THE Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) is scheduled to open an office at Robinsons Bacolod in January next year.
Lily Ann Baldago, director of PRC in Western Visayas, said that Teofilo Pilando Jr., PRC chairperson, had signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Robinsons Land Corporation for the use of space at the mall.
She said that initially, the agreement was 56 square meters, but she pointed out the space was small considering the volume of clients they are serving.
Baldago added that she brought the architect to the Bacolod Government Center in July “to show the normal volume of our clientele.”
“I received a call last Sunday, informing me that my request for 200 square meters was approved,” she said.
Baldago said the space at the mall is now being renovated.
“The agreement is that they will renovate while we bring our own computers and furniture and that we will way for the utilities while the space is rent-free,” she added.
“It’s going to be a regular operation. The plan is that we will be deploying a group of personnel for a two-week stay and another group will be deployed after. We will wait for the instruction from Manila if we will place permanent personnel here,” she said.
She added: “We are hiring. We are authorized to hire 15 people, and I have already recommended six people for hiring.”
Baldago said there is no PRC regional office yet for Negros Island Region. “But I think that would be part of our discussion in the next planning meeting.”
She said that PRC implemented a reorganization, which would include additional regional offices.
“Right now, there are only 10 regional offices and three satellite offices (in the country),” she added.
Meanwhile, the PRC “On the Road” program is still ongoing at the Provincial Capitol Social Hall in Bacolod City. It will run until October 7.
The services include processing of applications for renewal of the professional identification card, and initial registration of new professionals who passed the licensure examinations, among others.