WHEREAS, the Professional Regulation Commission, under its charter (P.D. No. 223, as amended), is mandated œ[T]o administer and conduct the licensure examinations for the various Boards according to the rules and regulations promulgated by it; determine and fix the places and dates of examinations . . .;  [Sec. 5 (d), ibid.]

WHEREAS, the Commission is also empowered to œmake such rules and regulations . . . as may be necessary in the execution and implementation of its functions and the improvement of its services.  [Sec. 5 (d), ibid.]

WHEREAS, to address the problems of examinees who, by reason of their religious beliefs, are compelled to abstain on a particular day of the week from engaging in activities other than those allowed by their religious beliefs and, therefore, could not take licensure examinations fixed or set by the Commission on a day which coincides with that said particular day, it is necessary for the Commission to set guidelines in fixing or setting the dates for the holding of licensure examinations for the various professions to enable said examinees to take licensure examinations.

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the foregoing premises, the Commission resolved as it hereby resolves to set the following guidelines in fixing or setting the dates/days for holding the licensure examinations for the various regulated professions under its jurisdiction:

1)      Licensure examinations for all the regulated professions under the jurisdiction of the Commission, as far as practicable and provided that there are at least five hundred (500) applicants for each examination, shall be fixed or set twice a year, except for the licensure examination for professional teachers.

2)      For professions where applicants for examination are less than five hundred (500) a year, the Commission shall fix or set at least one examination a year.

3)      In the case of paragraph (1) above, the Commission shall fix one examination on any day or days except Saturday.

4)      In the case of paragraph (2) above, the Commission shall fix the examination on any day or days except Saturday.

5)      The Commission shall fix or set the licensure examination for professional teachers once a year on any day or days except Saturday.

This Resolution shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation, whichever comes earlier.

Adopted: 15 Feb. 2000

(SGD.) HERMOGENES P. POBRE Commission Chairman
(SGD.) ALFONSO G. ABAD Associate Commissioner	(SGD.) AVELINA DE LA REA-TAN Associate Commissioner