Positioning the EnPs in the ASEAN Economic Community

50

^th

SURP Anniversary Public Lecture Series University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City

18 February 2015

ORDER OF PRESENTATION

 ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations)

 AFAS (ASEAN Framework Agreement in Services)

 MRAs (Mutual Recognition Arrangements/Agreements)

 ASEAN Community

 ASEAN Economic Community (AEC)

 AQRF and PQF

 The Profession/Professional/Global Competitiveness

 Services Liberalization

 Opportunities for EnPs

 Issues and Concerns

 Action Plan (2015-2017)

 Conclusion

1. ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations)

1.1 Foundation

(a) Originally founded on 18 August 1967 by five Southeast Asian countries through an agreement (1967 ASEAN Bangkok Declaration):

Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines: For security reasons and economic cooperation.

(b) Five more countries joined ASEAN:

* 1984 Brunei * 1997 Lao PDR & Myanmar

* 1995 Vietnam * 1999 Cambodia

(c) In 1992, AFTA (ASEAN Free Trade Agreement) was launched to

strengthen economic/financial cooperation.

2. AFAS ( ASEAN Framework Agreement in Services)

2.1 December 1995. Legal framework adopted by Member Countries: Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam.

2.2 Objectives/Purposes of AFAS

(a) Enhance cooperation in services – improve

efficiency/competitiveness and diversify production capacity (b) Eliminate restrictions to trade in services – including professional services

(c) Liberalize trade in services – ultimate aim is FREE TRADE

IN SERVICES

2.3 Areas of Cooperation

(a) Provision of infrastructure facilities

(b) Joint production/marketing and purchasing arrangements

(c) Research and Development (d) Exchange of information

2.4 Recognition of Education/Experience

Member States may recognize the education or experience obtained, requirements met, or licenses or certifications granted in another ASEAN Member State, for the purpose of licensing or certification of service

suppliers.

2.5 Long-term target for liberalization of services :

Originally, to have FREE FLOW of services by year 2020; advanced to 2015.

2.6 Modes of Supply of Services

(a) Cross-border supply. Services are supplied from one country to another (design sent by mail/fax/e-mail where sender and consumer do not see each other).

(b) Consumption abroad. Services supplied in the country of the professional. Client goes to the country of the professional; services

consumed abroad; client comes to the Philippines and engages the services of the Professional for a project in Singapore.

(c) Commercial presence. Foreign professionals establishes an operation in the country.

(d) Movement of natural persons. Temporary movement of natural

persons to supply services.

3. MRAs (Mutual Recognition arrangements/Agreements).

Needed in order to implement the various modes of supply

3.1 Definition. A facility whereby respective licensing authorities accept, in whole or in part, the education, experience, licensing or certification

obtained in a territory of one party to assess the qualifications of a professional for licensing or certification.

3.2 Participants

(a) Governments or APOs/Institutions

(b) Competent authorities/organizations

(c) State/area of competence of each party

3.3 Objectives

(a) Facilitate mobility of practitioners within ASEAN

(b) Exchange information and enhance

cooperation in respect of mutual recognition of practitioners

(c) Promote adoption of best practices on standards and qualifications (d) Provide opportunities to capacity building and training of

practitioners

3.4 Recognition of Eligibility of Foreign Practitioners

(a) Qualification recognized by Professional Regulatory Authority (PRA) (b) Professional registration/ certificate of practice issued by PRA

(c) Number of years in active practice

•

Architecture/Engineering : 7

•

Medicine/Dentistry : 5

•

Nursing : 3

(d) Compliance with CPE/CPD requirements

(e) Certification as NOT having violated any professional/ethical standards (local/international)

(f) No pending investigation/legal proceedings against the professional

(g) Compliance with other assessment/ requirements of host country.

3.5 Process

(a) PRBs conduct researches on educational and practice of profession, then establish connections with counterparts

(b) Start with bilateral agreement, then progress to multilateral agreements

(c) Initially via email, teleconference, then face-face meetings and discussions

(d) Form federations, networks

(e) Document with Letters of Intent, MOUs, MOAs

3.6 MRAs for professions concluded as of 2012

( a) Engineering (2005)/Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (b) Nursing (2006)/Cebu, Philippines

(c) Surveying (2007)/Singapore (d) Architecture (2007)/Singapore

(e) Dentistry (2009)/Cha-am, Thailand

(f) Medicine (2009)/Cha-am, Thailand

(g) Accountancy (2009)/Cha-am, Thailand

4. ASEAN Community

4.1

Established with three pillars: ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), ASEAN

Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC), and ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC)

4.2 ASEAN Premises

(a) ASEAN has become the most dynamic group among developing countries in recent years, with about 700 million population

(b) A huge marketplace/home to a growing number of middle-class consumers (c) A single market place, it is the world’s

seventh

largest economy

(d) Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) increased 10 percent in 2009 to 22 percent in 2014--steadily increasing.

(e) The Philippines is ASEAN”s leader in economic growth in 2015, according to

International Monetary Fund (IMF) – anticipates to expand by 6.7 percent (higher than 2015 forecast of 6.3 percent)

(f) ASEAN connectivity in energy/ICT/transport/learning networks

5. ASEAN Economic Community (AEC)

5.1 Bali Accord II. Signed in 2003 by ASEAN heads of states declaring the

establishment of an ASEAN Economic Community which comprises the political, economic, and security communities to include completion of MRAs of major professional services by 2008.

5.2 Premised on creation of a stable, prosperous, and highly competitive economic community for:

(a) Free flow of goods/services/investment

(b) Equitable economic development/reduced poverty and economic disparities

(c) Enhanced political, economic development and social stability

5.3 Characteristics/features

(a) Single market and production base



Free flow of goods/services/



investment/capital/skilled labor



Priority integration sectors



Food/agriculture/forestry (b) Competitive economic region



Competition policy



Consumer protection



Intellectual property rights



Infrastructure development



Taxation



E-commerce

(c) Equitable economic development



SME development



Initiative for ASEAN integration (d) Integration into the global economy



Coherent approach towards external towards economic relations



Enhanced participation in global supply



networks

6. Conceptual framework for FREE FLOW OF PROFESSIONALS: AQRF and PQF: Which determine mobility and competitiveness of professionals in the ASEAN community

6.1 AQRF (ASEAN Qualifications Reference Framework ) (a) Chartered. In 2007 for strengthened ASEAN.

(b) Basis. Based on agreed understandings between member countries; aims to be a neutral influence on National

Qualifications Frameworks (NQFs)of ASEAN countries.

(c) Purposes:

 Develop human resource through cooperation in education/lifelong learning in science/technology

 Enhance well-being/livelihood through equitable access to opportunities for human development/societal welfare/justice

(d) Function. A device to enable comparisons of qualifications across ASEAN countries that will:

 Support recognition of qualifications

 Encourage development of qualifications frameworks that can facilitate lifelong learning

 Encourage development of approaches to validating learning gained outside formal education

 Promote/encourage education and learner mobility

 Lead to better understood qualifications systems

 Promote higher quality qualifications systems

(e) Level descriptors



Provide a reference point for various levels in the Qualification Systems



Consist of eight (8) levels of complexity of learning outcomes



Include two domains: Knowledge and skills and application/responsibility (f) Levels of Competence. Based on a hierarchy of complexity of

learning outcomes:



Cognitive competence. Use of theory/ concepts informal knowledge gained experientially.



Functional competence. Skills/know-how; ability to do things while working in an area.



Personal competence. Knowing how to conduct oneself in a specific situation.



Ethical competence. Possession of certain personal/professional values.

(g) Two domains of level descriptors (8):

Levels Knowledge and Skills Application and Responsibility

1  is basic, general knowledge

 involves simple straightforward and routine actions

 involve structured routine processes

 involve close levels of support and supervision

2  is general and factual

 involves use of standard processes

 involve structured processes

 involve supervision and some discretion for judgment on resolving familiar issues 3  includes general principles and

some conceptual aspects

 involves selecting and applying basic methods, tools, materials and

information

 are stable with some aspects subject to change

 involve general guidance and

require judgment and planning to resolve some issues independently

Levels Knowledge and Skills Application and Responsibility 4  is technical and theoretical

with general coverage of a field

 involves adapting processes

 are generally predictable but subject to change

 involve broad guidance requiring some self direction, and coordination to

resolve unfamiliar issues 5  is detailed technical and

theoretical knowledge of a general field

 involves analytical thinking

 are often subject to change

 involve independent evaluation of activities to resolve complex and sometimes abstract issues

6  is specialized technical and theoretical within a specific field

 involves critical and analytical thinking

 are complex and changing

 require initiative and adaptability as well as strategies to improve activities and to thinking solve complex and abstract issues

Levels Knowledge and Skills Application and Responsibility 7  is at the forefront of a field and

shows mastery of a body of knowledge

 involves critical and independent thinking as the basis for research to extend or redefine knowledge or practice

 is at the most advanced and specialized level and at the frontier of a field

 are complex and unpredictable and involve the development and testing of innovative solutions to resolve issues

 require expert judgment and significant responsibility for

professional knowledge, practice and management

 are highly specialized and complex involving the development and testing of new theories and new solutions to resolve complex, abstract issues

Levels Knowledge and Skills Application and Responsibility 8  involves independent and original

thinking and research, resulting in the creation of new knowledge or practice

 require authoritative and expert

judgment in management of research or an organization and significant responsibility for extending

professional knowledge and practice and creation of new ideas and/or processes.

6.2 PQF (Philippine Qualifications Framework)

(a) EO No. 83. Institutionalized PQF in October 2012.

(b) Objectives

 Adopt national standards/levels for outcomes of education

 Support the development and maintenance of pathways/equivalences

 Align PQF with international qualifications framework to support national/international mobility of workers/professionals

(c) Coverage. Basic technical, higher education; skills development;

and all systems/institutions that provide training/specialization/and

lifelong learning.

6.3 The Philippine Qualifications Framework

LEVEL

GRADE 10 GRADE 12

TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT HIGHER EDUCATION DOCTORAL AND POST DOCTORAL

BACCALAUREATE BASIC

EDUCATION

L1 L2 L3 L4 L5 L6 L7 L8

NC I NC II NC IV NC III NC IV DIPLOMA

BACCALAUREATE POST BACCALAUREATE

6.4 PQF for Environmental Planners

Level 6 7 8

KMOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND VALUES

Demonstrated broad and coherent

knowledge and skills in their field of study for professional work and lifelong learning

Demonstrated

advanced knowledge and skills in planning for specific types of settlements at the urban and regional level; advanced alternative planning technologies; and appropriate

communication skills and negotiation with concerned

stakeholders

Demonstrated highly advanced systematic knowledge and skills, new and innovative approaches/paradigm s and methodologies in planning (e.g., new urbanism, vertical cities, green and sustainable cities, intelligent/smart cities,

agropolis/aerotropolis, hydropolis/cyberpolis)

6.4 PQF for Environmental Planners

Level 6 7 8

APPLICATION Application in professional work in a broad discipline and/or for further study

Applied in planning work that requires leadership and management in conduct of independent research in planning and planning practice to contribute to rational and sustainable development of

communities, special planning areas (tourism, industrial, heritage,

commercial, residential,

mixed use, national security), towns, cities and regions

Applied in highly

specialized or complex multidisciplinary field of planning that

requires the conduct of research with

significant contribution to planning literature;

and application of new planning approaches

6.4 PQF for Environmental Planners

Level 6 7 8

DEGREE OF INDEPENDENCE

Substantial degree of

independence and/or in team of related fields with minimal supervision

As team member, ability to perform assigned task and to interact/relate with and

motivate other members of a multidisciplinary team

As team leader, ability to organize, lead and direct members, and direct m, and integrate outputs of a

multidisciplinary team that ensures the uplift of the general welfare of the constituents in the planning area

Level 6 7 8

DEGREE OF INDEPENDENCE

Substantial degree of independence

and/or in team of related fields with minimal supervision

As team member, ability to perform assigned task and to interact/relate with and motivate other members of a

multidisciplinary team

As team leader, ability to organize, lead and direct

members, and direct m, and integrate outputs of a multidisciplinary team that ensures the uplift of the general welfare of the constituents in the planning area QUALIFICATION TYPE Baccalaureate

Degree

Post-baccalaureate (Master’s Degree)

PhD and Post- doctoral

7. The Profession/ Professional/ Global Competitiveness

7.1 Profession. An occupation, vocation, line of activity distinguished by the following:

(a) Based on a body of scientific principles

(b) Primary objective is service to one’s fellow human beings

(c) Guided in actual practice by universally

ethical norms of conducted

7.2 What is a professional?

(a) Has completed a prescribed university course (b) Passed a licensure exam: Certificate of

Registration/Professional ID card/PTR

(c) Is a member of good standing of an APO (d) Follows a set of standards/code of practice

(e) Adheres to professional Code of Ethics/moral standards

(f) Main concern is service/protection of life, limb, property and

public welfare, instead of profit.

7.3 How do Filipino professionals become competitive?

(a) Improving the efficiency of basic education with improvement in communication and the language of the profession and English and

Math; improve capacities of teachers.

(b) Continuing Professional Development (CPD) on latest trends with effective relevance, technology transfer, methods, and processes.

(c) Identify internationalization of programs

(d) Establish MRAs to accelerate liberalization; involve participation of accredited professional organizations (APOs).

(e) Develop software industry to cope with global marketing

capabilities; support IT education/ research/development; increase local

IT market; establish tie-ups, joint ventures.

8.1 Benefits

(a) Generation of more foreign investment in the services sectors due to opening domestic markets/providing national treatment to service suppliers

(b) Enhanced efficiency in the domestic services sector

(c) Availability of technology/know-how in most important services sectors

8.2 Challenges and opportunities. Great not only for the professionals, but also for the systems that produce and regulate the professions (a) Opening up of large markets for them

(b) Adoption of best practices (c) Elevations of standards

(d) Alignment with international standards

8. Services Liberalization

9.1 Area/development planning

(a) National, regional and local planning

(regions/provinces/cities/municipalities/barangays)

(b) Island planning; coastal planning/management; waterfront development

(c) New towns and industrial estates (eco-villages /green towns;

retirement/health care villages); new paradigms in city and urban planning

(d) Heritage and conservation planning/urban design (e) Housing and human settlements

(f) Open space and recreation planning; memorial parks (g) Tourism development

9. Opportunities for EnPs

9.2 Academe and R & D (a) EP specializations

(b) Curriculum development (c) Climate change

(d) Sustainable communities (e) Energy/water conservation

9. Opportunities for EnPs

10. Issues and Concerns

(a) Filipino Professional EnPs going abroad

(b) Foreign Professional EnPs coming to the Philippines

(c) Constitutional Provision. Professions limited to Filipino citizens save as provided by law

(d) Granting of Special Temporary Permit (STP). RA 8981 and specific provisions in professional laws.

(e) Regulations and red tape

(a) MRA 2015 : Research

Consultative Meetings with stakeholders Meetings with foreign counterparts

Crafting of MOU/MOA (Bilateral agreement) Report to PRC

2016 : PRC endorsement to DOLE DOLE to DTI

DTI submits to CCS (Coordinating Committee in Services)

2017 : Meeting with foreign counterparts Crafting of MOU/MOA

Reports to PRC

PRC endorsement to DOLE Recruitment of other countries DTI submits to CCS

(b) PQF

2015 : Information campaign

Submission of professional competencies

Professional qualifications entry for PQF Register Licensure

(c) AQRF : Information dissemination Consultative meetings

Quality of participation/outputs

11. Action Plan (2015 – 2017)

12. Conclusion

There seems to be no choice but to accept the

reality: To abide by our international commitment, that there shall be COMPLETE LIBERALIZATION as envisioned by the ASEAN Economic Ministers -- the creation of a stable, prosperous and highly

competitive ASEAN Economic Community wherein there would be:

(a) Free flow of goods, services, and investment;

(b) Equitable economic development/reduced poverty and economic disparities; and

(c) Enhanced political, economic, and social

stability.

MARAMING SALAMAT PO AT MABUHAY!

Josefina M. Ramos, PhD, FUAP, FPIEP

Chairman, Professional Regulatory Board of Environmental Planning

References:

Cueto, Jose Y. ASEAN MRA, PQF and AQRF (Manila: PRC, 2015).

Manzala, Teresita R. Mutual Recognition Arrangement and ASEAN Qualifications Reference Framework (Manila: PRC, 2013).

Miles, Mike. ASEAN Qualifications Reference Framework Consultation Paper (New Zealand: Bateman & Giles, 2013).

Romulo, Beth Day. “Riding High”, Philippine Panorama, 3 May 2015, p. 12.

Sandoval, Jose S. ASEAN MRA, PQF and AQRF (Manila: DOLE, 2015).

Legal Documents

ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint, 2007

ASEAN Framework Agreement in Services (AFAS), 1995 Executive Order No. 83, 2012

Resolution No. 2014-01, July 2014

Roadmap for ASEAN Integration (RIA), 2002

UNCTAD Support to ASEAN Regional Integration and the Mutilateral Trading System, 1997