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Republic of the Philippines ‘>
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Batasan Hills, Quezon City

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NINETEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session Sy)

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House Bill No. _2710.

Introduced by

HON. YEDDA MARIE K. ROMUALDEZ
and
HON. JUDE A. ACIDRE

AN ACT
TO REGULATE THE PRACTICE OF PHYSICAL THERAPY IN THE
PHILIPPINES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Physical therapists play an important role in diagnosing and treating a
range of injuries, disabilities, and health conditions. Part of their purpose is to
improve a person's range of movement and quality of life and prevent further
injury or disability.

Considering its distinct role in our society, this bill seeks to recognize
physical therapy as a separate and distinct profession from occupational
therapy by amending Republic Act No. 5680 or the Philippine Physical and
Occupational Therapy Law.

The bill shall also create the Board of Physical Therapy, which shall be
tasked to maintain high professional, ethical, and technical standards for
physical therapist. The Board may conduct ocular inspection in hospitals and
Clinics to determine and enforce compliance with professional regulatory laws,
and the rule and regulation promulgated pursuant thereto, to aid the Board in
formulating or revising policies relating to the practice of physical therapy.

REPRESS

RECEIVED
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In addition, the bill shail also establish the Council of Physical Therapy
Education which shall be a policy-making body charged with standardizing
physical therapy education.

In general, the proposed amendments are geared towards making the
law more appropriate to present physical therapy practice in the country to
enable them to provide quality rehabilitation service to more Filipinos. It aims
to improve the quality of physical therapy education provided by schools.

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

Rep. YEDDA RIE K. ROMUALDEZ
Representative “Tingog Sinirangan

Rep. JUDE/A. ACIDRE
Representative, Tingog Sinirangan


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasan Hills, Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No._2710__
a
Introduced by

HON. YEDDA MARIE K. ROMUALDEZ
and
HON. JUDE A. ACIDRE

AN ACT
TO REGULATE THE PRACTICE OF PHYSICAL THERAPY IN THE PHILIPPINES
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:
ARTICLE!
TITLE OF THE ACT AND DEFINITION OF TERMS

Section 1. Title of the Act. This Act shall be known as the “Philippine Physical
Therapy Law.”

Section 2. Definition of Terms. As used in this act, the following terns shall

mean:

a. Physical Therapy (PT) is an allied medical profession which develops,
coordinates, and utilizes selected knowledge and skill in planning,
organizing, directing, and evaluating the programs for the care of individuals
whose ability to function is impaired or threatened by disease or injury.

Physical Therapy is the art and science of treatment by means of
therapeutic exercises, heat, cold, light, water, manual manipulation,
electricity and other physical agents.

The goal of physical therapy is to help the patient reach maximum


Potential and to assume his due place in society while learning to live within
limits of his capabilities.

Physical Therapy requires in-depth knowledge of human growth and
development, human anatomy and physiology, neuroanatomy and
neurophysiology, biomechanics of motion, manifestations of disease and
trauma, normal and abnormal psychological responses to injury, sickness
and disability, and the cultural socioeconomic influences of the individual.

b. Physical Therapist (PT) is a legally qualified professional licensed to
practice physical therapy under the provisions of this Act as a member of
the Rehabilitation Team. The Physical Therapist assists patients with
temporary or permanent physical disability to achieve the highest possible
degree of recovery.

c. Physical Therapy Technician a person who not having acquired a bachelor's
degree in physical therapy is qualified through in-service training and
practical experience to assist the application of physical therapy procedures
and to undertake specific assignments under the direct supervision of a
Licensed Physical Therapist. Such assignments shall be confined within the
limits of a hospital or institution of employment.

d. Disability according to the World Health Organization (WHO) is: “any
restriction or lack (resulting from impairment) of ability to perform an activity
in the manner or within the range considered normal for a human being.”

. Impairment refers to any loss or abnormality of psychological, physiological
or anatomical structure or function.

ARTICLE Il
THE BOARD OF PHYSICAL THERAPY

Section 3. Creation and Composition of the Board. Within thirty (30) days
upon the approval of this Act, there shall be created the Board of Physical Therapy,
hereinafter referred to as the Board, to be composed of a Chairman and two (2)
members who shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines on the
recommendation of the Professional Regulation Commission from among Physical


Therapists recognized in the Philippines nominated by the accredited national
organization of physical therapists.

Section 4. Qualifications of the Board Members. The members of the Board

shall at the time of their appointment be:

a. Anatural-born citizen of the Philippines and actually resident thereof;

b. A duly-registered physical therapist in the Philippines with the degree of
Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy;

c. Atleast twenty-seven (27) years of age but not over sixty-five (65) years old;

d. With at least five (5) years of experience in the practice of the profession
prior to his appointment:

e. Mentally and physically fit;

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

g. Not a member of the faculty of any school, college, or university where the
regular course of his profession is being taught or review classes are
conducted;

h. Not financially interested, directly or indirectly, in such schools or centers;
and,

i. Not an elective officers of the bona fide national professional organization.

No member of the Board may accept employment or become connected with
any school, college or university conferring a bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy
for a period of one year after his term.

Section 5. Powers and Duties of the Board. The Board is vested with
authority conformably with the provisions of this Act to:
a. Implement the provisions of this Act;
b. Administer oaths in connection with the enforcement of this Act;
c. Study the conditions affecting the practice of Physical Therapy in the
Philippines and adopt measures for the enhancement of the profession and
the maintenance of high professional, ethical and technical standards. The


Board may conduct ocular inspection of places where registered therapists
are employed or are working, such as hospitals and clinics, to determine
and enforce compliance with professional regulatory laws, and the rule and
regulation promulgated pursuant thereto, to aid the Board in formulating or
revising policies relating to the practice of physical therapy.

|. Study and examine the facilities of colleges or universities offering Bachelor
of Science in Physical Therapy and/or seeking to open new schools of
physical therapy so as to see if the essential requirements — including
qualified academic officials and faculty and adequate facilities such as the
classrooms, laboratory rooms, essential equipment, and books — and
Program of studies and activities are properly complied with. The
authorization to open schools of PT and the granting of government
recognition shall be based upon the favorable written recommendation of
the Board; failure to consult the Board, shall be ground for administrative
sanctions;

. Suspend, revoke or re-issue certificates of registration, after due process,

for causes provided for by law or by the rules and regulation promulgated
therefore;
Determine and evaluate the qualifications of applicants for registration with
or without licensure examination and applicants for special permits. Only
applicants from schools recognized by the Council of Physical Therapy
Education, hereafter referred to as the Council, shall be allowed to take the
licensure examination;

. Issue certificates of registration or special permits to those admitted to
practice of physical therapy;

|. Prescribe the subjects in the licensure examination, determine the syllabi of
the subjects and their relative weight, construct the test questions in the
licensure examination, score and rate the examination papers and submit
the examination results to the Professional Regulation Commission,
hereinafter referred to as the Commission, within the period provided for in
the rules of the Commission;

Investigate violations of this Act and the rules and regulations promulgated


thereunder and for this purpose may issue summons, subpoena ad
testificandum, and subpoena duces tecum to alleged violator/s or
witness/es thereof and compel their attendance to such investigations or
hearings;

j. Delegate the hearing or investigation of administrative cases filed before the
Board except in cases where the issue involved strictly concerns the
practice of PT, in which case the hearing shall be presided by at least one
member of the Board assisted by a legal officer of the Commission;

k. Promulgate decisions on such administrative cases subject to review by the
Commission, the same shall become final and immediately enforceable;
and,

|. Draft such rules and regulations as maybe necessary to carry out the
provisions of this Act: Provided, that the same shall be issued only after the
approval of the President of the Philippines.

Section 6. Terms of Office. The Chairman and the 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:
Chairman for three years, one member for two years, and the other member for one
year: Provided, further, That any chairman or member may be reappointed for another
term of three years but not in any case shall the whole term exceed six years. The
most senior member of the Board shall automatically be the Chairman. Interim
vacancies in the Board shall be filled for the unexpired term only.

Section 7. Removal of Board Members. A Chairman or a Board member may
be suspended or removed from office for continuous neglect of duty, incompetence,
commission or toleration of irregularity in the licensure examination, malpractice or
unprofessional or dishonorable conduct after due notice and hearing where the
member concerned has been afforded an opportunity to be heard and defend himself.
The administrative proceeding shall be heard and decided by the Commission, but the
decision shall be subject to appeal to the President of the Philippines. During the


investigation, the respondent may be placed under preventive suspension by the

Commission, if evidence warrants.

Section 8. Executive Officer and Secretary of the Board. The Commissioner
of the Professional Regulation Commission shall be the Executive Officer of the Board
and shall conduct the examination given by the Board. The Secretary of the Boards of
Examiners appointed under Republic Act No. 546 shall also be the Secretary of the
Board of Physical Therapy. All records of the Board, including examination papers,
minutes of deliberation, and records of administrative proceedings and investigations,
shall be kept by the Commission.

Section 9. Compensation of the Board. Each Chairman and Member of the
Board, whether employed in the government or not, shall receive an honorarium of not
less than thirty pesos (P30.00) for every applicant examined, or registered without
examination, and a fee of not less than twenty pesos (P20.00) per day of attendance
in an investigation or hearing; Provided, That proper adjustments thereof may be made
pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 985 and Presidential Decree No. 1597: Provided,
further, That the issuance of a certificate of registration shall entitle the Chairman and
the Members of the Board signing the certificate to a fee of ten pesos (P'10.00) each.

Section 10. Aules and Regulations. The Board may, subject to the approval
of the President of the Philippines, promulgate such rules and regulations as may be
necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.

Section 11. Annual Report. The Board shall submit an annual report to the
Commission after the closing of each fiscal year, giving detailed account of the
proceedings of the Board during the year and embodying such recommendations as
the Board may deem proper.

ARTICLE Ill
THE COUNCIL OF PHYSICAL THERAPY EDUCATION


Section 12. Creation and Composition of the Council. The Council of
Physical Therapy Education, hereafter referred to as the Council, shall be a policy-
making body under the Secretary of Education, charged with the respon:

regulating and standardizing physical therapy education in the country

The Council shall be composed of the Commission Chairman of the
Commission on Higher Education as Chairman, the Chairman and Members of the
Board of Physical Therapy, Presidents of the Association of Philippine Physical
Therapy and Occupational Therapy Schools and the Philippine Physical Therapy
Association, Inc., as members. The Chairman and Members of the Council shall serve
as such only during their incumbency in their respective positions.

Section 13. Functions of the Council. To be effective in carrying out its
objective, the Council shall have the following functions:

a) To recommend the minimum required curriculum for the course of
Physical Therapy;

b) To determine and prescribe the minimum requirement for physical
facilities of educational institutions offering the course of physical
therapy;

©)

To determine and prescribe the minimum number of students who

shall be allowed to take up the course, taking into account the

capacity of each schoo! of physical therapy based on their facilities

and faculty;

d) To determine and prescribe the minimum number and qualifications
of teaching personnel, including student-teacher ratio;

e)

To keep a registry of physical therapy students and to collect from
each student no less than fifty pesos (P50.00) which shall accrue to
the operating fund of the Council;

f) To accredit hospitals or clinics for affiliation and training of interns;

9)

To approve physical therapy schools that meet the requirements and
recommend closure of those found to be substandard;
h) To inspect or visit schools in connection with the function of the


Council as herein provided;

i) To formulate and recommend approval of refresher course for
applicants who shall have failed the Board examination for the third
time; and,

i) Promulgate, prescribe, and enforce necessary rules and regulations
for the implementation of the foregoing functions.

Section 14. Compensation and Traveling Expenses of the Council
Members. For every meeting actually attended, the Chairman and Members shall be
entitled to one hundred pesos per diem (P100.00) each, regardless of whether or not
they receive regular salaries from the government. In addition, the Chairman and
Members of the Council shall be entitled to traveling expenses and accommodations
in connection with their official duties.

Section 15. /nhibition against the Practice of Physical Therapy. Unless
exempt from registration, no person shall practice or offer to practice Physical Therapy
within the meaning and intent of this Act, without having previously obtained a valid
certificate of registration as a Physical Therapist from the Board, and a referral from a
general medical practitioner or a specialist in any of the recognized branches of
medicine, and other related professions.

Section 16. Scope of Practice of Physical Therapy. A person shall be
deemed to be practicing PT within the meaning of this Act, who, for a fee, salary,
reward or other compensation or even without such remuneration, shall:

a) Perform and interpret tests to assist in differential diagnosis and to
determine the degree of impairment of relevant aspects, such as
muscular strength, motor development, functional capacity,
respiratory and circulatory efficiency;

b) Plan and implement initial and subsequent treatment programs on
the basis of test findings within the scope of physical therapy;

¢) Perform muscle strength evaluation and quantification;

d) Perform accurate joint range of motion measurement;


) Offer various physical therapy modalities such as both superficial and
deep heat, cold, as well as hydrotherapy techniques, electrical
stimulation, traction and massage to relieve pain or alter
physiological status;

f) Provide joint rage of motion, strengthening exercises, and joint
mobilization to increase or maintain range of motion;

9) Offer exercises to increase strength, endurance, and coordination for
either specific muscle group or the entire body;
Evaluate and offer exercises to improve sitting and standing balance,

transfers and ambulation including wheelchair and bipedal;

h)

i) Assess and train for independence in activities of daily living;

j) Assess the need and prescribe the use of assistive devices for
ambulation and train patient in its use;

k) Assess the need and prescribes the use of wheelchair and train the
patient in its use;

|) Assess patient's home environment and prescribe modifications
when necessary to make it barrier free and accessible; and,

m) Plan and prescribe appropriate home exercise program for the
patient, and require regular follow-up of the prescribed program.

Section 17. Exemptions. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to affect the
practice of:

a) Any PT student duly enrolled in an approved school under training,
serving without professional fee in any government or private
hospital: Provided, That he/she renders such service under the direct
supervision and control of a registered physical therapist; and

b) All PTs who are already in the government service who became
eligible by virtue of the testimonial examination given by the Civil
Service Commission on December 29, 1967 in the City of Manila.

Section 18. Special Permit to Practice. The Board may grant a special permit
to practice PT in the country for such period of time and under such conditions as the


Board may fix, to:

a) A foreign PT called for consultation or for a specific purpose which, in the
judgment of the Board, is essential for the development of the country:
Provided, That his practice shall be limited only for the particular work he is
being engaged: Provided, further, That there is no Filipino PT qualified for
such consultation or specific purpose;

b)

A foreign PT to be engaged as professor, lecturer, or critic in fields essential
to PT education in the Philippines and his engagement is confined to
teaching only; and,

°

A foreign PT who is an internationally recognized expert or with
‘specialization in any branch of PT and his service is essential for the
advancement of PT in the Philippines.

Section 19. Holding of Examination. Licensure examination for candidates
desiring to practice PT in the Philippines shall be conducted by the Board twice a year
‘on dates to be determined by the Board: Provided, That the interval between the first
and second examination shalll be six (6) months and shalll be conducted in the City of
Manila or in such other places as the Board may designate subject to approval of the
Commission.

Section 20. Qualifications of Applicants. In order to be admitted to the PT
examination, an applicant must, at the time of filing of his application, establish to the
satisfaction of the Board that:

a) He is citizen of the Philippines, or if a foreigner, he must prove that the
country in which he is a subject or citizen of permits Filipino PTs to practice
within the territorial jurisdiction on the same basis as the subjects or citizens
of such country, and: Provided, further, That the requirements for the
admission to PT schools and for graduation as PTs in such country are
substantially the same as provided under this Act:

b) He is of sound health and of good morai character and reputation;

¢) He has finished a standard academic high school course or its equivalent in

a school, college, or university legally established or duly-recognized by the


government;
d

He has completed at least 1500 hours of clinical internship of Physical
Therapy in PT departments of hospitals or clinics that are accredited by the
Council; and,

e) He has completed a course leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in
Physical Therapy conferred by a school recognized by the Council. No
application shall be accepted, or if accepted, no application shall be
processed unless the name of the applicant appears in the certified list of
graduates, submitted directly to the Board by the school and duly certified
by the Dean of the college and the school’s Registrar and affixed with the
‘school seal.

Section 21. Scope of Examination. The examination for the practice of PT in
the Philippines shall be in writing and the scope of which shall be determined by the
Board, taking into consideration the teaching plan of the schools legally established
and duly recognized by the government. It shall be the duty of the Board to prepare
the schedule of subjects of the examination. It shall submit the same to the President
of the Philippines for approval through the Commissioner of the Professional
Regulation Commission and to publish the same in a newspaper of general circulation
at least two (2) months before the date of the examination wherein such subjects are
to be used. Any alteration or amendment that may be made in the schedule of subjects
shall likewise be approved by the Commission.

SUBJECTS RELATIVE WEIGHT

I BASIC SCIENCES 25%
a. Anatomy
b. Kinesiology
c. Physiology
d. Pathology

ML CLINICAL SCIENCES 25%
a. Medical Conditions
b. Surgical Conditions
c. Medical Psychology
d. Growth and Development

itt THEORY AND PRACTICE 50%
a. Physical Agents


b. Equipment

. Evaluation — principle and practices of
assessment

|. Musculoskeletal Treatment

. Neuromuscular Treatment
Cardiovascular Treatment

|. Respiratory Treatment

|. Treatment of Burns, Decubiti, Ob-Gyn,
Oncology, etc.
Administration

j. Ethics

saroga o

Section 22. Rating in the Examination. \n order to pass the examination, the
candidate must obtain a general average of at least seventy-five percent (75%) in the
written examination, with no rating below sixty percent (60%). No further examination
will be given an applicant who has not qualified after three examinations, unless and
until s/ne shall have completed a twelve-month (12) refresher course organized by the
Philippine Physical Therapy Association, Inc. and to show proof of the completion of
such course before he will be admitted to the fourth examination.

Section 23. Report of Results of Examination. The Board shall, within one
hundred twenty (120) days after the examination, report the rating obtained by each
candidate to the Commission for approval.

Section 24. /ssuance of Certificates of Registration. Upon payment of the
registration fee as provided for in this Act, the Board shall issue a certificate of
registration as PT to any applicant who, in the opinion of the Board, has satisfactorily
met all the requirements specified in this Act: Provided, That no such certificate shall
be issued to any successful applicant who has not attained the age of twenty-one (21)
years.

All certificates of registration shail show the full name of the registrant, have a
serial number, bear the signatures of the members of the Board, attested by the
Secretary of the Board and duly authenticated by the seal of the Board. The issuance
of certificate of registration by the Board to the registrant shall evidence that the person
named therein is entitled to all rights and privileges of a registered PT until the said
certificate is revoked temporarily or permanently for just cause/s.


The Board shall issue a temporary permit to practice PT renewable on a yearly
basis to a graduate PT from a school recognized by the Council: Provided; that he
shows proof of his having taken the PT licensure examination of the current year.

Section 25. /ssuance of Professional Identification Card. Every registered
PT shall be issued a professional identification card upon satisfactory evidence
completed by the prescribed continuing education program and the payment of the
annual registration fee. The professional identification card shall have a validity of
three years.

Section 26. /nitial. The initial PTRP, which stands for Physical Therapist
Registered, Philippines, may be added after the name of the physical therapist who
successfully passes the examination given by the board.

Section 27. Reciprocity. No foreigner shall be admitted to the practice of PT
unless he proves in the manner provided for in the rules and regulations of the
Commission that the country of which he is a citizen, subject or national admits citizens
of the Philippines to the practice of PT on terms of strict and absolute equality with
citizen, subject or nationals of his country and complies with the requirements of this
Act rules and regulations governing the practice of PT. Reciprocity shall not be
required of those who have been issued a special permit to practice PT under Section
15.

Section 28. Fees for Examination and Registration. All applications must be
filed with the Professional Regulation Commission and shall be subject to the payment
of fees prescribed by the Commission.

The annual registration fee shall be paid on or before the last day of the PT'’s
birthmonth every three years, otherwise, it shall bear a surcharge of twenty per centum
(20%) for each year in which payment was not made.

Section 29. Refusal to Issue Certificates. The Board shall refuse to issue a

certificate of registration to any person convicted by court of competent jurisdiction of


any criminal offense involving moral turpitude; to any person guilty of immoral or
dishonorable conduct; to persons of unsound mind; or, to those suffering of
communicable or contagious disease. in the event of such refusal, the Board shall
give the applicant a written statement setting forth of the reason for its action, which
statement shall be incorporated in the records of the Board.

Section 30. Revocation and Suspension of Certificate. The Board shall also
have the power, upon proper notice and hearing, to revoke or suspend the validity of
the certificate of registration of a PT for any causes mentioned in the preceding section
or for unprofessional or unethical conduct, malpractice, incompetency or serious
ignorance or negligence in the practice of PT, for making use of fraud, deceit or false
‘statements to obtain certificate of registration.

A certificate of registration is automatically revoked and the name of the
registered PT stricken from the Registry of Professionals for non-payment of the
annual registration fee for five years. The Commission may reinstate the certificate
upon application and payment of the feed in arrears and the fee prescribed for
registration without examination. The Commission may require the passing of a
qualifying examination before reinstatement.

A PT may be exempted from the payment of the annual registration upon
application for retirement from the practice of PT.

Section 31. Reinstatement, Reissue or Replacement of Certificate. The
Board may, upon application and for reason deemed proper and sufficient, reissue
any revoked certificate. The suspension of a certificate of registration shall be
automatically lifted upon the expiration of the period of suspension. Said certificate
shall be reissued to the PT concerned upon request without prejudice to further actions
by the Board for violation of the provisions of this Act or conditions imposed by the
Board upon the PT during the period of suspension.

ARTICLE IV
CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION


Section 32. Definition. Continuing Professional Education may be defined as
the systematic efforts to provide educational opportunities beyond formal education
and initial entry into a profession, so that the practitioner may maintain competency,
become aware of new developments in his field, and continue to provide responsible,
quality healthcare services.

Section 33. Creation of the Accreditation and Evaluation Committee.
There shail be created the Accreditation and Evaluation Committee, hereafter referred
to as the Committee, charged with the responsibility of evaluating and accrediting
continuing professional education programs in PT.

Section 34. Composition of the Committee. The Committee shall be
composed of five (5) members, one from each of the following groups:

a. Academic group;

b. Hospital staff group;

c. Private practitioner group; and,

d. Regional group.

The fifth member shall be the incumbent chairman of the Continuing Education
Committee of the Committee of the Philippine Physical Therapy Association, Inc.

An incumbent member of the Board of PT shall act as adviser.

Section 35. Functions of the Committee. The Committee shall have the
following functions:

a. Formulate program guidelines for continuing professional education as
approved by the Board;

b. Evaluate programs/activities for accreditation:

c. Accredit programs/activities upon request of professional and/or sponsoring
agencies; and,

d. Accredit certified attendance and allocate corresponding continuing
professional education credit units.

Section 36. Qualifications of Members of the Committee. Each member of


the Committee shail be nominated by the sector he/she represents and shall meet the
following qualifications:

a. Must be a registered PT of good standing with both the Commission and
the Philippine Physical Therapy Association, Inc., hereafter referred to as
the Association;

b. Must have a minimum of two (2) years of professional practice in the
country; and,

c. Must have served as an officer or a member of a standing Committee of the
Association for at least two (2) years.

Section 37. Tenure. Each member of the Committee shall be appointed by the
Board for a term of three (3) years, renewable for a second term. A replacement
nominated by the sector shall be made in case a member of the Committee cannot
server for any reason. He shall meet the qualifications stated above and shall be co-
terminus with the person he replaces.

ARTICLE V
ACCREDITED PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION

Section 38. Philippine Physical Therapy Association, Inc. The Philippine
Physical Therapy Association, Inc., is the first and only accredited professional
organization founded on December 8, 1964. It is a non-stock, non-profit organization
of licensed physical therapists and physical therapy students.

Section 39. Goals of the Professional Organization. The Philippine Physical
Therapy Association, Inc. (PPTA) has the following goals:

a. To foster a strong fellowship among its members;

b. To promote and protect the economic well-being and general welfare of its
members;

c. To promote and maintain standards of PT services and education in
accordance with the laws of the Republic of the Philippines;

d. To promote research and continuing education regarding the theory and


practice of PT for its members;

e. To formulate the code of ethics for the profession and establish the
observance of that code by its members;

f. To aid medical science by extending the knowledge and application of PT
in the rehabilitation of patients;

g. To promote the legislation favorable to the profession and to be vigilant with
the introduction or any legislation which may affect adversely the practice of
PT;

h. To cooperate with the Government and other health and welfare
organizations in the national healthcare program of the couniry; and,

i. To help the government eradicate PT malpractice.

ARTICLE VI
PENAL AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SECTION 40. Penal Provisions. The following shall be punished by a fine of
no less than five thousand pesos (5,000.00) or by imprisonment for not less than one
(1) year, or both, in the discretion of the court:

a. Any person who shall practice PT in the Philippines without being
registered, issued a temporary permit, or exempted from registration in
accordance with the provisions of this Act;

b. Any PT, even if duly registered, who shall practice PT in the Philippines
without the proper referral from a general medical practitioner, a specialist
in any of the recognized branches of medicine and other related
professions;

c. Any person presenting or attempting to use as his own the certificate of
registration or a special permit issued to another;

d. Any person who shall give or submit any false or fraudulent statement or
document of any kind to the Commission, Board, or any of its Committees
in obtaining a certificate of registration as a PT, admission to an
examination, or renewal of license;

e. Any person who shail impersonate any registrant of like or the same name:


f. Any person who shall attempt to use a revoked or suspended certificate of
registration, special permit or license;

g. Any person who shall use, advertise, or append to his name the letters
PTRP tending to convey the impression that he is a professional as defined
in this Act, when in fact he is not or his authority to practice has been
‘suspended or revoked;

h. Any person who shall violate the provisions of this Act; and,

i, Any person or corporate body who shall violate the rules and regulations of
the Board or orders promulgated by it having been duly approved by the
Commissioner of the Professional Regulation Commission for the purpose
of carrying out the provisions of this Act.

Section 41. Abolition of the Board of Examiners for Physical and
Occupational Therapists, Transfer of Funds, Record, etc. The Board of Examiners
for PT and OT created by Republic Act No. 5680 is hereby abolished. Its properties,
records, equipment, and other assets shall be transferred to the Board created under
this Act.

Section 42. Separability Clause. \f any provision of this Act or the application
of such provision to any person or circumstance is declared invalid by a court of
competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this Act or the application of such provision to

other persons or circumstances shall not be affected by such declaration.

Section 43. Repealing Clause. All laws, executive orders, rules and regulation
or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed.

Section 44. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect upon its approval

Approved,