Manila, Philippines – The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), through the Professional Regulatory Board of Dentistry (PRB-DNT), and with the participation of the Philippine Prosthodontic Society (PPS), and the Asian Academy of Prosthodontics (AAP), successfully held the Country Representatives General Meeting (Executive Council Meeting) under the International Commitments Fund (ICF) on August 25-27, 2022 at the Hilton Manila Hotel, Pasay City, and via an online platform.
Distinguished academicians, researchers, and prosthodontists from India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines gathered altogether for one vision aligned with this year’s theme, "Global Synergy Towards Excellence in Prosthodontics," which aims to cover a wide range of significant topics whilst sharing recent research and cutting-edge technology in prosthodontics.
The ceremony was initiated through a Welcome Dinner physically attended by renowned guests and dental practitioners from the Philippine Dental Association (PDA), the Philippine Board of Prosthodontics, the Asian Board of Prosthodontics (ABP), AAP, and PPS. Hon. Melinda L. Garcia, member of PRB-DNT, officially welcomed the presence of all the participants through her opening remarks, followed by the messages from the presidents of AAP and PPS, Dr. Anthony Gutierrez and Dr. Joann F. Joven, respectively. Messages were continued through Hon. Rodolfo R. Drapete, Officer-in-Charge of PRB-DNT, the PRC Commissioners, Hon. Erwin M. Enad and Hon. Jose Y. Cueto, Jr., and, of course, the PRC Chairman, Hon. Teofilo S. Pilando, Jr. Also present during the endeavor were PRB-DNT members, Hon. Carlito D. Paragas, Hon. Merlin A. Go, and Hon. Gloria M. Bumanlag, who had expressed their utmost support throughout the activity, and the International Affairs Office (IAO) of the PRC, who served as the Secretariat of the activity.
On the following day, the Country Representatives General Meeting formally opened, wherein Hon. Garcia gave a presentation on the ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) and Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications (MRPQ), which provided an insight to the foreign counterparts that a collaboration towards mobility and exchange of professional services through these instruments is indeed possible. The presentation was followed by the launching of the Asian Board of Prosthodontics (ABP) – Philippines, its ribbon cutting ceremonies, and the unveiling of the ABP flag and logo, led by Dr. Ryuji Hosokawa, President-elect of AAP, through the PPS officials. The AAP Executive Council and ABP thereafter had their separate committee meetings attended by their respective committee officers and designated IAO staff.
The meetings were adjourned and events concluded on the 27th of August, through the presentation of respective reports on the meeting objectives, summary, and outcomes.
As the collaborative efforts of the involved international parties have yet to begin, the PRC, through the PRB-DNT, eyes on facilitating the mobility of prosthodontists within the Asian region, initially through temporary registration on areas of expert visits, education, training, research, teaching, limited practice, and humanitarian missions, towards the determination of minimum common competencies in prosthodontic education and training, identifying gaps and differences, and proposing recommendations to bridge the gaps, until such time that agreed minimum standards in the practice of prosthodontics is established.
