Role of the Philippine Professional Organization in KSA (PPO-SA)
- PPO-SA aims to unify and support professional organizations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Middle East.
- Coordinates with the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and Philippine government agencies for the Special Professional Licensure Board Examination (SPLBE).
- Advocates for unlicensed Filipino professionals and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to take licensure exams without returning to the Philippines.
National Government’s Policy on Overseas Licensure Examinations
- Encourages qualified OFWs to take licensure board exams abroad to improve employability and competitiveness.
- Seeks to reduce the financial and logistical burdens of travel for exams.
- Positions the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), as supervisory agency over PRC, to spearhead this initiative.
Section 1: Coverage
- Mandates DOLE, via PRC, in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Bureau of Immigration, and PPO-SA, to conduct SPLBE.
- Applies to qualified OFWs in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, and other Middle Eastern countries having diplomatic ties with the Philippines.
Section 2: Implementation Period
- SPLBE to be held once every year.
- Initial implementation starts December 2009.
Section 3: Venue Designation and Accessibility
- DOLE/PRC and DFA Consular Offices jointly responsible for:
- Securing necessary permits from host countries.
- Providing suitable venues for the examination.
- Processing travel documents for exam personnel conducting SPLBE.
Section 4: Funding
- PRC shall allocate funds from its annual budget to cover costs related to the administration of SPLBE.
Section 5: Effectivity
- The Executive Order takes effect immediately upon issuance (October 6, 2009).