Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

Bill No. 311 1

House

Introduced by Representative Rosanna “Ria” V. Vergara

EXPLANATORY NOTE

It has been over twenty years since the enactment of Republic Act No. 8423 (RA
8423) or more commonly known as the “Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act
(TAMA) of 1997.” Notably, this significant law paved the way for the establishment
of the Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Healthcare (PITAHC) that
has been noted to have developed policies, standards, and guidelines for the practice
of various traditional medicine modalities as well as for clinics and training centers.!
Reportedly, the PITAHC has also developed the Strategic Map 2017-2021 on
traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM).?

Notwithstanding the gains of RA 8423 through the PITAHC, stakeholders have
identified critical gaps in government regulation of T&CM, which have seemingly
impeded the envisioned benefits of this pivotal law for a populace that remains
daunted by issues of accessibility, affordability, and efficacy of healthcare products
and systems. In a 2019 National Health Sector Meeting Brief of the Department of
Health, foremost among the current issues cited is that “PITAHC currently lacks
regulatory and enforcement powers to regulate the practice of T&CM in the country,
which is important to ensure the provision of quality, safe, and effective T&CM
services.”*

Indeed, proper government regulation is imperative in the Philippines where
there is a growing interest in and increasing use of T&CM products and services,
particularly in rural areas where T&CM is sometimes the only affordable and

WHO Giotia! Report on Traditional and Complementary Modivine 2019. Woeld Health Organization; 2019, (Last accessed
via https:// ewes avho.int/ publications//item/ 978924151536 on 03 August 222), In its 2019 Keport, the WHO cited
acupuncture, homeopathy, homotoxicology, chiropractic, naturopathy and hilot to comprise these modalities,

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fing Brief, 27-28 March 2019,
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available source of health care. Unfortunately, it appears that the apparent rise in the
demand for T&CM is not presently met with a simultaneous increase in safeguards.

In view of the foregoing, this proposed measure thus aims to strengthen the
country’s traditional and alternative health care system in order to provide the people
with a wider range of health services and products that are proven to be safe, effective
and at much affordable prices. Moreover, it specifically seeks to further empower the
PITAHC and grant such agency with adequate regulatory powers in order to curb
dangerous practices and unsafe products related to T&CM.

As the Filipino nation perseveres in its continuing fight against the current
pandemic, the collective concern for the health and welfare of the Filipino people has
been underscored like never before. Numerous legislative measures have been
recently pursued to strengthen our health sector in order to combat not only COVID-
19 but also to equally manage other illnesses that have remained pressing concerns
for many. Given the prevailing circumstances and socio-economic developments in
our country in the last two decades, it has truly become all the more crucial for
Congress to revisit RA 8423 and consider key amendments thereto as a parallel and
complementary reinforcement for the Philippine health system.

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

ROSANNA “RIA” V. VERGARA
3rd District of Nueva Ecija


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3111

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative Rosanna “Ria” V. Vergara

AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE TRADITIONAL AND COMPLEMENTARY

MEDICINE SYSTEM, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO.

8423, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “TRADITIONAL AND ALTERNATIVE
MEDICINE ACT OF 1997”

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

assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 2 Republic Act No. 8423, otherwise known as the
“Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act (TAMA) of 1997”, is hereby amended to

read as follows:

“Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the
State to improve the quality and delivery of health care services to the
Filipino people through the development AND PROPER
REGULATION of traditional and alternative health care IN THE
COUNTRY and its integration into the national health care delivery
system THAT WILL PROVIDE THE PEOPLE WITH A WIDER
RANGE OF HEALTH SERVICES AND PRODUCTS THAT ARE
PROVEN TO BE HIGH-QUALITY, SAFE, EFFICIENT, EFFECTIVE,

AND AFFORDABLE.

It shall also be the policy of the State to seek a legally workable basis by
which indigenous societies would own their knowledge of traditional
medicine. When such knowledge is used by outsiders, the indigenous
societies can require the permitted users to acknowledge its source and
can demand a share of any financial return that may come from its

authorized commercial use.”

SECTION 2. Section 4 of Republic Act No. 8423 is hereby amended to read as

follows:


“Section 4. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms
shall mean:

(a) “Traditional and Alternative Health Care SYSTEM” ~ the sum
total of knowledge, skills, and practices on health care other than
those embodied in biomedicine, used in the prevention, diagnosis
and elimination of physical or mental disorder.

(d) “Alternative health care modalitie: other forms of non-allopathic,
occasionally non-indigenous or imported healing methods, though
not necessarily practiced for centuries nor handed down from one
generation to another [. Some-alternative health care-modalities
inelude], WHICH SHALL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED
TO reflexology, ACUPUNCTURE, MASSAGE, acupressure,
chiropractic[s], nutritional therapy, HILOT, NATUROPATHY,
HOMEOPATHY/ HOMOTOXICOLOGY, TUINA MASSAGE,
OSTEOPATHY, ANTHROPOSOPHIC MEDICINE and other
similar [methods] MODALITIES.

(i) “PHILIPPINE Traditional healers” ~ [the-relatively-oldhighly

remedies} PERSONS WITH KNOWLEDGE IN INDIGENOUS
AND/OR PHILIPPINE BELIEF SYSTEMS, ORAL
TRADITIONS AND HEALTH PRACTICES, WHO USE THE
TRADITIONAL MEDICINE OF THE INDIGENOUS
CULTURAL COMMUNITIES/ INDIGENOUS PEOPLES
(ICCS/IPS) AND/OR OTHER ETHNO-LINGUISTIC GROUPS
IN THE PHILIPPINES.

XXX

(J) “COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE” - A BROAD SET OF
HEALTH CARE PRACTICES THAT ARE NOT PART OF THE
COUNTRY’S OWN TRADITIONAL OR CONVENTIONAL
MEDICINE AND ARE NOT FULLY INTEGRATED INTO THE
DOMINANT HEALTH CARE SYSTEM. IT SHALL BE USED
INTERCHANGEABLY WITH THE TERMS “ALTERNATIVE
MEDICINE”.

“TRADITIONAL AND COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE
(T&CM)" - MERGES THE TERMS TRADITIONAL MEDICINE

(K)


SECTION 3. Section 6 of Republic Act No. 8423, is hereby amended by
inserting additional powers and functions and the same are hereby renumbered

AND COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE, ENCOMPASSING
PRACTICES, PRACTITIONERS, AND PRODUCTS.”

accordingly:

“Section 6. Powers and Functions. - In furtherance of its purposes and
objectives, the Institute shall have the following powers and functions:

Xxx

@

0

(k)

0)

(m)

To formulate, ESTABLISH, AND PRESCRIBE RULES,
REGULATIONS, code of ethics, REQUIREMENTS, and
standards for the practice of traditional and alternative health care
modalities [for—approval—and— i i

: ies]. FOR THIS PURPOSE,
THE INSTITUTE SHALL BE VESTED WITH QUASI-JUDICIAL
POWER;

TO INSPECT AND MONITOR ALL T&CM FACILITIES TO
ENSURE THEIR CONTINUED COMPLIANCE WITH THE
RULES AND REGULATIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS.
ACT AND TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE
CORRECTION OF DEFICIENCIES FOUND DURING
INSPECTION AND MONITORING;

TO PROMULGATE AND IMPLEMENT RULES AND
REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE LICENSURE OF T&CM
PRACTICES AND OPERATION OF T&CM FACILITIES AND
TO PERIODICALLY REVIEW AND AMEND THE SAME,
SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE BOARD OF
TRUSTEES AND IN CONSULTATION WITH THE SECTORS
CONCERNED;

TO GRANT LICENSES FOR THE PRACTICE OF T&CM
MODALITIES AND FOR THE OPERATION AND
MAINTENANCE OF T&CM FACILITIES, AND TO SUSPEND
OR REVOKE THE SAME IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT;

TO PRESCRIBE THE NECESSARY GUIDELINES, CRITERIA,
PRODUCT STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS TO BE
COMPLIED WITH IN THE REGISTRATION OF T&CM
PRODUCTS;


(n) TO ASSUME PRIMARY AUTHORITY TO INSPECT, COLLECT
AND ANALYZE SAMPLES OF ALL T&CM PRODUCTS
COVERED BY THIS ACT;

(0) TO ISSUE CERTIFICATES OF COMPLIANCE OR GRANTS OF
AUTHORITY TO MANUFACTURERS, IMPORTERS,
EXPORTERS, DISTRIBUTORS, WHOLESALERS, AND
OTHER ESTABLISHMENTS AND FACILITIES OF T&CM
PRODUCTS AFTER SPOT-CHECK AND/OR AFTER THEIR
DUE COMPLIANCE WITH TECHNICAL AND REGULATORY
REQUIREMENTS. THESE CERTIFICATES OR GRANTS
SHALL SERVE AS LICENSES OF THE COVERED ENTITIES
TO OPERATE AND/OR TO CONTINUE OPERATING.

[)] (P) To formulate standards and guidelines for the manufacture,
marketing and quality control of different traditional and
alternative health care materials and products for approval and
adoption by the [Bureau-of Food-and Drugs] FOOD AND DRUG
ADMINISTRATION (FDA);

[49] (Q) To coordinate with other institutions and agencies involved in
the research on herbal medicines;

1] (R) To adopt and use a corporate seal;
[(en)] (S) To sue and be sued in its corporate name;
[¢2)] (1) To succeed by its corporate name;

[4e}] (U) To adopt its bylaws and promulgate such rules and regulations
as may be necessary or proper to implement this Act, and to amend
or repeal the same from time to time;

[@)] (V) To enter into, make and execute contracts and agreements of
any kind or nature;

[f@)] (W) To borrow, raise or obtain funds, or to enter into any financial
or credit arrangement in order to support or carry out its research
programs, finance its capital and operating expenses, subject to
pertinent laws governing public debts and expenditure;

[@)] (X) To invest in, purchase or otherwise acquire, own, hold, use,
mortgage, pledge, encumber, sell, assign, convey, exchange, or
otherwise deal in real and/or personal properties of whatever kind
and nature, or any interest therein, including shares of stock,
bonds, notes, securities and other evidence of indebtedness of


UREN

natural or juridical persons, whether domestic or foreign and
whether government or private;

[6)] (X) To exercise all the powers of a corporation under the General
Corporation Law, insofar as such powers are not in violation of the
provisions of this Act; and

[9] (Z) To exercise such other powers and functions and perform other
acts as may be necessary, proper or incidental to the attainment of
its purposes and objectives.”

SECTION 4. Section 8(d) of Republic Act No. 8423 is hereby deleted and the
succeeding portions of Section 8 are hereby renumbered accordingly.

SECTION 5. Section 9 of Republic Act No. 8423 is hereby amended to read as
follows:

“Section 9. Director General and Other Officers - The Institute shall be
headed by a Director General who shall be appointed by the President
of the Philippines upon recommendation of the Secretary of Health.
The Director General shall have a term of six (6) years AND SHALL
ENJOY THE BENEFITS, PRIVILEGES, AND EMOLUMENTS
EQUIVALENT TO THE RANK OF UNDERSECRETARY.

AS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE INSTITUTE, THE
DIRECTOR GENERAL SHALL EXERCISE GENERAL
SUPERVISION AND CONTROL OVER THE OPERATIONS OF
THE INSTITUTE SAVE THOSE AFFAIRS THAT ARE
EXCLUSIVELY WITHIN THE FUNCTIONS OF THE BOARD.

The Director General shall be assisted by such Deputy Director
General(s) [and-program-managers/ coordinators as the Beard-may
determine to carry-out-the_purpeses_and_objectives_of this vet}
WHOSE TERM SHALL BE DETERMINED BY THE BOARD. THE
DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL(S) SHALL BE CAREER
OFFICIAL(S) AND SHALL ENJOY THE BENEFITS, PRIVILEGES,
AND EMOLUMENTS EQUIVALENT TO THE RANK OF AN
ASSISTANT SECRETARY.

THE DIRECTOR GENERAL SHALL LIKEWISE BE
ASSISTED BY DEPARTMENT MANAGERS/ COORDINATORS
AND SUCH OTHER OFFICERS AS THE BOARD MAY
DETERMINE TO CARRY OUT THE PURPOSES AND
OBJECTIVES OF THIS ACT.”

SECTION 6. A new subsection under Section 10 of Republic Act No. 8423 is
hereby added and such section shall thus be amended to read as follows:


"Section 10. Powers, Functions and Duties of the Director General. - The
Director General shall have the following powers, functions and
duties:

Xxx

(G) TO APPOINT, TRANSFER, PROMOTE, SUSPEND, REMOVE
OR OTHERWISE DISCIPLINE ANY SUBORDINATE OFFICER
OR EMPLOYEE OF THE INSTITUTE.”

SECTION 7. New provisions are hereby introduced to be inserted after
Section 15 of Republic Act No. 8423 and these new provisions shall be read as follows:

“SECTION 16. SPECIAL RULES AND EXEMPTIONS -
RECOGNIZING THE UNIQUE MANNER OF OBTAINING THE
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS OF TRADITIONAL MEDICINE, IT
BEING HANDED DOWN FROM ONE GENERATION TO
ANOTHER WITHOUT THE INFLUENCE OF FORMAL
EDUCATION OR TRAINING, PHILIPPINE TRADITIONAL
HEALERS BELONGING TO THIS CATEGORY SHALL BE EXEMPT
FROM THE STANDARD EXAMINATION REQUIRED BY THIS
ACT. NONETHELESS, THEY ARE STILL MANDATED TO
ACQUIRE THE NECESSARY GRANT OF AUTHORITY IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE GUIDELINES TO BE PRESCRIBED BY
THE INSTITUTE. IT SHALL BE NECESSARY FOR PHILIPPINE
TRADITIONAL HEALERS TO ESTABLISH THE LENGTH OF TIME
FOR WHICH THEY HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO HAVE PRACTICED
TRADITIONAL MEDICINE AND PROVE THAT, IN THE COURSE
OF THEIR PRACTICE, NO RELATED COMPLAINT, WHETHER
REPORTED OR NOT, WAS MADE AGAINST THEM.

FURTHER, SHOULD SUCH PHILIPPINE TRADITIONAL
HEALERS OFFER, WHETHER FOR A FEE OR NOT, OR USE AS A
MODALITY HEALTH PRODUCTS, THEY MUST SEEK FOR THE
APPROVAL OF THE SAME.

SECTION 17. PROHIBITED ACTS - THE FOLLOWING
ACTS ARE HEREBY PROHIBITED :

A. WITH RESPECT TO T&CM MODALITIES:

() | THE PRACTICE OF ANY OF THE APPROVED
T&CM MODALITIES BY ANY PERSON OR
T&CM ‘FACILITIES WITHOUT = THE
APPROPRIATE LICENSE OR GRANT OF
AUTHORITY TO PRACTICE;


(2)

@)

@

6)

(6)

(8)

(9)

THE CONTINUOUS PRACTICE OF ANY OF THE
APPROVED T&CM MODALITIES BY ANY
PRACTITIONER OR T&CM FACILITIES WHOSE
ACCREDITATION OR GRANT OF AUTHORITY
HAS ALREADY EXPIRED OR HAS BEEN
CANCELLED OR REVOKED;

THE PRACTICE OF ANY UNAPPROVED T&CM
MODALITIES BY ANY PERSON, WHETHER
CERTIFIED OR NOT TO PRACTICE IN THE
PHILIPPINES;

THE MERE ACT OF INTRODUCING TO THE
PUBLIC BY ANY PERSON, CERTIFIED OR NOT,
OF A T&CM MODALITY THAT IS NOT
VALIDLY APPROVED BY THE INSTITUTE;

THE ACT OF A CERTIFIED PRACTITIONER OF
ALLOWING A PERSON TO COMMIT AN
UNAUTHORIZED PRACTICE OF T&CM
WHETHER IT BE UNDER THE DIRECT OR
INDIRECT SUPERVISION OF THE CERTIFIED
PRACTITIONER;

THE ACT OF ASSISTING OR PERFORMING IN
AN UNAUTHORIZED PRACTICE OF T&CM,
WHETHER FOR PROFIT OR NOT;

THE ACT OF USING T&CM SERVICES TO
CAUSE INJURY, ILLNESS OR DEATH TO A
CONSUMER/ CUSTOMER;

OFFERING T&CM PROGRAMS AND
‘TRAININGS OR RENDERING T&CM SERVICES
BY SCHOOLS OR TRAINING CENTERS
WITHOUT THE APPROPRIATE LICENSE OR
AUTHORITY FROM THE INSTITUTE;

RENDERING T&CM SERVICES BY
ACCREDITED SCHOOLS OR TRAINING
CENTERS THAT ARE BEYOND THE SCOPE OF
THEIR APPROVED PROGRAMS AND
TRAININGS;


(10)

THE ACT OF INTENTIONALLY COMMITTING
FRAUD AND MISREPRESENTATION OR USE
OF FALSIFIED OR FORGED DOCUMENTS IN
OBTAINING THE NECESSARY APPROVAL OR
CERTIFICATE OR GRANT OF AUTHORITY
FROM THE INSTITUTE;

B. WITH RESPECT TO T&CM PRODUCTS:

(1)

2)

8)

(a)

6)

(6)

THE MANUFACTURE, IMPORTATION,
EXPORTATION, SALE, OFFERING FOR SALE,
DISTRIBUTION, TRANSFER, USE,
PROMOTION, ADVERTISING, OR
SPONSORSHIP OF ANY T&CM PRODUCT
THAT IS ADULTERATED, UNAPPROVED,
UNREGISTERED OR MISBRANDED;

THE ADULTERATION OR MISBRANDING OF
ANY T&CM PRODUCT;

FORGING, COUNTERFEITING, SIMULATING,
OR FALSELY REPRESENTING OR, WITHOUT
PROPER AUTHORITY, USING ANY MARK,
STAMP, TAG, LABEL, OR OTHER
IDENTIFICATION DEVICE AUTHORIZED OR
REQUIRED BY REGULATIONS
PROMULGATED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF
THIS ACT;

THE USE, ON THE LABELING OF ANY T&CM
PRODUCT OR IN ANY ADVERTISEMENT
RELATING TO THE SAME, OF ANY FALSE OR
MISLEADING REPRESENTATION OR
SUGGESTION WITH RESPECT TO THE
REGISTRATION OF SUCH PRODUCT;

THE SALE, OFFERING FOR SALE,
IMPORTATION, EXPORTATION,
DISTRIBUTION OR TRANSFER OF ANY T&CM
PRODUCT BEYOND ITS EXPIRATION OR
EXPIRY DATE, IF APPLICABLE;

THE ACT OF INTENTIONALLY COMMITTING
FRAUD AND MISREPRESENTATION OR USE
OF FALSIFIED OR FORGED DOCUMENTS IN
OBTAINING THE NECESSARY APPROVAL OR



CERTIFICATE OR GRANT OF AUTHORITY

I

2 FROM THE INSTITUTE AND THIS IS WITHOUT
3 PREJUDICE TO THE EXERCISE OF THE
4 INSTITUTE OF ITS POWER TO REVOKE OR
5 CANCEL CERTIFICATES, GRANTS OR
6 APPROVAL IT HAS ISSUED;

7

8 C. ANY OTHER ACT WHICH VIOLATES OR
9 UNDERMINES ANY OF THE EXPLICIT POWERS OF
10 OR WHICH TENDS TO IMPEDE THE INSTITUTE
W FROM EXERCISING ANY OF ITS FUNCTIONS
12 PROVIDED FOR IN THIS ACT.

SECTION 18. PENALTIES - ANY NATURAL OR
JURIDICAL PERSON FOUND IN VIOLATION OF THE
FOLLOWING PROHIBITED ACTS SHALL HAVE THE
FOLLOWING PENALTIES:

A. PROHIBITED ACTS UNDER SECTION 17 (A) AND (C)
- ANY PERSON WHO VIOLATES ANY OF THE
PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPHS (A) AND (C) OF
SECTION 17 HEREOF SHALL, UPON CONVICTION,
SUFFER THE PENALTY OF IMPRISONMENT
RANGING FROM ONE (1) YEAR BUT NOT MORE
THAN TEN (10) YEARS OR A FINE OF NOT LESS THAN
FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (P50,000.00) BUT NOT
MORE THAN FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS
(P500,000.00), OR BOTH, AT THE DISCRETION OF THE
COURT.

THE IMPOSITION OF PENALTIES UNDER THIS
SECTION SHALL BE WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO THE
ISSUANCE OF CEASE AND DESIST ORDERS OR TO
THE EXERCISE OF THE INSTITUTE OF ITS POWER TO
REVOKE OR CANCEL CERTIFICATES, APPROVALS
OR GRANTS IT HAS ISSUED AND/OR TO THE FILING
OF APPROPRIATE CIVIL OR CRIMINAL ACTION,
WHENEVER NECESSARY.

IN CASE, HOWEVER, OF ILLNESS, INJURY OR DEATH.
AS PROVIDED FOR UNDER PARAGRAPH (A)(7) OF
SECTION 17, THE INTENTIONAL USE OF T&CM
SERVICES SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE A SEPARATE
CRIME. RATHER, THE USE OR EMPLOYMENT OF
SUCH SERVICE SHALL SERVE AS AN



AGGRAVATING CIRCUMSTANCE TO QUALIFY THE
APPLICABLE CRIME/S AS PROVIDED FOR BY THE
REVISED PENAL CODE.

SHOULD THE OFFENSE BE COMMITTED BY A
JURIDICAL PERSON, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS, THE PRESIDENT, GENERAL
MANAGER, OR THE PARTNERS AND/OR THE
PERSONS DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE THEREFORE
SHALL BE PENALIZED.

SHOULD THE OFFENSE BE COMMITTED BY A
FOREIGN NATIONAL, HE/SHE SHALL, IN ADDITION
TO THE PENALTIES PRESCRIBED, BE DEPORTED
WITHOUT FURTHER PROCEEDINGS AFTER SERVICE
OF SENTENCE.

B. PROHIBITED ACTS UNDER SECTION 17 (B) - ANY
PERSON WHO VIOLATES ANY OF THE PROVISIONS
OF PARAGRAPH (B) OF SECTION 17 HEREOF SHALL,
UPON CONVICTION, SUFFER THE PENALTY OF
IMPRISONMENT RANGING FROM ONE (1) YEAR
BUT NOT MORE THAN TEN (10) YEARS OR A FINE OF
NOT LESS THAN FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS
(P50,000.00) BUT NOT MORE THAN FIVE HUNDRED
THOUSAND PESOS (P500,000.00), OR BOTH, AT THE
DISCRETION OF THE COURT: PROVIDED, THAT IF
THE OFFENDER IS A MANUFACTURER, IMPORTER
OR DISTRIBUTOR OF ANY T&CM PRODUCT, THE
PENALTY OF AT LEAST FIVE (5) YEARS
IMPRISONMENT BUT NOT MORE THAN TEN (10)
YEARS AND A FINE OF AT LEAST FIVE HUNDRED
THOUSAND PESOS (P500,000.00) BUT NOT MORE
THAN FIVE MILLION PESOS (P5,000,000.00) SHALL BE
IMPOSED: PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT AN
ADDITIONAL FINE OF ONE PERCENT (1%) OF THE
ECONOMIC VALUE/COST OF THE VIOLATIVE
PRODUCT OR VIOLATION, OR ONE THOUSAND
PESOS (P1,000.00), WHICHEVER IS HIGHER, SHALL BE
IMPOSED FOR EACH DAY OF CONTINUING
VIOLATION.

SECTION 19. HUMAN RESOURCE - THE INSTITUTE

SHALL REVIEW ITS EXISTING ORGANIZATIONAL
STRUCTURE WITH ITS STAFFING PATTERN, POSITIONS,


AND TITLES. NEW OR ADDITIONAL POSITIONS, TITLES, OR
RANKS, SHALL BE CREATED IF THERE SHALL BE A NEED FOR
ADDITIONAL MANPOWER AS IDENTIFIED AND
DETERMINED BY THE DIRECTOR GENERAL AND APPROVED
BY THE BOARD.

SECTION 20. RETENTION OF INCOME - THE INSTITUTE
SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO RETAIN ALL OF ITS INCOME
DERIVED FROM THE OPERATIONS OF ITS HERBAL
PROCESSING PLANTS AND ITS OTHER INCOME
GENERATING SERVICES/ACTIVITIES. SUCH INCOME SHALL
BE UTILIZED TO AUGMENT THE NEEDED MAINTENANCE
AND OPERATING EXPENSES, CAPITAL OUTLAYS,
UPGRADING AND MODERNIZATION OF THE INSTITUTE.”

SECTION 8. The succeeding, sections of Republic Act No. 8423 are hereby
renumbered accordingly.

SECTION 9. Appropriations - The amount necessary for the initial
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current appropriations of the
Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC). Thereafter,
the amount needed for the operations and maintenance of the PITAHC shall be
included in the General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations - Within ninety (90)
calendar days from the effectivity of this Act, the PITAHC in collaboration with the
concerned agencies and stakeholders, shall promulgate the rules and regulations to
effectively implement the provisions of this Act.

SECTION 11. Transitory Provision - Within three (3) years from the
effectivity of this Act, during the transformation of PITAHC into a regulatory body,
the FDA shall implement, in a hold-over capacity, the registration of T&CM products
until PITAHC is reconstituted and capacitated.

SECTION 12. Separability Clause - If any portion or provision of this Act is
declared unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder of this Act or any provision not
affected thereby, shall remain in force and effect.

SECTION 13. Repealing Clause ~ Chapter XIII of Presidential Decree No. 856,
otherwise known as the “Code of Sanitation of the Philippines,” is hereby repealed.
Any law, decree, issuance, order, letter of instruction, ordinances, rule and regulation
or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act,
are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.


whene

SECTION 14. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following
its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general
circulation.

Approved,