Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Monday said the employees of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) are also considered “essential workers” who need protection against Covid-19.
This, as Go appealed for the inclusion of the PRC’s proctors and watchers for upcoming professional board exams in the A4 priority group for the Covid-19 vaccination program of the government.
“Maituturing dapat na essential workers ang mga miyembro ng PRC na nagsasagawa ng mga professional board exams. Kung protektado sila dahil sa bakuna, mas makakapagtrabaho sila ng maayos para hindi maantala ang mga kailangan ng ating mga kababayan para sa kanilang mga propesyon (PRC staff who handles the professional board exams can be considered as part of the essential workforce. If they are protected through the vaccines, they can work properly to help our people achieve their profession),” Go said in a statement.
Go, chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, said he made the proposal to Vaccine Czar Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr. and Health Secretary Francisco Duque III for PRC’s proctors and watchers be listed in the A4 category.
In March, a total of 52 confirmed Covid19 cases were recorded in the PRC central and regional offices, prompting the commission to reset the nursing licensure examinations from May 30-31 to Nov. 21-22 this year.
Due to the growing calls from nursing graduates for the earlier conduct of the exams, the PRC Covid-19 Task Force has recommended for the vaccination of the agency’s front-liners, personnel and members of Professional Regulatory Boards, volunteer proctors and watchers.
Go supported their appeal, noting the important role of the PRC in processing and evaluating professionals, particularly nursing graduates, to address the need of the country for more medical front-liners.
“Kung mapoproteksyunan ng bakuna ang PRC examiners, proctors at iba pang personnel, maisasagawa natin agad ang board exams sa ligtas na paraan at mas madadagdagan natin ang mga healthcare professionals sa lalong madaling panahon (If we can protect the PRC examiners, proctors, and other personnel, we can conduct the board exams in a safe manner and we can produce healthcare professionals immediately),” he said. (PNA)
