Solon wants age requirement for

Social Work Board Exam applicants abolished

A lawmaker is seeking to abolish the age requirement for applicants taking the
board examination for social workers so as not to deprive young graduates of a profession
and the opportunity to serve the people.
Rep. Evelina G. Escudero (irst !istrict" #orsogon$ said Republic Act %&'&" which
regulates the practice of social work and the operation of social welfare agencies" was
enacted on (une )*" )*+," or %* years ago" when the age of ma-ority was .) years old.
/0ith the pegging of entry level for social workers at .) years of age" young
graduates are unintentionally deprived of a profession and the opportunity to become
productive members of society"1 said Escudero" a vice chairperson of the 2ouse
3ommittee on 2igher and 4echnical Education.
4o correct this" the lawmaker filed 2ouse 5ill ,6+, seeking to abolish the age
requirement for social workers" provide for the continuing social work education" and
upgrade the sundry provisions relative to the practice of #ocial 0ork.
4he bill" now pending at the 3ommittee on 3ivil #ervice and 7rofessional
Regulation chaired by Rep. Andres !. #alvacion" (r. (&
rd
!istrict" 8eyte$ provides for the
amendment of #ection ). of RA %&'&" as amended" pertaining to qualifications of
applicants of social work licensure examination which provides that the applicant must be9
a$ 5e a ilipino citi:en;
b$ 5e in good health and of good moral character;
c$ 5e a diploma holder of a !egree or <aster=s !egree or its equivalent in #ocial
0ork from an institution" college" or university duly accredited and constituted.
7rovided that the provisions of RA *.+6" otherwise known as the 3ivil #ervice Act
of )*,*" as amended" insofar as cultural minorities are concerned should be applied"
and9
d$ 2as completed a minimum period of )"666 case hours of practical training in an
established social work agency under the direct supervision of a fully trained and
qualified social worker. 7rovided that in the undergraduate program of the
institution" college or university" the academic courses preceded the required field
practice of )"666 hours. 7rovided further that the field practice complied with the
#ocial 0ork curriculum approved by the 3ommission 2igher Education (32E!$
and the 5oard for #ocial 0orkers which specified field practice in working with
individuals and families with small groups and with communities.
NR # 3633
OCT. 28, 2014
4he bill provides that those who fail to pass three licensure examinations must re>
enroll in at least ), units of basic professional #ocial 0ork sub-ects and pass them" as
shown in an official transcript of records" before they can be allowed to apply to re>take
another licensure examination. ailure to pass for the fourth time shall automatically
disqualify an applicant from taking another #ocial 0ork licensure examination.
4he proposal also seeks the insertion of new sub>sections in #ection .% of RA %&'&"
as amended9
#ection .%>A provides for a 3ontinuing #ocial 0ork Education" so that all
registered social workers must provide proof of accomplishing .6 units of continuing
professional education (37E$ given by a 37E accredited by the #ocial 0ork 5oard of
Examiners as a requirement for renewal of 7rofessional #ocial 0orker=s 8icense.
#ection .%>5 on ?mplementing Rules and Regulations provides that the 7rofessional
Regulation 3ommission (7R3$ and the 7hilippine Association of #ocial 0orkers" ?nc.
(7A#0?$ shall -ointly issue the ?RR within &6 days after effectivity of the law.
8astly" the bill seeks the amendment of #ection .+ of RA %&'&" as amended" on
7enal provisions so that erring social workers and persons practicing #ocial 0ork through
illegal or fraudulent means shall be penali:ed with a fine of 7)66"666 to 7.66"666 or
suffer imprisonment of six months to two years" or both" at the discretion of the court. (&6$
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