Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO.
Introduced by: REP. RUTH MARIANO-HERNANDEZ
AN ACT
REGULATING AND MODERNIZING THE PRACTICE OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY IN
THE PHILIPPINES, REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NOS. 5527 AND
6138 AND PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NOS. 498 AND 1534, PROVIDING FUNDS
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER REIATED PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Medical  technologists  aid  in  providing  more  effective  treatment  options  and  earlier
detection  of  diseases.  They  play  a  vital  role  in  a  country's  health  care  system.  In  a
laboratory or doctor's clinic, medical technologists do the testing and analyzing of body
fluids  (such as blood and urine)  and tissue samples. These laboratory procedures and
the results help doctors in the diagnosis and treatment of patients.
Medical  technologists  -  also  called  medical  laboratory  scientists,  clinical  laboratory
technologists  or  technicians  -  work  in  hospitals,  diagnostic  laboratories,  physicians'
clinics and outpatient care centers.  In large medical center settings, specializations can
include:  blood  bank  or  immunohematology  technologists  who   collect,  classify  and
prepare   blood   for   transfusions;   immunology   technologists   who   analyze   samples
involving the  human  immune  system  and  its  responses  to  foreign  bodies;  chemistry
technologists who prepare specimens and analyze the chemical and hormonal contents
of  body  fluids;   cytotechnologists  that  examine  body  cells  under  a  microscope  for
abnormalities   (such  as   cancer);   and  microbiology  technologists   examine  who  and
identify bacteria and other microorganisms.
We recognize that the practice of medical technology advances along with all spheres of
science  and  medicine.  Along  this  line,  the  government  also  needs  to  upgrade  and
modernize its policies to ensure that our country's medical technologists are protected
and at par with international standards.
1


In view of the foregoing, the urgent passage of this bill is earnestly sought,


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO.
Introduced by: REP. RUTH MARIANO-HERNANDEZ
AN ACT
REGULATING AND MODERNIZING THE PRACTICE OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY IN
THE PHILIPPINES, REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NOS. 5527 AND
6138 AND PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NOS. 498 AND 1534, PROVIDING FUNDS
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER REIATED PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:
SECTION   1.   Short  Title.   -   This   act   shall   be   known   as   the   "Philippine   Medical
Technology Act."
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. -The State recognizes the importance of the Medical
Technology  profession  in  nation  building  and  development  through  the  portals  of
healthcare,  education  and  research.  Hence,  it  shall  develop  and  nurture  competent,
virtuous,   productive   and   well-rounded   medical   technologists,   whose   standard   of
practice and service shall be world class.
Further,  the  State  shall  promote,  regulate  and  protect  the  professional  practice  of
Medical  Technology  in  the  Philippines  and  shall  ensure  its  continued  growth  and
development at par with international standards of practice.
SECTION  3. Definition  of Terms. - As used in this Act,  the following terms shall
mean:
a. Accredited  Medical  Technology Training Laboratory  -  refers to  a  clinical  laboratory
duly licensed by the  Department of Health and accredited as a training laboratory for
Medical Technology Program by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
3


b.    Accredited     Professional    Organization     -refers    to    the    national    professional
organization,  whose  membership  is  voluntary,  and  recognized  and  accredited  by  the
Professional Regulation Commission.
c. Board -refers to the Professional Regulatory Board of Medical Technology under the
administrative supervision and control of the Professional Regulation Commission.
d. Career Progression and Specialization  (CPS)  - refers to the process  of developing or
moving towards a more advanced state in a person's job, title, position, or profession; it
outlines the route one may follow in order to reach identified career development goals.
e, Commission -refers to the Professional Regulation Commission.
f.  Continuing  Professional  Development  (CPD)  -  refers  to  the  inculcation  of advanced
knowledge,   skills   and   ethical   values   in   post-licensure   specialized   or   in   inter-or
multidisciplinary field of study for assimilation into professional practice, self-directed
research and/or lifelong learning.
9.  Code  of Ethics  -  refers  to  a  set of guidelines,  standards,  and  principles  to  promote
professional  behavior  that  are  value-  and  compliance-based  and  relates  to  integrity,
professionalism, and social responsibility, as prescribed and promulgated by the Board,
in consultation with the duly accredited professional organization, with the approval of
the Professional Regulation Commission,
h.  Medical  Technology-  refers  to  the  healthcare  profession  that provides  professional
services  for  the  purpose  of  helping  the  physician  in  the  diagnosis,  treatment  and
management of diseases, for public health surveillance, and for the promotion of health
in  general.  The  profession  provides  laboratory  investigations  on  biological  and  non-
biological   specimens   which   have   impact  on   health,   the   results   of  which   provide
information  to   physicians   or  other  health  professionals  in  relation  to   healthcare,
research,  forensics  and  other  services  related  to  medical  technology using  emerging,
converging or disrupting technologies, as may be applied in the field and other related
fields.
Medical  Technology  may  also  provide  laboratory  investigations  on  animals  for  the
purpose of helping veterinarians in the care of animals.
i. Medical Laboratory Science - refers to the other name for Medical Technology.
j. Medical Technologist -refers to a holder of Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology
(BS in  Medical Laboratory Science)  or Bachelor of Science in Public Health, who is duly
licensed  and  registered  with  the  Commission  and  is  qualified  to  practice   Medical
Technology.
k. Medical Laboratory Scientist -refers to the other name for Medical Technologist.
I. Phlebotomy -refers to drawing or collection of blood.
4


in.  Recognized  School of Medical Technology - refers to  a school, college  or university
which offers a Bachelor's degree program in Medical Technology also known as Medical
Laboratory Science approved by the CHED.
n. Technical Panel for Medical Technology Education - refers to the Technical Panel for
Medical Technology Education organized under the CHED.
SECTION  4.  Areas  and  Scope  of  Practice  of Medical  Technology.  -  A  person  is
deemed to be in the practice of medical technology within the meaning of this Act, if, for
purposes of helping in the diagnosis, treatment and management of diseases, in public
health  surveillance,  and  in  the  promotion  of health  in  general,  such  person  with  or
without a fee, salary, compensation or reward, paid, given directly or indirectly:
a. Performs examinations of tissues, secretions and excretions of the human body and
other  body  fluids  through  electronic,  chemical,  microscopic,  hematologic,  serologic,
immunologic,  nuclear,  molecular,  cytogenetic,  parasitologic,  bacteriologic,  mycologic,
virologic and other laboratory procedures and techniques, either manual or automated;
b. Performs blood banking procedures and techniques for transfusion service;
c. Performs histopathologic and cytologic techniques;
d. Performs phlebotomy, processing and preservation of specimens;
e.  Teaches  courses,  trains  and  supervises  students  in  educational  institutions  with
Medical Technology/ Medical Science programs; provided, that teaching of courses for
licensure   examinations   shall   follow   Section   11   of  Republic   Act   No.   8981   ,   "PRC
Modernization Act of 2000'';
f.  Undertakes  consultancy  in  clinical  laboratory  equipment  planning  and  evaluation,
introduction and demonstration of new clinical laboratory methods, or troubleshooting
of laboratory tests and procedures where knowledge, skills and experience as medical
technologists are required;
9. Performs drug testing;
h.  Performs  research  involving  human  beings,  animals   or  non-biological  materials
which  requires  the  utilization  of the  knowledge  and  skills  of a  Medical  Technologist
(Medical Laboratory Scientist);
i. Performs clinical laboratory quality control;
j.  Performs  preparation  and  standardization  of reagents,  standards,  stains  or  others;
Provided, that such reagents, standards, stains  or others are exclusively for the use of
their clinical laboratory;
k.     Provides   other  services  where  knowledge,  skills  and   experience  of  a   medical
technologist are needed. Provi.ded, That any person who has passed the corresponding
Board  examination  for the  practice  of a  profession  already regulated  by existing law,
5


shall   not  be   subject  to   the   provisions   of  paragraphs   (g),   (h),   (i)   and   (j)   if  the
performance of such acts or services is merely incidental to his profession.
The performance of any of the foregoing activities by a registered and licensed medical
technologist   shall   be   without   prejudice   to   all   other   applicable   laws,   rules   and
regulations.
The Professional Regulatory Board of Medical Technology, hereinafter created, subject
to  the  ``PRC   Modernization  Act  of  2000",  and  in  consultation  with  the  accredited
professional  organization  (APO),  may  modify the  above-enumerated  acts,  services,  or
activities, as the need arises, in order to conform to the latest trends and developments
in the practice of the medical technology profession: Provi'ded,  That such modifications
are consistent with the enumeration above.
SECTION  5.  Professional  Regulatory  Board  of  Medical  Technology.  -  There  is
hereby  created  a  Professional  Regulatory  Board  of  Medical  Technology  under  the
Commission. The Board shall be composed of a Chairperson and two (2) Members, all of
whom are registered medical technologists who have completed the Bachelor of Science
in  Medical Technology/  Medical Laboratory Science. The Chairperson and Members of
the Boards shall be appointed by the President of the Republic of the Philippines upon
recommendation of the Commission and shall serve for a term of three (3) years. The
Chairperson and the Members of the Board shall hold such office until their successors
shall have been appointed and duly qualified.
For its recommendation, the Commission shall submit to the President a list containing
three (3) names from among a list of five (5) nominees for each position recommended
by   the    duly   accredited    professional    organization    of   medical    technologists    for
appointment of the Chairperson or any Member of the Board prior to the expiration of
the term of the Chairperson or any Member of the Board.
In case of death, disability or removal for cause of the Chairperson or any Member of the
Board, his successor shall only serve the balance of his term.
SECTION  6.  Qualifications  of the  Chairperson  and  Members  of the  Board.  -  No
person shall be appointed as Chairperson or as a Member of the Board unless he is a
duly registered medical technologist, a natural born Filipino citizen and a resident of the
Philippines  within  the  last  five  years  at the  time  of nomination,  and  of good  moral
character. Provided, that the Chairperson and Members of the Board must be members
in good standing of the accredited professional organization. Provided, further, that the
Chairperson  and the  Members  of the  Board  must not be  an  officer  or  director  of the
accredited professional organization at the time of their nomination.
The Chairperson must be at least forty (40) years of age, and must have at least fifteen
(15)  years of professional  experience as a medical technologist and must be holding a
position as medical technologist in a continuous period of at least 5 years at the time of
appointment.   He   must  be   a   holder   of  at  least  a   health-related   Master's   degree,
preferably a Masters in Medical Technology.
6


The Members of the Board must be at least forty (40) years of age, must have at least
ten (10) years of professional experience as medical technologist and holding a position
as  Medical  Technologist  in  a  continuous  period  of  at  least  5  years  at  the  time  of
appointment and preferably a holder of a health-related Master's degree.
The  Chairperson  and  Members  of the  Board  must  not  have  any  pecuniary  interest,
directly  or  indirectly,  in  any  school,  college,  university  or  institution  conferring  an
academic degree necessary for admission to the practice of medical technology or in any
review center; neither shall he/she be a member of the faculty or of the administration
thereof at the time of his/her appointment to the Board; nor shall he/she be a member
of the faculty/ administration in a medical technology school and reviewer in a review
center at the time of nomination.
SECTION 7.  Compensation and AIIowances of the Board.-The Chairperson and each
Member  of the  Board  shall  receive  compensation  and  allowances  equivalent to  that
being received  by the  chairperson  and  members  of the  other professional  regulatory
boards under the Commission as provided for in the General Appropriations Act.
SECTION 8.  Powers and Functions of the Board:
a. Administer and implement the provisions of this Act;
b. Regulate the profession in accordance with the professional regulatory law;
c. Determine and prepare the questions for the licensure examination for medical
technologists;
d, Administer oaths in connection with the administration of this Act;
e.  Issue,  suspend,  revoke  or  reissue,  reinstate  certificates  of registration  and  Special
Temporary Permits for the practice of medical technology and medical technician;
f.  Look into  conditions  affecting the  practice  of medical  technology in  the  Philippines
and,  whenever  necessary,  adopt such  a  measure  that may be  deemed  proper  for the
maintenance of good ethics and standards in the practice of medical technology;
9. Investigate cases arising from the violations of this Act, or of the rules and regulations
issued hereunder. For this purpose, the Board may issue SUZ)poencr crcJ fesfiflcclndum and
subpoena duces tecum.,
h.  Draft such  rules  and  regulations  as  may  be  necessary  to  carry  out the  provisions
under this Act;
i.  Prescribe  the  qualifications  and  training  of  medical  technologists  with  regard  to
special   fields   of  the   profession   and   to   supervise  their  special   examination   to   be
conducted by the Commission;
j. Formulate and implement guidelines for a refresher course for use of applicant who
failed to pass the Board Examination for the third time;
7


k. Prescribe and promulgate the Code of Ethics and Code of Professional Standards for
the Practice of Medical Technology, in consultation with the APO;
1.  Issue  guidelines  on  the  CPD,  through  the  CPD  Council,  with  the  approval  of  the
Commission; and
in.   Perform   such   other   functions   as   may   be   prescribed   by   the   Commission,   in
accordance with existing laws.
SECTION 9.   Removal of Board Members. - Any member of the Board may, upon the
recommendation   of  the   Commission   after   due   process   of  law   and   investigation
conducted  by  the  Commission,  be  suspended  or  removed  by  the  President  of  the
Philippines   from   office   for   cause   such   as   gross   neglect   of   duty,   incompetence,
malpractice,   crimes   involving  moral   turpitude,   and   manipulating   of  the   licensure
examination   results,   or   disclosure   of  secret   and   confidential   information   in   the
examination questions prior to the conduct of the said examination.
SECTION 10. Licensure Examination.- Except as otherwise specifically allowed under
the provisions of this Act, all applicants for registration as medical technologists shall be
required  to  undergo  a written  examination  which  shall  be  given  by the  Board  semi-
annually in such places as the Board may deem proper, subject to the approval of the
Commission.
SECTION  11.    Qualifications  for Admission  to  the  Licensure  Examination.  -An
applicant for the licensure examination for medical technologists shall establish to the
satisfaction of the Board, that:
(a) He/She is a citizen of the Philippines, or if he/she is a foreigner, must prove that the
country  of  which  he/she  is  a  subject  or  citizen  thereof  permits  Filipino   medical
technologists  to  practice  within  its  territorial  jurisdiction  on  the  same  basis  as  the
subjects or citizens of such country;
(b)   He/She  is  a  graduate  of  a  Bachelor  of  Science  in  Medical  Technology/Medical
Laboratory Science from a CHED recognized school, college or university. A graduate of
Bachelor of Science in Public Health may be eligible if the completed degree program is
similar to the  Policies,  Standards  and  Guidelines for Medical  Technology Education as
approved by CHED.
(c) He/She is of good moral character; and,
(d) He/She must not have been finally convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude
by a competent court.
SECTION 12.  Scope of Examination for Medical Teclmology. -The scope of
examination for medical technology shall cover the following courses with their
respective relative weights:
Clinical Chemistry
Microbiology and Parasitology
8


Hematology
Immunohematology (Blood Banking and Transfusion Service)
and Immunology and Serology
Clinical Microscopy (Urinalysis and Other Body Fluids)
opathologic, cytologic and cellular immunologic
techniques, Laboratory Management, Medical
Technology Law, Related Laws, and the Code of
Ethics
10%
The  general  average  of  each  examinee  shall  be  computed  according  to  the  above-
mentioned relative weights  of each  course. The  Board may change, add to  or remove
from  the  list  of  above  courses  or  weights  as  progress  in  the  science  of  medical
technology    may    require,    after    consultation    with    the    accredited    professional
organization and association of schools of medical technology and upon approval of the
Commission,
The schedule of courses for examination shall be prepared and submitted by the Board
in a manner prescribed by the Commission.
SECTION  13. Report of Rating. -The Board shall, after the date of completion of the
examination, report the result thereof for the approval of the Commission within such
time limit and guidelines that the Board and the Commission may set.
SECTION  14.  Ratings  in  the  Examination.  -  In  order  to  pass  the  examination  for
Medical Technology, a candidate must obtain a general average of at least seventy-five
percent (75%) in the written test, with no rating below fifty percent (50%) in any of the
major courses. Provl.ded, That the candidate has not failed in at least sixty percent (60%)
of the courses computed according to their relative weights,
After three (3) unsuccessful board examinations, completion of a refresher program as
prescribed by the Board shall be required before another examination can be taken,
SECTION   15.  Oath.   -  All  successful   examinees   qualified   for   registration   shall  be
required  to  take  an   oath  of  profession  before  any  member  of  the  Board  or  any
representative of the Board as authorized by the Commission to administer oaths, prior
to entering into the practice of medical technology in the Philippines.
SECTION  16.  Issuance  of  Certificate  of  Registration.  -  Every  applicant  who  has
satisfactorily passed the required examination for medical technologists shall be issued
a Certificate of Registration as such: Provz.dGd, That no such certificate shall be issued to
any successful  applicant who  has  not attained  the  age  of twenty-one  (21)  years.  All
certificates  shall  be  signed  by  the  Chairman  and  Members  of the  Board  and  by  the
Chairperson of the Commission.
A Professional Identification Card shall at least bear minimum information such as the
registration number, date of issuance and expiry date, duly signed by the Chairperson of
the  Commission.  Other  information  such  as  qualifications  of  the  applicant  may  be
9


included  upon  the  approval  of the  Commission.  The  Professional  Identification  Card
shall be renewed subject to requirements prescribed by the Board and the Commission.
The Board shall refuse to issue a Certificate of Registration to any person convicted by a
court  of competent jurisdiction  of any  criminal  offense  involving  moral  turpitude,  or
who has committed immoral, dishonorable or dishonest conduct, or is of unsound mind,
In the event of the Board's refusal to  issue a Certificate of Registration, it shall issue a
written statement to the applicant setting forth the reason for its action. The statement
issued by the Board shall be incorporated in its records.
SECTION  17.  Fees.  -  The  fees  to  be  paid  by  each  applicant for the  issuance  of a  new
Certificate  of Registration, replacement of a lost,  destroyed  or mutilated  Certificate  of
Registration, or issuance or replacement of the Professional Identification Card shall be
in accordance with the fees established by the Commission.
SECTION   18.   Revocation   or   Suspension   of  Certificates   of  Registration.-   The
revocation  or suspension  of a  Certificate  of Registration  may  only be  made  after the
completion   of  an  administrative  proceeding  conducted  by  the  hearing  committee
composed of at least one  (1)  Member of the  Board and  one  (1)  legal  officer. Prove.ded,
That  the   existing  rules   of  evidence   shall   be   observed   during  the   administrative
proceeding. Provided further, that the person whose Certificate of Registration is sought
to be revoked or suspended  shall be  entitled to be represented by counsel, to  have  a
speedy, impartial and public proceeding, to  confront the witnesses against him and to
all other rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
The   Board   may,  after  giving  proper  notice  and   hearing  to   the   party  concerned,
reprimand   an   erring   medical   technologist,   revoke   or   suspend   his   Certificate   of
Registration  for  violating  any  provision  of  this  Act,  any  rules  or  regulations  issued
pursuant  to  this  Act  or  for  unprofessional  and  unethical  conduct,  incompetence  or
ignorance, malpractice or negligence in the practice of medical technology.
No  penalty of revocation shall  be  imposed  unless there  is  a  unanimous vote  of all the
three members of the Board. The  Board may, by majority vote,  impose the penalty of
reprimand   or   suspension.   Provided,   that   the   suspension   of   the   Certificate   of
Registration shall not exceed two (2) years.
When  the  penalty  of suspension  or  revocation  is  imposed  by  the  Board,  the  medical
technologist shall be required to surrender his Certificate of Registration within fifteen
(15)  days  after  the  decision  becomes  final.  Should  the  medical  technologist  fail  to
surrender  his  certificate  of registration  within  said  period  without valid  reason,  the
Board  may  disqualify  him  perpetually  from  the  practice  of medical  technology.  The
suspension shall run from the date of such surrender.
SECTION  19. Appeal.  -  The  revocation  or  suspension  of a  Certificate  of Registration
made  by  the  hearing  committee  may  be  appealed  primarily  and  exclusively  to  the
Commission. The decision of the Commission may be elevated to the Court of Appeals in
accordance with the Rules of Court.
10


SECTION 20. Reissuance or Reinstatement of a Revoked or Suspended Certificate
of Registration. - The Board may reissue a revoked Certificate of Registration upon the
application  of the medical technologist whose Certificate  of Registration  was  revoked.
Provided, that the reissuance of a revoked Certificate of Registration may only be made
for  proper  and  sufficient  reasons,  Provided,  further,  that  no  revoked  Certificate  of
Registration may be reissued within two (2) years from the date of its surrender,
A suspended Certificate of Registration shall be reinstated upon request of the medical
technologist after the expiration of the period of suspension.
The  reissuance  or  reinstatement  of  the  Certificate  of  Registration  shall  be  without
prejudice to further actions by the Board for a violation of any provision of this Act, its
implementing rules  or  regulations  or  any  condition  imposed  by the  Board  upon  the
medical technologist during the period of revocation or suspension.
SECTION  21.  Roster of Medical Technologists.  - A roster of Medical  Technologists
shall  be  prepared  annually  by  the  Professional  Registry  Division.  This  roster  shall
contain  the  name  of each  registered  medical  technologist;  the  date  of registration  or
issuance of the Certificate of Registration and other pertinent data, as approved by the
Commission.
SECTION  22. Technical  Panel for  Medical Technology Education  CrpMTE)  or its
equivalent. - The Technical  Panel for Medical Technology Education under the  CHED
shall be composed of the following members:
a. A representative from the Board;
b. The President of the accredited professional organization of medical technologists;
c. The President of the association of schools of medical technology;
d.   Two   representatives   from   clinical   laboratory   practice   who   are   Chief   Medical
technologists   or  at  least  holding  a  supervisory  medical  technologist  position  in  a
tertiary clinical laboratory; and,
e. Two representatives from academe who are Medical technologists holding positions
with  management  responsibility  in  an  institution  with  medical  technology/medical
laboratory science program.
The CHED shall provide the secretariat and other support services to the TPMTE or its
equivalent.
SECTION 23. Responsibilities of TPMTE or its equivalent. -The TPMTE shall assist
the   CHED   in   setting   Policies,   Standards   and   Guidelines   for   the   formal   Medical
Technology Programs, both undergraduate and post-graduate studies. It shall serve as
the Resource Persons for CHED.
SECTION  24. Medical Technology Education.  -  The  Bachelor  of Science  in  Medical
Technology  (Medical  Laboratory Science)  program  shall be  at least four  (4)  years,  as
stipulated in the Policies, Standards and Guidelines for Medical Technology Education of
the CHED,  Said program shall be composed of general education, core and professional
courses, and a satisfactory and duly approved internship program in CHED accredited
training laboratories.
11


SECTION  25.  Accreditation  of Schools  of Medical  Technology  Education  and  of
Training Laboratories. - The CHED shall approve schools of Medical Technology and
accredit licensed  clinical  laboratories  for training of students  in  accordance  with  the
provisions  of  this  Act.  The  laboratories  shall  show  satisfactory  evidence  that  they
possess   qualified   personnel   and   are   properly   equipped   to   carry   out  laboratory
procedures commonly required in the following fields: Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology
and   Parasitology,   Immunohematology   (Blood   Banking   and   Transfusion   Service),
Immunology and Serology, Clinical Microscopy (Urinalysis and Other Body Fluids), and
Histopathologic  and   Cytologic  techniques,  and  that  the  scope   of  activities  of  said
laboratories offer sufficient training in said laboratory procedures.
SECTION 26. Studies for Medical Technology Human Resource Management. -The
Board,  in  coordination  with  the  accredited  professional  organization  and  appropriate
government  and  private  agencies  shall  initiate,  undertake  and  conduct  studies  on
health, human resources production, utilization or deployment and development.
SECTION 27. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for Medical Technology.
-   The   Board   shall   formulate   guidelines   for   the   implementation   of   Continuing
Professional  Development for  Medical  Technology as  approved by the  Commission to
ensure  sustainability,  accessibility  and  affordability,  CPD  shall  provide,  promote  and
facilitate   lifelong   learning   in   the   enhancement   of  competence   and   competencies
towards delivery of quality, safe, updated, and ethical services, both locally and globally.
It  shall   also   support   Career   Progression   and   Specialization   Program   for   Medical
Technology.
SECTION 28. Salary. - In order to enhance the general welfare, commitment to service,
and  professionalism  of medical  technologists,  the  minimum base  pay upon  entry  of a
medical technologist in public or private facilities shall not be lower than the amount
equivalent to Salary Grade 15.
SECTION  29.  Hazard  Pay,  Health  and  Safety  and  other  Entitlements.  -  Medical
technologists working in either public or private healthcare institutions shall be entitled
to  twenty  five  percent  (25%)  of the  minimum  basic  pay  as  hazard  pay;  a  working
environment compliant to occupational safety and health standards, including provision
of personal  protective  equipment;  and  other non-wage  benefits  such  as  availment of
health  services,  including psychological  and  physical  health  services;  and  support for
professional needs such as but not limited to Continuing Professional Development and
Career Progression and Specialization.
SECTION   30.  Career  Progression  and  Specialization   (CPS).  -  The   Board   shall
formulate a Career Progression and  Specialization  Program for Medical Technology as
approved by the Commission,
SECTION 31. Foreign Reciprocity. -No foreigner shall be admitted to an examination,
be  given  a  Certificate  of Registration  or be  entitled  to  any of the  rights  or privileges
under this Act unless the country or state of which he is a subject or a citizen permits
Filipino medical technologists to practice within its territorial limits on the same basis
as the subjects or citizens of said country or state.
12


Section 32. Inhibition Against the Practice of Medical Technology. -No person shall
practice  or offer to  practice medical technology as  defined  in  this Act without having
previously  obtained  a  valid  certificate  of registration  from  the  Board  provided  that
registration shall not be required of the following:
a. Duly registered physicians;
b,  Medical  technologists  from  other  countries  called  for  specific  consultation  or  as
visiting or exchange professors to colleges or universities or medical missions who may
be  issued  Special  Temporary Permits  (STPs):  Provi.ded,  That, their practice  of medical
technology within the country is limited to their performance of the said function and
subject to other conditions as may be prescribed by the Board and the Commission.
PENAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 33. Penal Provisions. -The following shall be punished by a fine of not less
than   fifty  thousand   pesos   (50,000)   nor  more  than   one   hundred   thousand   pesos
(100,000) or imprisonment for not less than six (6) months nor more than (2) years, or
both, at the discretion of the Court: Any person who shall practice Medical Technology
in  the  Philippines  without being registered  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of this
Act:
(a) Any medical technologist who shall knowingly make a fraudulent laboratory report;
(b)   Any   person   presenting   or   attempting  to   use   as   his   own,   the   Certificate   of
Registration of another;
(c) Any person who shall give any false or fraudulent evidence of any kind to the Board
or   any   member   thereof  in   obtaining   a   Certificate   of   Registration   as   a   medical
technologist;
(d) Any person who shall impersonate any registrant,
(e)   Any  person  who   shall  attempt  to   use  a  revoked  or  suspended  Certificate   of
Registration;
(0  Any  person  who  shall,  in  connection  with  his  name  or  otherwise,  assume,  use  or
advertise any title or description tending to convey the impression that he is a medical
technologist without holding a valid Certificate of Registration;
(g)  Any person or corporate body who shall allow non-registered medical technologist
under his  employ to  engage  in the practice  of medical technology or recommend the
appointment of anyone to the position of a medical technologist while knowing that he
is not registered as such; or
(h)  Any person  or  corporate  body who  shall violate  any provision  of this  Act or any
rules or regulations issued pursuant to this Act.
13


FINAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 34. Enforcement of this Act. - It shall be the primary duty of the Commission
and  Board  to  effectively  implement the  provisions  of this Act.  Any  law  enforcement
agency  and  officers,  employees  and  agents  of  national,  provincial,  city  or  municipal
governments shall, upon request of the Commission or the Board, render assistance in
enforcing the provisions of this Act and, to prosecute any person violating the same.
SECTION   35.  Funds.   -  The   Chairperson   of  the   Commission   shall   include   in  the
Commission's  program  the  funding  requirements  for  the  implementation  of this  Act.
Thereafter, the amount necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be
included in the General Appropriations Act.
SECTION 36. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -Within ninety (90)  days after
the  effectivity  of this  Act,  the  Board  and  the  Commission,  in  coordination  with  the
accredited  professional  organization,  the  Department  of  Health,  the  Department  of
Budget and Management and other concerned agencies, shall formulate such rules and
regulations necessary to  carry out the  provisions  of this Act.  The  implementing rules
and regulations shall be published in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general
circulation.
SECTION 37. Transitory Provisions. -Upon the effectivity of this Act:
(a) The Board shall discontinue the registration of medical laboratory technicians as
provided  for  in  Section  21  of  Republic  Act  No.  5527.  Provided,  that  medical
laboratory  technicians  registered  under  Republic  Act  No.  5527  shall  maintain
their status as registered medical laboratory technician after this Act has taken
effect.  Provided,  further,  that  a  registered  medical  technologist  occupying  the
position  of  a  medical  laboratory  technician  shall  be  accorded  an  appropriate
position and be reclassified as a medical technologist.
(b) The incumbent Chairperson  and  Members  of the  Board  shall  continue to  serve
until the first Board constituted under the provisions of this Act shall have been
appointed and duly qualified.
SECTION38. Separability clause.-Shouldany provision       herein       be       declared
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity of the other provisions of this Act.
SECTION  39. Repealing Clause. - Republic Act Nos.  5527 and 6138,  Presidential
Decree Nos. 498 and 1534 are hereby repealed.
SECTION 40. Effectivity. -This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation and the Official Gazette.
Approved,
14