OFWs may now take board exams in host countries

MANILA, Philippines—Beginning in December, Filipinos working in the Middle East may take professional licensure examinations in their host countries to boost their credentials.

President Macapagal-Arroyo issued Executive Order 835 authorizing the Professional Regulation Commission to conduct such tests in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and other Middle East countries every year beginning in December.

Ms Arroyo said there was a pressing need to maintain a crop of Filipino professionals whose competence has been determined by credible licensure examinations and whose standards of professional service were “internationally recognized.”

The government intended “to encourage qualified overseas Filipino workers to take and pass the licensure board examinations abroad as it would greatly enhance their edge and competitiveness in the labor market,” she said.

Holding the examinations in places where they work would also spare them from incurring costly travel expenses and going through the lengthy processing of travel permits, she added.

More than two million Filipinos are employed in the region as maids, nurses, hotel, airport and restaurant staff, construction workers and as white-collar professionals.

In the EO, dated Oct. 6, Ms Arroyo said the examinations could also be held in other Middle East countries with whom the Philippines has diplomatic relations.

The PRC will administer the examinations using its own funds, provide the venue for the tests and facilitate the necessary permits in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The move to hold board examinations abroad every year was seen as a positive response to the call raised by the Philippine Professional Organization-Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to give unlicensed organization members and overseas workers a chance to take board examinations without returning to the Philippines. –TJ Burgonio, Philippine Daily Inquirer