, particularly on the issues and concerns involved in couples therapy sessions, pictures of Tiger Woods and his wife were posed throughout the said video, as if to hint that the couples therapist is expressly talking about the said couple. I rewinded the video and re-listened to the therapist, but NOWHERE in this segment of the video did the lady therapist particularly identify the currently-under-public-scrutiny-couple as her client.
In fact, upon looking at the title of the article-video "Therapist to Tiger: 'talk it through' with wife", I immediately thought "What? Isn't she supposed to keep things in confidence? Why talk about the said couple's purported therapy in public?" An ethical question, in short. Hence, by rewinding, rewatching and relistening to the video, I searched for any statement from the interviewed couples therapist Dr. Melinda Douglas where she would have explicitly mentioned that the said couple is her client for couples therapy. Thank God, she didn't do that, or else, people will have the right to ask now: "Can my therapist now talk publicly about my problems publicly (with the press at that)?" That would surely compromise the profession of therapy, or Counseling or Guidance and Counseling for that matter.
Hence, go ahead and watch this segment, and tell me if Dr. Douglas ever mentioned Tiger and his wife as her clients. Perhaps, this is a way the unidentified media person used to inform us about couples therapy. He has succeeded in that aspect.
But if you read the following words written under the video:
"Tigers Woods and his wife Elin Nordegren are reportedly undergoing marriage counseling at their home in Orlando. San Francisco-based couples therapist Melissa Douglas describes the difficulties…"
you may be easily led to think that indeed Dr. Douglas said so to Tiger. Linking Dr. Douglas with the couple may lack basis (because of the confidentiality concern). It is the title of the article which purports the relationship. But that is all it wants to: purport. But it failed miserably. It thus becomes a concern for the profession to consider seriously.
Scary, isn't it? All the more it is essential for Guidance Counselors, Counseling Psychologists and everyone entrusted with private matters in counseling sessions to keep in mind the confidentiality matter in our ethical practice. RA9258 Article IV Sec. 28 Right to Privileged Communication for Guidance Counselors specifies that "A Certified or Registered and Licensed Guidance Counselor...cannot without the consent of the client be examined as to any communication or information which has been acquired while attending such client." There you go! Learn to politely say "I'm not in the position to speak about this (privileged) communication" to anyone who would like to lure you (even by the courts, remember) into it.
To continue, the said section further says: "The protection accorded herein shall also extend to the records and secretary or clerk of an Registered and Licensed Guidance Counselor, who may not be examined concerning any fact, the knowledge of which has been acquired in such capacity." With this provision of our RA 9258, we have to ensure that our secretary is made aware of her obligations in the confidential nature of one's work as Guidance Counselor. Records of our clients have to be labeled CONFIDENTIAL to ensure the boundaries are kept.
Look at this: "Any evidence obtained in violation of this provision shall be inadmissible for any purpose in any proceeding." That's the statement under Sec. 24 of the law's Article IV. So, you have the right as a Guidance Counselor to object to any purported evidence dug from your confidential files (usually by foul means or by any other means).
Thus far my thoughts on the confidentiality clause of our practice as Registered and Licensed (though lacking our Certificates as of this writing) Guidance Counselors. God bless and all the best in our practice. Take care always. Read your law and live it!
Tiger Woods and Couples Therapy: A Video Review
We all know what has been reported about the world's leading athlete. In pursuit of understanding their situation, it is normal for press people to dig as deep as they can. This is sometimes thought of as "sensationalizing" the matter.
In the video that I just watched tonight (it's 8PM Philippine time Dec. 6, 2009), a couples therapist talks about "couples therapy." As she talks on the topic, particularly on the issues and concerns involved in couples therapy sessions, pictures of Tiger Woods and his wife were posed throughout the said video, as if to say that the couples therapist is expressly talking about the said couple. I rewinded and re-listened to the therapist, but NOWHERE in this segment of the video did the lady therapist particularly identify the currently-under-public-scrutiny-couple as her client.
In fact, upon looking at the title of the article-video "Therapist to Tiger: 'talk it through' with wife", I immediately thought "What? Isn't she supposed to keep things in confidence? Why talk about the said couple's purported therapy in public?" An ethical question, in short. Hence, by rewinding, rewatching and relistening to the video, I searched for any statement from the interviewed couples therapist Dr. Melinda Douglas where she explicitly mentions she's talking about her couples therapy session with the said couple. Thank God, she didn't do that, or else, people have the right to ask now: "Will my therapist now talk publicly about my problems with the press (at that)?" That would surely compromise the profession of therapy, or Counseling or Guidance and Counseling for that matter.
Hence, go ahead and watch this segment, and tell me if Dr. Douglas ever mentioned Tiger and his wife as her clients. Perhaps, this is a way the unidentified media person used to inform us about couples therapy. He has succeeded in that aspect.
But if you simply read the following words written under the video:
"Tigers Woods and his wife Elin Nordegren are reportedly undergoing marriage counseling at their home in Orlando. San Francisco-based couples therapist Melissa Douglass describes the difficulties…"
you may be easily brought to think that indeed Dr. Douglas said so. Linking Dr. Douglas with the couple may lack basis (because of the confidentiality concern). It is the title of the article which purports the relationship. But that is all it wants to: purport. But it failed.
Scary, isn't it? All the more it is essential for Guidance Counselors, Counseling Psychologists and everyone entrusted with private matters to keep in mind the confidentiality matter in our ethical practice. RA9258 Article IV Sec. 28 Right to Privileged Communication for Guidance Counselors specifies that "A Certified or Registered and Licensed Guidance Counselor...cannot without the consent of the client be examined as to any communication or information which has been acquired while attending such client." There you go! Learn to politely say "I'm not in the position to speak about this privileged communication" to anyone who would like to lure you (even by the courts, remember) into it.
To continue, the said section further says: "The protection accorded herein shall also extend to the records and secretary or clerk of an Registered and Licensed Guidance Counselor, who may not be examined concerning any fact, the knowledge of which has been acquired in such capacity." With this provision of our RA 9258, we have to ensure that our secretary is made aware of her obligations in the confidential nature of one's work as Guidance Counselor. Records of our clients have to be labeled CONFIDENTIAL to ensure the boundaries are kept.
Look at this: "Any evidence obtained in violation of this provision shall be inadmissible for any purpose in any proceeding." That's the statement under Sec. 24 of the law's Article IV. So, you have the right as a Guidance Counselor to object to any purported evidence dug from your confidential files (by foul means of course).
Thus far my thoughts on the confidentiality clause of our practice as Registered and Licensed (though lacking our Certificates as of this writing) Guidance Counselors. God bless and all the best in our practice. Take care always. Read your law and live it!
In the video that I just watched tonight (it's 8PM Philippine time Dec. 6, 2009), a couples therapist talks about "couples therapy." As she talks on the topic, particularly on the issues and concerns involved in couples therapy sessions, pictures of Tiger Woods and his wife were posed throughout the said video, as if to say that the couples therapist is expressly talking about the said couple. I rewinded and re-listened to the therapist, but NOWHERE in this segment of the video did the lady therapist particularly identify the currently-under-public-scrutiny-couple as her client.
In fact, upon looking at the title of the article-video "Therapist to Tiger: 'talk it through' with wife", I immediately thought "What? Isn't she supposed to keep things in confidence? Why talk about the said couple's purported therapy in public?" An ethical question, in short. Hence, by rewinding, rewatching and relistening to the video, I searched for any statement from the interviewed couples therapist Dr. Melinda Douglas where she explicitly mentions she's talking about her couples therapy session with the said couple. Thank God, she didn't do that, or else, people have the right to ask now: "Will my therapist now talk publicly about my problems with the press (at that)?" That would surely compromise the profession of therapy, or Counseling or Guidance and Counseling for that matter.
Hence, go ahead and watch this segment, and tell me if Dr. Douglas ever mentioned Tiger and his wife as her clients. Perhaps, this is a way the unidentified media person used to inform us about couples therapy. He has succeeded in that aspect.
But if you simply read the following words written under the video:
"Tigers Woods and his wife Elin Nordegren are reportedly undergoing marriage counseling at their home in Orlando. San Francisco-based couples therapist Melissa Douglass describes the difficulties…"
you may be easily brought to think that indeed Dr. Douglas said so. Linking Dr. Douglas with the couple may lack basis (because of the confidentiality concern). It is the title of the article which purports the relationship. But that is all it wants to: purport. But it failed.
Scary, isn't it? All the more it is essential for Guidance Counselors, Counseling Psychologists and everyone entrusted with private matters to keep in mind the confidentiality matter in our ethical practice. RA9258 Article IV Sec. 28 Right to Privileged Communication for Guidance Counselors specifies that "A Certified or Registered and Licensed Guidance Counselor...cannot without the consent of the client be examined as to any communication or information which has been acquired while attending such client." There you go! Learn to politely say "I'm not in the position to speak about this privileged communication" to anyone who would like to lure you (even by the courts, remember) into it.
To continue, the said section further says: "The protection accorded herein shall also extend to the records and secretary or clerk of an Registered and Licensed Guidance Counselor, who may not be examined concerning any fact, the knowledge of which has been acquired in such capacity." With this provision of our RA 9258, we have to ensure that our secretary is made aware of her obligations in the confidential nature of one's work as Guidance Counselor. Records of our clients have to be labeled CONFIDENTIAL to ensure the boundaries are kept.
Look at this: "Any evidence obtained in violation of this provision shall be inadmissible for any purpose in any proceeding." That's the statement under Sec. 24 of the law's Article IV. So, you have the right as a Guidance Counselor to object to any purported evidence dug from your confidential files (by foul means of course).
Thus far my thoughts on the confidentiality clause of our practice as Registered and Licensed (though lacking our Certificates as of this writing) Guidance Counselors. God bless and all the best in our practice. Take care always. Read your law and live it!
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Reommendation for Cancer Patients
I got this email today, one that provides hope for cancer patients. Hence for those among us who have cancer patients (Attention Counselors working in the hospital setting!), please read this email below and check for yourselves the youtube documentary of Karen Davila. It's kind of hopeful to realize there is a place that provides an alternative in treating cancer. All the best and God bless
Here's the email which a friend forwarded me:
Hi All,
Some of you may know that I spent a week in Fuda Cancer Hospital in Guangzhou , China last August. I stayed at the hospital to be with my cousin, Dayday Joseph-David. She has stage 4 breast cancer which had metastasized to her lungs, brain and hip bone.
Her battle with this disease started six years ago. Traditional chemotherapy and a mastectomy wiped out the tumors and we hoped she had won. She even was blessed with 2 sons. Last year a growth was found in her lungs which was identified as breast cancer cells. Again she went through chemotherapy (with all the nasty side effects). The tumor disappeared, but early this year more tumors appeared in her lungs, brain and hip bone.
After much consideration and investigation, Dayday decided to go for treatment in Fuda Hospital . There she received cryosurgery, direct-to-tumor chemotherapy (my name for it, it might really be called something else) with fewer side effects, tiny radioactive seeds, and immunotherapy. Aside from these most modern of treatments, she also was given traditional Chinese teas and daily acupressure, to help her fight the disease and the side effects of the treatments.
Last month she returned to China for a check up and for immunotherapy and most of the tumors had disappeared. The ones that had not disappeared had shrunk or were like scars (again my non-medical description) .
I am telling you all about this because I was doubtful about a hospital in China . The success of Dayday's treatment helped changed my mind, but my staying there for a week has made me disciple of Fuda. Considering I was in a hospital with only cancer patients, I was filled with hope and trust. The place was very very clean. Many of the doctors were trained abroad, so spoke good English, but there were always translators with the patient during examination or treatment. Everyone, from the girls who cleaned the room, to the nurses, residents, doctors and administration, were so very nice and kind. (Okay, I did get into a disagreement with the take out restaurant across the street about a missing Black Chicken order, but even then the manager of the restaurant came to apologize).
The treatments, the room and the tests were much less expensive than they would be here in Manila . Although many of their treatments are simply not available in Manila .
I am telling you all this because if you know anyone who has cancer. They must consider Fuda Hospital . Even if they decide to go with treatment here and doctors and hospitals here, they have to know that there may be choices that the doctors here are not offering them, cannot offer them.
On Saturday, 5 December 2009, there will be a FREE seminar about Fuda Hospital at the Manila Peninsula from 9 am to 12 nn. Doctors from Fuda Hospital will be there to discuss their Novel Concepts and Treatments for cancer. consultation s will be held after the seminar and the following day Dec. 6. (registration required)
Please contact for reservations (seats are limited)
Office: 809-4453
email: hope.cancer@ gmail.com
sms: +63917.523.5217
http://hopeforthose withcancer. blogspot. com/
Several Filipino patients who had been treated in Fuda will be there to tell their stories, including my cousin, Dayday. (She reserved me a seat but Aldo has a jiu jitsu competition that day. So I can't be there.)
Karen Davila featured this hospital in last week's anniversary presentation of "The Correspondents." Here is a bit of it: http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=YwKBZJTpeRQ featuring Nestor Bonifacio. Nestor is the best person to talk about Fuda. Anyone interested should communicate with him. He loves to tell his story and help people find their way to Fuda.
Nestor B.Bonifacio. P.E.
Tel: 510-710-5921
Fax: 925-244-1204
Email: NBonifacio@pacbell. net
I am not getting any money for sharing this all with you. I am compelled to share because I know we all know someone who is suffering with cancer and suffering from the treatments for cancer. If this message helps just one person have a better quality of life as they live with cancer, then I'd have done a very very good deed.
One last line I remember from the Fuda webpage: Treat the patient, not the disease.
Please forward this to anyone with a family member with cancer.
Tricia
patricia.vergeldedi os@gmail. com
Here's the email which a friend forwarded me:
Hi All,
Some of you may know that I spent a week in Fuda Cancer Hospital in Guangzhou , China last August. I stayed at the hospital to be with my cousin, Dayday Joseph-David. She has stage 4 breast cancer which had metastasized to her lungs, brain and hip bone.
Her battle with this disease started six years ago. Traditional chemotherapy and a mastectomy wiped out the tumors and we hoped she had won. She even was blessed with 2 sons. Last year a growth was found in her lungs which was identified as breast cancer cells. Again she went through chemotherapy (with all the nasty side effects). The tumor disappeared, but early this year more tumors appeared in her lungs, brain and hip bone.
After much consideration and investigation, Dayday decided to go for treatment in Fuda Hospital . There she received cryosurgery, direct-to-tumor chemotherapy (my name for it, it might really be called something else) with fewer side effects, tiny radioactive seeds, and immunotherapy. Aside from these most modern of treatments, she also was given traditional Chinese teas and daily acupressure, to help her fight the disease and the side effects of the treatments.
Last month she returned to China for a check up and for immunotherapy and most of the tumors had disappeared. The ones that had not disappeared had shrunk or were like scars (again my non-medical description) .
I am telling you all about this because I was doubtful about a hospital in China . The success of Dayday's treatment helped changed my mind, but my staying there for a week has made me disciple of Fuda. Considering I was in a hospital with only cancer patients, I was filled with hope and trust. The place was very very clean. Many of the doctors were trained abroad, so spoke good English, but there were always translators with the patient during examination or treatment. Everyone, from the girls who cleaned the room, to the nurses, residents, doctors and administration, were so very nice and kind. (Okay, I did get into a disagreement with the take out restaurant across the street about a missing Black Chicken order, but even then the manager of the restaurant came to apologize).
The treatments, the room and the tests were much less expensive than they would be here in Manila . Although many of their treatments are simply not available in Manila .
I am telling you all this because if you know anyone who has cancer. They must consider Fuda Hospital . Even if they decide to go with treatment here and doctors and hospitals here, they have to know that there may be choices that the doctors here are not offering them, cannot offer them.
On Saturday, 5 December 2009, there will be a FREE seminar about Fuda Hospital at the Manila Peninsula from 9 am to 12 nn. Doctors from Fuda Hospital will be there to discuss their Novel Concepts and Treatments for cancer. consultation s will be held after the seminar and the following day Dec. 6. (registration required)
Please contact for reservations (seats are limited)
Office: 809-4453
email: hope.cancer@ gmail.com
sms: +63917.523.5217
http://hopeforthose withcancer. blogspot. com/
Several Filipino patients who had been treated in Fuda will be there to tell their stories, including my cousin, Dayday. (She reserved me a seat but Aldo has a jiu jitsu competition that day. So I can't be there.)
Karen Davila featured this hospital in last week's anniversary presentation of "The Correspondents." Here is a bit of it: http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=YwKBZJTpeRQ featuring Nestor Bonifacio. Nestor is the best person to talk about Fuda. Anyone interested should communicate with him. He loves to tell his story and help people find their way to Fuda.
Nestor B.Bonifacio. P.E.
Tel: 510-710-5921
Fax: 925-244-1204
Email: NBonifacio@pacbell. net
I am not getting any money for sharing this all with you. I am compelled to share because I know we all know someone who is suffering with cancer and suffering from the treatments for cancer. If this message helps just one person have a better quality of life as they live with cancer, then I'd have done a very very good deed.
One last line I remember from the Fuda webpage: Treat the patient, not the disease.
Please forward this to anyone with a family member with cancer.
Tricia
patricia.vergeldedi os@gmail. com
Thursday, November 12, 2009
FPCAP 2nd National Convention
Here is an email sent by the Vice-President of FPCAP, inviting us to the new FPCAP website where we can download the Program, invitation letter and other instructions. Please read along and respond.
Dear Members,
Check out our website www.fpcap.org!!!!!!!! You will read about our recent involvement with victims of the recent calamities.
For those who have not indicated attendance at the coming SECOND NATIONAL CONVENTION, you will be able to download the information and forms from the website which was set up by Dr. Pearl Polestico.
Maureen N. Sandejas
Dear Members,
Check out our website www.fpcap.org!!!!!!!! You will read about our recent involvement with victims of the recent calamities.
For those who have not indicated attendance at the coming SECOND NATIONAL CONVENTION, you will be able to download the information and forms from the website which was set up by Dr. Pearl Polestico.
Maureen N. Sandejas
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
FPCAP 2nd National Convention Nov. 19-21, 2009
Herein is an invitation to the 2nd National Convention of the Family and Pastoral Counseling Association of the Philippines (FPCAP), Inc. To access the invitation letter, registration form and other information, please go to their website, one of the links in this blog. www.fpcap.org
Dear Members. Friends, Colleagues and Fellow Pastoral Workers,
It is just two weeks until the FAMILY AND PASTORAL COUNSELLING ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES Second National Convention. We would love to hear that you are attending. I have attached the invitation once again and the pre-registration form for your convenience. We are looking forward to having you with us on November 19-21, 2009. Please contact us at the numbers listed on the invitation and the pre-registration form.
Yours truly,
Maureen N. Sandejas
Program Chairperson
God bless and take care
Dear Members. Friends, Colleagues and Fellow Pastoral Workers,
It is just two weeks until the FAMILY AND PASTORAL COUNSELLING ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES Second National Convention. We would love to hear that you are attending. I have attached the invitation once again and the pre-registration form for your convenience. We are looking forward to having you with us on November 19-21, 2009. Please contact us at the numbers listed on the invitation and the pre-registration form.
Yours truly,
Maureen N. Sandejas
Program Chairperson
God bless and take care
Monday, November 02, 2009
Day 3 in Baguio: IPCAP Debriefing Training
In our our 3rd and last day of this Debriefing Trip, we had the scheduled training of debriefers. Those who came were Guidance Counselors, licensed and unlicensed, Psychology instructors as well as other personnel in the city that saw the need to be skilled in doing psychological debriefing. Here are some pics.
Dr. Perlie Polestico gave a concise concept of doing Psychological Debriefing, or Psychological 1st-Aid, or defusing the emotional bomb that usually gets formed after a very distressing exposure like landslides. She particularly advocated for more than one debriefing session for the simple reason that victims may not immediately recall everything on its first accounting or debriefing session. And, debriefing may actually be done even beyond the 24-72-hours lapse from the event. Exposure to victims of kidnapping shows the plausibility and even necessity of this possibility for "extension" of the debriefing process. We need not even be so fanatic as to import God immediately into the session. Survivors seem to have a very strong sense of God's presence that mention of Him eventually flows into the debriefing process. And, it is important to be sensitive to cues for counseling referral, so that if we are not professionals, we should be humble enough to refer the survivors to licensed practitioners for ethical reasons.
Aw, yes, did I tell you the outline of the morning's training?
First, Ms. Nila Urrea with her team did the ice-breaking activities. The first was to bond the participants together, followed by Bato-bato-bato-batobatobato exercise that further sparked up the participants. Sayang, we were all engrossed in this ice-breaking we forgot to take pictures.
Then I did the compromise-building portion in order for us to have "meeting-of-minds". In short, we wanted that our training was responsive to the needs of the participants. Swak talaga! What they wanted, we were ready to give: concept of debriefing, the whys and process - parts of the debriefing exercise, practical applications of, and yes the ethical considerations and standards of psychological debriefing. After that followed Dr. Polestico's talk. Then Mr. Cesar Cong gave us the steps in the debriefing of victims.
For the workshop portion, we asked them to group themselves into 5 and map out the steps for debriefing Victims of (a)Landslides, (b) Earthquakes, (c) Fire, (d) Vehicular Accidents, and (e) Floods. Sorry I forgot to take pictures since the presentation of Mr. Cong was so enriching and very informative that I got so engrossed in his talk, as well as the group reporting of applying the steps of debriefing into the 5 stressful events. There are other events which psychological debriefing can be applied to, including kidnapping victims, witnessing neighborhood
violence, not to mention the debriefing of rape and sexual harassment as well as domestic violence. Even victims of volcano eruptions can be clients of debriefing. Wow! Lots of possibilities indeed.
Ms. Urrea brought along some more notes and handouts which Dr. Gandeza immediately made ready. These were more documents to make the debriefing something we can all feel confident in doing because we had this precious training from licensed practitioners.
After the training, we were served lunch, thanks to Dr. Gandeza and the SLU. Mukhang mauulit ata ito. Masarap ang lunch e! And the bonding was great too. We're all together in this profession, then let's all Volt-In.
And to top it all, I bet this would be worth mentioning. In gratitude for the "service" IPCAP provided to the people of the Cordillera Region, RGC Claire Jimenez, Baguio City's 1st Registered Guidance Counselor, sent us for pasalubong potatoes, cabbages, carrots and bananas, including the view to her newborn son, a baby conceived during the days she served IPCAP in its three holding of the 1st National Convention - in UE, Manila, Dumaguete, and Cebu. Don't ask me who the father is because that is very natural for her as a married woman. Thanks a lot Claire, and the people of the Cordillera in Baguio. Hanggang sa muli. God bless and take care
Dr. Perlie Polestico gave a concise concept of doing Psychological Debriefing, or Psychological 1st-Aid, or defusing the emotional bomb that usually gets formed after a very distressing exposure like landslides. She particularly advocated for more than one debriefing session for the simple reason that victims may not immediately recall everything on its first accounting or debriefing session. And, debriefing may actually be done even beyond the 24-72-hours lapse from the event. Exposure to victims of kidnapping shows the plausibility and even necessity of this possibility for "extension" of the debriefing process. We need not even be so fanatic as to import God immediately into the session. Survivors seem to have a very strong sense of God's presence that mention of Him eventually flows into the debriefing process. And, it is important to be sensitive to cues for counseling referral, so that if we are not professionals, we should be humble enough to refer the survivors to licensed practitioners for ethical reasons.
Aw, yes, did I tell you the outline of the morning's training?
First, Ms. Nila Urrea with her team did the ice-breaking activities. The first was to bond the participants together, followed by Bato-bato-bato-batobatobato exercise that further sparked up the participants. Sayang, we were all engrossed in this ice-breaking we forgot to take pictures.
Then I did the compromise-building portion in order for us to have "meeting-of-minds". In short, we wanted that our training was responsive to the needs of the participants. Swak talaga! What they wanted, we were ready to give: concept of debriefing, the whys and process - parts of the debriefing exercise, practical applications of, and yes the ethical considerations and standards of psychological debriefing. After that followed Dr. Polestico's talk. Then Mr. Cesar Cong gave us the steps in the debriefing of victims.
For the workshop portion, we asked them to group themselves into 5 and map out the steps for debriefing Victims of (a)Landslides, (b) Earthquakes, (c) Fire, (d) Vehicular Accidents, and (e) Floods. Sorry I forgot to take pictures since the presentation of Mr. Cong was so enriching and very informative that I got so engrossed in his talk, as well as the group reporting of applying the steps of debriefing into the 5 stressful events. There are other events which psychological debriefing can be applied to, including kidnapping victims, witnessing neighborhood
violence, not to mention the debriefing of rape and sexual harassment as well as domestic violence. Even victims of volcano eruptions can be clients of debriefing. Wow! Lots of possibilities indeed.
Ms. Urrea brought along some more notes and handouts which Dr. Gandeza immediately made ready. These were more documents to make the debriefing something we can all feel confident in doing because we had this precious training from licensed practitioners.
After the training, we were served lunch, thanks to Dr. Gandeza and the SLU. Mukhang mauulit ata ito. Masarap ang lunch e! And the bonding was great too. We're all together in this profession, then let's all Volt-In.
And to top it all, I bet this would be worth mentioning. In gratitude for the "service" IPCAP provided to the people of the Cordillera Region, RGC Claire Jimenez, Baguio City's 1st Registered Guidance Counselor, sent us for pasalubong potatoes, cabbages, carrots and bananas, including the view to her newborn son, a baby conceived during the days she served IPCAP in its three holding of the 1st National Convention - in UE, Manila, Dumaguete, and Cebu. Don't ask me who the father is because that is very natural for her as a married woman. Thanks a lot Claire, and the people of the Cordillera in Baguio. Hanggang sa muli. God bless and take care
Our IPCAP Debriefing Mission: An Account of Day 2 More Pics
After Lamtang, we were treated by RGC Reynalyn to a sumptuous lunch after which we had our own debriefing. We realized that we came with varying motivations. One of us was a victim of Ondoy in Marikina. She felt so blest by those who helped her rise up after her house was devoured in Provident Village that she sincerely (teary-eyed in fact) realized she can share that blessing by coming along. Some of us just felt the need to reach out. We had one participant whose parents were quite "strict" (read: concerned) that she had to say this was part of her work - which is true! Really, we cannot rest in the thought that we were lucky enough not to be hit so seriously by the typhoons.
I for one realized that one of our Mission statements in the IPCAP papers we submitted to the SEC for registration as an organization of professional counselors led to this outreach/mission. If my rephrasing were right, it was supposed to be this way: IPCAP will serve the needs and interests of the professional members in their practice. Hence, this outreach was meant for those who needed company in their journey of doing professional guidance and counseling in their respective fields, as well providing for them their needs. Debriefing was one of those we felt so strongly about and confident to provide.
After lunch, we headed for La Trinidad, the worst hit of all places in Baguio. We saw the phenomenal landslide that washed down houses. Just look at the pics here and the subsequent ones after this blog entry.
We were all speechless. It was as if our lives were likewise taken away from us. Kalooy gyud sa mga tawo didto, Day. Ipangadye intawon sila nga mahibawo sila magbantay ug ayuhon ilahang libong, magtanum gyud na unta sila didto ug daghan pang mga puno aron di na mausab kining grabeng trahedya gajud. May they rest in peace, those who perished in the dark night of Oct. 8, 2009. Their bodies were brought to a nearby school, the Puguis Elementary School where we were given the chance to do debriefing to the Principal himself. He was simply so candid and open, helping us see for ourselves the need for a better Disaster Management Approach, another Guidance and Counseling advocacy we can spearhead.
I for one realized that one of our Mission statements in the IPCAP papers we submitted to the SEC for registration as an organization of professional counselors led to this outreach/mission. If my rephrasing were right, it was supposed to be this way: IPCAP will serve the needs and interests of the professional members in their practice. Hence, this outreach was meant for those who needed company in their journey of doing professional guidance and counseling in their respective fields, as well providing for them their needs. Debriefing was one of those we felt so strongly about and confident to provide.
After lunch, we headed for La Trinidad, the worst hit of all places in Baguio. We saw the phenomenal landslide that washed down houses. Just look at the pics here and the subsequent ones after this blog entry.
We were all speechless. It was as if our lives were likewise taken away from us. Kalooy gyud sa mga tawo didto, Day. Ipangadye intawon sila nga mahibawo sila magbantay ug ayuhon ilahang libong, magtanum gyud na unta sila didto ug daghan pang mga puno aron di na mausab kining grabeng trahedya gajud. May they rest in peace, those who perished in the dark night of Oct. 8, 2009. Their bodies were brought to a nearby school, the Puguis Elementary School where we were given the chance to do debriefing to the Principal himself. He was simply so candid and open, helping us see for ourselves the need for a better Disaster Management Approach, another Guidance and Counseling advocacy we can spearhead.
Day 2 More Pics Here
Some more to document:
These are two more pictures of the landslide in La Trinidad. God be with us all in our journey of helping rebuild persons and of course nature, never again to be neglectful and abusive that may lead Mother Nature to be vengeful.
These are two pics after the debriefing with the Principal of the school. Just a souvenir photo with him who was so open and candid about his growth-inducing experience. Thanks a lot, Dr. Atew. More power and God be with you.
After the debriefing in Puguis, La Trinidad, we proceeded to visit Dr. Mina at the Benguet State University where debriefing has been done right after the tragic incidents of typhoon Pepeng. After the brief visit to the head of Dr. Mina's department, we headed to their bakeshop where Baguio delicacies were produced and sold. Just look at us, in Chinese Mandarin, we say MAN DZAI ER GWEI (heavily-loaded) after shopping for pasalubong. Or was that a way to de-stress ourselves through shopping?!!!
These are two more pictures of the landslide in La Trinidad. God be with us all in our journey of helping rebuild persons and of course nature, never again to be neglectful and abusive that may lead Mother Nature to be vengeful.
These are two pics after the debriefing with the Principal of the school. Just a souvenir photo with him who was so open and candid about his growth-inducing experience. Thanks a lot, Dr. Atew. More power and God be with you.
After the debriefing in Puguis, La Trinidad, we proceeded to visit Dr. Mina at the Benguet State University where debriefing has been done right after the tragic incidents of typhoon Pepeng. After the brief visit to the head of Dr. Mina's department, we headed to their bakeshop where Baguio delicacies were produced and sold. Just look at us, in Chinese Mandarin, we say MAN DZAI ER GWEI (heavily-loaded) after shopping for pasalubong. Or was that a way to de-stress ourselves through shopping?!!!
Some more PICS at the Debriefing of Debriefers in SLU
After the debriefing, we all posed for a souvenir shot. Congratulations everyone!
This was the group of Ms. Christine Acosta of St. Jude Catholic School.
Ms. Techie in action during one of the stages of the debriefing process.
Sincere, warm and unconditional listening is at the heart of the debriefing process. Rene at his best! Talaga naman!
Our IPCAP Debriefing Mission: An Account of Day 2
You have seen the pics of Day 2. Here are some more pics on that very meaningful second day Oct. 30, 2009. Not that the other days were forgettable. This one was simply good because we have seen for ourselves the possibility of debriefing right there onsite and see for ourselves the story come alive in the accounts of those who helped save. Of course we are taught that debriefing has to be done in a safe place. But some of those we debriefed already felt safe to tell their stories right in the place where the stress or trauma happened. This shows their resiliency as well as their willingness to overcome all the odds they went through. This was not the first typhoon they had, but definitely the first landslide that took away their loved ones and once loved.
This was the river in Irisan where many perished. The waters flowing in this picture appear tranquile and harmless. But on the night of Oct. 8-11, the river was a hungry monster devouring land, trees and people. No one was saved save those who were yet to fulfill their mission in life.
We went to an elementary school in Lamtang. This school was supposed to have been published in a newspaper of national circulation. We chanced upon the teachers and the students in their classrooms where we were allowed a simple debriefing, including a dramatization of the children's experience. I blessed them after their debriefing so they will go with peace in their hearts. On our way home, one of the children mentioned to me that he wanted to become a priest when he grows up.
The school sat on a plane overlooking the road below it. But with Pepeng's water aplenty, the land that used to be the place for flag ceremony every morning simply caved in. What was left was about three meters of land, leaving the flag pole standing but also in danger of going down once the land caves in again. Solution? You know it. Hence JUST DO IT!
The teacher-in-charge (TIC) was very welcoming and showed us the extent of the damage. Here she is pointing to the origin of the landslide, at the back of the school where they have a stage for programs. A couple lived in there and rushed to the classrooms as soon as they realized the erosion was getting to be quite a lot, endangering their lives. This school had multi-level classrooms, meaning to say that there are two levels per classroom: Grades 1 & 2 together, 3 & 4 together, and Grades 5 & 6 together, with one teacher per classroom. There is no resident Guidance Counselor in there.
This was on our way back from the school. The children obliged for a souvenir photo with us all. God bless the children.
This was the river in Irisan where many perished. The waters flowing in this picture appear tranquile and harmless. But on the night of Oct. 8-11, the river was a hungry monster devouring land, trees and people. No one was saved save those who were yet to fulfill their mission in life.
We went to an elementary school in Lamtang. This school was supposed to have been published in a newspaper of national circulation. We chanced upon the teachers and the students in their classrooms where we were allowed a simple debriefing, including a dramatization of the children's experience. I blessed them after their debriefing so they will go with peace in their hearts. On our way home, one of the children mentioned to me that he wanted to become a priest when he grows up.
The school sat on a plane overlooking the road below it. But with Pepeng's water aplenty, the land that used to be the place for flag ceremony every morning simply caved in. What was left was about three meters of land, leaving the flag pole standing but also in danger of going down once the land caves in again. Solution? You know it. Hence JUST DO IT!
The teacher-in-charge (TIC) was very welcoming and showed us the extent of the damage. Here she is pointing to the origin of the landslide, at the back of the school where they have a stage for programs. A couple lived in there and rushed to the classrooms as soon as they realized the erosion was getting to be quite a lot, endangering their lives. This school had multi-level classrooms, meaning to say that there are two levels per classroom: Grades 1 & 2 together, 3 & 4 together, and Grades 5 & 6 together, with one teacher per classroom. There is no resident Guidance Counselor in there.
This was on our way back from the school. The children obliged for a souvenir photo with us all. God bless the children.
Our IPCAP Debriefing Mission: An Account of Day 1
Let me account our 1st IPCAP Debriefing Mission in Baguio. This would be Day 1 of that unforgettable exposure. We did this because there was an expressed need there for such an exercise. Thanks to Dr. Lilian Gandeza who led the coordinating work for us to start our mission at Saint Louis University that evening of Oct. 29, 2009. And of course for the generous support of some quarters who would like to remain anonymous. I realize that when a good deed is to be done, many would like to take part even if only through means other than their presence. Thanks to our donors talaga. God bless your generosity.
On board a Nissan van, nine of us plus two drivers went with this trip. Mura lang po ang rent: P3,500 per day sans toll fees and gas. So we had to feed the drivers hehe. Dr. Perlie Polestico of FPCAP had Mr. Rene Arcilla, Joy Dee, Techie Viduya, along with Mr. Cesar Cong of PACC, Christine Acosta of St. Jude Catholic School, Mss. Nila Urrea and Nanette Timbol of UE, and yours truly. We had breakfast at the Petron station in NLEX, then passed through SLEX which for many was their first trip along that beautiful highway. Oh, Joy kept throwing up along the way. But we did not complain. It was the beginning of the debriefing, there in our midst hehe.
By noontime we were in Urdaneta where we ate at KFC after hearing about the story regarding the "featherless" chicken featured in one email I received when I was still having cherubim as my email address.
We had to detour as we reached the early part of the town of Sison. It appeared that the officials came late for the rites to open the Abueg bridge, closed temporarily by the destruction the waters made by the typhoon Pepeng. We went back through Manaoag where the group had a prayerful stopover. From there, we speeded through Kennon Road and saw the amazing waterfalls that dotted the Kennon stretch. We didn't bother to stop by the lion's head since we were in a hurry for the 530PM scheduled Debriefing of Debriefers activity scheduled at the SLU.
We arrived about 4PM at the SVD Retreat House in Sunnyside Baguio. As early as this portion of the account, our sincere gratitude to the SVD Fathers and Brothers who hosted our stay there. After putting down our things in the rooms assigned to us, we headed for SLU. Oh, how many times did we lose our way? But we had quite a group waiting for us: 33 in all. We grouped ourselves with every three of the participants for the debriefing. I for one heard how the Pepeng typhoon brought back among the participants their memories of the 1990 earthquake that shook Baguio (I was in taiwan then studying Theology), an experience participants mentioned as never ever been shared in any debriefing exercise before. We realized how much the need there is among the debriefers, mostly Guidance Counselors, licensed and unlicensed all alike. Hence it was really providential that IPCAP responded to this real need.
We ended about 8PM after which we had a sumptuous supper served us at the Ladies Dorm of SLU. Thanks talaga to SLU. We realized the urgent need for a training in debriefing on our last day, Oct. 31. But that's for another blog to cover.
Here are some pics (looks like I'm limited to 5 pics per blog entry, hence more to follow):
That's Dr. Polestico with her group.
Ms. Nila Urrea and her group.
Ms. Nanette Timbol and her group.
The group I joined. Thanks for the wonderful debriefing. God bless you all.
Oh, this was the opening portion when everyone was in expectancy!
On board a Nissan van, nine of us plus two drivers went with this trip. Mura lang po ang rent: P3,500 per day sans toll fees and gas. So we had to feed the drivers hehe. Dr. Perlie Polestico of FPCAP had Mr. Rene Arcilla, Joy Dee, Techie Viduya, along with Mr. Cesar Cong of PACC, Christine Acosta of St. Jude Catholic School, Mss. Nila Urrea and Nanette Timbol of UE, and yours truly. We had breakfast at the Petron station in NLEX, then passed through SLEX which for many was their first trip along that beautiful highway. Oh, Joy kept throwing up along the way. But we did not complain. It was the beginning of the debriefing, there in our midst hehe.
By noontime we were in Urdaneta where we ate at KFC after hearing about the story regarding the "featherless" chicken featured in one email I received when I was still having cherubim as my email address.
We had to detour as we reached the early part of the town of Sison. It appeared that the officials came late for the rites to open the Abueg bridge, closed temporarily by the destruction the waters made by the typhoon Pepeng. We went back through Manaoag where the group had a prayerful stopover. From there, we speeded through Kennon Road and saw the amazing waterfalls that dotted the Kennon stretch. We didn't bother to stop by the lion's head since we were in a hurry for the 530PM scheduled Debriefing of Debriefers activity scheduled at the SLU.
We arrived about 4PM at the SVD Retreat House in Sunnyside Baguio. As early as this portion of the account, our sincere gratitude to the SVD Fathers and Brothers who hosted our stay there. After putting down our things in the rooms assigned to us, we headed for SLU. Oh, how many times did we lose our way? But we had quite a group waiting for us: 33 in all. We grouped ourselves with every three of the participants for the debriefing. I for one heard how the Pepeng typhoon brought back among the participants their memories of the 1990 earthquake that shook Baguio (I was in taiwan then studying Theology), an experience participants mentioned as never ever been shared in any debriefing exercise before. We realized how much the need there is among the debriefers, mostly Guidance Counselors, licensed and unlicensed all alike. Hence it was really providential that IPCAP responded to this real need.
We ended about 8PM after which we had a sumptuous supper served us at the Ladies Dorm of SLU. Thanks talaga to SLU. We realized the urgent need for a training in debriefing on our last day, Oct. 31. But that's for another blog to cover.
Here are some pics (looks like I'm limited to 5 pics per blog entry, hence more to follow):
That's Dr. Polestico with her group.
Ms. Nila Urrea and her group.
Ms. Nanette Timbol and her group.
The group I joined. Thanks for the wonderful debriefing. God bless you all.
Oh, this was the opening portion when everyone was in expectancy!
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