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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City, Metro Manila
Seventeenth Congress
Second Regular Session ae

6345

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Honorable Leopoldo N. Bataoil

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to regulate and modernize the practice of Medical Technology.

The practice of Medical Technology is covered by Republic Act (RA) $527,
otherwise known as the “Philippine Medical Technology Act of 1969”. The said law has been
in existence for 48 years now. Hence, majority of its sections are now obsolete and are no
longer applicable to the present time. Rapid changes in health and information technology,
increasing complexities in Filipino lifestyle, people empowerment and global competition
have occurred in the last decades. The scope of practice and the roles of medical
technologists have extended to other areas beyond the realm of clinical laboratories. As such,
the law is in need of revision in order to properly address the existing demands of the
Medical Technology profession.

The members of the profession have assumed various managerial leadership positions
that have given them extensive and expanded experience through the years. Medical
technologists at present, hold high ranking positions such as laboratory managers, chief
medical technologists, deans of schools, administrative officers, and principal authors of
research, laboratory entrepreneurs and country managers of diagnostic companies. Others
have obtained post-graduate studies. This shows that the profession has reached a level of
maturity and development comparable with other professions.



‘The propose measure seeks to create a Board of Medical Technology which shall be
composed of a Chairman and two members who are all medical technologists. The Board
shall supervise and regulate the registration, licensure and practice of medical technology
subject to the general supervision and administration of the Professional Regulation
Commission. The Board shall also seek the same status and recognition accorded to other
Professional Board.

Lastly, the scope of practice of Medical technology needs to be updated to include
molecular and cytogenetic technologies, drug testing, phlebotomy and teaching of
professional courses. To be able to compete globally, there shall be created the Technical
Committee for Medical Technology Education under the supervision of the Commission on,
Higher education and the Continuing Professional Development Council for Medical
‘Technology Education under the supervision of the Professional Regulations Commission.

In view of the foregoing and in order to update the law governing the practice of the
Medical Technology profession, approval of this bill is highly recommended.

OPOLDO N, BATAOIL,


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.__ 6345

___ Introduced by Representatives Leopoldo N. Bataoil

AN ACTREGULATING AND MODERNIZING THE PRACTICE OF MEDICAL,

TECHNOLOGY (MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE) IN THE PHILIPPINES,

REPEALING, FOR THE PURPOSE, REPUBLIC ACT NOS. 5527 AND 6138 AND
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NOS, 498 AND 1534

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

SECTION 1.Title. - This act shall be known as the "Philippine Medical Technology
Act of 2017."

SEC.2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the importance of Medical
‘Technology profession in nation building and development through the portals of health care,
education and research. Thus, the State shall endeavor to develop and nurture competent,
Virtuous, productive and globally competitive medical technologists whose standards of
professional practice and service shall conform to the highest standards of excellence.

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 and the maintenance of high international standards of practice

SEC.3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act
a. Accredited medical technology training laboratory refers to a clinical laboratory duly
licensed by the Department of Health (DOH) and accredited as a training laboratory by the
Commission on Higher Education (CHED) upon recommendation by the Technical Panel in
Medical Technology Education or its equivalent
b Accredited professional organization refers to a national organization, recognized and
accredited by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC),


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c Board refers to the Professional Regulatory Board of Medical Technology (Medical
Laboratory Science) of the PRC.

Continuing professional development (CPD) refers to the inculcation of advanced
knowledge, skills and ethical values in a postlicensure specialized or in inter or
multidisciplinary field of study for assimilation into professional practice, self-directed
research, of lifelong learning, or both.

© Code of professional ethics refers to a set of standards relating to the conduct,
integrity and moral duties of medical technologists as prescribed and promulgated by the duly
accredited professional organization of medical technologists, with the approval of the Board.
f£ Medical technology refers to the health care profession that provides professional
services for the purpose of helping the physician in the diagnosis, treatment, and management
of diseases and in the promotion of health in general. The profession provides laboratory
investigations on the human body or on specimens taken from the human body, the results of
which provide information to physicians or other health professionals in relation to health
care, research and forensics. Medical technology may also provide laboratory investigations
‘on animals in relation to veterinary medicine.

& Medical Laboratory Science other name for Medical Technology

h Medical technologist refers to a holder of a Bachelor of Science in Medical
Technology or Public Health who is duly registered with the Professional Regulation
‘Commission and is qualified to practice Medical Technology.

i Medical Laboratory Scientists other name for Medical Technologists.

A person shall be deemed to be in the practice of Medical Technology within the
meaning of this Act if such person renders any of the following services for a fee, salary,
compensation or reward paid or given directly or indirectly:

1. Examination of tissues, secretions and excretions of the human body and other body
fluids through electronic, chemical, microscopic, microbiologic, hematologic, serologic,
immunologic, nuclear, molecular, cytogenetic or other laboratory procedures and techniques,
either manual or automated;

2. Blood banking procedures and techniques or other blood transfusion services;

3. Parasitologic, Bacteriologic, Mycologic, Virologic or other microbiologic
techniques,

4. Histopathologic and Cytotechnologic techniques,

5. Drug Testing in clinical laboratories;


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6. Research involving human beings or animals requiring the use of and/or
application of Medical Technology (Medical Laboratory Science) knowledge and procedures,

7. Preparations and standardization of reagents, standards, stains or others. Provided,
that such reagents, standards, stains or others are exclusively for the use of their laboratory;

& Clinical laboratory quality control;

9. Phlebotomy, collection, processing or preservation of specimens,

10. Consultancy in test upgrading, method selection, laboratory equipment planning
and troubleshooting where the application of knowledge in medical technology is required;

11. Teaching of professional courses in Medical Technology;

12. Introduction, demonstration, evaluation, or improvement of clinical laboratory
procedures or techniques, and/or laboratory operations:

13. Other similar activities to the foregoing where the training, skill and
experience of a medical technologist are needed.

i Phlebotomy refers to the collection of blood,

k. Phlebotomist refers to a holder of a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology who
passed an examination for Phlebotomy given by the Board. Provided, That a registered
medical technologist automatically qualifies as a Phlebotomist. Provided, further, that other
health professionals registered by the Commission may be allowed by the Board to take the
Phlebotomy examination,

1 Recognized school of medical technology refers to a school, college or university
which offers a program in Medical Technology approved by the CHED upon the
recommendation of the Technical Committee for Medical Technology Education or its
equivalent.

m. Technical committee for medical technology education refers to the Technical
Committee for Medical Technology Education organized under the Office of Programs and
Standards of the CHED.

SEC. 4. Professional Regulatory Board of Medical Technology, - There is hereby
created a Professional Regulatory Board of Medical Technology, hereinafter referred to as
the Board, under the administrative control and supervision of the PRC, hereinafter referred
to as the Commission which shall be composed of a Chairperson and two (2) members
appointed by the President of the Philippines from a list three (3) recommendees for each
position ranked by the PRC from a list five (5) nominees submitted by the accredited
professional organization (APO) of medical technologies and shall serve for a term of three
(3) years,


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‘The Chairperson and the Members of the Board shall hold such office until their
successors shall have been appointed and duly qualified. Provided, That the incumbent
Chairperson and Members of the Board shall continue to serve their terms until the expiration
of the same.

For its recommendations, 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 technologies for
appointment fo 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, the successor shall only serve the balance of the term.

SEC.S. Qualifications of the Chairperson and Members of the Board. — The
Chairperson and members of the Board must meet the following qualifications:

(a) A citizen and resident of the Philippines,

(b) Of good moral character and of sound mind;

(c) a duly registered medical technologist;

(d) must be members in good standing of an accredited professional organization,

Provided that he must not be a n officer or director of the accredited professional

organization at the time of their nomination.

‘The Chairperson must also have at least fifteen (15) years of experience as a medical
technologist. He must be actively practicing his profession as a medical technologist
at least five (5) years prior to his nomination. The Chairperson must have at least a
Master's Degree in medical technology or other medical technology related programs
to include biological sciences, education and administration or equivalent level using
the Philippine Qualifications Framework (PQF). Provided, That for the first three (3)
years prior to the effectivity of this Act, the requirement for a Master's Degree may be
waived for as long as nominated candidate has obtained at least 70% of the required
units for a Master’s Degree;

A Member of the Board must have at least ten (10) years of experience as a
medical technologist. He must be actively practicing his profession as a medical
technologist, at least three (3) years prior to his nomination;

The Chairperson and the Members of the Board shall not in any way be
professionally connected with the faculty of any Medical Technology school at the

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time of appointment or any review center for at least two (2) years prior to

nomination.

SEC. 6. Compensation and Allowances of the Board - The Chairperson and
members of the Board shall receive compensation and allowances comparable to that being
received by the Chairperson and members of other professional regulatory boards under the
Commission as provided for in the General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 7. Powers and Duties of the Board. - The Board shall have the following
powers and duties:

a. Administer and implement the provisions of this Act

b. Regulate the practice of the profession in accordance with professional regulatory

law,

¢, Determine and prepare the questions for the licensure examination for medical

technologists;

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

¢. Issue, suspend or revoke certificates of registration of medical technologists,

phlebotomists and medical laboratory technicians;

f Look into conditions affecting the practice of medical technology in the Philippines

and, whenever necessary, adopt such measures as may be deemed proper for the

maintenance of good ethics and standards in the practice of medical technology;

g Investigate violations of this Act or of the rules and regulations issued hereunder.

For this purpose, the Board may issue subpoena ad testificandum and subpoenas

duces tecum;

h. Draft such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of

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 professional organization of medical technologists accredited by the

‘Commission;

|} Formulate and recommend the approval of refresher courses for applicants who

failed to pass the Board Examinations for, the third time,

k. Determine and prepare the questions for the certification examination of

Phlebotomists;


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|. Prescribe and promulgate the Code of Ethics and Code of Professional Standards for

the Practice of Medical Technology, in consultation with the accredited professional

organization,

1m. Issue guidelines on the Continuing Professional Development (CPD), through the

CPD Council, with the approval of the Commission; and

1. Perform such other functions as may be prescribed by the Commission, in

accordance with existing laws governing the Commission.

SEC. 8, Removal of the Board Members, - The Chairperson or any member of the
Board may be removed by the President for neglect of duty, incompetence, malpractice or
unprofessional, unethical, immoral or dishonorable, conduct after having been given an
opportunity to defend himself in proper administrative proceeding. Provided, That pending
the resolution of the administrative proceeding, the President shall have the power to
indefinitely suspend the Chairperson or any Member of the Board under investigation and
‘appoint a temporary member in his place.

SEC. 9, Licensure Examinations. — 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
during the months of March and September in such places as the Board may deem proper,
as approved by the Commission.

The examination for Phlebotomy Certification shall be given by the Board semi-
annually during the months of March and September in such places as may be approved by
the Commission.

SEC. 10. Qualifications of an Applicant for Medical Technologist. — Every
applicant for the licensure examination under this Act shall, at least thirty (30) days, prior to
the date of the, furnish the Board satisfactory proof that he is:

a. a Filipino citizen;

b. in good health and is of good moral character;

c. a holder of a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology (Medical Laboratory

Science Technology) or Public Health from a recognized school, college or

university. Provided, that he is a holder of a Bachelor of Science in Public Health and

have complied with the standards as stipulated in the Policies, Standards and

Guidelines for Medical Technology education,

d. has paid the required examination fees as may be determined by the Professional

Regulation Commission; and


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©. has complied with other requirements that, the Board. may prescribe.
SEC.11. Scope of Examination. - The examination questions shall cover the
following courses and shall be accorded the respective weights:

Clinical Chemistry 20%
Microbiology & Parasitology 20%
Hematology 20%
Immunohematology (Blood Banking),

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

Histopathologic and Cytologic Techniques,

Laboratory Management, Medical Technology Law,

Related Laws and their implementing Rules and

the Code of Ethics 10%

The general average of each examinee shall be composed by the Board 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.

SEC. 12. 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 Professional Regulation Commission may set.

‘SEC. 13. Ratings in the Examination. - In order to pass the examination, 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 of the courses computed according to their relative
weights.

An applicant who has failed the examinations in at least three (3) attempts shall not be
qualified to take further examinations until such applicant shall have completed a refresher
course in accordance with the rules prescribed by the Board.


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SEC. 14. Oath Taking. - All successful, examinees shall be required to take a
professional oath before the Board or before any person authorized by the Commission prior
to entering the practice of medical technology in the Philippines.

SEC. 15. Issuance of Certificate of Registration. - Every applicant who has
satisfactorily passed the required examination for medical technologists shall be issued a
Certificate of Registration. All certificates shall be signed by the Chairman and the members
of the Board and by the Chairperson and Commissioners of the Commission.

A Professional Identification Card bearing the registration number, date of issuance
and expiry date, duly signed by the Chairperson of the Commission, shall likewise, be issued
to every registrant, upon payment of the required fees. The Professional Identification Card
shall be renewed in accordance with the guidelines set by the Professional Regulation
Commission and upon satisfying the requirements of the Board such as, but not limited to,
attendance in the CPD program.

‘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 immoral, dishonorable or dishonest conduct, or is of unsound mind, or is
suffering from an incurable communicable disease. 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,

SEC. 16, 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 for the issuance or replacement of the Professional Identification Card shall be
in accordance with the fees established by the Commission.

SEC. 17, 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 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 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

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unprofessional conduct, malpractice, incompetency, gross ignorance or gross 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
suspension or reprimand. 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 thirty (30)
days after the decision becomes final. Should a medical technologist fail to surrender his
certificate of registration within the said period, the Board may disqualify him perpetually
from the practice of medical technology. The suspension shall run from the date of such
surrender.

SEC, 18. 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.

SEC, 19. 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 three (3) years from the date it was surrendered.

A suspended Certificate of Registration shall be reinstated upon request of the
medical technologies afier the expiration of the period of suspension

SEC. 20. Roster of Medical Technologists, - A roster of Medical Technologists shall
be prepared annually by the Registration Division of the Commission. This roster shall
contain the name, address and citizenship of each registered medical technologist; the date of
registration or issuance of the Certificate of Registration and any other pertinent data. The
roster shall be open to public inspection, and copies thereof shall be placed on file in the
Commission, and furnished to other offices, private or governmental, and to the public, upon
request.

SEC, 21. Technical Committee for Medical Technology Education (TCMTE) -
‘There is hereby established a Technical Committee for Medical Technology Education under

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the Commission on Higher Education - Office of Programs and Standards (CHED-OPS). The
TCMTE shall be composed of the following members:
a. A representative from the Board of Medical Technology of the Professional
Regulation Commission,
b. The President or representative of the national accredited professional
organization of medical technologies;

¢. The President or representative of the national accredited professional

organization of Medical Technologists:

dA representative from the clinical laboratory practice; and

¢. A physician representative whose specialty is Laboratory Medicine and who is
also a medical technologist.

The Technical Committee for Medical Technology Education (TCMTE) or its
equivalent shal be supported by a secretariat and staff.

SEC. 22. Responsibilities of TCMTE or its equivalent. - The TCMTE shall assist
the Commission on Higher Education in setting Policies, Standards and Guidelines for the
Medical Technology Program. It may also assist in its implementation, including monitoring
and evaluation.

The functions of the TCMTE are as follows:

To recommend the minimum curriculum required for the program of medical

technology,

b. To determine and prescribe the number of students that will be allowed to take
the medical technology program in each school, taking into account the student-
instructor ratio and the availability of facilities for instruction,

¢. To recommend the closure of medical technology schools which are found to be
substandard;

To inspect, whenever necessary, the different medical technology schools in the
country in order to determine whether a high standard of education is
maintained in said institutions; and

£ To promulgate, prescribe and enforce such rules and regulations as may be
necessary for the proper implementation of the foregoing functions.

SEC. 23. 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. Said

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program shall be composed of general education, core and professional courses, and a
satisfactory internship program in accredited training laboratories.

SEC. 24. Accreditation of Schools of Medical Technology and of Training
Laboratories. - The Commission on Higher Education, through TCMTE, 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), 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 ‘

SEC. 25. Studies for Medical Technology Manpower Needs, Production,
Utilization and Development. - The Board, in coordination with the APO and appropriate
government and private agencies shall initiate, undertake and conduct studies on health,
human resources production, utilization and development.

SEC. 26, Membership to Accredited Professional Organization. - All registered
medical technologists whose names appear in the roster of the Professional Regulation
Commission shall automatically become members of the accredited professional organization
(APO) of registered and licensed medical technologists. Members of the said APO shall
receive benefits and privileges appurtenant thereto upon compliance to membership
requirements and payment of the required fees and dues.

SEC. 27. Continuing Professional Development for Medical Technology. - There
shall be a program of Continuing Professional Development for Medical Technology (CPD-
MT) conducted by the national APO and other CPD-MT providers duly accredited by the
CPD Council for Medical Technology (CPDC-MT) under the Commission to provide,
promote and facilitate lifelong learning in the enhancement of competencies towards delivery
of quality, updated and ethical services both locally and globally.

‘The CPD Council for Medical Technology (CPDC-MT) created shall ensure adequate
and appropriate provision of CPD programs and shall issue such operational guidelines as
may be approved by the Commission.

All Registered medical technologists shall abide by the requirements, rules and
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SEC. 28. Lifelong Learning for Medical Technologists. - Upon the effectivity of
this Act, a medical technologist shall be required to show compliance to the required CPD
units as basis for renewal of the Professional Identification Card in accordance with the
guidelines of the Commission.

SEC. 29. Salary. - In order to enhance the general welfare, commitment to service
and professionalism of medical technologies, the minimum base pay upon entry of a
registered medical technologist in government and non-governmental institution should not
be lower than the amount equivalent to Salary Grade 15.

SEC. 30. 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.

SEC. 31, Inhibition Against the Practice of Medical Technology/Special
temporary Permit. - 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 a Certificate of Registration shall not be required from the
following:

a. Duly registered physicians;

b. Medical technologists in the service of the Armed Forces of the United States of
America who are stationed in the Philippines and are rendering services as such
for members of the said armed forces only.

Special Temporary Permits (STPs) may be issued to medical technologists from other
countries called for consultation or as visiting or exchange professors to colleges or
universities: Provided, that their practice of medical technology within the country is limited
to their performance of the said function.

SEC. 32. Penal Provisions. - Without prejudice to the provisions of the Medical Act
of 1959, as amended, relating to the illegal practice of medicine, the following shall be
punished by a fine of not less than fifty thousand pesos (PhpS0,000.00) nor more than one
hundred thousand pesos (Php100,000.00) or imprisonment for not less than six (6) months
and one (1) day but not more than two (2) years and one (1) day, or both, in the discretion of
the court:

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Any person who shall practice Medical Technology in the Philippines without
being registered or exempted from registration in accordance with the provisions
of this Act;

Any medical technologist who shall knowingly make a fraudulent laboratory
report,

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

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,

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 a non-registered medical
technologist/medical laboratory technician under his employment to engage in
the practice of medical technology or recommend the appointment of anyone to
the position of a medical technologist/medical laboratory technician while
knowing that he is not registered as such; and

Any person or corporate body who shall violate any provision of this Act or any
rules or regulations issued pursuant to this Act.

SEC. 33. Enforcement of this Act. - It shall be the primary duty of the Commission
and the 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 persons violating the same.

SEC. 34. Appropriations. - 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.

SEC. 35, Rules and Regulations. Within ninety (90) days after the effectivity of this
Act, the Board and the Commission, in coordination with the national APO, the Department

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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.

SEC. 36. Transitory Provision. - Upon the effectivity of this Act:

1. The Board shall discontinue the registration of Medical Laboratory

Technicians as provided for in Section 21 of Republic Act No. $527

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 Laboratory Technician shall be rendered an appropriate position and

be reclassified as a Medical Technologist.

2. The incumbent Chairperson and Members of the Board shall continue to serve
until the first Board has been appointed and duly qualified.

SEC. 37. Separability Clause — If any section of this Act shall be declared
unconstitutional or invalid, the same shall not affect the validity of the other section of this
Act.

SEC. 38. Repealing Clause. - Republic Act Nos. 5527 and 6138, Presidential Decree
Nos. 498 and 1534 and all other laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or
modified accordingly.

SEC 39. Effectivity. - This Act takes effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,

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