Question & AnswerQ&A (MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 34)
The main purpose of Memorandum Circular No. 34 is to urge all concerned Philippine government agencies to fully implement the ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRAs) affecting eight professional services to facilitate mobility and liberalize the practice of these professions within ASEAN member states.
The ASEAN MRAs are agreements that recognize professional qualifications, licenses, or certifications obtained in one ASEAN Member State by other ASEAN Member States to facilitate the free movement of professionals in eight specified sectors.
The eight professional services covered are: Engineering Services, Nursing Services, Architectural Services, Surveying Qualifications, Dental Practitioners, Medical Practitioners, Accountancy Services, and Tourism-related Services.
The legal basis includes the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services (AFAS) article V, which allows recognition of qualifications and licenses among AMS, and the 2003 Bali Concord II, which calls for completion of MRAs by 2008 to facilitate free movement of professionals.
The ASEAN Member States involved are Brunei Darussalam, Kingdom of Cambodia, Republic of Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Union of Myanmar, Republic of the Philippines, Republic of Singapore, Kingdom of Thailand, and Socialist Republic of Viet Nam.
The objectives are to facilitate mobility of practitioners within ASEAN, promote information exchange and cooperation on mutual recognition, encourage adoption of best standards and qualifications, and provide opportunities for capacity building and training.
Agencies include the Department of Foreign Affairs, Professional Regulation Commission, Department of Tourism, Department of Justice, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Health, Department of Budget and Management, Commission on Higher Education, and the Securities and Exchange Commission, among others.
The requirements for implementation shall be charged against the regular budget of concerned agencies and instrumentalities, subject to the availability of funds and applicable budgetary, accounting, and auditing rules.
Yes, the memorandum states that it shall take effect immediately upon its issuance on November 16, 2017.
This memorandum reinforces the Philippines’ commitment to ASEAN integration by recognizing and facilitating the mutual recognition of professional qualifications, thereby aiding freer movement and practice of professionals across ASEAN member states.