PASAY CITY, PHILIPPINES – To examine the Global Centre for Credentialing and Certification (GCCC) Credentialing and how the Philippines can adopt and apply them, and to discuss further the level of reciprocity for both drug prevention and treatment practitioners and professionals, the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, U.S. Department of State (US – INLEA) met last April 25, 2023 at PRC – PICC, Pasay City.
Representing PRC during the exchange of viewpoints and action plans were: PRC Commissioner Erwin M. Enad; the Chairpersons and Members of respective Professional Regulatory Boards (PRB) of Guidance and Counseling (Hon. Luzviminda S. Guzman), PRB of Psychology (Hon. Miriam P. Cue and Hon. Hector M. Perez), PRB for Social Workers (Hon. Lorna C. Gabad), PRB of Medicine (Hon. Godofreda V. Dalmacion), and PRB of Nursing (Hon. Elsie A. Tee). Since the meeting was in a hybrid setup, some of the PRBs attended the meeting virtually.
On the other hand, the delegates from the U.S. Department of State – Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (US – INLEA) were: Dir. Kelia Cummins, Director, U.S. Department of State – Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs of US Embassy Manila; Ms. Charlotte Sisson, Senior Foreign Affairs Officer, Drug Demand Reduction (DDR) Section of the Office of Global Policy and Programs in the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs at the U.S. Department of State; Ms. Jonnalyn Santos, Program Management Specialist, Office of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs of U.S. Embassy Manila; and Ms. Michele Worobiec, Consultant, U.S. Department of State – Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs of US Embassy Manila.
During the meeting, the following were highlighted and considered as a step for further discussions and analysis, future undertakings, and future collaborations: the multi-disciplinary approach in dealing with the present issues and concerns; a standardization of evaluation of credentialing system especially for non-physicians as part of the drug prevention and practitioners; a curriculum integration; training for professionals and practitioners around the country; coordination among PRC, Department of Health, Department of Education (DepEd), and other agencies for institutional arrangements.
Ultimately the goal for discussion was to identify the suitable care treatment, to touch on compassion and sympathy towards chemically dependent individuals, to humanely identify case care management, and to regain, encourage, and foster trust and confidence among chemically-dependent individuals.
