Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

MEPRESE
1

&
IVED

%
RE

oon BPM ¢ 7

TiME:

Me,
My,

Seventeenth Congress
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 6480

Introduced by Representative Michaelina M. Antonio

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Speech-language pathology is a field of expertise practiced by a clinician known
as a speech-language pathologist (SLP), also called speech and language therapist or
speech therapist, who specializes in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of
communication disorders, cognition, voice disorders, and swallowing disorders. !
Studies show that 1% of the estimated 2016 global population or 75 million individuals
suffer from stuttering — a physical impairment often linked to neurological and genetic
causes and commonly present during the early development years of children. Speech
language pathologists also frequently treat individuals who have suffered from stroke,
especially when their speech has been impaired.

In the Philippines, speech-language pathology is oriented to target individual
clients and their families.* However, this field of allied health remains beyond the reach
for most Filipinos. According to the Philippine Association of Speech Pathologists,
there are only 400 speech pathologists registered in the country today. Only four (4)
universities offer Bachelor of Science in Speech Language Pathology nationwide
producing around 100 SLP graduates annually. Research on the field is also proven
scarce.? Initiatives must be done to increase proficient graduates even before the
shortage of these practitioners arise.

Worse, pseudo academies with truncated programs are cropping up that do not
actually produce competent Speech Language Pathologists. They taint the reputation of
certified Filipino practitioners while recklessly undermining patients’ treatment and

* Brady, Marian C.; Kelly, Helen; Godwin, Jon; Enderby, Parn; Campbell, Pauline (2016-06-01). “Speech and language therapy
for aphasia folowing stroke”. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (6). C0000425, ISSN 1489-493X. PMID
27245310. doi'10 1002/1485 1858,CD000425. pub

* Philippine Association of Speech Pathologists, “Future Trends of Phlppine Speech Language Pathology Practice: Expanded
Roles in Public heath and Inclusive Development.” (November, 2014), Retrieved From: hitp/Ipasp.org piVAMtcies

"de, LP."Speect-anquage ptlogy research the Pipines in eospet Perspectives fom a developing cout

r ie ‘Speech-Language Qi



trust. The lack of regulation only encourages this manner of fraud and curbs further
development of this profession.

This is pertinent to the government as it is responsible for safeguarding the
people’s health. Section 15, Article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states that the
State “shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health
consciousness among them.” Under these guiding principles, the State has built and
maintained medical and educational institutions for that purpose. It has enabled and
incentivized professional development of medicine and its many branches except for an
unknown few such as Speech Language Pathology.

The Philippine government's signing of the “United Nations Convention on the
Human Rights of Persons with Disabilities” and the “Incheon Strategies to Make the
Right Real”, has made it responsible for the development of public policies and
programs that serve this marginalized group. * It recognizes people with these
disabilities and therefore is tasked and empowered to aid them.

In consideration of these points, there is a great necessity to pass a measure that
would establish mechanisms, safeguards, and procedures that culminate in an enabling
environment for the development of the Speech Language Pathology profession in the
Philippines.

Thus, this bill seeks to regulate and promote the practice of speech language
pathology through regulatory mechanisms, procedures, and activities that will foster
professional growth

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

(a: JNA M. ANTONIO
H

« PASP, Future Trends, (November, 2014), Retrieved From: http://pasp.org.ph/Articles


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Seventeenth Congress
Second Regular Session

6480

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative Michaelina M. Antonio

AN ACT REGULATING THE PRACTICE OF SPEECH LANGUAGE
PATHOLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

ARTICLE I
TITLE AND DEFINITION OF TERMS

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Speech Language
Pathology Act of 2017".

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ The State recognizes the important role of
speech language pathologists in nation building and promotes the sustained
development of a reservoir of speech language pathologists whose competence have
been determined by honest and credible licensure examinations whose standards of
professional practice and service are world-class and internationally-recognized,
globally competitive through preventive regulatory measures, programs, and activities
that foster their continuing, professional growth.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act

a) "Speech Language Pathology" shall mean an allied medical profession
devoted to the evaluation, diagnosis, management and prevention of human
communication disorder,

b) "Speech Language Pathologist" shall mean a person who is registered and
licensed to practice speech language pathology and who holds a valid
certificate of registration/professional license and professional identification


card issued by the Professional Regulation Commission under the provisions
of this Act;

c) "Communication Disorder" shall mean impairment in the ability to (1)
receive and/or process symbol systems; (2) represent concepts in systems, (3)
transmit and use symbol systems. The impairment may be observed in the
disorders of hearing, language and/or speech processes,

4) "Evaluation" shall mean the global appraisal of the significance and
implications of a diagnostic assessment that shall include formal and informal
assessment,

e

"Diagnosis" shall mean the act of identifying a human communication or
swallowing abnormality or disorder by analyzing the symptoms presented. It
may also include a study of the origin and development of the symptoms;

f) "Language" is any socially and culturally accepted, structured, symbolic
system for interpersonal communication composed of sounds, letters, manual
sign or other symbols arranged in ordered sequences or strings that express
thoughts, intentions, experiences feelings comprised of orthographic,
phonological, syntactical, semantic and pragmatic components; and

g) "Speech" shall mean the medium of oral communication that employs a
linguistic code (language); through this medium, one can express thoughts

and feelings and understand those of others who employ the same code.

ARTICLE II

THE PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF SPEECH PATHOLOGY

SECTION 4. Creation and Composition of the Board. ~ Within ninety (90) days after
the effectivity of this Act, there shall be created the Professional Regulatory Board of
Speech Language Pathology, hereinafter referred to as the Board under the
administrative control and supervision of the Professional Regulation Commission,
hereinafter referred to as the Commission, to be composed of a Chairperson and two
members who shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines from the three (3)
recommended individuals for each vacant position chosen from the five nominees of
the integrated and accredited national organization of speech language pathologist.

SECTION 5. Qualifications of the Members of the Board. —To be the Chairperson or
amember of the Board, one must at the time of higher appointment be:

a) A natural bom citizen of the Philippines and an actual resident thereof for at
least five (5) years before his/her appointment;


b) A duly registered and licensed speech language pathologist holding a valid
certificate of registration/professional license and professional identification
card, in active practice for the past five (5) years and a member in good
standing of the accredited integrated national organization of speech
language pathologists prior to his/her appointment, except if appointed the
first Chairperson/member,

c

Of good moral character and must not have been convicted of any offense
involving moral turpitude; and

d) Must not have pecuniary interest, directly or indirectly, in any school,
academy, college, university or institution conferring an academic degree
necessary for administration to the practice of speech language pathology or
where review classes in preparation for the licensure examination are being
offered or conducted, nor shall he/she be a member of the faculty or of the
administration thereof at the time of his/her appointment to the Board

SECTION 6. Powers and Functions of the Board. — The Board shall have the authority
to:

a) Promulgate, administer and enforce rules and regulation necessary for
carrying out the provisions of this Act;

b) Administer oaths in connection with the administration of this Act;

©) Supervise and regulate the registration, licensure and practice of speech
language pathology in the Philippines;

d) Adopt an official seal of the Board;

) Maintain a roster of speech language pathologists indicating therein the basic
information about the registered professionals;

f) Study the conditions affecting the practice of speech language pathology in
the Philippines and adopt measures for the enhancement of the professional,
ethical and technical standards therein;

g) Ensure, in coordination with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED),
that all educational institutions offering speech language pathology education
comply with the policies, standards and requirements of the course prescribed
by the CHED in the areas of curriculum, faculty, library and facilities;

h) Prescribe and/or adopt a Code of Ethics and Code of Technical Standards for
the practice of speech language pathology; Standards for the practice of
speech language pathology;


Issue, reinstate, suspend, revoke certificate of registration and/or professional
license or cancel special permits for the practice of speech language
pathology;

j) Prescribe guidelines and criteria in the Continuing Professional Education
(CPE) program for speech language pathologists;

k) In consultation with the duly accredited organization of speech language
pathologist and the duly recognized association of schools conferring a
Bachelor's or other entry level degree in Speech Language Pathology,
prescribe the area of competence to be included in the computerized licensure
examination and their relative weights, determine the syllabi of the subjects,
construct the test questions in licensure examination, score and rate
examination papers;

1) Hear or investigate any violations of this Act, its implementing rules and
regulations and the Code of Ethics for speech language pathologists, and for
this purpose, to issue subpoena duces tecum and/or ad testificandum to secure
the appearance of the witnesses and the production of documents in
connection therewith: Provided, that the decision of the Board shall, unless
appealed to the Commission, become final and 38 executory after fifteen (15)
days from receipt of the judgment or decision;

m) Adopt a program for the full computerization of the licensure examination;

n) Grant registration without examination subject to the approval by the
Commission;

©) Issue and/or cancel special permits to persons admitted to the practice of
speech language pathology for a specific duration of time, and certificates of
recognition for advanced studies, researches and accomplishments that
contribute to the enrichment of the profession; and

p) Perform such other powers and functions as it may deem necessary to 13
carry out the objectives of this Act.

The policies, resolutions, rules and regulations issued or promulgated by the
Board shall be subject to the review and approval of the Commission.

SECTION 7. Term of Office.— The Chairperson and members of the Board shall hold
office for three (3) years after appointment or until their successors shall have been
appointed and duly qualified; Provided, that members of the first Board to be appointed
afier the approval of this Act shall hold office for the following terms: Chairperson for
three (3) years, one member for two (2) years, and the other member for one (1) year:
Provided, further, that the Chairperson or any member may be re-appointed for another
term of three (3) years but in no case shall he/she serve continuously for more than six


(6) years. Vacancy in the Board shall be filled for the unexpired term only. Each
member of the Board shall automatically be registered as speech language pathologists
and issued certificate of registration/professional license and professional identification
card and shall take the proper oath of office prior to assumption.

SECTION 8. Compensation of the Members of the Professional Regulatory Boards.
— The chairperson and members of the Board shall receive compensation and
allowances comparable to that being received by the Chairpersons and members of
existing regulatory boards under the Commission as provided for in the annual General
Appropriations Act.

SECTION 9. Suspension and/or Removal of Board Members. — Any member of the
Board may be suspended or removed from office for gross neglect of duty,
incompetence, malpractice, unprofessionalism, immorality, unethical or dishonorable
conduct, final judgment of crimes involving moral turpitude, and manipulation or
rigging of the licensure examination results, disclosure of secret and confidential
information in the examination questions prior to the conduct of the said examination
or tampering of grades.

The administrative proceedings shall be heard by the Commission, whose
recommendation shall be submitted to the Office of the President. During the
investigation, the respondent shall be placed under preventive suspension by the
Commission and another designated to fill the temporary vacancy in the Board.

SECTION 10. Supervision of the Board, Custodian of its Records, Secretariat and
Support Services. — The Board shall be under the administrative supervision of the
Commission. All records of the Board, including applications for examination, and
administrative and other investigative cases conducted by the Board shall be under the
custody of the Commission.

The Commission shall designate the secretary of the Board and shall provide 22
the secretariat and other support services to implement the provision of this Act.

SECTION 11. Annual Report. — The Board shall submit an annual report to the
Commission after the close of each calendar year, giving a detailed account of the
proceedings of the Board during the year and recommending measures to be adopted,
with the end in view of upgrading and improving the conditions affecting the practice
of speech language pathology in the Philippines.

ARTICLE U1
LICENSURE EXAMINATION AND REGISTRATION

SECTION 12. Examination Required. — All applicants for registration for the practice
of speech language pathology shall be required to undergo a licensure examination to


be given by the Board in such places and dates as the Commission may designate subject
to compliance with the requirements prescribed by the Commission.

SECTION 13. Qualification for Examination. — \n order to be allowed to take part in
the licensure examination, an applicant must, at the time of filing of higher application,
establish to the satisfaction of the Board that he/she has met the following qualifications:

a) A Filipino citizen or a foreign citizen whose state/country has reciprocity
agreement with the Philippines in the practice of speech language pathology;

b) Good moral character;
©) Has not been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude; and

4d) A graduate of a Bachelor's degree in speech language pathology from a duly
recognized school, college or university in the Philippines or abroad and
recognized/accredited by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

SECTION 14. Scope of Examination. — The subjects in the licensure examination for
Speech Language Pathologists shall_~—cover_~—stthe~—_ following:

a) Anatomy and physiology of the speech and hearing mechanism;

b) Neurological bases of speech and hearing disorders;

¢) Articulation and phonological disorders;

4) Hearing impairment and aural habilitation;

e) Language disorders;

f) Fluency disorders;

g) Voice disorders;

h) Dysphagia;

i) Medical and neurological disorders that may cause communication and
swallowing disorders ;

j) Normal development and function of speech, language, hearing and
swallowing;

k) Principles of assessment and intervention for speech, language, hearing
and/or swallowing conditions; and

1) Research, Professional Ethics and Community Development.

The Board may re-cluster, rearrange, modify, add or exclude any subject or
change the percentage or weight given to said subjects, as the need arises so as to inform
to technological changes.

SECTION 15. Registration Without Examination as Speech Language Pathologist.
— A person who possesses the pertinent qualifications required for admission in the
examination for registration as a speech language pathologist pursuant to the provisions
of this Act may be registered without examination, Provided, that the APPLICANT
FILES WITH THE Board, within six (6) months after the effectivity of the


Implementing Rules and Regulations, an application for registration and issuance of a
certificate of registration/professional license and professional identification card by
submitting credentials showing that the applicant before the effectivity of this Act is a
bachelor’s degree holder of speech language pathology from a college or university
accredited by the CHED. Provided further that the applicant is a member of the
Accredited Integrated Professional Organization of speech language pathologists.

SECTION 16. Ratings in the Examination. ~ To be qualified as having passed the
licensure examination for speech language pathologists, a candidate must have obtained
a weighted general average of seventy-five (75%), with no grade lower than fifty (50%)
in any given subject. A candidate who obtained grade/s below fifty percent (50%) must
take the examination in the subject or subjects where he/she obtained a grade below
fifty percent (50%) within two (2) years from the date of his/her last examination. The
topic or subjects retaken must have each a rating of no less than seventy-five percent
(75%) in order to qualify as having passed the examination.

SECTION 17. Report Ratings. ~The Board shall submit to the Commission the ratings
obtained by each candidate within ten (10) calendar days after the examination unless
extended for just cause.

SECTION 18. Oath of Speech Language Pathologist. — All successful examinees
qualified for registration and all qualified applicants for registration without
examination shall be required to take an oath of profession before any member of the I
Board or any authorized officer of the Commission to administer oaths, prior to 2
entering into the practice of speech language pathology in the Philippines.

SECTION 19. Issuance of Certificate of Registration/Professional License and
Professional Identification Card. — A certificate of registration/professional license
and professional identification card shall be issued to all successful examinees and
registrants either with or without examination upon compliance with all the legal
requirements including payment of fees prescribed by the Commission. The certificate
of registration/professional license shall bear the signature of the Chairperson of the
Commission and the Chairperson and members of the Board, indicating that the person
named therein is entitled to the practice of the profession with all the privileges
appurtenant thereto. The said certificate shall remain in full force and effect until
withdrawn, suspended or revoked in accordance with this Act.

A professional identification card bearing the registration number, date of
issuance, and expiry date, and duly signed by the chairperson of the Commission, shall
likewise be issued to every registrant who has paid the prescribed fee.

SECTION 20. Indication of Certificate of Registration/Professional Tax Receipt. —
The speech language pathologist shall be required to indicate his/her certificate of
registration/professional license number and date of issuance, including the professional
tax receipt number on the documents he/she signs, uses or issues in connection with the
practice of his/her profession,


SECTION 21. Refusal to Register. — The Board shall refuse to register and shall not
issue a certificate of registration/professional license and professional identification
card to any person convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction a criminal offense
involving moral turpitude or guilty of immoral or dishonorable conduct or to any person
of unsound mind. In the event of refusal to issue the certificate for any reason, the Board
shall give the applicant a written statement setting forth the reason for such action,
which statement shall be incorporated in the record of the Board.

SECTION 22. Revocation or Suspension of the Certificate of
Registration/Professional License and Professional Identification Card and
Cancellation of Special Permit. — The Board may, after giving proper notice of hearing
to the party concerned, revoke the practitioner's certificate of registration/professional
license or suspend him/her from the practice of his/her profession or cancel his/her
permit for any of the causes or grounds mentioned in Section 21 of this Act or for any
unprofessional or unethical conduct, malpractice, violation of any of the provisions of
this Act, its rules and regulations, the Code of Ethics and the Standards for speech
language pathologists.

SECTION 23. Reinstatement, Re-issuance or Replacement of Certificate of!
Registration/Professional License. — A person may apply to the Board for
reinstatement of a certificate of registration/professional license at any time after two
(2) years from the date of revocation of said certificate. The application shall be in
writing and shall conform with the requirements as provided by the Board. No
certificate/license shall be reinstated unless the Board is satisfied that a good cause
exists to warrant such reinstatement.

SECTION 24. Roster of Speech Language Pathologists. — The Board shall prepare,
update and maintain a roster of speech language pathologists in coordination with the
integrated and accredited professional organization, which shall contain the name of
each registration and issuance of certificates, and other data which the Board may deem
pertinent. The roster shall be open to the public, copies of which shall be mailed to each
person listed therein.

SECTION 25. Issuance of Special/Temporary Permit. — Special/Temporary permit
may be issued by the Board subject to the approval by the Commission and payment of
the fees the latter has prescribed and charged thereof to the following persons:

a) a foreign speech language pathologist called for consultation for a specific
purpose which, in the judgment of the Board, is essential for the growth of
the profession: Provided, however, that his/her activities shall be limited only
to the particular work, for which he/she is being engaged; Provided, further,
that he/she is qualified to practice his/her profession in his/her state or
country. Provided, finally, that there is no Filipino speech language
pathologist qualified for such consultation or specific purpose;


b) a foreign speech language pathologist who is an internationally recognized
expert or specialist in any branch of speech language pathology and his/her
service is essential for the advancement of speech language pathology in the
Philippines; and

©) a foreign speech language pathologist to be engaged as professor, lecturer, or
critic in fields essential to speech language pathology education in the
Philippines is confined to teaching only.

The permit shall, among other things, include these limitations and conditions:
the same shall be valid for a period of not more than one (1) year subject to renewal; the
branch or specialty of speech language pathology which permit holder can practice in;
and the specific place of practice such as clinic, hospital, center,
school/college/university offering the course of speech language pathology. The Board,
subject to the approval by the Commission, shall prescribe rules and regulations for the
implementation of this particular section

ARTICLE IV
PRACTICE OF SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY

SECTION 26. Scope of the Practice of Speech Language Pathology. ~The Scope of
the Practice of Speech Language Pathology shall embrace, but shall not be limited to
the performance, in collaboration with other professionals, families and the community
of any of the following:

a) Screen, identify, assess, diagnose, manage and prevent disorders of speech
such as, but not limited to articulation, fluency, voice, hearing and language;

b) Screen, identify, assess, diagnose, manage and prevent disorders of oral
pharyngeal functions such as, but not limited to dysphagia and related
disorders;

©) Screen, identify, assess, diagnose and manage cognitive communication
systems and provide training in their use;

d) Assess, select and develop augmentative and alternative communication
systems and provide training in their use;

) Screen hearing acuity for the purpose of speech language evaluation and aural
rehabilitation;

) Plan, teach and carry out home programs and training for patients and their
families;



g) Plan, conduct and evaluate teaching-learning activities for students of speech
language pathology and other related courses; for other health professionals,
patients and their families;

h) Plan, conduct and evaluate researches in pursuit of new knowledge for the
growth of speech language pathology in the Philippines;

i) Provide consultancy to government and non-government organization
regarding the field of speech language pathology;

j) Perform administrative duties in speech language pathology clinics/units in
hospitals, schools and other rehabilitation centers; and
k) Teaching, lecturing and reviewing subjects given in the licensure

examination.

SECTION 27. Prohibition on the Practice of Speech Language Pathology. — No
person shall practice or offer to practice speech language pathology in the Philippines
or offer himself/herself as speech language pathologist, or use the title, word, letter
figure, or a sign tending to convey the impression that he/she is a speech language
pathologist, or advertise or indicate in any manner whatsoever that he/she is qualified
to perform the work of a speech language pathologist unless he/she has satisfactorily
passed the licensure examination given by the Board, except as otherwise provided in
this Act, and he/she is a holder of a valid certificate of registration/professional license
and professional identification card or a valid temporary/special permit duly issued to
him/her by the Board and the Commission.

SECTION 28. Prohibited Acts. — No person shall:

a) Engage in the practice of speech language pathology by representing
himself/herself as a speech language pathologist without a valid certificate of
registration/professional license or a valid temporary/special permit granted
by the Board pursuant to this Act;

b)

Practice his/her profession during the period of his/her suspension from the
practice thereof;

9

Allow an unqualified person to advertise or to practice the profession by
using his/her certificate of registration/professional license or
temporary/special permit; and

d) Use as his/her own the certificate of registration/professional license or
temporary/special permit of another.

SECTION 29. Code of Ethics and Code of Technical Standards for Speech Language
Pathologist. — The Board shall adopt and promulgate the Code of Ethics and Code of


Technical Standards for speech language pathologists prescribed and issued by the
Accredited and Integrated Professional Organization (AIPO) of speech language
pathologists.

SECTION 30. Continuing Professional Development (CPD). — All speech language
pathologists shall abide by the requirements, rules, and regulation on continuing
professional education to be promulgated by the PRC Regulatory Board, subject to the
approval of the Commission, in coordination with the AIPO for speech language
pathology and the representative of duly accredited education institutions. For this
purpose, the Board may create a CPD Council to implement the CPD program subject
to the guidelines as may be issued by the Commission.

SECTION 31. Integration of Speech Language Pathologist. ~ The speech language
pathology profession shall be integrated into one (1) national professional organization
of speech language pathologists who shall be duly registered with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC). The Board, subject to approval by the Commission, shall
accredit the said organization as the one and only Accredited and Integrated
Professional Organization (AIPO) of registered speech language pathologists. All
speech language pathologists whose names appear in the Registry Book of Speech
Language Pathologists shall ipso facto or automatically become members thereof and
shall receive all the benefits and privileges appurtenant thereto upon payment of AIPO
membership fees and dues.

Membership in the Accredited Integrated Professional Organization (AIPO)
shall not be a bar to membership in other organizations of speech language pathologists.

SECTION 32. Foreign Reciprocity. —No foreign speech language pathologist shall be
given a certificate of registration/professional license and professional identification
card or be entitled to any of the privileges under this Act unless the country of which
the foreign speech language pathologist is a subject or citizen specifically permits
Filipino speech language pathologists to practice within its territorial limits on the same
basis as the subjects or citizens of said country or state.

ARTICLE V
FINAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 33. Funding Provision. ~ The Chairman of the Professional Regulation
Commission shall immediately include in the Commission's programs the
implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Acts and thereafter.

SECTION 34. Penal Provision. — Any person who shall violate any of the provisions
of this Act or any of its implementing rules and regulations as promulgated by the Board
subject to the approval of the Commission shall upon conviction, be punished by a fine
of not less than Twenty Thousand Pesos (Php 20,000.00) nor more than Fifty Thousand


Pesos (Php 50,000.00) or by imprisonment of not less than two (2) years nor more than
five (5) years, or both, at the discretion of the court.

SECTION 35. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — To implement the provisions
of this Act, the Board, shall, subject to the approval of the Commission, promulgate the
rules and regulations and the Code of Ethics for speech language pathologists within
sixty (60) days after the constitution of the first Board.

SECTION 36. Separability Clause. — If any section or provision of this Act shall be
declared invalid or unconstitutional, such shall not invalidate any other section or
provision of this Act.

SECTION 37. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, issuances or parts
thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly

SECTION 38. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days

following its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) major newspaper of
national circulation whichever comes earlier.

Approved,