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Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TIME:
Quezon City BY:
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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS. Sy S

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Second Regular Session €pev

HOUSE BILL No, 8222

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Hearing is a vulnerable human sensory perception. The Philippine Disability
Survey reported in 2003 that hearing-related disabilities are the 2nd most common in
the country at 33%, next only to movement disability at 39%. At the global scale, the
World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that some 250 million individuals were
afflicted with hearing impairment in 2000. These figures, while dated, thereby beg
the serious need for a regular study on the prevalence, development and causes of
hearing-related diseases, impairment, and disabilities, as well as State intervention
in strengthening this field of medical practice in our jurisprudence.

The herein proposed Audiology Act of 2018 recognizes audiology as an
important branch of medical practice focused on the sensitive human sense of
hearing. Audiology is further defined as the study on the development and
application of effective strategies leading to the optimal use of sensory, oral and
expressive skills in hearing-impaired children and adults. The bill seeks to modernize
and regulate the practice of audiology by establishing the Professional Regulatory
Board of Audiology. The Regulatory Board shall be tasked to prepare a licensure
exam for audiologists, maintain a registry of audiology professionals or audiologists,
formulate a Code of Ethics, and periodically evaluate the competitiveness of the
audiology syllabi of academic institutions offering undergraduate and post-graduate
degrees on the course. Meanwhile, a Technical Panel on Audiological Education
composed of senior practitioners, specialists, academicians in the field of audiology
and a representative from the Philippine Society of Audiology will be the primary
body in charge of setting the standard curriculum for the study of audiology to be


implemented in all schools offering audiology as the undergraduate course and
degree, as well as performing all review and consultative tasks necessary to ensure
that Filipino audiology graduates are at par with international practitioners.

At present, audiology as a field of medical practice remains relatively
unrecognized and underregulated in the country. We neither have a regulatory body
nor a licensure exam for it. As a field of study, audiology as an undergraduate
degree is offered only in limited institutions. As a post-graduate degree, only the
University of Santo Tomas (UST) and the University of the Philippines offer the
course. UST further reported that the course receives one of the smallest number of
enrollees, and even fewer graduates. Majority of these graduates, The Varsitarian
reports, even end up practicing abroad’. Given the prevalence of hearing-related
health problems among our people, and the grossly insufficient number of
audiologists to study and/or provide medical attention in these cases, the State is
compelled to take measures to urgently address the situation.

In light of the foregoing premises, the passage of this bill is humbly sought.

LUIS RAY! ID “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

" http://varsitarian.net/news/20090307/all_ears_for_ust_clinical_audiology


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
‘Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 8222

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACT
PROFESSIONALIZING THE PRACTICE OF AUDIOLOGY AND CREATING FOR
THIS PURPOSE A PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF AUDIOLOGY,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, UPGRADING AUDIOLOGIC
EDUCATION, INTEGRATING AUDIOLOGISTS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

ARTICLE |
TITLE, DECLARATION OF POLICY, DEFINITION OF TERMS

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Audiology Act of 2018.”

SECTION. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the essential role of
audiology as a profession in safeguarding and enhancing the health and general
physical well-being of the citizenry. Audiologic services shall therefore be promoted
as a regular component of the primary health care system.

SECTION. 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act, the following terms shall be
defined as follows:

a) “Audiology” refers to the science and art of hearing, whether normal or
disordered, as a fundamental component of human communicatory behavior,
the development and application of effective strategies leading to optimal use
of sensory and oral and expressive skills in hearing-impaired children and
adults; analyzing and evaluating the auditory function through behavioral and
physiologic tests; selecting, prescribing and dispensing hearing airs, auditory
assistive devices; counseling regarding educational, social or vocational
concerns that may occur as a consequence of hearing impairment; and
implementation of programs for hearing conservation, and for the prevention
of reduced auditory function; and other preventive or corrective measures or


b)

°)

d)

e)

procedures for the aid, correction, habitation, rehabilitation or relief of human
hearing, or to attain optimum audition and comfort;

“Audiometry” refers the measurement of hearing, including many procedures
and tests used to define the type, degree, and communicative consequences
of hearing loss; utilizing clinical hearing tests to evaluate sensitivity and
discrimination (acuity) aspects of audition; including but not limited to tone and
speech audiometry based on behavioral responses, electrophysiologic
procedures, acoustic-immitance measures, loudness recruitment, loudness
adaptation, and tests of central auditory dysfunction;

“Audiologist” refers to a natural person who, having satisfactorily completed
an academic program leading to at least a master’s degree in audiology or its
equivalent of higher degree, inclusive of at least 300 hours of supervised
clinical experience, followed by the equivalent of six months full-time
professional experience under the supervision of a certified audiologist, has
passed the national Board Examination in Audiology administered by the
Board of Audiology;

“Audiologist in good standing” refers to a registered audiologist who is
authorized to practice the profession in the Philippines by virtue of a valid
certificate of registration and a valid professional license issued by the
commission for the purpose;

“Audiometrist’ refers to a natural person who has satisfactorily completed the
required training and clinical experience for audiometrist as determined as by
the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, and the
Board of Audiology. As such, he/she shall be authorized to do any of the
following, Provided, that such shall at all times be conducted under the
supervision of a licensed audiologist: (1) Administering audiometric
examination, including but not limited to, tone and speech audiometry based
on behavioral responses acoustic immittance measure, loudness recruitment,
and loudness adaptation; (2) Interpreting result of the same and preparing a
written report on these results; and (3) counseling and provision of Non-
Medical and Non-Surgical amplification devices; Provided, further, that such
duties may only be performed on clients between the age of seven (7) and
fifty (50) years old;

“Audiometrist in good standing” refers to a qualified audiometrist, who by
virtue of a valid certificate of accreditation in audiometry issued by the Board
of Audiology for the purpose, is authorized in the limited practice of
audiometry in the Philippines under the supervision of an Audiologist in good
standing;


9) ‘Certificate of registration” refers to a document signed by the Chair of the
Commission and by all members of the Board of Audiology and bearing its
seal, issued to an applicant who has satisfied the requirements for the
practice of audiology. It shall serve as proof that the registrant is qualified to
practice the respective professions in the Philippines;

h) “Professional license” refers to a renewable card, issued by the PRC to a
registered audiologist, indicating that he/she is competent and authorized to
practice audiology in the Philippines. Until the loss of its validity or expiration,
‘such license shall serve as evidence that its bearer is an audiologist or
audiometrist in good standing;

i) “Certificate of Accreditation” refers to a document signed by all the members
of the Board and bearing its seal, issued to an applicant who has satisfied the
requirements for the limited practice of audiometry in the Philippines under the
supervision of an Audiologist in good standing. It shall serve as proof that the
person is accredited for the limited practice of audiometry in the Philippines
under the supervision of an Audiologist in good standing ;

i) ‘Code of Professional Ethics” refers to a set of standards relating to the
conduct, integrity and moral duties of audiologists, as prescribed by the duly
integrated and accredited national organization of audiologists, and adopted
and promulgated by the Board upon approval by the commission.

ARTICLE Il
THE PRACTICE OF AUDIOLOGY

SECTION. 4. The Scope of the Practice of Audiology. — Any of the following acts
constitute the practice of Audiology:

a) The analysis and evaluation of human auditory function through the
employment of clinical subjective (behavioral) and objective (physiologic)
procedures and tests to measure hearing and define the type, degree, and
communicative consequences of hearing loss; including the use of specific
instruments, tools, equipment implements, aids, apparatuses, machines,
exercises, and related devices, for the purpose of determining the condition,
sensitivity and discrimination (acuity) of human hearing to correct and improve
the same when not medically or surgically treatable, in accordance with
subsections (b), (c), and (d) hereof;

b}

The selection, prescription, and dispensing of hearing aids, auditory assistive
devices and their accessories and solutions, and supplies for the purpose of


correcting and treating defects, deficiencies and abnormalities of audition that
are not medically or surgically treatable;

°)

The use of educational techniques to enhance visual perception of speech
(speech reading) and to improve auditory discrimination, developing and
maintaining optimal speech and voice skills; conduct of auditory exercises and
hearing habilitation and rehabilitation, the provision of other measures,
devices, and procedures to aid, correct, habilitate or relieve abnormalities of
human audition and attain optimum audition and comfort except those that
should be medically or surgically provided;

d) The counseling of patients regarding educational, social or vocational
concerns that may occur as a consequence of hearing impairment; and
implementation of programs for hearing conservation, and for the prevention
of reduced auditory function;

The establishment of offices, clinics, and similar places where audiologic
services are offered; and

f) The collection of professional fees for the performance of any of the acts
mentioned in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d) of this section

SECTION. 5. Prohibition Against the Unauthorized Practice of Audiology. — No
person shall practice audiology as defined in Section 3 of this Act nor perform any of
the acts constituting the practice of audiology as set forth in Section 4 hereof, without
having been first admitted to the practice of this profession under the provisions of
this Act and its implementing ruled and regulations; Provided, that this prohibition
shall not apply to regularly licensed and duly registered physicians who have
received post-graduate training in the diagnosis and treatment of hearing disorders
and ear diseases; Provided, however, That the examination of the human ear and
auditory apparatus by duly registered physicians in connection with the physical
examination of patients shall not be considered as practice of audilogy; Provided,
further, That the evaluation and management of speech and voice functions and
dysfunctions by speech pathologists, therapists, and phoniatrists shall not be
considered as the practice of audiology; Provided, further, That public health workers
and health care providers trained and involved in the government's “Universal
Newborn Hearing Screening Program for the Prevention, Early Diagnosis and
Intervention of Hearing Loss” or Republic Act No. 9709 and other hearing
conservation programs may conduct only specific hearing acuity tests and hearing
screening; Provided, finally, That audiometricians in good standing may only perform
their limited duties and services under supervision of an audiologist in good standing.

SECTION. 6. Disclosure of Authority to Practice. — An audiologist shall be
required to indicate his or her professional license number and the date of its


expiration in the documents he or she issues or signs in connection with the practice
of his/her profession. He/she shall also display his or her certificate of registration in
a conspicuous area of his or her clinic or office.

ARTICLE Ill
THE PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF AUDIOLOGY

SECTION. 7. The Professional Regulatory Board of Audiology . - There is
hereby created a Professional Regulatory Board of Audiology, hereinafter referred to
as the Board composed of five (5) members who shall be appointed by the President
of the Philippines, upon the recommendation of the PRC, from a list of ten (10)
nominees submitted by the duly integrated and accredited national organization of
audiologists, the Philippine Society of Audiology.

SECTION. 8. Qualifications of Members of the Board. — At the time of their
respective appointments, the members of the Board including the Chairperson, must
be:

a) A citizen of the Philippines and resident of the Philippines for the last five (5)
years;

b) A duly registered audiologist in good standing holding a valid Certificate of
Registration; Provided, however, That in the case of the first members of the
Board of Audiology, they shall be issued Certificates of Registration as
Audiologists without prior examination;

c) A person who has not been convicted of any competent court of an offense
involving moral turpitude;

d)

A person who has been in active practice of the profession for at least ten (10)
years prior to his or her appointment: Provided, That for purposes of creating
the initial Board, active practice of the profession for at least five (5) years
prior to his or her appointment will suffice; Provided further, That a person
who is a member of the faculty, whether full-time, part-time or lecturer of any
school, college or university where a regular course in audiology is taught, or
who has any pecuniary interest, directly or indirectly, in such institution must
forgo his or her membership in said faculty or relinquish his or her interests in
said institution before or upon taking his or her oath as a member of the
Board; Provided, finally, That an incumbent officer of the Philippine Society of
Audiology or any audiologic association is disqualified from concurrently being
appointed to or serving in the Board.


SECTION. 9. Term of Office. - The members of the Board shall hold office for a
non-renewable term of five (5) years, starting on the date of appointment and until
their successors shall have been appointed; Provided, however, That the first
appointees to the Board shall hold office as follows: the chairperson for five (5) years
and the four (4) other members for fixed terms of four (4), three (3) two (2) and one
(1) year/s such, that the term of one member shall be due to expire every year.
Thereafter, one member shall be appointed for the full term every year and such
member, in the last year of his or her term, shall automatically become the
chairperson of the Board. Vacancies brought about by reasons other than expiration
of term shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term only.

SECTION. 10. Removal or Suspension of Board Members. — Any member of the
Board, after having been given the opportunity to defend himself or herself in a
proper administrative investigation conducted by the PRC, may be removed by the
President of the Philippines for neglect of duty, incompetence, malpractice, or
unprofessional, unethical, immoral or dishonorable conduct. During the process of
investigation, the President of the Philippines may suspend such member under
such investigation for a period of not more than sixty (60) days and appoint a
temporary member in his place.

SECTION. 11. Compensation of Board Members. - The members of the Board
shall receive compensation in accordance with the rules and regulations of the
Professional Regulatory Commission.

SECTION. 12. Functions and Powers of the Board. - The Board is hereby vested
with authority to:

a) Promulgate the rules and regulations for the practice of audiology, subject
to the approval of the PRC and in accordance with the provisions of this
Act;

b)

Administer and enforce the rules and regulations specified in the
preceding sections;

c}

Determine, prepare, adopt, issue or amend the syllabi and contents of,
and questions for licensure examinations, adopt measures to ensure the
integrity thereof, correct and rate the examination papers and submit the
results thereof to the PRC;

d)

Formulate and oversee, in consultation with the PRC, guidelines for the
proper conduct of licensure examinations and the registration of
audiologists as well as the accreditation of audiometricians;


e) Issue, suspend, revoke and reissue certificates of registration of qualified
audologists and renew their professional licenses and issue, suspend,
revoke and reissue certificates of accreditation of audiometricians;

f) Impose reasonable requirements and conditions, such as attendance in
continuing education activities and program, for the renewal of an
audiologist’s license to practice and for the purpose of upgrading the
professional competence of audiologists and audiometricians;

9g

Maintain a registry of audiologists and audiometricians in good standing;

h)

Adopt, promulgate and disseminate the Code of Ethics for the practice of
audiology in the Philippines;

i) Administer oaths in connection with the implementation of this Act;

j) Conduct hearings and investigations to resolve complaints against
practitioners of audiology for malpractice, unethical and unprofessional
conduct, and violations of this Act or its implementing rules and
regulations, and in connection therewith, issue subpoena ad testificandum
and subpoena duces ftecum and punish with contempt persons
obstructing, impeding and/or otherwise interfering with the conduct of such
Proceedings;

k) Conduct ocular inspections of establishments and/or premises where
audiologic services are offered to ascertain that professional standards are
complied with;

1) Upon application, to issue an order enjoining or abating the illegal practice
of audiology by unqualified persons;

m) Impose fines and penalties, after due process and in accordance with the
provision of this Act, for causes provided for by law or by the rules and
regulations promulgated therefor;

n) Evaluate periodically the status of audiologic education and recommend
and/or adopt measures to upgrade and maintain high standards; and

©) Study the conditions affecting the practice of audiology in all parts of the
Philippines, and whenever necessary, adopt such measures as may be
deemed proper for the maintenance of good ethics and high professional
standards of audiologic practice.


SECTION. 13. Quorum in Board Meetings. - The attendance of three (3) members
shall constitute a quorum for the Board to officially transact business.

SECTION. 14. Votes Required in Administrative Cases. - To render a decision in
an administrative case for unethical practice, malpractice, immorality, dishonesty,
and related charges affecting the professional fitness and integrity of an audiologist
or audiometrician, the vote of three (3) members must be obtained; Provided, That in
case members are disqualified to vote by virtue of their relationship to or interest in
any of the parties or voluntarily inhibits themselves from participating in the
proceedings, the Board shall designate, with the approval of the Commission, and
audiologist in good standing who is respected in the audiologic community for their

probity and integrity to sit in the Board, participate in the proceedings, and vote on
the case.

SECTION. 15. Supervision of the Board of the Board and Custody of its
Records. - The members of the Board, shall be under the general supervision of the
PRC. Alll records, including examination papers, examination results, minutes of
deliberations, records of administrative cases and investigation of the Board shall be
kept by the said Commission.

SECTION. 16. Annual Report. — The Board shall, at the end of each calendar year,
submit to the Commission an annual report of its activities and proceedings during
the year. Other information or data may be requested by the Commission as often as
may be necessary and practicable.

ARTICLE IV
THE AUDIOLOGY BOARD EXAMINATIONS

SECTION. 17. Licensure Examination Requirement. - Every applicant seeking to
be registered as an audiologist shall undergo an examination as provided in this Act
Examinations for the practice of audiology or limited practice of audiometry in the
Philippines shall be given by the Board at least once every year in such places and
dates as PRC may designate.

SECTION. 18. Scope of Examination. - The Board of Audiology shall prescribe the
scope and prepare the contents of the licensure examinations. In the discharge of
this function, the Board shalll take into account recent developments in audiology and
audiometry as well as the academic standards imposed by the Commission on
Higher Education on educational institutions which offer a course in audiology.

SECTION. 19. Qualifications of an Applicant for the Licensure Examinations. -
An applicant for the licensure examination for Audiology shall meet the following
qualifications:


a) Must possess a Philippine citizenship;
b) Must be of good moral character;

) Must hold a degree of Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
in Audiology or its equivalent or higher degree (such as Master in Clinical
Audiology, M. Clin. Aud.; Master of Audiology, M. Aud.; Doctor of
Audiology, Au. D.; Doctor of Philosophy in Audiology, PhD; or Doctor of
Science in Audiology, D.Sc.) obtained from a school, college, university of
institution duly accredited or recognized by the government, with
coursework inclusive of the following minimum basic subject areas:
mathematics; human biology; chemistry; biochemistry; physics;
psychology; sociology; history; English and Filipino; and following
Audiology Major subject Areas: anatomy and physiology of speech and
hearing; basic acoustics for speech and hearing; introduction to audiology,
hearing loss and audiometry; normal speech and language acquisition and
development; introduction to language and communication disorders;
psychology of language; clinical methods in audiology; aural habilitation,
rehabilitation and amplification; Philippine sign language; audiology ethics
and jurisprudence; audiology economics and practice management;
environmental and public health audiology; pediatric audiology; audiology
practicum one and two and audiology research methods; and

qd)

Must not have been convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude by a
court of competent jurisdiction.

SECTION. 20. Ratings in the Examination. - To pass the licensure examination, a
candidate for audiologist must obtain a passing rating of seventy-five percent (75%)
in each subject given during the examination: Provided, however, That an examinee
who obtains a passing rating in the majority of the subjects but obtains in other
subjects below seventy-five percent (75%) but not lower than sixty percent (60%),
shall be allowed to take one removal examination on the subjects where the passing
rating was not obtained: Provided, further, That should an examine fail to obtain a
passing rating in the removal examination, the examinee shall be considered as
having failed the entire licensure examination: Provided, finally, That any candidate
who fails to pass the examination in three (3) successive attempts shall not be
admitted in the fourth examination unless he or she could present to the Board a
certification that the examinee had re-enrolled and undergone with the year

preceding, a pre-board review course from a review center duly organized by the
Commission.

SECTION. 21. Report of Rating. - The Board and the PRC shall correct and rat the
licensure examination papers an shall release the examination papers ten (10) days
from the date of the examination.


ARTICLE V
REGISTRATION AND LICENSURE OF AUDIOLOGISTS

SECTION. 22. Oath. — All successful examinees shall be required to take their oath
before the Board or before any person authorized to administer oaths prior to the

issuance of the certificate of registration: Provided, however, that the applicant is not
disqualified under any of the provisions of Section 24 hereof.

SECTION. 23. Disqualification. — The following applicants shall not be allowed to
take their oath as audiologists nor issued certificates of registration:

a) Those who do not possess the qualifications set forth in Section 19 of this Act;
b) Those who fail to pass the Audiology Board licensure examination;

°)

Those who have been convicted by final judgment of any crime involving
moral turpitude by any court;

d)

Those who have been found guilty by the Board of immoral or dishonorable
conduct; and

e)

Those who have been declared to be of unsound mind.

‘Such fact of disqualification shall be communicated by the Board to the applicant by
written statement, which statement shall form part of the records of the Board.

SECTION. 24. Registration. - The PRC shall register successful examinees who
have taken their oath and thereafter grant them professional licenses to practice
audiology. The certificate of registration shall be considered as evidence that the
registrant is qualified to practice audiology in the Philippines.

SECTION. 25. Registration without Taking Licensure Examination. - A person
who possesses the pertinent qualifications listed below pursuant to the provisions of
this Act may be registered without examination:

a) Was a doctoral, master’s or bachelor’s degree holder in Audiology from a
recognized institution with at least three (3) years of teaching Audiology

courses and/or audiology practice in the Philippines for the same period;
or

b) Was a PRC duly-registered Doctor of Medicine in the Philippines and fully
certified Diplomate of the Philippine Board of Otolaryngology Head and


Neck Surgery with at least five (5) years clinical experience in the practice
of audiology in the Philippines; or,

°)

Had passed at least eighteen (18) units of tertiary level (doctoral, masteral
or baccalaureate) courses in Audiology ad had at least seven (7) years of
clinical experience in audiology: Provided, That the applicant filed with the
Board within three (3) years after its creation, an application for
registration, issuance of a Certificate of Registration and Professional
Identification Card by submitting credentials showing that the applicant
was a member of good standing in the Philippine Society of Audiology for
three (3) years before the effectivity of this Act.

SECTION. 26. Accreditation. - The Board of Audiology shall grant certificates of
accreditation for the limited practice of audiometry to successful examinees. It shall
serve as proof that the person is accredited for the limited practice of audiometry in
the Philippines under the supervision of an Audiologist in good standing.

SECTION. 27. Revocation of Certificates and Suspension of Professional
Licenses. - The Board may, after giving proper notice and hearing to the party
concerned, revoke an audiologist's certificate of registration or suspend his or her
license to practice for any unprofessional or unethical conduct, malpractice, or
violation of any of the provisions of this Act or its rules and regulations, or upon the
conviction of the audiologist of a crime involving moral turpitude. The same applies
to an audiometrician’s certificate of accreditation.

SECTION. 28. Appeals. - The revocation of a certificate of suspension of a
professional license by the Board shall become final unless appealed to the PRC
within fifteen (15) days from receipt of the decision.

SECTION. 29. Reinstatement, Reissuance or Replacement of Certificates. - The
Board may, upon application and for reasons deemed proper and sufficient, reinstate
any suspended certificate of registration or accreditation, or issue another certificate
in lieu of one previously revoked, and in so doing it may, in its discretion, exempt the
applicant from taking another examination.

Anew certificate to replace any certificate lost, destroyed or mutilated may be
issued subject to the rules that may be implemented by the Board.

SECTION. 30. Renewal of Professional Licenses. - All licenses shall be
renewable every three (3) years and shall be considered renewed only upon
satisfying the requirements imposed by the Board, such as attendance in continuing
education programs and payment of corresponding fees as may be fixed by the
Board in accordance with the rules of fees fixed by the PRC.


ARTICLE VI
AUDIOLOGIC EDUCATION

SECTION. 31. The Technical Panel on Audiological Education. - To attain the
objective of upgrading audiologic education in the Philippines, the Commission on
Higher Education, pursuant to Section 12 of Republic Act No. 7722 shall, within sixty
(60) days after the approval of this Act, convene and organize a technical panel on
audiologic education. For this purpose, senior practitioners, specialists,
academicians in the field of audiology and a representative from the Philippine
Society of Audiology as the accredited national organization of audiologists shall be
appointed and tapped to assist in the following:

a) Setting a minimum standard curriculum for the study of audiology to be
implemented in all schools offering audiology as the undergraduate course
and degree;

b)

Establishing teaching standards, including the qualifications of members of
the faculty of schools and colleges of audiology;

°)

Monitoring the progress of the program on the study of audiology and
undertaking measures for the attainment of a high quality of audiologic
education in the country; and

qd)

Evaluating periodically the performance of educational institutions offering
audiologic education for the purpose of granting accreditation and incentives
as well as for the impositions of sanctions when warranted

ARTICLE VII
PROHIBITED ACTS AND PENALTIES

SECTION. 32. Prohibited Acts. - The following acts are prohibited:

a) Giving false or forged evidence of any kind to the Board or to any member
thereof for the purpose of obtaining a certification or a professional license;

b) Assumption, use or advertisement by a person, not holding a valid
certificate of registration and a valid professional license in accordance
with this Act, of a description, in connection with his name or title, tending
to convey the impression that he or she is a duly registered audiologist;

c) Any form of advertisement in media outlets giving information and
impression to the public that the particular audiologist is better than the


others, is collecting lower professional fees or selling cheaper hearing aids
or devices;

d) Engaging in unauthorized practice of audiology as defined in Section 5 of
this Act; and,

e) Violation by any person, whether natural or juridical, of any of the
provisions of this Act and the rules and regulations promulgated for its
effective implementation.

SECTION. 33. Penal Provisions. - The commission of any of the prohibited acts
listed in the immediately preceding section shall be punished with imprisonment of
not less than one (1) years but not more than eight (8) years, or a fine of not less
than Fifty Thousand pesos (Php 50,000.00) but not more than One Hundred
Thousand pesos (Php 100,000.00) or both at the discretion of the court.

In addition, the administrative penalties specified in Section 27 hereof shall be
imposed whenever applicable.

If the violation is committed by an association, partnership, corporation, or any other
institution, the managing officers and other persons responsible for its commission
shall be liable for penalties provided for in this Act.

ARTICLE VIII
PROFESSIONAL AND ETHICAL STANDARDS

SECTION. 34. Foreign Reciprocity. - No foreigner shall be admitted to the
audiology board examinations unless he or she proves in the manner prescribed by
the Rules of Court that by specific provision of law, the country of which he/she is a
citizen, subject or national, either admits Filipino citizens to the practice of audiology
without restriction, or allows them to practice audiology after an examination on
terms of strict and absolute equality with citizens, subjects or nationals of said
country, including the unconditional recognition of prerequisite degrees prescribed by
the Commission on Higher Education; Provided, however, That the Board, upon
approval by the PRC, may grant special permit to a foreign audiologist to practice the
profession in this country whether or not reciprocity exists between his or her country
and the Philippines and under such conditions as may be determined by the Board, if
such foreigner is internationally known to be an outstanding expert in the profession
or a well-known specialist in any of its branches, and that his or her services will
promote the advancement of the profession in the Philippines. The Board is also
hereby authorized to prescribe, upon approval by the PRC, additional requirements
or grant certain privileges to foreigners, seeking registration in the Philippines if the
same privileges are granted to or some additional requirements are required of
citizens of the Philippines in acquiring the same certificate in his country.


SECTION. 35. Rules and Regulations. - The Board shall set professional
standards for the practice of audiology in the Philippines and adopt such rules and
regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act, subject to the
approval of the PRC. Such standards, rules and regulations shall take effect thirty
(30) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or any newspaper of general
circulation.

SECTION. 36. Integration of Audiologists. - In order for every audiologist to
contribute to his or her profession and to bear his or her share of professional
responsibilities, all audiologists shall be encouraged to join and be integrated into
one national organization, the Philippine Society of Audiology, which shall be
recognized by the Board and the PRC. Every audiologist, upon registration with the
Board before the effectivity of this Act may register as members of the integrated
organization within three (3) years after said effectivity.

SECTION. 37. Purposes. - The integrated national organization of audiologists-
Philippine Society of Audiology shall promulgate the Code of Ethics for the practice
of profession, define the professional responsibilities of its members, ensure
adherence to said professional ethics and responsibilities, improve the standards of
the profession and enable audiologists to discharge their public responsibility more
effectively.

SECTION. 38. Membership Fees and Dues. - All members shall be subject to the
payment of reasonable fees and dues for the effective discharge of the purposes of
the integrated national organization, the Philippine Society of Audiology. An
audiologist shall receive the benefits and privileges appurtenant to his or her

membership only upon payment of the payment of the required membership fees
and dues.

SECTION. 39. Other Organizations. - The integration of audiologists into one
national organization- the Philippine Society of Audiology, shall not prohibit the

creation of other associations of audiologists organized by individual audiologists
themselves.

SECTION. 40. Code of Professional Ethics. - The Board shall adopt the
Professional Code of Ethics promulgated by the integrated national organization of
audiologists- the Philippine Society of Audiology; Provided, That such Code provides
that it is the duty of an audiologist to:

a) Consider as his or her primary responsibility the auditory welfare of the
public;

b) Promote the best possible standards of professional care;


c) Enhance continuously his or her theoretical and practical proficiency;

d) Render his or her services with equal diligence to all, regardless of race,
creed or status;

e) Respect the confidential nature of information concerning those he or she
serves; and,

f) Refer for medical or other professional attention where the need is
indicated.

The Board shall also distribute the Code of Ethics of the Audiologic Profession
in the Philippines to all new audiologists during their oath taking.

Any act or omission which violates this Code shall be considered as unethical
conduct and shall be suspended or prohibited from the practice of audiology, in
accordance with Section 27 of this Act.

ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SECTION. 41. Funding Provisions. — The Chairperson of the Commission shall
include in the Commission's programs the implementation of this Act, the funding of
which shall be included in the General Appropriations Act.

SECTION. 42. Assistance of Law Enforcement Agency. — Any law enforcement
agency shall, upon call or request of the Commission of the Board, render
assistance in enforcing this Act, including all the rules and regulations promulgated

thereunder by prosecuting the violators thereof in accordance with law and the Rules
of Court.

SECTION. 43. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days after
the effectivity of this Act and subject to the approval of the Commission, the Board
shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations, in coordination with the
integrated and accredited professional organization (the Philippine Society of
Audiology), to implement the provisions of this Act, which shall be effective after
fifteen (15) days following its publication in the Official Gazette or two Philippine
newspapers of general circulation.

SECTION. 44. Separability Clause. — |f any provision of this Act shall at any time be
found to be unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder thereof not affected by such
declaration shall remain in full force and effect.


SECTION. 45. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, rules or regulations
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

SECTION. 46. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following
its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,