Under the law, the Professional Regulation Commission is tasked “to supervise foreign nations who are authorized by existing laws to practice their professions either as holders of a certificate of registration and a professional identification card or a temporary special permit in the Philippines.”
The Medical Act of 1959 also limits foreign doctors’ practice of their profession in the country without a certificate of registration. Tolentino argued, however, that many medical specialists, including Filipinos practicing medicine overseas, want to help the country – not just for medical missions, but for long-term practice.
He then recalled that in the aftermath of the 2013 Super Typhoon Yolanda, a group of French and Spanish doctors had told him in Tacloban City that they wanted to provide medical assistance to critical patients, but were merely limited to giving first aid due to the lack of license to practice in the country.
With this, Herbosa said he would speak with the PRC to review the current licensing rules and to look into the possibility of allowing foreign doctors to temporarily practice their profession in the country.