The Philippine Guidance and Counseling Association (PGCA), Inc. on Saturday expressed support for the government's plan to hire 10,000 School Counselor Associates under Republic Act No. 12080, but stressed that the move should not come at the expense of hiring more licensed guidance counselors in public schools.
In a statement, the organization said it welcomes the Civil Service Commission's approval of the qualification standards for the new positions created under the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act, describing the expansion of school-based mental health services as a long-overdue initiative.
However, the group emphasized that School Counselor Associates are meant to complement—not replace—the work of Registered Guidance Counselors, whose practice remains governed by Republic Act No. 9258, or the Guidance and Counseling Act of 2004.
According to the PGCA, the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of RA 12080 recognize that counseling remains a professional service that should be rendered by licensed or registered counselors. The IRR also provides that learners requiring counseling must be referred to Schools Division Counselors when only School Counselor Associates are available.
The association said School Counselor Associates can play a vital role in strengthening school mental health services by assisting in mental health promotion, psychoeducation, screening, case documentation, referral coordination, family engagement, and other preventive services under appropriate supervision.
Still, the PGCA warned that hiring 10,000 associates alone will not solve the longstanding shortage of Registered Guidance Counselors in the country's basic education system.
"The success of the new school mental health system ultimately depends on the availability of licensed professionals who are legally authorized to render counseling, supervise Associates, provide crisis intervention, and lead Care Centers," the association said.
The organization cautioned that without enough licensed School Counselors and Schools Division Counselors, schools may become more effective at identifying students who need professional help than actually providing the counseling services they require.
To address the issue, the PGCA called on the Department of Education (DepEd), Civil Service Commission (CSC), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) to expedite the hiring of Registered Guidance Counselors into plantilla positions created under RA 12080.
The association also urged government agencies to issue clear operational guidelines defining the respective roles of School Counselor Associates, School Counselors, Schools Division Counselors, Registered Guidance Counselors, and Registered Psychologists.
Among its recommendations were the adoption of evidence-based supervision standards and learner-to-counselor ratios, scholarship and career development programs for School Counselor Associates seeking professional licensure, improved compensation and retention policies for Registered Guidance Counselors, and regular consultation with accredited professional organizations in implementing the law.
The PGCA clarified that its position is not against the creation of School Counselor Associate positions, but rather seeks to ensure that the implementation of RA 12080 remains legally compliant while preserving professional standards.
"The discussion is not about opposing School Counselor Associates. Rather, it is about ensuring that the implementation of RA 12080 fulfills its promise while preserving the professional standards established by law. Protecting the integrity of the guidance counseling profession is inseparable from protecting the welfare of Filipino learners," the association said.
The group added that it remains committed to working with the government and other stakeholders to build a school mental health system that is accessible, sustainable, professionally accountable, and capable of providing quality mental health support to Filipino learners.
