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Licencing exams boost for Filipino expats

Manama, October 1, 2011

A new organisation has been set up to conduct Special Professional Licensure Examinations (SPLBE) for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Bahrain.

The Philippine Professional Organisation-Bahrain (PPOB) will help qualified OFWs to take licensed examinations in Bahrain through the Philippine Embassy.

Philippine Ambassador Corazon Yap-Bahjin was the guest of honour at the charter ceremony at the Ramee International Hotel, Juffair, last night.

'Until recently, becoming a Philippine professional was a distant reality for many college graduates employed in the Middle East,' said chairman Dr Elpidio Quitevis.

'Unless employed by exceptionally helpful and career-oriented employers, an OFW has to sacrifice his job and resources and head home to prepare for the exams. But very few are willing to make the sacrifice or risk losing his job to be a licensed professional.

'However, with the promulgation of executive order 835 in October 2009 by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo directing the Philippine Regulation Commission that dream came within reach for qualified OFWs.

'Other government agencies concerned through the Department of Labour and Employment agreed to conduct a yearly SPLBE in Middle East countries.

'With SPLBEs already conducted in Riyadh, Al Khobar, Abu Dhabi and Doha, leaders of five professional organisations in Bahrain started the initiative to conduct the examinations in Bahrain.'

The five organisations include the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA), United Architects of the Philippines (UAP), Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers (PSME), Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) and Integrated Institute of Electrical Engineers (IIEE).

This gave birth to PPOB, an accredited community partner of Philippine Embassy to make qualified OFWs' dream of taking the licensure examinations here a reality.

'As we induct PPOB's charter members and officers, let's hold hands together to pursue a common goal - to produce more professionals for a brighter tomorrow for our beloved country, Philippines,' said Dr Quitevis.

Yap-Bahjin is the patron of the organisation while the presidents for each professional organisation are, Ariel Malaguena (PSME), Carlitos Daria (IIEE), Dr Quitevis (PICPA), Oscar Francisco (PICE) and Robert Fabros (UAP).-TradeArabia News Service




Tags: Filipino | Licencing exam | Philippine Professional Organisation-Bahrain |

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