A new batch of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Hong Kong has officially joined the ranks of licensed professional teachers after 253 out of 290 passers of the Special Professional Licensure Examination (SPLE) for Professional Teachers took their oath at the DMW–OWWA OFW Global Centre at United Centre.
The oathtaking ceremony was attended by Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac, DMW Assistant Secretary Francis Ron de Guzman, and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan, along with other officials and guests.
Consul General Romulo Victor M. Israel Jr. administered the oath and charging of professionals, while Migrant Workers Office – Hong Kong Labor Attaché Cesar L. Chavez Jr. delivered the welcome remarks.
The event was organized in coordination with the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), the Consulate General of the Philippines in Hong Kong, and the Filipino Overseas Professional Teachers in Hong Kong (FOPT), marking a major milestone for OFWs who pursued licensure while working abroad.
In his keynote address, Secretary Cacdac highlighted the SPLE’s overall passing rate of 54.92%, describing it as among the strongest results recorded.
“Mula pangarap hanggang sa realidad andiyan ang DMW at OWWA,” he said.
He also recognized many of the passers who are overseas domestic workers, acknowledging their sacrifices and the realities of balancing demanding work with late-night study sessions.
“Pero narito kayo ngayon, nagtagumpay, nakamit ang lisensya, ang holy grail at handang maglingkod sa bayan. Ito ang kwento ng lakas at dignidad ng Pangulo. Ito ang kwento ng pag-asa na hindi ninyo binibitawan at hindi bibitaw sa inyo,” Secretary Cacdac said.
The oathtaking followed the SPLE for Professional Teachers conducted on September 21, 2025, which drew 528 examinees at the same venue. It was the first time the SPLE was held in Hong Kong since 2019, after disruptions caused by political unrest and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Based on the official results, 103 out of 237 examinees passed the Elementary Level examination, while 187 out of 291 passed the Secondary Level. The overall result showed 290 passers out of 528 examinees, equivalent to a 54.92% passing rate.
Two top performers were also formally recognized during the ceremony. Jenna Rose Aluyen, a Secondary Level Science major, earned the highest SPLE rating at 89%. Aluyen is an OFW from China and is originally from Region IV-A. Cherry Mae Caballero Ferrer, a Bachelor of Elementary Education graduate, posted an SPLE rating of 87.40%. Ferrer is currently an OFW in Hong Kong and hails from Region VI.
Officials noted that the resumption of the SPLE in Hong Kong was welcomed by Filipinos overseas who had long sought a chance to complete licensure requirements without returning to the Philippines. The PRC also held simultaneous SPLE examinations in Bangkok, Thailand, and across multiple testing centers in the Philippines.
Secretary Cacdac also thanked the Carl Balita Review Center (CBRC) and Dr. Carl Balita for helping prepare OFWs for the examination, and cited the role of FOPT Hong Kong in supporting examinees. He also acknowledged that the DMW–OWWA OFW Global Centre served as a free review venue for participants.
In his message, Consul General Israel described the oathtaking as a shared achievement for the Filipino community in Hong Kong.
“This achievement is not only a collective triumph for you but also a collective victory for our community here in Hong Kong,” Consul General Israel said.
Labor Attaché Chavez also revealed that discussions are underway to conduct additional SPLE examinations in 2026 to accommodate more professions.
“Ngayong taong ito mas marami po ang nagbibigay ng kanilang intensyon na kumuha ng licensure examination sa iba’t ibang mga larangan. Tentatively meron po tayong pinag-uusapan with the PRC na tatlong examination this year,” Labor Attaché Chavez said.
He added that surveys are currently being carried out through various organizations to identify potential examinees.
Government officials present also reaffirmed their commitment to continue providing upskilling programs for newly licensed teachers, with the goal of helping them eventually practice their profession. Among the programs highlighted was “Sa Pinas, Ikaw ang Ma’am at Sir” (SPIMS), which supports qualified returning OFWs in transitioning into teaching roles in the Philippines.
Secretary Cacdac urged the newly registered teachers to uphold Compassion, Integrity, Transparency, Excellence, and Service as they move forward in their professional careers.
“Your license is not just a document. It is a reminder that the nation trusts you. It is a responsibility to fulfill. And it is a chance to change lives,” he said.
