By NG Seruela
The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) postponed the Physician Licensure Examination due to extension of the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in the National Capital Region (NCR).
In today’s (Sep. 10) Laging Handa public briefing, PRC Board of Medicine Chairperson Dr. Eleanor Almoro denied claims that they cancelled the examinations due to the requests of some medical associations and groups.
“It’s not true that we cancelled the exam in NCR because of the request of certain associations and organizations to postpone the exam. The recent classification or reclassification of NCR to MECQ, we all know that during ECQ mass gatherings are not allowed,”
Almoro said they “sought the approval of the regional [Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases] IATF” to conduct the examinations on Sep. 11 and Sep. 12. However, their request was denied.
“So unfortunately yesterday, Sep. 9, the regional IATF denied the request of the PRC to conduct the examination. So that is the actual reason why the examination was cancelled or postponed in the National Capital Region. However, in the rest of the 10 regions, it will proceed as scheduled,” she said.
In relation to this, Almoro said around 2,600 exam-takers were affected by the cancellation. However, she assured that the fees they paid “can be used in the next scheduled examination,” which is in March 2022.
“Now the next scheduled examination is in March 2022 because the Professional Regulation Commission has a full schedule of examinations for the rest of the year. There are 44 other professional boards that conduct examinations,” she explained.
Meanwhile, Almoro reminded those who will take the examination in other areas to comply with the minimum health standards.
“Para po doon sa naapektuhan ng pagkansela ng Physician Licensure Exam sa NCR, please watch [out] for the announcement of the Professional Regulation Commission. We are working together to ensure that the stakeholders will be taken care of. For those who are going to take the examination in the other regions of the country, be safe, follow the minimum health protocol so that we can conduct the examination with the health of everybody in mind.” -rir
