Brunei Darussalam - The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC/Commission) took part in the successful hosting of the 105th ASEAN Coordinating Committee on Services (CCS) and Related Meetings held on 13-17 November 2023.

Staged in a hybrid set-up, the 105th ASEAN CCS meetings took place at the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, and were attended by the various representatives from the participating ASEAN countries, joined by the Philippine delegates comprised of the selected Professional Regulatory Boards (PRBs), the Department of Health (DOH), and the Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines, Inc. (IIEE) as observers.

The PRC, as the leading government agency working on Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRAs) on professional services for Accountancy, Architecture, Engineering, Dentistry, Medicine, and Nursing participated and rendered respective presentations in several hybrid meetings and activities with the Healthcare Services Sectoral Working Group (HSSWG), represented by Hon. Melinda L. Garcia of the PRB of Dentistry, on behalf of Commissioner Hon. Jose Y. Cueto, Jr. and the Business Services Sectoral Working Group (BSSWG), represented by PRC Commissioner Hon. Erwin M. Enad.

The ASEAN Joint Coordinating Committees under HSSWG were represented by Hon. Garcia for Dental Practitioners (AJCCD), Hon. Elsie A. Tee for Nursing (AJCCN), and Hon. Zenaida L. Antonio for Medical Practitioners (AJCCM) with Hon. Eleanor B. Almoro as an observer, while for BSSWG, the committees were represented by Hon. Francis V. Mapile and Hon. Alnar L. Detalla for the ASEAN Chartered Professional Engineering Coordinating Committee (ACPECC), Hon. Noe G. Quiñanola for the ASEAN Chartered Professional Accountant Coordinating Committee (ACPACC), Hon. Epifanio D. Lopez for the ASEAN Competent Authority of the MRA Surveying (ACACS), and Hon. Robert S. Sac for the ASEAN Architect Council (AAC), with Hon. Robert M. Mirafuente as an observer. Several meetings were also physically attended by the International Affairs Office (IAO).

Indeed, the participation of the Commission while representing the Philippines is a testament and a significant action towards the continuous improvement of the implementation of the ASEAN MRAs and Framework Arrangement for the benefit of professionals within the ASEAN region. While there may be identified deliverables and follow-through actions to be undertaken, it is likewise notable that the consistent active participation of PRC and PRBs in the ASEAN CCS activities will ensure that Filipino professionals will continue to provide excellent professional services that can be globally recognized.

All meetings thanked Brunei Darussalam for the excellent hosting of the 105th ASEAN CCS.