Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City IS pare 08 jbl 05 &

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1617

INTRODUCED BY REP. MAXIMO JR. Y. DALOG

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to amend Republic Act 5680, entitled, “An Act Creating the Board
for Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists.”

For almost fifty years, Physical therapists and Occupational therapists have
been regulated and monitored under a common board, the Boards of Examiners for
Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists created through Republic Act 5680.

On March 11, 2019, Republic Act 11241 also known as “The Philippines
Occupational Therapy Law of 2018" was signed into law. This law recognized the fact
that Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy are two different professions with
their own professional associations namely, Philippine Physical Therapy Association
(PPTA) and Occupational Therapy Association of the Philippines, Inc. (OTAP), duly
accredited by the Professional Regulation Commission and duly registered with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. ' This resulted to the passage of said law
regulating the registration, licensure and practice occupational therapists only.
However, there was no separate bill filed to updated and regulate the registration,
licensure and practice of physical therapy, thus the need for the passage of this bill.

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

2 An Act Regulating the Registration, Licensure, and Practice of Occupational Therapy, Providing Funds
‘Therefor and for other Related Purposes, Senate Bill 454 (SB 454) Note, 17th Congressal Records (2016)


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS,
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 1617

INTRODUCED BY REP. MAXIMO JR. Y. DALOG

AN ACT REGULATING THE REGISTRATION, LICENSURE, AND PRACTICE OF
PHYSICAL THERAPY, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

ARTICLE 1
TITLE AND DEFINITION OF TERMS

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

Sec. 2. Statement of Policy. The State recognizes the importance of physical
therapist in nation building. Hence, it shall develop and nurture competent, productive,
and well-rounded physical therapists whose standards or practice and service shalll be
excellent, and globally competitive, resulting not only from their education and training
but through honest, effective, and credible licensure examinations, regulatory
measures, programs, and activities that foster their continuing professional growth.

Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. As used in this act:

a. Physical Therapy refers to a health profession concerned with
providing relevant services to individuals and populations to develop,
maintain, and restore maximum movement and functional ability
throughout the lifespan. Such services are provided in circumstances
where movement and function are threatened by aging, injury, pain,
diseases, disorders, conditions, or environmental factors, and with the
understanding that functional movement is central to what it means to
be healthy. Physical therapy is also known a physiotherapy in other parts
of the world.

b. Physical Therapists refers to a person who is a holder of a valid
tegistration and professional license issued by the Professional
Regulatory Board of Physical Therapy and the Professional Regulatory
Commission, and who is legally qualified to practice physical therapy in
the Philippines pursuant to this Act.


Sec. 4. Scope and Nature of the Practice of Physical Therapy. The practice
of physical therapy shall include identifying and maximizing the quality of life and
movement potential within the spheres of promotion, prevention, treatment,
intervention, habilitation, and rehabilitation. These spheres encompass physical,
psychological, emotional, and social wellbeing. Physical therapists are qualified and
professionally required to:

a. Undertake a comprehensive examination or assessment of patient or client
or needs of a client group;

b. Evaluate the findings from the examination or assessment to make clinical
judgements regarding patients or clients;

c. Formulate a physical therapy diagnosis, prognosis, and plan;

d. Provide consultation within their expertise and determine when patients or
clients need to be referred to another professional;

e. Implement a physical therapy intervention or treatment program;

f. Determine the outcomes of any interventions or treatments; and

g. Make recommendations for self-management.

Physical therapists are guided by the universal principles of ethics and
professional practice as expressed in their own code of ethics.

The scope of physical therapy is not limited to direct patient or client care, but
also includes: formulating and implementing responsive public health strategies;
advocating for patients’ or clients’ health; supervising and delegating to others:
leading; managing; teaching; researching and developing and implementing health
Policy at the local national, and international levels.

ARTICLE Il
THE PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF PHYSICAL THERAPY

Sec. 5. Creation and Composition of the Members of the Board. There is
hereby created a Professional Regulatory Board of Physical Therapy, hereafter
referred to as the Board, under the administrative supervision of the Professional
Regulation Commission hereinafter referred to as the Commission, composed of a
chairperson and four (4) members appointed by the President of the Philippines within
six (6) months form the enactment of this Act and upon the recommendation of the
Commission from among physical therapists recognized and nominated by the
accredited integrated professional organization (AIPO) of physical therapists,
academe and other professional organizations.

Sec. 6. Powers and Functions of the Members of the Board. The Board
shall have the following powers and functions:

a. Promulgate, administer, and enforce rules and regulations necessary for
carrying out the provisions of this Act;

b. Supervise and regulate the registration, licensure, and practice of physical
therapy in the Philippines;

c. Administer oaths in connections with the administration of this Act;


2

. Adopt an official seal of the Board;
Maintain a roster of physical therapists indicating therein the basic
information about the registered professionals;

f. Issue, reinstate, suspend or cancel the registration and license, or special
permits for the practice of physical therapy in the Philippines;

g. Study and monitor conditions affecting the practice of physical therapy and
adopt such measures a may be deemed necessary for the enhancement of
the profession and maintenance of high professional and ethical standards;

h. Work in partnership with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) or
its equivalent, to ensure that all educational institutions offering education
comply with the prescribed policies, standards, and guidelines;

i. Prescribe the Code of Ethics and Ethical Standards of Practice for physical
therapists as endorsed by the AIPO organization of physical therapists;

j. Hear or investigate any violations of this Act, its implementing rules and
regulations, code of ethics, and ethical standards of practice, and for this
purpose;

k. Issue subpoena duces tecum or subpoena ad testificandum, or both, to
ensure the appearance of witnesses and the productions of documents in
connection therewith: Provided, That the decision of the Board shall become
final and executory after fifteen (15) days from receipt of judgment or
decision unless appealed to the Commission;

|. Prescribe guidelines and criteria for the Continuing Professional
Development (CPD) program for physical therapists;

m. Prescribe the subjects in the licensure examination and table specifications,
determine the syllabi of the subjects and their relative weights, score, and
tate the examination papers, and submit the results to the Commission
within the period provided for in their rules;

n. Administer the examinations to applicants for the practice of physical
therapy in accordance with the provisions of this Act;

©. Adopt a program for the full computerization of the licensure examination;

p. Grant an application for registration without examination subject to the
approval of the Commission;

q. Issue special permits to persons admitted to the practice of physical therapy
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

r. Perform such other powers and functions as deemed necessary to carry out

the objectives of this Act.

®

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

Sec. 7. Qualifications of the Members of the Board. The members of the
Board shall, at the time of their appointment, possess the following qualifications:

a. Has resided in the Philippines for at least (5) years;
b. Is a duly registered physical therapists under this act, with a valid certificate
of registration and professional license;


c. Has engaged in the practice of physical therapy for at least ten (10) years,
with the last five (5) years as a continuous period immediately preceding the
appointment;

d. Has demonstrated an exemplary degree of competence and ethics in one
professional practice as a physical therapist;

e. Is amember of good standing of the AIPO of physical therapists, and not an
officers thereof;

f. Has no prior conviction by a competent court of an offense involving moral
turpitude; and

g. Has no direct or indirect pecuniary interest in any school, college, or
university or institution conferring an academic degree for admission to the
practice of physical therapy; or where review classes in preparation for
licensure examination are offered or conducted; nor be a member of faculty
or administration thereof.

Sec. 8. Term of Office. The Chairperson and Members of the Board shall hold
office for a term of three (3) years: Provided, That members of the first Board to be
appointed after the approval of this Act shall hold office for the following terms: the
Chairperson for three (3) years, two (2) Members for two (2) years and the other two
(2) Members for one (1) year: Provided, further, that a Chairperson or Member may
be appointed for a second term, but may not serve for more than two consecutive
three years term, or six (6) consecutive years. Interim vacancies shall be filled in for
the unexpired term only, or until their successors have been appointed and duly
qualified.

A successor to a member whose term of office has expired shall be appointed
for the full term of three (3) years from the date of expiration of the term of office from
which the predecessor was appointed.

Sec 9. Removal of the Members of the Board. 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 from office for a cause such as gross neglect of duty, incompetence,
malpractice, unprofessionalism, immorality, unethical or dishonorable conduct, final
judgment of crimes involving moral turpitude, and manipulating 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.

Sec. 10. Compensation and Allowances of the Members of the Board. 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. 11. Administrative Supervision of the Board, Custodian of 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, examination papers and results, minutes of deliberation, administrative
cases, and other investigations involving physical therapists, shall be kept by the


Commission. The Commission shall designate the Secretary of the Board and shall
provide the secretariat and other support services to implement the provisions of this
Act.

Sec. 12. Annual Report. The Board shall, at the close of each calendar year,
submit an annual report to the Commission, giving a detailed account of its
proceedings and accomplishments during the year and recommending measures to
be adopted, with the end in view of upgrading and improving conditions affecting the
practice of physical therapy in the Philippines.

ARTICLE Ill
LICENSURE EXAMINATION AND REGISTRATION

Sec. 13. Examination Required. All applicants for registration for the practice
of physical therapy 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 same.

Sec. 14. Qualifications for Examination. An applicant for the licensure
examination for physical therapists shall establish, to the satisfaction of the Board, that
the following qualifications are met:

a. A citizen of the Philippine or a foreigner whose country has a formal
reciprocity agreement with the Philippines;

b. Is of good moral character and has not been convicted of any crime
involving moral turpitude; and

c. Agraduate Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy degree or its equivalent
degree as determined by the Board from a school, college, or university in
the Philippines or abroad whose physical therapy program is recognized by
the CHED.

Sec. 15. Scope of Examination. The scope of examinations shall, after the
necessary stakeholder consultation, be determined by the Board, subject to the
approval of the Commission. The Board shall take into consideration the minimum
curriculum standards for physical therapy, the current scope of practice, and the latest
development in the profession, locally and globally, that affect the practice and delivery
of physical therapy services in the country.

Sec. 16. Ratings in the Examination. To be qualified as having passed the
licensure examination for physical therapists, a candidate must have obtained a
general average of seventy-five percent (75%), with no grade lower than sixty percent
(60%) in any of the examination subjects.

Sec. 17. Report of 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. Issuance of the Certificate of Registration, Professional License,
and Professional Identification Card. A certificate of registration and professional


identification card shall be issued to examinees who pass the licensure examination
for physical therapist subject to payment of fees prescribed by the Commission. The
certificate of registration shall bear the signature of the chairperson of the Commission
and the chairperson and members of the Board, stamped with the official seal of the
Commission and the Board respectively, indicating that the person named herein is
entitled to practice the physical therapy profession, with all the benefits and privileges
appurtenant thereto. The said certificate of registration shall remain in full force and
effect until withdrawn, suspended or revoked in accordance with this Act.

A professional identification card bearing the registration number, and dates of
issuances and expiry duly signed by the chairperson of the Commission, shall likewise
be issued to every registrant upon payment of the prescribed fees.

Sec. 19. Initials PTRP. The initials PTRP, which stands for Physical Therapist
Registered Philippines, shall be used following the name of the registered physical
therapist, especially when signing documents pertinent to the practice of the
profession.

Sec. 20. Refusal to Register. The Board shall refuse to register any successful
examinee who has been convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction of any criminal
offense involving moral turpitude, or has been found guilty or dishonorable conduct
after investigation by the Board, or has been declared to be of unsound mind. The
reason for the refusal shall be set forth in writing.

Sec. 21. Cancellation or Suspension of the Certificate of Registration and
Special Permit. The Board may, after giving proper notice of hearing to the party
concerned, cancel the practitioner's certificate of registration and professional
identification card, or be suspended from the practice of the profession; or cancel the
special permit for any of the causes or grounds mentioned in Section 29 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 Ethical
Standards of Practice for physical therapists.

Sec. 22. Reinstatement, Re-issuance or Replacement of Certificate of
Registration and Professional Identification Card. Two (2) years after the date of
revocation, the Board may, upon application and for reasons deemed proper and
sufficient, reinstate any revoked certificate of registration or professional license. A
new certificate may be issued to replace lost, destroyed, or mutilated ones, subject to
the rules as implemented by the Board.

Sec. 23. Oath of Physical Therapists. Successful examinees qualified for
registration, and qualified applicants for registration without examination, shall be
required to take an oath of profession before any member of the Board or any
government official authorized by the Commission to administer oaths, prior to
entering into the practice of physical therapy in the Philippines.

Sec. 24. Indication of Licensure and Privilege Tax Receipt. All physical
therapists shall be required to indicate on the documents they sign, use or issued in
connection with the practice of their profession, their registration, or professional


license number and date of issuance thereof, the duration of validity of said license,
and the professional tax receipt number issued to them.

Sec. 25. Roster of Physical Therapists. The Board shall prepare, update, and
maintain a roster of physical therapists which shall contain the name of each registered
physical therapist, their residence and office addresses, the date of registration and
issuance of certificates, and other data which the board may deem pertinent.

Sec. 26. Issuance of Special and Temporary Permit. A special temporary
permit may be issued by the Board upon the recommendation of the AIPO of physical
therapists, subject to the approval by the Commission and payment of the prescribed
fee to the following persons:

a. Foreign-licensed physical therapists called for consultation or a specified
purpose that is deemed essential to national development, the practice shall
be limited only for the particular work being: Provided That there is no
Filipino physical therapist qualified for such consultation or purpose;

b. Foreign-licensed physical therapists whose service shall be free of charge
and whoa are highly needed under particular settings;

c. Foreign-licensed physical therapists engaged as professors, lecturers, or
critics in fields essential to physical therapy education in the Philippines,
whose engagement is limited to teaching only; and

d. Foreign-licensed physical therapists recognized as experts or specialists
whose service is deemed essential to the advancement of the profession in
the Philippines.

The special temporary permit shall include these limitation and conditions:
validity for a period of not more than one (1) year, subject to renewal; the branch or
specialty of physical therapy which the permit holder can practice; and the specific
place or places such as clinic, hospital, therapy center, school, college, or university
offering the course of physical therapy. 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 PHYSICAL THERAPY

Sec. 27. Delivery of Physical Therapy Service. Physical therapists shall work
in partnership with other health service providers or health professionals, patients or
clients, families, and communities in the delivery of services in the most effective, cost
efficient, and client-centered service.

Sec. 28. Prohibition on the Practice of Physical Therapy. No person shall
practice or offer to practice physical therapy, nor offer to be a physical therapist, or
use the title, word, letter, figure, or any sign tending to convey the impression of being
a physical therapist, nor advertise or indicate in any manner whatsoever to be qualified
to perform the work of a physical therapist without passing the licensure examination
given by the Board, except as otherwise provided in this Act.


Sec. 29. Prohibited Acts. No person shall:

a. Engage in the practice of physical therapy by representing oneself a s a
physical therapist without a valid certificate of registration, professional
identification card, or a valid temporary or special permit granted by the
Board pursuant to this Act;

b. Represent oneself as a physical therapist during the time that the
professional license is not valid or that the certificate registration has been
suspended or revoked, or that the special temporary permit has been
cancelled;

c. Allow anybody to use the certificate or registration or professional license,
or both and special temporary permit as a physical therapist to enable such
unqualified individual to engage in the practice of physical therapy;

d. Use the certificate pf registration, professional identification card, or special
temporary permit of another person; and

e. Violate the provision of the Code of Ethics and Ethical Standards of Practice
as recommended by the AIPO of physical therapists.

Sec. 30. Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice for Physical Therapists.
The Board shall adopt and promulgate the Code of Ethics and Ethical Standards of
Practice for physical therapists as prescribed and issued by the AIPO of physical
therapists. Alll licensed physical therapist shall abide by the principles and standards
embodied in the Code.

Sec. 31. Continuing Professional Development Program. All physical
therapists shall abide with the requirements, rules and regulations on continuing
professional development to be promulgated by the Board, subject to the approval of
the Commission, in coordination with the AIPO of physical therapists or the recognized
Tepresentative of duly accredited education institutions, or both. For this purpose, the
Board shall create a CPD Council to implement a CPD program guided by
qualifications framework and career progression principles, subject to the guidelines
as may be prescribed by the Commission.

Sec. 32. Integration of the Professional Organization. The physical therapy
profession shall be integrated into one (1) national professional organization of
physical therapists, which shall be duly registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, the Board, subject to the approval by the Commission, shall accredit the
said organization as the one and only accredited integrated professional organization
of registered physical therapists. All physical therapists whose names appear in the
current Roster of Physical Therapists shall ipso facto become members thereof and
shall receive all the benefits and privileges appurtenant thereto upon payment of the
required membership fees and dues. Membership in the accredited integrated
professional organization shall not be a bar to membership in other organizations of
physical therapists.

Sec. 33. Foreign Reciprocity. No foreign physical therapist shall be given a
certificate of registration and professional identification card or be entitled to any of the
privileges under this Act unless the country or state of which the foreign physical
therapist is a subject or citizen, permits Filipino physical therapists to practice within
its territorial limits on the same basis as the subjects or citizens of said country or state.


ARTICLE V
PENAL AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Sec. 34. Penal Provisions. 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
with a fine of not less than Twenty Thousand Pesos (Php 20,000.00) nor more than
Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php 50,000.00), or by imprisonment of not less than two years
nor more than five years, or both, at the discretion of the court.

Sec. 35. Appropriations. The amount necessary for the implementation of this
Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Sec. 36. Implementing Rules and Regulations. To implement the provisions
of this Act, the Board shall, subject to the approval of the Commission promulgate the
tules and regulations, as well as the Code of Ethics and Ethical Standards of Practice
for physical therapists, within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act.

Sec. 37. Transitory Provisions. The existing Board of Physical and
Occupational Therapy shall continue to function in the interim until such time that the
new and separate Board of Physical Therapy shall be constituted pursuant to this Act.

Sec. 38. Separability Clause. If any part, portion, section, or provision of this
Act shall be declared invalid or unconstitutional, such shall not invalidate any other
part, portion, section, or provision of this act and the same shall continue to be in force
and effect.

Sec. 39. Repealing Clause. Republic Act No. 5680, otherwise known as the
“Philippine Physical and Occupational Therapy Law” is hereby repealed. All other
laws, decrees, orders, issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act are hereby modified, suspended, or repealed.

Sec. 40. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper or general circulation.

Approved,