Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
1564
HOUSE BILL NO.

BILLS AN

Introduced by Congressman Alfredo D. Vargas III

EXPLANATORY NOTE
It is stated in Section 15 of our Constitution that, to wit

“The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and
instill health consciousness among them.”

The Philippines is, arguably, a westernized country with a westernized educational
system. Our medical schools teach western medicine ---- medical practices as it
evolved in Europe and North America. There is however, a need to be more open to
alternatives to western medicine.

In the 1970's, then US. President Richard Nixon visited China. The visit, covered in
all the international media and press, sparked a curiosity and a new openness to all
things Chinese. The Filipinos thus became aware , on a widespread scale, of
Acupuncture.

The decades have passed and interest in, and study of, acupuncture has accelerated
in the Philippines.

Orthodox western medicine, copied by our own westernized medical school system,
retains a cautious attitude about acupuncture. But it has grown to be widely
accepted among the “alternative” health systems. Acupuncture clinics have
mushroomed in recent decades.

Acupuncture had been proven to have the following positive characteristics :
a) the side effects are fewer;
b) its procedure is simple;
©) itisa cure for a wide range of diseases;
d) it possesses a good curative effected compared with other modes of
treatments.

TON UNIT
D NDEX SERVICE


But if acupuncture is not performed competently, it could harm the patient.
Thus, it is necessary to regulate the practice of acupuncture to ensure that only
licensed acupuncturists can perform this alternative practice.

This proposed measure seeks to regulate the practice of acupuncture in order to
protect the safety, health and welfare of Filipinos, and at the same time, make it
available to anyone who wishes to avail of it.

The bill creates a Board of Acupuncture within the Department of Health. It shall
consist of three (3) members appointed by the Secretary of Health. Two board
members must be licensed acupuncturists.

The members of the Board of Acupuncture shall be appointed for a four-year term
or for the remainder of the unexpected term of vacancy.

The passage of this proposed measure is earnestly urged for the abovementioned
reasons.

(LFREDO D. VARGAS III


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
1564
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Congressman Alfredo D. Vargas II]

AN ACT
TO REGULATE THE PRACTICE OF ACUPUNCTURE, CREATING FOR THIS PURPO!
ACUPUNCTURE BOARD

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Acupuncture Act’

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State shall protect and promote the right to health
of the people and instill health consciousness among them
regulate the practice of acupuncture for the purpose of protecting
welfare of the citizens while making this healing art a

) this end, the State shall

e health, safety, and

ailable to those who seek it

Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act unless the context indicates
otherwise, the following definition of terms shall be adopted

(1). “Acupuncture” means a form of primary health care, based on tradit
Chinese medical concepts and modern oriental medical therapies and diagnostics
techniques, for the promotion, maintenance, and restora th and the
prevention of disease. Acupuncture shall include, but not limited to, the insertion of
acupuncture needles, moxibustion or the burning of dried herbs on the skin's
surface, electroacupuncture, Qi Gong, oriental massage, herbal therapy, dietary
guidelines, and other adjunctive therapies, as defined by board rule:

of h

(2). “Acupuncturist” means any
primary health care provider

rson licensed to practice ac

(3). “Board” means the Board of Acupuncture,

(4). “License” means the document of authorization issued by the
Department for a person to engage in the practice of acupuncture.


(5). “Oriental medicine” means the use of acupuncture, electroacupuncture.
Qi Gong, oriental massage, herbal therapy, dietary guidelines, and other adjunctive
therapies; and

(6). “Prescriptive rights” means the prescription, administration, and use of
needles and devices, restricted devices, and prescription devices that are used in the
practice of acupuncture and other oriental medicine.

Sec. 4. Creation of the Board of Acupuncture. - The Board of Acupuncture is hereby
created within the Department of Health and shall consist of three members, to be
appointed by the Secretary of Health. Two members of the board must be licensed
acupuncturist while the remaining member must be a layperson who is not and who has
never been an acupuncturist or member of any closely related profession. Members shall
be appointed for 4 year term or for the remainder of the unexpired term of vacancy

The Board h
provisions of this Act.

s the authority to adopt rules in order to implement the pertinent

The Board shall adopt rules relating to application procedures for inactive status
renewal of inactive licenses, and reactivation of licenses. The Board shall prescribe by rule
an application fee for inactive status, a renewal fee for inactive status, a delinquency fee,
and a fee for the reactivation of a license.

Sec. 5. Licensure Requirements and Fees. - It is unlawlul for any person to practice
acupuncture unless such person has been licensed by the Board. A person may become
licensed to practice acupuncture if the person applies to the Board and

(a) Is 21 years of age or older and has good moral character

(b) Has completed 60 hours of training and study in acupuncture and
oriental medicine from an accredited institution which meets standards
established by the Board;

(c) Has successfully completed a Board-approved national certification
Process, passes an examination administered by the Board, which tests
the applicant's competency and knowledge and knowledge of the practice
of acupuncture and oriental medicine, The examination shall include a
practical examination of the knowledge and skills required to practice
modern and traditional acupuncture and oriental medicine, covering
diagnostic and treatment techniques and procedures; and

(d) Pays the required fees set by the Board by rule not to exceed the
following amounts:


1, Examination fee: P50 per applicant
2. Licensure fee: P1,000 per qualified applic

Sec. 6. Prohibited Acts. - No person sh

(a) Practice acupuncture unless the person is licensed by the Board pursuant
to this Act;

(b) Present as his or her own the license of another

(c) Knowingly give false or forged evidence to the Board or a member
thereof,

(4) Use or attempt to use a license that has been suspended
placed or inactive or delinquent status:

voked, or

Sec. 7. Penalties. - Any person who violates any provisions of this Act shall be
punished with imprisonment of not less than three (3) years or more than eight (8) years,
or a fine of not than Ten Thousand Pesos (Php10,000.00), but not more than Fifteen
Thousand Pesos (Php15,000.00), h, at

Sec. 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other
provisions hereof

Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, and issuances, or portions
thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are her

eby repealed,
amended, or modified accordingly.

Sec. 10. Effectivity.- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,