Section 3Sec./Art. 3

The same Act is hereby amended by inserting Sections 26, 27 and 28 on Continuing Professional Development (CPD), Integration of the Social Work Profession and the Issuance of Special Temporary Permit (STP), respectively:

SEC. 26. Continuing Professional Development (CPD). All registered social workers must provide proof of earning forty-five (45) units of continuing CPD courses given by any CPD provider duly accredited by the CPD Council for social workers as a requirement for the renewal of the professional identification card of social workers.

All local government units (LGUs) and employer organizations shall allocate the necessary funding to support the professional development of social workers under their employ, regardless of employment status, for the purpose of complying with the CPD requirement.

SEC. 27. Integration of the Social Work Profession. All registered and licensed social workers shall be united and integrated into one (1) national organization which shall be accredited by the Board, subject to the approval of the Commission, as the AIPO for social workers. All registered and licensed social workers shall become members of the AIPO and shall consequently be entitled to all the benefits and privileges incidental thereto upon payment of the required fees and dues. Membership in the AIPO shall not be a bar to membership in any other professional organization.

SEC. 28. Issuance of Special Temporary Permits. Special Temporary Permits (STPs) may be issued by the Board, subject to the approval of the Commission and payment of the prescribed fees, to any of the following:

(a) Foreign social workers called by the Philippine Government for a specific public purpose or project;

(b) Foreign social workers to be employed by any domestic private firm/establishment;

(c) Foreign social workers to be engaged as professors or lecturers in a higher educational institution or university for the enhancement of the social work education in the country; and

(d) Foreign social workers, including volunteers, whose services are engaged during disasters, calamities, or any emergency cases as may be determined by the Board.1awp++i1

The STP shall provide, among others, that; (1) The practice of the foreign professional shall be limited to the particular work for which the foreigner is being engaged; (2) The validity of the STP shall be for one (1) year only, subject to renewal; and (3) The practice of the foreign social worker shall be subject to the applicable domestic laws and regulations.