(EPRE,
(Seve
RECEIVED

Republic of the Philippines
pare 21 JUL a5

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO._$22

Introduced by Hon. Julienne L. Baronda

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Medical Technologists play a vital role in ensuring the proper diagnosis of patients by
performing clinical laboratory procedures which may confirm potentially dangerous level of
drugs or allergens, identify bacteria in blood or wound infections, or even discover the early
stage of known diseases like cancer, tumors, and the like. By providing more effective
treatment options and detecting diseases carlier, medical technologists could save and
improve the lives of patients and even our healthcare system.

The crucial role that medical technologists play deserves the recognition of our people.
However, beyond the usual news about the lack of doctors and nurses, the Philippines is also
in need of additional medical technologists, especially in the rural areas. This need was made
more manifest during the pandemic where medical technologists, from doctors and
nurses, were at the forefront of our fight for survival.

While we recognize the need for additional medical technologists, we must also recognize
that the practice of medical technology is an ever evolving one. The country needs to reassess
its policies in order to ensure that our medical technologists are protected while likewise
ensuring that they are at par with global standards.

The goal of having additional manpower comes with a big responsibility of making sure that
public health remains to be a priority. As such, this representation seeks the passage of this
‘Act with the following objectives in mind:

a) Standardize the practice of medical technology;

b) Provide standards for the examination and registration of medical technologists;
and,

©) Supervise, control, and regulate the practice of medical technology

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

Rep. Julienne “Jam” L. Baronda
District Representative


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO,_822

Introduced by Hon. Julienne L. Baronda

AN ACT REGULATING AND MODERNIZING THE PRACTICE OF
MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES,
REPEALING, FOR THIS PURPOSE, REPUBLIC ACT NOS. 5527 AND 6138 AND
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NOS. 498 AND 1534,

PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER RELATED PURPOSES

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

SECTION L. - Short Title. - This act shall be known as the "Philippine Medical Technology
Act of 2025."

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the importance of the Medical
Technology profession in nation building and development through the portals of healthcare,
education and research. Hence, it shall develop and nurture competent, virtuous, productive
and well-rounded medical technologists whose standard of practice and service shall be world
class.

Further, the State shall promote, regulate and protect the professional practice of
Medical Technology in the Philippines and shall ensure its continued growth and
development at par with international standards of practice.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean:

a. Accredited Medical Technology Training Laboratory - refers to a clinical laboratory duly
licensed by the Department of Health and accredited as a training laboratory for Medical
Technology Program by the Commission on Higher Education.

b. Accredited Professional Organization -refers to the national professional organization,
whose membership is voluntary, and recognized and accredited by the Professional
Regulation Commission.

c. Board — refers to the Professional Regulatory Board of Medical Technology under the
administrative supervision and control of the Professional Regulation Commission.


4. Career Progression and Specialization (CPS) - refers to the process of developing or
moving towards a more advanced state in a person's job, title, position, or profession; it
outlines the route one may follow in order to reach identified career development goals.

e. Commission ~ refers to the Professional Regulation Commission.

£ Continuing Professional Development (CPD) - refers to the inculeation of advanced
Knowledge, skills and ethical values in post-licensure specialized or in  inter-or
muitidisciplinary field of study for assimilation into professional practice, self-directed
research and/or lifelong learning.

g. Code of Ethics - refers to a set of guidelines, standards, and principles to promote
professional behavior that are value- and compliance-based and relates to integrity,
professionalism, and social responsibility, as prescribed and promulgated by the Board, in
Ponsultation with the duly accredited professional organization, with the approval of the
Professional Regulation Commission.

h. Medical Technology- refers to the healthcare profession that provides professional services
for the purpose of helping the physician in the diagnosis, treatment and management of
diseases, for public health surveillance, and for the promotion of health in general. The
profession provides laboratory investigations on biological and non-biological specimens
Which have impact on health, the results of which provide information to physicians or other
health professionals in relation to healthcare, research, forensics and other services related to
medical technology using emerging, converging or disrupting technologies, as may be
applied in the field and other related fields.

Medical ‘Technology may also provide laboratory investigations on animals for the purpose
of helping veterinarians in the care of animals.

i. Medical Laboratory Science - refers to the other name for Medical Technology.

j, Medical Technologist - refers to a holder of Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology
(BS in Medical Laboratory Science) or Bachelor of Science in Public Health, who is duly
licensed and registered with the Commission and is qualified to practice Medical
Technology.

k. Medical Laboratory Scientist - refers to the other name for Medical Technologist.

|. Phlebotomy - refers to drawing or collection of blood.

im. Recognized School of Medical Technology - refers to a school, college or university

‘which offers a Bachelor’s degree program in Medical Technology also known as Medical
Laboratory Science approved by the Commission on Higher Education.

n. Technical Panel for Medical Technology Education - refers to the Technical Panel for
Medical Technology Education organized under the Commission on Higher Education
(CHED).

SECTION 4. Areas and Scope of Practice of Medical Technology - A person is deemed to
be in the practice of medical technology within the meaning of this Act, if, for purposes of
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helping in the diagnosis, treatment and management of diseases, in public health surveillance,
and in the promotion of health in general, such person ,with or without a fee, salary,
‘compensation or reward, paid, given directly or indirectly:

a. Performs examinations of tissues, secretions and excretions of the human body
and other body fluids through electronic, chemical, microscopic, hematologic,
serologic, immunologic, nuclear, molecular, cytogenetic, _parasitologic.
bacteriologic, mycologic, virologic and other laboratory procedures and
techniques, either manual or automated;

b. Performs blood banking procedures and techniques for transfusion service;
c. Performs histopathologic and cytologic techniques;
4d. Performs phlebotomy, processing and preservation of specimens;

e. Teaches courses , trains and supervises students in educational institutions with
Medical Technology/ Medical Science programs; provided, that teaching of
courses for licensure examinations shall follow Section 11 of Republic Act
‘No.8981 , “PRC Modemization Act of 2000“;

£ Undertakes consultancy in clinical laboratory equipment planning and evaluation,
introduction and demonstration of new clinical laboratory methods, or
troubleshooting of laboratory tests and procedures where knowledge , skills and
experience as medical technologists are required;

g. Performs drug testing;

h. Performs research involving human beings, animals or non-biological materials
which requires the utilization of the knowledge and skills of a Medical
Technologist (Medical Laboratory Scientist);

i, Performs clinical laboratory quality control;

j. Performs preparation and standardization of reagents, standards, stains or others;
Provided, that such reagents, standards, stains or others are exclusively for the use
of their clinical laboratory;

k. Provides other services where knowledge, skills and experience of a medical
technologist are needed.

Provided, That any person who has passed the corresponding Board examination for the
practice of a profession already regulated by existing law, shall not be subject to the
provisions of paragraphs (g), (h) (i) and Gj) if the performance of such acts or services is
merely incidental to his profession.

‘The performance of any of the foregoing activities by a registered and licensed medical
technologist shall be without prejudice to all other applicable laws, rules and regulations.

The Professional Regulatory Board of Medical Technology, hereinafter created, subject to the

“Modemization Act of 2000", and in consultation with the accredited professional

organization (APO), may modify the above-enumerated acts, services, or activities, as the

heed arises, in order to conform to the latest trends and developments in the practice of the
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medical technology profession: Provided, That such modifications are consistent with the
enumeration above.

SECTION 5. Professional Regulatory Board of Medical Technology — ‘There is hereby
created a Professional Regulatory Board of Medical Technology under the Commission. The
Board shall be composed of a Chairperson and two (2) Members, all of whom are registered
medical technologists who have completed the Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology/
Medical Laboratory Science. The Chairperson and Members of the Boards shall be appointed
by the President of the Republic of the Philippines (“President”) upon recommendation of the
Commission and shall serve for a term of three (3) years. The Chairperson and the Members
of the Board shall hold such office until their successors shall have been appointed and duly
qualified.

For its recommendation, the Commission shall submit to the President a list containing three
(3) names from among a list of five (5) nominees for each position recommended by the duly
accredited professional organization of medical technologists for appointment of the
Chairperson or any Member of the Board prior to the expiration of the term of the
Chairperson or any Member of the Board.

In case of death, disability or removal for cause of the Chairperson or any Member of the
Board, his successor shall only serve the balance of his term.

SECTION 6. Qualifications of the Chairperson and Members of the Board. — No person
shall be appointed as Chairperson or as a Member of the Board unless he is a duly registered
medical technologist, a natural born Filipino citizen and a resident of the Philippines within
the last five years at the time of nomination, and ‘of good moral character. Provided, that the
Chairperson and Members of the Board must be members in good standing of the accredited
professional organization. Provided, further, that the Chairperson and the Members of the
Board must not be an officer or director of the accredited professional organization at the
time of their nomination.

‘The Chairperson must be at least forty (40) years of age, and must have at least fifteen (15)
years of professional experience as a medical technologist and must be holding a position as
Jnedical technologist in a continuous period of at least 5 years at the time of appointment. He
must be a holder of at least a health-related Masters degree, preferably a Masters in Medical
Technology.

The Members of the Board must be at least forty (40) years of age, must have at least ten (10)
years of professional experience as medical technologist and holding a position as Medical
Technologist in a continuous period of at least 5 years at the time of appointment and
preferably a holder of a health-related Masters degree.

‘The Chairperson and Members of the Board must not have any pecuniary interest, directly or
indirectly, in any school, college, university or institution conferring an academic degree
necessary for admission to the practice of medical technology or in any review center; neither
Shall he/she be a member of the faculty or of the administration thereof at the time of his/her
appointment to the Board; nor shall he/she be a member of the faculty/ administration in a
medical technology school and reviewer in a review center at the time of nomination.


SECTION 7.- Compensation and Allowances of the Board.-The Chairperson and cach
Member of the Board shall receive compensation and allowances equivalent to that being
received by the chairperson and members of the other professional regulatory boards under
the Commission as provided for in the General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 8.- Powers and Functions of the Board:

a. Administer and implement the provisions of this Act;
b. Regulate the profession in accordance with the professional regulatory law;

c. Determine and prepare the questions for the licensure examination for medical
technologists;

d. Administer oaths in connection with the administration of this Act;

e. Issue, suspend, revoke or reissue, reinstate certificates of registration and Special
‘Temporary Permits for the practice of medical technology and medical technician;

f. Look into conditions affecting the practice of medical technology in the
Philippines and, whenever necessary, adopt such a measure that may be deemed
proper for the maintenance of good ethics and standards in the practice of medical
technology;

g. Investigate cases arising from the violations of this Act, or of the rules and
regulations issued hereunder. For this purpose, the Board may issue subpoena and
subpoena duces tecum;

h. Draft such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions
under this Act;

i. Prescribe the qualifications and training of medical technologists with regard to
special fields of the profession and to supervise their special examination to be
conducted by the Commission;

Formulate and implement guidelines for a refresher course for use of applicant
who failed to pass the Board Examination for the third time;

k. Prescribe and promulgate the Code of Ethics and Code of Professional Standards
for the Practice of Medical Technology, in consultation with the APO;

|. Issue guidelines on the CPD, through the CPD Council, with the approval of the
Commission; and

m. Perform such other functions as may be prescribed by the Commission, in
accordance with existing laws.

SECTION 9 -Removal of Board Members.- Any member of the Board may, upon the
recommendation of the Commission after due process of law and investigation conducted by
the Commission, be suspended or removed by the President of the Philippines from office for
cause such as gross neglect of duty, incompetence, malpractice, crimes involving moral
turpitude, and manipulating of the licensure examination results, or disclosure of secret and


confidential information in the examination questions prior to the conduct of the said
examination.

SECTION 10 Licensure Examination.- Except as otherwise specifically allowed under the
provisions of this Act, all applicants for registration as medical technologists shall be
required to undergo a written examination which shall be given by the Board semi-annually
in such places as the Board may deem proper, subject to the approval of the Commission.

SECTION 11- Qualifications for Admission to the Licensure Examination. — An applicant
for the licensure examination for medical technologists sball establish to the satisfaction of
‘the Board, that:

(a) He/She is a citizen of the Philippines, or if he/she is a foreigner, must prove that
the country of which he/she is a subject or citizen thereof permits Filipino medical
technologists to practice within its territorial jurisdiction on the same basis as the
subjects or citizens of such country;

(b) He/She is a graduate of a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology/Medical
Laboratory Science from a CHED recognized school, college or university. A
graduate of Bachelor of Science in Public Health may be eligible if the completed
degree program is similar to the Policies, Standards and Guidelines for Medical
Technology Education as approved by CHED.

(c) He/She is of good moral character; and,

(d) He/She must not have been finally convicted of an offense involving moral
turpitude by a competent court.

SECTION 12- Scope of Examination for Medical Technology. ~ The scope of examination
for medical technology shall cover the following courses with their respective relative
weights:

Clinical Chemistry 20%
Microbiology & Parasitology 20%
Hematology 20%
Immunohematology (Blood Banking and Transfusion Service)

and Immunology & Serology 20%
Clinical Microscopy (Urinalysis and Other Body Fluids) 10%

Histopathologic, cytologic and cellular immunologic techniques,
Laboratory Management, Medical Technology Law, Related Laws,
and the Code of Ethics 10%

‘The general average of each examinee shall be computed according to the above-mentioned
relative weights of each course. The Board may change, add to or remove from the list of
above courses or weights as progress in the science of medical technology may require, after
consultation with the accredited professional organization and association of schools of
medical technology and upon approval of the Commission.

The schedule of courses for examination shall be prepared and submitted by the Board in a
manner prescribed by the Commission.


SECTION 13- Report of Rating. — The Board shall, after the date of completion of the
examination, report the result thereof for the approval of the Commission within such time
limit and guidelines that the Board and the Commission may set.

SECTION 14-. Ratings in the Examination. — In order to pass the examination for Medical
‘Technology, a candidate must obtain a general average of at least seventy-five percent (75%)
in the written test, with no rating below fifty percent (50%) in any of the major courses.
Provided, that the candidate has not failed in at least sixty percent (60%) of the courses
computed according to their relative weights.

After three (3) unsuccessful board examinations, completion of a refresher program as
prescribed by the Board shall be required before another examination can be taken.

SECTION 15. Oath. ~All successful examinees qualified for registration shall be required to
take an oath of profession before any member of the Board or any representative of the Board
as authorized by the Commission to administer oaths, prior to entering into the practice of
medical technology in the Philippines.

SECTION 16.- Issuance of Certificate of Registration. — Every applicant who has
satisfactorily passed the required examination for medical technologists shall be issued a
Certificate of Registration as such: 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
shall be signed by the Chairman and Members of the Board and by the Chairperson of the
Commission.

'A Professional Identification Card shall at least bear minimum information such as the
registration number, date of issuance and expiry date, duly signed by the Chairperson of the
‘Commission, Other information such as qualifications of the applicant may be included upon
the approval of the Commission. The Professional Identification Card shall be renewed
subject to requirements prescribed by the Board and the Commission.

‘The Board shall refuse to issue a Certificate of Registration to any person convicted by a
court of competent jurisdiction of any criminal offense involving moral turpitude, or who has
‘committed immorai, dishonorable or dishonest conduct, or is of unsound mind. In the event
of the Board’s refusal to issue a Certificate of Registration, it shall issue a written statement
to the applicant setting forth the reason for its action. The statement issued by the Board shall
be incorporated in its records.

SECTION-Fees.- The fees to be paid by each applicant for the issuance of a new Certificate
of Registration, replacement of a lost, destroyed or mutilated Certificate of Registration, or
issuance or replacement of the Professional Identification Card shall be in accordance with
the fees established by the Commission.

SECTION 18.- Revocation or Suspension of Certificates of Registration.- The revocation
or suspension of a Certificate of Registration may only be made after the completion of an
administrative proceeding conducted by the hearing committee composed of at least one (1)
Member of the Board and one (1) legal officer. Provided, that the existing rules of evidence
shall be observed during the administrative proceeding. Provided further, that the person
whose Certificate of Registration is sought to be revoked or suspended shall be entitled to be

8


represented by counsel, to have a speedy, impartial and public proceeding, to confront the
witnesses against him and to all other rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

The Board may, after giving proper notice and hearing to the party concerned, reprimand an
erring medical technologist, revoke or suspend his Certificate of Registration for violating
any provision of this Act, any rules or regulations issued pursuant to this Act or for
‘unprofessional and unethical conduct, incompetence or ignorance, malpractice or negligence
in the practice of medical technology.

No penalty of revocation shall be imposed unless there is a unanimous vote of all the three
members of the Board. The Board may, by majority vote, impose the penalty of reprimand or
suspension. Provided, that the suspension of the Certificate of Registration shall not exceed
two (2) years.

When the penalty of suspension or revocation is imposed by the Board, the medical
technologist shall be required to surrender his Certificate of Registration within fifteen (15)
days after the decision becomes final. Should the medical technologist fail to surrender his
certificate of registration within said period without valid reason, the Board may disqualify
him perpetually from the practice of medical technology. ‘The suspension shall run from the
date of such surrender.

SECTION 19. Appeal - The revocation or suspension of a Certificate of Registration made
by the hearing committee may be appealed primarily and exclusively to the Commission, ‘The
decision of the Commission may be elevated to the Court of Appeals in accordance with the
Rules of Court.

SECTION 20.-Reissuance or Reinstatement of a Revoked or Suspended Certificate of
Registration- The Board may reissue a revoked Certificate of Registration upon the
application of the medical technologist whose Certificate of Registration was revoked.
Provided, that the reissuance of a revoked Certificate of Registration may only be made for
proper and sufficient reasons, Provided, further, that no revoked Certificate of Registration
may be reissued within two (2) years from the date of its surrender.

‘A suspended Certificate of Registration shall be reinstated upon request of the medical
technologist after the expiration of the period of suspension.

The reissuance or reinstatement of the Certificate of Registration shall be without prejudice to
further actions by the Board for a violation of any provision of this Act, its implementing
rules or regulations or any condition imposed by the Board upon the medical technologist
during the period of revocation or suspension.

SECTION21. Roster of Medical Technologists. — A roster of Medical Technologists shall
be prepared annually by the Professional Registry Division. This roster shall contain the
name of each registered medical technologist; the date of registration or issuance of the
Certificate of Registration and other pertinent data, as approved by the Commission.

SECTION 22. Technical Panel for Medical Technology Education (TPMTE) or its
equivalent- The Technical Panel for Medical Technology Education under the Commission
‘on Higher Education shall be composed of the following members:

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a. A representative from the Board ;

b. The President of the accredited professional organization of medical technologists;
c. The President of the association of schools of medical technology;

d. Two representatives from clinical laboratory practice who are Chief Medical
technologists or at least holding a supervisory medical technologist position in a
tertiary clinical laboratory ; and

e. Two representatives from academe who are Medical technologists holding
positions with management responsibility in an institution with medical
technology/medical laboratory science program.

The Commission on Higher Education shall provide secretariat and other support services to
the TPMTE or its equivalent.

SECTION 23. Responsibilities of TPMTE or its equivalent. The TPMTE shall assist the
Commission on Higher Education in setting Policies, Standards and Guidelines for the
formal Medical Technology Programs, both undergraduate and post-graduate studies. It shall
serve as the Resource Persons for CHED.

SECTION 24. Medical Technology Education. — The Bachelor of Science in Medical
Technology (Medical Laboratory Science) program shall be at least four (4) years, as
stipulated in the Commission on Higher Education's Policies, Standards and Guidelines for
Medical Technology Education. Said program shall be composed of general education, core
and professional courses, and a satisfactory and duly approved internship program in CHED
accredited training laboratories.

SECTION 25.Accreditation of Schools of Medical Technology Education and of Training
Laboratories, - The Commission on Higher Education, shall approve schools of Medical
Technology and accredit licensed clinical laboratories for training of students in accordance
with the provisions of this Act. The laboratories shall show satisfactory evidence that they
possess qualified personnel and are properly equipped to carry out laboratory procedures
commonly required in the following fields: Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology &
Parasitology, Immunohematology (Blood Banking and Transfusion Service), Immunology &
Serology, Clinical Microscopy (Urinalysis &Other Body Fluids), and Histopathologic and
Cytologic techniques, and that the scope of activities of said laboratories offer sufficient
training in said laboratory procedures.

SECTION 26. Studies for Medical Technology Human Resource Management, - The
Board, in coordination with the accredited professional organization and appropriate
government and private agencies shall initiate, undertake and conduct studies on health,
human resources production, utilization or deployment and development

SECTION 27. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for Medical Technology. -
The Board shall formulate guidelines for the implementation of Continuing Professional
Development for Medical Technology as approved by the Commission to ensure
sustainability, accessibility and affordability. CPD shall provide, promote and facilitate
fifelong learning in the enhancement of competence and competencies towards delivery of
quality, safe, updated, and ethical services, both locally and globally. It shall also support
Career Progression and Specialization Program for Medical Technology.

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SECTION 28. Salary. - In order to enhance the general welfare, commitment to service, and
professionalism of medical technologists, the minimum base pay upon entry of a medical
technologist in public or private shall not be lower than the amount equivalent to Salary
Grade 15

SECTION 29. Hazard Pay, Health and Safety and other Entitlements.Medical
technologists working in either public or private healthcare institutions shall be entitled to
25% of the minimum basic pay as hazard pay; a working environment compliant to
occupational safety and health standards, including provision of personal protective
equipment; and other non-wage benefits such as availment of health services, including
psychological and physical health services; and support for professional needs such as but not
Jimited to Continuing Professional Development and Career Progression and Specialization

SECTION 30. Career Progression and Specialization (CPS). ~ The Board shall formulate a
Career Progression and Specialization Program for Medical Technology as approved by the
Commission.

SECTION 31. Foreign Reciprocity — No foreigner shall be admitted to an examination, be
given a Certificate of Registration or be entitled to any of the rights or privileges under this
‘Act unless the country or state of which he is a subject or a citizen permits Filipino medical
technologists to practice within its territorial limits on the same basis as the subjects or
citizens of said country or state.

Section 32. Inhibition Against the Practice of Medical Technology — No person shall
practice or offer to practice medical technology as defined in this Act without having
previously obtained a valid certificate of registration from the Board provided that
registration shall not be required of the following:

a. Duly registered physicians

b. Medical technologists from other countries called for specific consultation or as
visiting or exchange professors to colleges or universities or medical missions who
may be issued Special Temporary Permits (STPs): Provided, that their practice of
medical technology within the country is limited to their performance of the said
function and subject to other conditions as may be prescribed by the Board and the
Commission.

PENAL PPROVISIONS

SECTION 33. Penal Provisions. - The following shall be punished by a fine of not less than
fifty thousand pesos (50,000) nor more than one hundred thousand pesos (100,000) or
imprisonment for not less than six (6) months nor more than (2) years, or both, at the
discretion of the court: Any person who shall practice Medical Technology in the Philippines
without being registered in accordance with the provisions of this Act:

(a) Any medical technologist who shall knowingly make a fraudulent laboratory
report;

(b) Any person presenting or attempting to use as his own, the Certificate of
Registration of another;

1


(©) Any person who shall give any false or fraudulent evidence of any kind to the
Board or any member thereof in obtaining a Certificate of Registration as a
medical technologist;

(4) Any person who shall impersonate any registrant,

(&) Any person who shall attempt to use a revoked or suspended Certificate of
Registration;

(Any person who shall, in connection with his name or otherwise, assume, use or

advertise any title or description tending to convey the impression that he is a

medical technologist without holding a valid Certificate of Registration;

‘Any person or corporate body who shall allow non-registered medical

technologist under his employ to engage in the practice of medical technology or

recommend the appointment of anyone to the position of a medical technologist
while knowing that he is not registered as such; or

‘Any person or corporate body who shall violate any provision of this Act or any

rules or regulations issued pursuant to this Act.

@

(h)

FINAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 34. Enforcement of this Act. - It shall be the primary duty of the Commission
and Board to effectively implement the provisions of this Act. Any law enforcement agency
and officers, employees and agents of national, provincial, city or municipal governments
shall, upon the call or request of the Commission or the Board, render assistance in enforcing
the provisions of this Act and, to prosecute any person violating the same.

SECTION 35. Funds. — The Chairperson of the Commission shall include in the
Commission’s program the funding requirements for the implementation of this Act.
Thereafter, the amount necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be
included in the General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 36. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days after the
effectivity of this Act, the Board and the Commission, in coordination with the accredited
professional organization, the Department of Health, the Department of Budget and
Management and other concerned agencies, shall formulate such rules and regulations
necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. The implementing rules and regulations
shall be published in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.

SECTION 37.Transitory Provisions. — Upon the effectivity of this Act:

(a) The Board shall discontinue the registration of medical laboratory technicians as
provided for in Section 21 of Republic Act No. 5527. Provided, that medical
laboratory technicians registered under Republic Act No. 5527 shall maintain their
status as registered medical laboratory technician after this Act has taken effect.
Provided, further, that a registered medical technologist occupying the position of a
medical laboratory technician shall be accorded an appropriate position and be
reclassified as a medical technologist.

(b) The incumbent Chairperson and Members of the Board shall continue to serve until
the first Board constituted under the provisions of this Act shall have been appointed
and duly qualified.

12


SECTION 38. Separability Clause-~ Should any provision herein be declared
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity of the other provisions of this Act.

SECTION 39. Repealing Clause. — Republic Act Nos. 5527 and 6138, Presidential Decree
Nos. 498 and 1534 are hereby repealed.

SECTION 40. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation and the Official Gazette.

Approved.

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