IT WAS nearly a day’s wait for Noby (real name withheld), 29, who was at the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) Regional Office in Mabolo, Cebu City since 5 a.m. for the authentication of her registration certificate and the certification of her board rating.
She was just one of the not less than 150 applicants who were waiting for their turn to be served at the PRC office on Wednesday, Jan. 9.
Because she is from Negros Occidental, she had no choice but to take a chance and wait at the PRC office until 5 p.m. of the same day, even though there was no guarantee that she could claim her PRC records, already updated from the PRC Manila, today.
“My transaction needs updating from PRC Manila. They are not sure if I can get it today, but I have to wait because I have nowhere to stay here. I’ve been here since 5 a.m. I’m from Negros Occidental. How much will I spend if I go home only to return here?” she told SunStar Cebu.
The PRC Cebu main office and a satellite office in Robinsons Galleria are the nearest PRC offices to cater to license applicants from the neighboring provinces of Bohol, Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental.
Armond Englis, chief officer of the Cebu Regional PRC office, said that to avoid inconvenience on the part of those who have to transact with PRC, professionals and would-be professionals are encouraged to transact ahead of the deadline.
“I advise them to apply ahead. They should not file their applications when the deadline approaches because we open it several months before. They can apply online and pick a date which is convenient for them,” he said.
Mae Gelligan, 22, who hails from Bohol, said that applying online would be ideal for her, but a website that is down would forfeit its purpose.
“Sige lang og ka-down ilang system. Niari nalang gud tawn mi diri para ra magpa-appointment nga pwede ra man unta na og sa cellphone (The system is always down. We had to come here just to make an appointment when all this could have been done using a cellphone,” she said. She added that it could have saved her money if she traveled to Cebu on the day of her appointment.
The regional website of the PRC office has reportedly been under preventive maintenance since the last week of December.
“We don’t know what the reason is, but it is posted that the website is under preventive maintenance. But most likely, before the month ends, it will be back. From time to time, refresh the browser. It’s because there are so many people trying to access the server,” Englis explained.
Mary Grace Bustillo, 25, who went to the PRC for her initial registration of the Professional Teacher Oath Taking, suggested the PRC Cebu main office hire additional staff to improve the situation.
“Mas nindot jud og dugangan ilang staff, especially diri sa cashier (They should have more staff members, especially at the cashier),” she said.
According to Englis, they have already requested the PRC head office for additional human resources, but they are still waiting for additional funds for this.
“We are just working with the present manpower. We have always informed the head office that we need more people.”
He explained that they have only about 43 employees distributed among its offices to cater to different needs.