CATARMAN, Northern Samar (PIA) — A two-day soft opening of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) operations in Northern Samar served nearly a thousand clients from municipalities across the province on January 21-22, 2026.
The PRC operations are part of a centralized government service center launched in October 2025, bringing national services closer to residents. The facility includes four agencies: the Professional Regulation Commission, the National Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Commission on Higher Education.
The center was initiated by the former First District Representative Paul Daza, in partnership with the Provincial Government of Northern Samar through the Northern Samar PESO, the Local Government Unit of Catarman, and the University of Eastern Philippines, which built the facility.
Once fully operational, the center aims to meet the long-standing demand among Northern Samar residents for easier access to government-issued documents required for employment, licensure, and other official transactions, reducing the need to travel to other cities outside the province.
PRC Chief Administrative Officer Dioscoro Lumagbas said that the soft opening marks the start of PRC operations in Northern Samar. He clarified that services are limited to two days this week as the office completes facility, system, staffing, and setup requirements for full operations.
He assured the public that once operational requirements are met, the PRC will provide regular services to Nortehanons in accordance with standard schedules.
Lumagbas added that regular operations will eventually include professional licensure examinations, registration, renewal, certification, and related services for professionals and aspiring professionals in the province.
Client Charelle Catunhay said she is grateful for the establishment of the PRC in the province, which is a huge relief from the burden of traveling to Calbayog, Catbalogan, or Tacloban, on top of out-of-pocket expenses.
“The transaction is smooth and fast so long as you follow the scheduled appointment,” she further said.
(AND, PIA Northern Samar)
