How to Renew PRC ID Without CPD Units

Update: When I went back to do a follow-up on my application, the lady simply told me to head to the cashier to pay the renewal fee of P450. I thought I’d be given the schedule when to pick up my card. Turns out, I just had to wait for my name to be called because the ID card was given instantly! Yay!

This is not a mom-related or parenting-related article, yet I feel the need to write this especially for those who think that the CPD Act of 2016 is BS. Basically, the act requires you to earn a number of units so you can renew your professional license.

True, some seminars are helpful but many think that it’s just a waste of time since there are boring and useless ones. Not to mention, it’s expensive since you need to attend seminars after seminars just to have those units. I thought the license is like a “trophy” we earn after years of studying in college. But, nooooo.

I don’t want to dwell on why I think CPD Act is not helpful. I’m sure a lot of people think the same way. Take this online petition filed in 2017 for instance.

What I will talk about is what went down during the renewal of my license even if I didn’t have CPD units. I had to waste 7 hours of that day for this task — and it was a mission not accomplished.

I missed a school meeting and didn’t pick up my son for this. Yeah, I know. Other people have bigger problems, but I’m just saying. I met up with my classmate since we had planned to go to PRC together to renew our license. Both of us lack the required CPD credit units.

I went to SM City Cebu, thinking that PRC license renewal is available in their Government Services center. I had my license renewed there before. But I found out that SM City Cebu Government Services no longer accepts renewals and that I should go to Robinsons-Galleria instead. When I arrived in Galleria, my companion was still not around and I headed straight to Lingkod Pinoy center for PRC.

The place was packed with people. It’s like everyone was lining up for food rations or something. There were people sitting on the floor, on chairs provided, standing by the railings, crowding the room etc. Cherry arrived and we went inside the room and proceeded to Window 1 – for the renewal. We waited for about thirty minutes for the person to entertain us, only to be told that the system has gone offline and they can’t accept renewals at that moment. Bummer.

I told her we can take our chances at the main office, which — I just found out — is already located in Mandaue. Yes, I’m living under a rock. lol So we took a taxi and went to Mandaue, and I’m impressed. I was pissed off only 70% at Galleria and when I arrived at the main office, this was reduced to 20%. Yep.

The process of renewing your PRC license at the Main office in Mandaue is organized. There’s no need to weave your way through the crowd, which is why I suggest you head to the main office if you don’t want to deal with a lot of people. Here’s how easy the PRC license renewal process was at the main office.

1. Log the time of your arrival at the entrance. The guard will tell you so.
2. Make sure you have pasted your photo on the application form. I got my application form at Lingkod Pinoy Robinson’s Galleria Window 1 (Renewal).
3. If you haven’t pasted the photo, go to your right and you can see a table where glue was provided
4. The guard will then give you a priority number.
5. Wait for your number to be called.

That’s pretty much it. You can check the complete renewal process here. Upon searching, I also found that you can also apply for PRC ID renewal online. I didn’t have time to check it before I went, but now here it is. I haven’t tried this process, but if you have or if you will go the online route, let me know how it is.

The sad thing about our application that day was that the system was still offline. The good thing is that we left our forms there and the staff members already checked it. And they were nice, too. And as for the CPD units, I had dreaded this day thinking I could never renew my license ever. But I was wrong. And I could say maybe I was overthinking because what happened is nothing that I expected.

The teller simply asked me if I had accumulated CPD units, to which I answered, “No” (but really, I did attend a seminar but I forgot to bring my certificate lol). She then asked if I’m willing to give an undertaking, to which I simply answered, “Yes.” And that’s it. The statement of undertaking is already on the form itself. You just have to fill out the blanks and sign it. But since the system is offline, she instructed me to come back on Monday and to make sure I call first before coming. She’s nice, yeah?

Here’s what you need to remember: You can still renew your license even without the required number of CPD units. PRC is not that strict in the implementation of the act.

Oh, so now I need to acquire 75 CPD units in three years. *rolleyes* The government surely knows how to turn everything into a business. (Whoops!)

I hope this act will be abolished soon. I hear rumors that it’s headed that way.