BANGKOK, THAILAND — The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC/Commission) reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the regional recognition and mobility of Filipino professionals through its participation in the 17th ASEAN Qualifications Reference Framework (AQRF) Committee Meeting, held from August 3 to 5, 2026, in Bangkok, Thailand.

Representing the Commission was Director Melisa Jane Comafay Yeachana of the International Affairs Office (IAO), the PRC’s lead office for international alignment and engagement.

The PRC joined the Philippine delegation led by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Philippine Lead for the AQRF, headed by Deputy Director General Rosanna A. Urdaneta, together with representatives from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

A key activity during the meeting was the Technical Workshop on the implementation guidelines for AQRF Criterion 11, which encourages awarding bodies to indicate the corresponding AQRF level on newly issued certificates, diplomas, and other qualification documents. The initiative seeks to make qualifications more transparent, comparable, and easily understood across ASEAN Member States.

During the workshop, TESDA Executive Director El Cid Castillo presented the Philippine inputs and shared the country’s experiences and perspectives on the proposed implementation guidelines.

The AQRF serves as an important regional reference or “translation tool” that enables qualifications from different national systems to be compared and understood through a common framework. Its implementation strengthens mutual trust among ASEAN Member States and supports the recognition of qualifications across national borders.

As a member of the Philippine Qualifications Framework–National Coordinating Council (PQF-NCC), the PRC continues to work with TESDA, CHED, and other partner agencies to strengthen the alignment of Philippine professional qualifications with regional standards and principles.

Through its active participation in regional initiatives such as the AQRF, the Commission remains committed to promoting the recognition, competitiveness, and mobility of Filipino professionals, ensuring that Philippine professional qualifications remain relevant, trusted, and globally competitive.

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