REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

«4749

House Bill No.

~ introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. GARY C. ALEJANO

PLANATORY NOTE

Speech Language Pathology is a profession devoted to study and help the children and
adults who may have difficulty with communication, speech, and language or swallowing

disorder diseases.

This bill seeks so promote the development of the profession of speech pathology and
increase the competence of speech pathologists by institutionalizing preventive
regulatory measures, programs and activities that will foster their continuing professional

growth,

In view of the forgoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought.



RRPUREIC OF PHILP IN
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
erent

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

ye 4749

House Bill No.

~ Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON, GARY C. ALEJANO

AN ACT
HE PRACTICE OF SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY IN
‘THE PHILIPPINES, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

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

ARTICLE I
TITLE AND DEFINITION OF TERMS

SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “Speech Language
Pathology Act of 2017”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. The State recognizes the important role of speech
language pathologists in nation building and promotes the sustained development of a
reservoir of speech language pathologists whose competence have been determined by
honest and credible licensure examinations whose standards of professional practice and
service are world-class and internationally-recognized, globally competitive through
preventive regulatory measures, programs, and activities that foster their continuing,
professional growth

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

a) “Speech Language Pathology” shall mean an allied health profession devoted
to the evaluation, diagnosis, management and prevention of human
communication disorder.

b) “Specch Language Pathologist” shall mean a person who is registered and
licensed to practice speech language pathology and who holds a valid certificate
of registration/professional license and professional identification card issued by
the Professional Regulation Commission under the provisions of this Act.

c) “Communication Disorder” shall mean impairment in the ability to (1) receive
and/or process symbol systems; (2) represents concepts in systems; (3) transmit

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and use symbol systems. The impairment may be observed in the disorders of
hearing, language and/or speech processes.

d) “Evaluation” shall mean the global appraisal of the significance and
implications of a diagnostic assessment that shall include formal and informal
assessment.

(©) “Diagnosis” shall mean the act of identifying a human communication or
swallowing abnormality or disorder by analyzing the symptoms presented. It may
also include a study of the origin and development of the symptoms.

(f) “Language” is any socially and culturally accepted, structured, symboli

system for interpersonal communication composed of sounds, letters, manual sign
or other symbols arranged in ordered sequences or strings that express thoughts,
intentions, experiences and feelings comprised of orthographic, phonological,
syntactical, semantic and pragmatic components.

(@) “Speech” shall mean the medium of oral communication that employs a
linguistic code (language); through this medium, one can express thoughts and
feelings and understand those of others who employ the same code.

ARTICLE I
THE PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF SPEECH
PATHOLOGY

SEC. 4. Creation and Composition of the Board. Within ninety days after the
effectivity of this Act, there shall be created the Professional Regulatory Board of Speech
Language Pathology, hereinafter referred to as the Board under the administrative control
and supervision of the Professional Regulation Commission, hereinafter referred to as the
Commission, to be composed of a Chairperson and two members who shall be appointed
by the President of the Philippines from the three (3) recommendees for each vacant
position chosen from the five nominees of the integrated and accredited national
organization of speech language pathologist.

SEC. 5. Qualifications of the Members of the Board. - To be the Chairperson ot
a member of the Board, one must at the time of higher appointment be:

a) A natural born citizen of the Philippines and an actual resident thereof for at
least five (5) years before his/her appointment;

b) A duly registered and licensed allied health professional holding a valid
certificate of registration/professional license and professional identification card,
in active practice for the past five (5) years and a member in good standing of the

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accredited integrated national organization of speech language pathologists prior
to his/her appointment, except if appointed the first Chairperson/member;

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

d) Must not have pecuniary interest, directly or indirectly, in any school,
academy, college, university or institution conferring an academic degree
necessary for administration to the practice of speech language pathology or
where review classes in preparation for the licensure examination are being
offered or conducted, nor shall he/she be a member of the faculty or of the
administration thereof at the time of his/her appointment to the Board.

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

authority to:

a) Promulgate, administer and enforce rules and regulations necessary for
carrying out the provisions of this A

b) Administer oaths in connection with the administration of this Act:

©) Supervise and regulate the registration, licensure and practice of speech
Janguage pathology in the Philippines;

4) Adopt an official seal of the Board;

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

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

2) _ Ensure, in coordination with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED),
that all educational institutions offering speech language pathology
education comply with the policies, standards and requirements of the
course prescribed by the CHED in the areas of curriculum, faculty, library
and facilities;

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

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


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

k) In consultation with the duly accredited organization of speech language
pathologist and the duly recognized association of schools conferring a
Bachelor’s or other entry level degree in Speech Language Pathology,
prescribe the area of competence to be included in the computerized
licensure examination and their relative weights, determined the syllabi of
the subjects, construct the test questions in licensure examination, score and
rate examination papers;

1) Hear or investigate any violations of this Act, its implementing rules and
regulations and the Code of Ethies for speech language pathologists, and for
this purpose, to issue subpoena duces tecum and/or ad testificandum to
secure the appearance of the witnesses and the production of documents in
connection therewith: Provided, that the decision of the Board shall, unless
appealed to the Commission, become final and executory after fifteen (15)
days from receipt of the judgment or decision;

m) Adopt a program for the full computerization of the licensure examination;

1n) Grant registration without examination subject to the approval by the
Commission;

0) Issue and/or cancel special permits to persons admitted to the practice of
speech language pathology for a specific duration of time, and certificates of
recognition for advanced studies, researches and accomplishments that
contribute to the enrichment of the profession; and

p) Perform such other powers and functions as it may deem necessary to carry
out the objectives of this Act.

The policies, resolutions, rules and regulations issued or promulgated by the
Board shall be subject to the review and approval of the Commission.

SEC. 7. Term of Office. - The Chairperson and members of the Board shall hold
office for three (3) years after appointment or until their successors shall have been
appointed and duly qualified; Provided, that members of the first Board to be appointed
after the approval of this Act shall hold office for the following terms: Chairperson for
three (3) years, one member for two (2) years, and the other member for one (1) years:
Provided, further, that the Chairperson or any member may be re-appointed for another
term of three (3) years but in no case shall he/she serve continuously for more than six (6)
years, Vacancy in the Board shall be filled for the unexpired term only. Each member of
the Board shall automatically be registered as speech language pathologists and issued

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

SEC. 8. Compensation of the Members of the Professional Regulatory Boards. -
The chairperson and members of the Board shall receive compensation and allowances
comparable to that being received by the Chairpersons and members of existing
regulatory boards under the Commission as provided for in the annual General
Appropriations Act.

SEC. 9, Suspension and/or Removal of Board Members. ~ Any member of the
Board may be suspended or removed from office for gross neglect of duty, incompetence,
malpractice, unprofessionalism, immorality, unethical or dishonorable conduct, final
judgment of crimes involving moral turpitude, and manipulation or rigging of the
licensure examination results, disclosure of secret and confidential information in the
examination questions prior to the conduct of the said examination or tampering of
grades.

The administrative proceedings shall be heard by the Commission, whose
recommendation shall be submitted to the Office of the President, During the
investigation, the respondent shall be placed under preventive suspension by the
Commission and another designated éo fill the temporary vacancy in the Board.

SEC. 10, Supervision of the Board, Custodian of its Records, Secretariat and
Support Services. - The Board shall be under the administrative supervision of the
Commission. All records of the Board, including applications for examination, and
administrative and other investigative cases conducted by the Board shall be under the
custody of the Commission.

‘The Commission shall designate the secretary of the Board and shall provide the
secretariat and other support services to implement the provision of this Act.

SEC. 11. Annual Report. - The Board shall submit an annual report to the
Commission after the close of each calendar year, giving a detailed account of the
proceedings of the Board during the year and recommending measures to be adopted,
with the end in view of upgrading and improving the conditions affecting the practice of
speech language pathology in the Philippines.


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ARTICLE I
LICENSURE EXAMINATION AND REGISTRATION

SEC. 12. Examination Required. - All applicants for registration for the practice
of speech language pathology shall be required to undergo a licensure examination to be
given by the Board in such places and dates as the Commission may designate subject to
compliance with the requirements prescribed by the Commission.

SEC. 13. Qualification for Examination. - In order to be allowed to take part in
the licensure examination, an applicant must, at the time of filing of higher application,
establish to the satisfaction of the Board that he/she has met the following qualifications:

a) A Filipino citizen or a foreign citizen whose state/country has reciprocity
agreement with the Philippines in the practice of speech language pathology;

b) Good moral character;
4d) Has not been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude; and
©) A graduate of a Bachelor’s degree in speech language pathology from a duly

recognized school, college or university in the Philippines or abroad and
recognized/aceredited by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

SEC. 14. Scope of Examination. - The subje
Speech Language Pathologists shall cover the followit

s in the licensure examination for

a) Anatomy and physiology of the speech and hearing mechanism
b) Neurological bases of speech and hearing disorders

©) Articulation and phonological disorders

d) Hearing impairment and aural habilitation

) Language and cognitive communication disorders

) Fluency disorders

g) Voice disorders

fh) Cleft Lip and Palate and Craniofacial Conditions

i) Dysphagia

j) Medical and neurological disorders that may cause communication and
swallowing disorders

k) Normal development and function of speech, language, hearing and
swallowing

1) Principles of assessment and intervention for speech, language, hearing and/or
swallowing conditions



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‘The Board may recluster, rearrange, modify, add or exclude any subject or change
the percentage or weight given to said subjects, as the need arises so as to conform to
technological changes.

SEC. 15, Registration Without Examination as Speech Language Pathologist. —
‘A person who possesses the pertinent qualifications required for admission in the
examination for registration as a speech language pathologist pursuant to the provisions
of this Act may be registered without examination, Provided, That the applicant files
with the Board within six (6) months after the effectivity of the Implementing Rules and
Regulations, an application for registration and issuance of a certificate of
registration/professional license and professional identification card by submitting
credentials showing that the applicant before the effectivity of this Act is a bachelor’s
degree holder of speech language pathology from a college or university accredited by
the CHED. Provided, further, that the applicant is a member of the Accredited Integrated
Professional Orzanization of speech language pathologists

SEC. 16. Ratings in the Examination. - To be qualified as having passed the
sure examination for speech language pathologists, a candidate must have obtained a
weighted general average of seventy-five (75%), with no grade lower than fifty (50%) in
any given subject. A candidate who obtained grade/s below fifty percent (50%) must take
the examination in the subject or subjects where he/she obtained a grade below fifty
percent (50%) within two (2) years from the date of his/her last examination. The topic or
subjects retaken must have each a rating of no less than seventy-five percent (75%) in
order to qualify as having passed the examination.

SEC. 17. Report Ratings. - The Board shall submit to the Commission the ratings
obtained by each candidate within ten (10) calendar days after the examination unless
extended for just cause.

SEC. 18. Oath of Speech Language Pathologist. - All successful examinees
qualified for registration and all qualified applicants for registration without examination
shall be required to take an oath of profession before any member of the Board or any
authorized officer of the Commission to administer oaths, prior to entering into the
practice of speech language pathology in the Philippines.

SEC. 19. Issuance of Certificate of Registration/Professional License and
Professional Identification Card. - A certificate of registration/professional license and
professional identification card shall be issued to all successfull examinees and registrants
either with or without examination upon compliance with all the legal requirements
including payment of fees prescribed by the Commission. The certificate of
registration/professional license shall bear the signature of the Chairperson of the
Commission and the Chairperson and members of the Board, indicating that the person
named therein is entitled to the practice of the profession with all the privileges
appurtenant thereto, The said certificate shall remain in full force and effect until
withdrawn, suspended or revoked in accordance with this Act.


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A professional identification card bearing the registration number, date of
issuance, expiry date, duly signed by the chairperson of the Commission, shall likewise
be issued to every registrant who has paid the prescribed fee.

SEC. 20. Indication of Certificate of Registration/Professional Tax Receipt. -
The speech language pathologist shall be required to indicate his/her certificate of
registration/professional license number and date of issuance, including the professional
tax receipt number on the documents he/she signs, uses or issues in connection with the
practice of his/her profession.

SEC. 21. Refusal to Register. - The Board shall refuse to register and shall not
issue a certificate of registration/professional license and professional identification card
to any person convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction or a criminal offense
involving moral turpitude or guilty of immoral or dishonorable conduct or to any person
of unsound mind, In the event of refusal to issue the certificate for any reason, the Board
shall give the applicant a written statement setting forth the reason for such action, which
statement shall be incorporated in the record of the
Board.

SEC. 22. Revocation or Suspension of the Certificate of
Registration/Professional License and Professional Identification Card and
Cancellation of Special Permit. - The Board may, after giving proper notice of hearing to
the party concemed, revoke the practitioner’s certificate of registration/professional
license or suspend him/her from the practice of his/her profession or cancel his/her permit
for any of the causes or grounds mentioned in Section 21 of this Act or for any
unprofessional or unethical conduct, malpractice, violation of any of the provisions of
this Act, its rules and regulations, the Code of Ethics and the Standards for speech
language pathologists.

SEC. 23. Reinstatement, Re-issuance or Replacement of Certificate of
Registration/Professional License. - A person may apply to the Board for reinstatement
of a certificate of registration/professional license at any time after two (2) years from the
date of revocation of said certificate. The application shall be in writing and shall
conform with the requirements as provided by the Board. No certificate/license shall be
reinstated unless the Board is satisfied that a good cause exists to warrant such
reinstatement.

SEC. 24. Roster of Speech Language Pathologist. - The Board shall prepare,
update and maintain a roster of speech language pathologist in coordination with the
integrated and accredited professional organization, which shall contain the name of each
registration andl issuance of certificates, and other data which the Board may deem
pertinent. The roster shall be open to the public, copies of which shall be mailed to each
person listed therein.



SEC. 25. Issuance of Special/Temporary Permit. ~ Special/Temporary permit
may be issued by the Board subject to the approval by the Commission and payment of
the fees the latter has prescribed and charged thereof to the following persons:

a) a foreign speech language pathologist called for consultation for a specific
purpose which, in the judgment of the Board, is essential for the growth of the
profession: Provided, however, that his/her activities shall be limited only to the
particular work, for which he/she is being engaged; Provided, further, that he/she
is qualified to practice his/her profession in his/her state or country. Provided,
finally, that there is no Filipino speech language pathologist qualified for such
consultation or specific purpose;

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

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

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

ARTICLE IV
PRACTICE OF SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY

SEC. 26. Scope of the Practice of Speech Language Pathology. - The Scope of
the Practice of Speech Language Pathology shall embrace, but shall not be limited to the
performance, in collaboration with other professionals, families and the community of
any of the following:

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

b) Screen, identify, assess, diagnose, manage and prevent disorders of oral-
pharyngeal functions such as, but not limited to dysphagia and related disorders;

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


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

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

) Plan, teach and cary out home programs and training for patients and their
families;

g) Plan, conduct and evaluate teaching-learning activities for students of s
language pathology and other related courses; for other health prot
patients and their families;

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

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

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

k) Teaching, lecturing and reviewing subjects given in the licensure examination.

SEC. 27. Prohibition on the Practice of Speech Language Pathology. - No
person shall practice or offer to practice speech language pathology in the Philippines or
offer himself/herself as speech language pathologist, or use the title, word, letter figure,
ora sign tending to convey the impression that he/she is a speech language pathologist, or
advertise or indicate in any manner whatsoever that he/she is qualified to perform the
work of a speech language pathologist unless he/she has satisfactorily passed the
licensure examination given by the Board, except as otherwise provided in this Act, and
is a holder of a valid certificate of registration/professional license and professional
identification card or a valid temporary/special permit duly issued to him/her by the
Board and the Commission.

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

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

b) Practice his
practice thereof;

‘her profession during the period of his/her suspension from the

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©) Allow an unqualified person to advertise or to practice the profession by using
his/her certificate of registration/professional license or temporary/special permit;
and

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

SEC. 29. Code of Ethics and Code of Technical Standards for Speech
Language Pathologist. - The Board shall adopt and promulgate the Code of Ethics and
Code of Technical Standards for speech language pathologist prescribed and issued by
the Accredited and Integrated Professional Organization (AIPO) of speech language
pathologists.

SEC. 30. Continuing Professional Development (CPD). ~ All speech language
pathologists shall abide by the requirements, rules, and regulation on continuing
professional education to be promulgated by the PRC Regulatory Board, subject to the
approval of the Commission, in coordination with the AIPO for speech language
pathology and the representative of duly accredited education institutions. For this
purpose, the Board may create a CPD Council to implement the CPD program subject to
the guidelines as may be issued by the Commission.

SEC. 31. Integration of Speech Language Pathologist. ~ The speech language
pathology profession shall be integrated into one (1) national professional organization of
speech language pathologists which shall be duly registered with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC). The Board, subject to approval by the Commission, shall
accredit the said organization as the one and only Accredited and Integrated Professional
Organization (AIPO) of registered speech language pathologists. All speech language
pathologists whose names appear in the Registry Book of Speech Language Pathologists
shall ipso facto or automatically become members thereof and shall receive all the
benefits and privileges appurtenant thereto upon payment of AIPO membership fees and
dues.

Membership in the Accredited Integrated Professional Organization (AIPO) shall
not be a bar to membership in other organizations of speech language pathologists.

SEC. 32. Foreign Reciprocity. - No foreign speech language pathologist shall be
given a certificate of registration/professional license and professional identification card
or be entitled to any of the privileges under this Act unless the country of which the
foreign speech language pathologist is a subject or citizen specifically permits Filipino
speech language pathologists to practice within its territorial limits on the same basis as
the subjects or citizens of said country or state.

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ARTICLE V
FINAL PROVISIONS

SEC. 33. Funding Provision. - The Chairman of the Professional Regulation
Commission shall immediately include in the Commission's programs the
implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Acts and thereafter.

SEC. 34, Penal Provision. - Any person who shall violate any of the provisions
of this Act or any of its implementing rules and regulations as promulgated by the Board
subject to the approval of the Commission shall upon conviction, be punished by a fine of
not less than Twenty Thousand Pesos (20,000.00) nor more than Fifty Thousand Pesos
(P50,000.00) or by imprisonment of not less than two (2) years nor more than five (5)
years, or both, at the discretion of the court.

SEC. 35. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - To implement the provisions
of this Act, the Board, shall, subject to the approval of the Commission, promulgate the
rules and regulations and the Code of Ethics for speech language pathologists within
sixty (60) days after the constitution of the first Board.

SEC, 36. Separability Clause. - If any section or provision of this Act shall be
declared invalid or unconstitutional, such shall not invalidate any other section or
provision of this Act,

SEC, 37. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, issuances or parts
thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

SEC, 38. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days
following its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) major newspaper of national

circulation whichever comes earlier.

Approved,