FIFTEENTH CONGRESS — ~
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES. )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No__22'70

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In this age of modern and complex communication technology, the
detection and prevention of various human communication disorders cannot be
overly emphasized. Thus, the practice of speech pathology, or any allied medical
profession devoted to the evaluation, diagnosis, management and cure of certain
communication disorders, specifically in the hearing, language and/or speech
processes, must be properly developed and, at the same time, regulated.

This bill seeks to create a Professional Regulatory Board of Speech
Pathology and define its function and duties. It also aims to lay the standards for
the examination, registration and licensing of speech pathologists.

In a world which puts optimum importance in a person's ability to effectively

communicate his thoughts and mental processes, the early passage of this bill is
an imperative.

\

RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ

Mh

MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR.


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —_)
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No._2270

AN ACT
REGULATING THE PRACTICE OF SPEECH 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 |
TITLE AND DEFINITION OF TERMS

SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “Speech
Pathology Act’.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. The State recognizes the important role of
speech pathologists in nation building and promotes the sustained development of
a reservoir of speech 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.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act:

a) The term “speech pathology” shall mean an allied medical profession
devoted to the evaluation, diagnosis, management and prevention of
human communication disorder.

b) The term “speech pathologist” shall mean a person who is registered
and licensed to practice speech 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.

¢) The term “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


see impairment may be observed in the disorders of héaring, 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

) “Diagnosis” shall mean the act of identifying an 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 accepted, structured, symbolic system of disorder
for interpersonal communication composed of sounds arranged in
ordered sequences or strings that express thoughts, intentions,
experiences and feelings comprised of phonological, syntactical, and
semantic components.

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 Il
THE PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF SPEECH
PATHOLOGY

SEC. 4. Creation and Composition of the Board. Within ninety days after
the effectivity of this Act, there shall be created the Professional Regulatory Board
of Speech 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
recommendees for each vacant position chosen from the five nominees of the
integrated and accredited national organization of speech pathologist.

SEC. 6. Qualifications of the Members of the Board. - To be the
Chairperson or a member of the Board, one must at the time of his/her
appointment be:

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

) 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
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.

SEC. 6. Powers and Functions of the Board. — The Board shall have the

authority to:
a)

b)
°)

d)
e)

f

9)

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

Administer oaths in connection with the administration of this Act;
Supervise and regulate the registration, licensure and practice of
speech pathology in the Philippines;

Adopt an official seal of the Board;

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

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

Ensure, in coordination with the Commission on Higher Education
(CHED), that all educational institutions offering speech 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;

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

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

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

In consultation with the duly accredited organization of speech
Pathologists and the duly recognized association of schools
conferring a Bachelor's degree in Speech Pathology, prescribe the
area of competence to be included in the computerized licensure
examination and their relative weights, determined the syllabi of the
Subjects, construct the test questions in licensure examination, score
and rate examination papers;

Hear or investigate any violations of this Act, its implementing rules
and regulations and the Code of Ethics for speech pathologists, and
for this purpose, to issue subpoena duces tecum 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 tothe Commission, become final and éxecutory
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;

0) Issue special permits to persons admitted to the practice of speech
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 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.

SEC. 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 after 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 pathologists and issued certificate of
registration/professional license and professional identification card and shall take
the proper oath of office prior to assumption.

SEC. 8. Compensation of the Members of the Professional Regulatory
Board. - 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.

SEC. 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


SEC. 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 the secretariat and other support services to implement the provision of
this Act.

SEC. 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 pathology in the Philippines.

ARTICLE Ill
LICENSURE EXAMINATION AND REGISTRATION

SEC. 12. Examination Required. - All applicants for registration for the
practice of speech 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.

SEC. 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 his/her
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
pathology;

b) Of good moral character;

¢) Has not been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude;

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

_ SEC, 14. Scope of Examination. - The subjects in the licensure
examination for Speech Pathologists shall cover the following:

a) Anatomy and physiology of the speech and hearing mechanism
b) —_ Neurological bases of speech and hearing disorders
) Articulation and phonological disorders


____d) — Hearing impairment and-aurat habilitation
e) Language disorders
f) Fluency disorders
g) Voice disorders
h) Dysphagia
i) Medical and neurological disorders

The Board may recluster, rearrange, modify, add or exclude any subject as
the need arises so as to conform to technological changes.

SEC. 15. Registration without Examination as Speech Pathologist. - A
person who possesses the pertinent qualifications required for admission in the
examination for registration as a speech pathologist pursuant to the provisions of
this Act may be registered without examination provided the APPLICANT FILES
WITH THE Board, within three (3) days 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 pathology from a college or university
accredited by the CHED, with at least five (5) years of full-time work experience in
the practice of speech pathology.

SEC. 16. Ratings in the Examination. - To be qualified as having passed
the licensure examination for speech 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, 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 of subjects retaken must have each
a rating of no less than seventy-five percent (75%) in order to qualify as having
passed the examination.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 18. Oath of Speech 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 Board or any
authorized officer of the Commission to administer oaths, prior to entering into the
practice of speech pathology in the Philippines.

SEC. 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, expiry date, duly signed by the chairperson of the Commission, shall
likewise be issued to every registrant who has paid the prescribed fee.

SEC. 20. Indication of Certificate of Registration/Professional Tax Receipt.
- The speech 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 document he/she signs, uses or issues in
connection with the practice of his/her profession

SEC. 21. Refusal to Register. - The Board shall not register and issue a
certificate of registration/professional license and professional identification card to
any person convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction of 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.

SEC. 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 concemed, 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 pathologists.

SEC. 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.

SEC, 24. Roster of Speech Pathologists. - The Board shall prepare,
update and maintain a roster of speech pathologists in coordination with the
integrated and accredited professional organization, which shall contain the names
of registered speech pathologists and issuance of certificates, and other data which


the Board-may-deem pertinent. The roster shall be open fo the public, copies of
which shall be mailed to each person listed therein.

SEC. 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 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 pathologist qualified for such consultation
or specific purpose;

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

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

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

ARTICLE IV
PRACTICE OF SPEECH PATHOLOGY

SEC. 26. Scope of the Practice of Speech Pathology. - The Scope of the
Practice of Speech Pathology shall embrace, but shall not be limited to the
performance of any of the following:

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

b) Screen, identify, assess, diagnose, rehabilitate and prevent disorders
of oral-pharyngeal functions such as, but not limited to dysphagia
and related disorders in collaboration with the rehabilitation team;

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


a)

e)

g)

k)

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

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

Plan appropriate home programs for patients;
Plan, conduct and evaluate teaching-learning activities for students
of speech pathology and other related courses; for other health
professionals, patients and their families;

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

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

Perform administrative duties in speech pathology clinics/units in
hospitals, schools and other rehabilitation centers;

Teach, lecture, review subjects given in the licensure examination

SEC. 27. Prohibition on the Practice of Speech Pathology. - No person
shall practice or offer to practice speech pathology in the Philippines or offer
himself/herself as speech pathologist, or use the title, word, letter figure, or a sign
tending to convey the impression that he/she is a speech pathologist, or advertise
or indicate in any manner whatsoever that he/she is qualified to perform the work
of a speech pathologist unless he/she has satisfactorily passed the licensure
examination given by the Board, except as otherwise provided in this Act, and 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.

SEC. 28. Prohibited Acts. - No person shall:

a)

b)

°)

d)

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

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

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

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

SEC. 29. Code of Ethics and Code of Technical Standards for Speech
Pathologists. - The Board shall adopt and promulgate the Code of Ethics and
Code of Technical Standards for speech pathologists prescribed and issued by the
integrated and accredited national organization of speech pathologists.


SEC. 30.Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Program. = The CPE
guidelines shall be prescribed by the Board and promulgated by the Commission
upon consultation with the Board, which shall consult the integrated and
accredited organization of speech pathologist, the affiliated association of speech
pathologists and other concerned sectors.

SEC. 34. Integration of Speech Pathologists. - All speech pathologists
shall be integrated into one (1) national organization, which shall be recognized by
the Board and by the Commission as the one and only integrated and accredited
association of speech pathologists. A speech pathologist duly registered with the
Board shall automatically become a member of the integrated and accredited
association of speech pathologists, and shall receive the benefits and privileges
appurtenant thereto, upon payment of the required fees and dues. Membership in
the integrated and accredited association shall not be a bar to membership in
other associations of speech pathologists.

SEC. 32. Foreign Reciprocity. - No foreign speech pathologist shall be
admitted to the examination or 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 he/she is a subject or citizen specifically
permits Filipino speech pathologists to practice within its territorial limits on the
same basis as the subjects or citizens of such foreign state or country.

ARTICLE V
FINAL PROVISIONS

SEC. 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 Act and thereafter.

SEC. 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
(P20,000.00) nor more than Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00) or by

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

SEC. 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
pathologists within sixty (60) days after the constitution of the first Board.


—-SEC. 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.

SEC. 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.

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

days following its publication in the Official Gazette or in a major newspaper of
national circulation whichever comes earlier.

Approved,