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GMM1: ACPACI Holds 1st GMM and PQF Forum
- ACPACI Philippines
- Apr 9, 2022
- 9 min read
April 9, Saturday The Association of CPAs in Commerce & Industry (ACPACI) held its first General Membership Meeting (GMM) last March 24, 2022, 1:30 pm, via Zoom, and organized a forum entitled, “Real Talk- Tackling the Issues and Challenges of the Philippine Qualifications Framework (PQF) in Commerce & Industry Sector,” which deep dived into the subject, PQF, its impact, and addressed the pervading concerns and questions around it.
The first GMM was a significant happening attended by around 195 ACPACI members and guests from different companies. It was enriching and informative as the Association featured quality and eminent speakers in the lecture proper and in the panel discussion. First, Hon. Noe G. Quiñanola, Chairperson of the Professional Regulatory Board of Accountancy (PRBOA), made a comprehensive presentation of the relevant topic of PQF, and then, he joined the other esteemed guests in the panel discussion who also gave their insights on the aforesaid matter. They were: Hon. Arlyn S. Villanueva, Member of PRBOA; Dr. Patricia M. Empleo, PhD, Dean, University of Sto. Tomas and Chair, PICPA Academy Committee; Dr. Flong M. Tugas, PhD, Reviewer, ReSA Review School, Inc., and Chair, Professional Development Committee; and Ms. Consuelo O. Cadeliña, Vice-President, SM Retail, Inc., Member, PICPA PQF Technical Working Group (TWG) for Commerce & Industry. Ms. Cadeliña is the ACPACI past president 2013.
What is PQF? What is AQRF?
In his speech, Hon. Quiñanola gave 1) a thorough and extensive introduction and overview of the PQF Program specifically for the CPAs, and 2) he reported its status and where we are right now, as the learning outcomes of his presentation. In his lecture, he explained the PQF concept, which is a “quality-assured national system for the development, recognition and award of qualifications based on standards of knowledge, skills and values acquired in different ways and methods by learners and workers educated or trained in the Philippines.” PQF is competency-based and labor market driven, and an assessment-based qualification recognition.
He said that PQF was enacted as a law through RA 10968 on January 16, 2018, and it aimed “to encourage lifelong learning of individuals, provide employees specific training standards and qualifications aligned with industry standards, ensure that training and educational institutions comply with specific standards and are accountable for achieving corresponding learning outcomes.” Also, the PQF was based on the ASEAN Qualifications Reference Framework (AQRF), which is a “common reference framework that enables comparisons of education qualifications across participating ASEAN Member States (AMS)” namely: Myanmar, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Laos, Brunei, and the Philippines. The AQRF aspires to identify the areas or items of alignment on common elements of professional recognition in each other’s regimes for mutual recognition of qualifications.
The PQF was adapted to have uniformity of qualifications between nations, so that we could achieve mobility among professionals, and also there was a demand for comparability of skills, so that the skills available in one country could also be useful in another country. Dr. Quiñanola added that if we were already experts in the local scenario, then we could actually move out and compete globally.
Hon. Quiñanola explained that if we wanted to compete globally, we have to be more competent in our chosen field/s so that we could be recognized, in terms of our values, our talents, and our competencies (and eligibility). He also said that the PQF’s qualification system was well-structured that a level could be granted upon achieving slash attaining certain criteria. The PQF also promoted the importance of life-long learning and that it gave importance and validation of the non-formal education, that it was not only the formal, academic education that was given credit but also the non-formal education track as well.
He also enumerated the objectives and the role and effects of the AQRF once they were implemented in his power point presentation, which he showed to the attendees:
Role of PRC and PRBOA, PQF Levels and Accounting Career Pathways
He compared the structure of PQF vis-à-vis AQRF, and also discussed the role of PRC and PRBOA in the implementation of the PQF. The former is tasked to institutionalize the PQF to encourage lifelong learning of individuals, to provide specific training standards and qualifications aligned with industry standards, and coordinate with the different government entities like the Civil Service Commission and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). The latter, on the other hand, is assigned to formulate and implement a Career Progression and Specialization Program (CPSP) for accountants, to be included in the Philippine Qualification Register, the national database of quality assured qualifications authorized under the PQF. PRBOA is also directed to formulate Accounting Qualifications Programs for the four practice areas of Public Practice, Education, Government, and Commerce & Industry.
He also made mention of the creation of different Specialty Societies per sector/ per practice area. These Specialty Societies will formulate the assessment criteria, will assess the applicants for progression, whether they have satisfied all the requirements to move on and progress to the next level. Speaking of level, Dr. Quiñanola also showed in one of his power point presentation slides the different PQF Levels and Accounting career pathways under Philippine Setting.
Senior High is equivalent to Level 5. A Bachelor’s Degree holder who passed the CPA Board Exam, without any work experience is automatically given a Level 6 qualification. A person with a Master’s Degree/Post Baccalaureate and solid work experience will earn a Level 7 qualification and will be called a Fellow. The highest qualification in our country is Level 8, which pertains to an individual who has finished his Doctoral and Post-Doctoral studies, and he/she shall earn the title, Diplomate.
PQF, Where Are We Now?
He concluded his presentation by apprising the participants of the PQF status. He said that the PRBOA has already submitted the resolution so they could proceed to the next stage such as the drafting of resolution and guidelines in the implementation of the CPSP for Accountancy and the creation of Specialty Societies, as well as the formulation of the criteria, so that the PRBOA could finally commence with the program. PRBOA wanted to implement the PQF soon because the other professions have already started the roll out of their respective PQF programs.
Panel Discussion
The second part of the program, after the lecture of Dr. Quiñanola, was the panel discussion. This segment was intended to address some of the challenges and issues in the implementation of PQF in the Commerce & Industry sector, and it also aimed to provide guidance in the Commerce & Industry practice to ensure seamless and smooth implementation of the PQF Program in the Accountancy profession. As previously discussed, joining Dr. Quiñanola in the panel were Dr. Patricia Empleo, Hon. Arlyn Villanueva, Dr. Flong M. Tugas, and Ms. Consuelo Cadeliña.
Ms. Cadeliña kick-started the dialogue by asking the panel the question: How to incentivize the CPAs to participate and to be compliant with the PQF? The panel answered that the PQF was (and still is) a voluntary initiative, it’s the professional’s personal choice. However, as a professional, it’s our obligation to develop ourselves, to keep retooling and training so we could keep abreast with latest developments and remain relevant. It is expected of us to be lifelong learners. Also, this initiative could help the accountants in assessing their career development needs and focus on future learning activities by evaluating their competencies and eligibility.
The discussants also tackled other relevant PQF-related topics like the previously-scrapped compilation requirement. It was deemed not needed by the BIR and the SEC, hence, removed. However, PQF is a law, once the PQF was implemented, all CPAs, when they renew their PRC ID, would automatically be given a Level 6 qualification. They’d have to apply for progression with their respective Specialty Societies to move up and be accelerated to Level 7 and Level 8, as the case maybe.
The panelists also gave their insights to the question thrown in by Dr. Flong Tugas, how to incentivize the employers and motivate them to urge their accounting personnel to be assessed and apply for progression? Hon. Villanueva answered that with the PQF, we could take advantage of it when work internationally, because our competencies and knowledge would be recognized not only here in the Philippines but also abroad. She also added that the PQF was an equalizer and it could provide a level playing field for our us accountants. Ms. Cadeliña suggested that the accounting regulators should have a MOA (Memorandum of Agreement) with the People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) and Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) so that employers could be compelled to recognize the PQF certification and levelling. Dr. Quiñanola explained that the PRC reports to the DOLE, and the PQF could be implemented through a MOA between the two government entities. He also stressed that the general public should know about the PQF because at the end of the day, they are the beneficiaries.
It was also discussed in the session, among others, how the PQF could help the employers/ companies in hiring their employees. Dr. Quiñanola sagely answered that could spell the difference because when you hire somebody, you are practically hiring a stranger, and your first line of defense is to know the applicant’s talents and competencies, and the PQF could help the said employer if the applicant is qualified for employment or not. With the PQF certification and levelling, an employer could hire the best one to fill in the position.
President’s Time
After the enriching, informative and helpful session, the Certificates of Appreciation were awarded to the distinguished moderators by ACPACI President, Mr. Aphat C. Martinez, who, prior to the lecture of Dr. Quiñanola, delivered his opening remarks and reported his accomplishments for the first quarter of 2022 to the members. Prior to the induction of officers and turnover ceremonies on January 29, 2022, he had a BOD meeting with the incoming board of directors on January 22, 2022. They met with the officers of Tax Management Association of the Philippines (TMAP) for possible collaboration between ACPACI and the latter. The Association also participated in the Commerce & Industry Summit on January 28, 2022, which was jointly sponsored by PICPA, GAO and ACPACI Mindanao Chapter.
On February 5, which coincided Mr. Martinez’ birthday, he and other ACPACI officers had a picnic with the children of the White Cross Orphanage. They distributed hot meals and gifts to over 100 kids residing in the compound. On February 12, he convened the first Town Hall Meeting with the directors, officers, and chairpersons and discussed their different plans and programs for the year 2022. On February 24, ACPACI hosted the first installment of its 2-part webinar series called Start Strong, Finish Stronger. The first webinar was Tax Matters, which was participated in by over 250 attendees from various companies and industries.
On March 2, Mr. Martinez, together with the other ACPACI officers, met with the officials of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to discuss plans and activities for the development and empowerment of SMEs. The following day, March 3, he represented ACPACI in the 2nd part of the Commerce & Industry Summit, sponsored by PICPA- C&I Sector, PICPA MMR and GAO. Mr. Martinez’ schedule was very busy and full, that the next day, March 4, he led the Part 2 of the Webinar Series, Accounting Matters. After a few days of respite, on March 7, he attended the PRBOA Launching of the Centennial Celebration of the Accountancy Profession at the Manila Hotel, together with some ACPACI officials. The launching was the first in-person, face-to-face accounting event since the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, on March 21, he met with the ACPAPP officers to discuss projects and initiatives.
Mr. Loudie Jay L. Falguera, VP for Membership Services, introduced the new ACPACI members, their induction, as advised, would be done in a separate program. To make the GMM more exciting and more fun, the Fellowship and Sports Committee, chaired by Ms. Menchie Marcos, who also hosted this event, prepared a Bring Me game for the online attendees. Various items were asked to be brought by the participating members like PRC ID, ACPACI photos, diploma, graduation photo and a photo with Hon. Quiñanola. The winners received P1000 each via GCash as their prize. Ms. Anna Lisa C. Chua-Dycaico, ACPACI Seretary, introduced the PQF resource speaker, Hon. Quiñanola. Ms. Floredee T. Odulio, VP for Professional Development and Relevance Sustainability, introduced the Real Talk- PQF panelists, and Ms. Catherine E. Lopez, VP for Stakeholder Services wrapped up the program with her closing remarks.
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