I 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE > 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
i 
SENATE 
i 
S. No. 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VILLAR, JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The thousands of severely disabled World War I1 veterans, the poliomyelitis epidemic in 
the 1950's, as well as disabling infectious diseases like tuberculosis and meningitis paved the 
way for the development of Rehabilitation Medicine - a specialty in the medical field that 
addresses the needs of disabled patients, enhances and restores their functional ability, and helps 
them reach their fullest potential. 
Rehabilitation Medicine has grown over the past decade. There has been a tremendous 
increase in the number of graduates, trainees, certified diplomates and fellows of Rehabilitation 
Medicine. Rehabilitation centers have also sprouted at a fast pace throughout the country - a 
proof that Rehabilitation Medicine produces real benefits which can be measured in terms of 
improved function, fewer complications, better coordination, cost-effectiveness and the general 
education of health professionals, the disabled person and their family. 
I 
Sadly, a number of rehabilitation centers in the Philippines provide poor services due to 
the absence of physiatrists - medical specialists who underwent a minimum of three (3) years 
training in Rehabilitation Medicine. 
The need for physiatrists as heads and supervisors of rehabilitation centers cannot be 
overemphasized. These health professionals are recognized in the medical field as the medical 
rehabilitation specialists by nature of their training. Among the services they provide are the 
evaluation and treatment of patients with physical disabilities from the rehabilitation standpoint, 
and management of Rehabilitation Medicine departments, centers, clinics or other similar 
facilities. Hence, they are in the best position to head rehabilitation centers and supervise the 
allied rehabilitative professionals such as physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech 
therapists, orthotists, and rosthetists. 
This bill aims to establish the standards for the practice and certification of Rehabilitation 
Medicine practitioners in order to ensure the highest quality of professional rehabilitation service 
to the public and to the medical community. It also ensures the utmost competence of 
rehabilitation centers and penalizes unlicensed rehabilitation medicine facilities. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
MANU 
LAR, JR. 


‘
I
 ’ 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. No. 
9 
~~ 
INTRODUCED BY KON. MANUEL B. VILLAR, JR. 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE STANDARDS FOR THE PRACTICE OF REHABILITATION 
MEDICINE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
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 “Medical Rehabilitation 
Standards Act of 2004.” 
SECTION 2. - Definitions. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean: 
a. Rehabilitation Medicine - is the branch of medicine which deals with the prevention, 
diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of neuromusculoskeletal, cardiovascular, 
pulmonary and other system disorders which produce temporary or permanent disability 
in patients of both sexes and all ages, as well as the performance of different diagnostic 
procedures including but not limited to electromyography and other electrodiagnostic 
techniques. Rehabilitation Medicine involves specialized medical care and training of 
patients with loss of function so that he/she may obtain hisher maximum potential, 
physically, psychologically, socially and vocationally with special attention to prevent 
unnecessary complications or deterioration and to assist in physiologic adaptation to 
disability. In addition, the practice of Rehabilitation Medicine uses physical agents such 
as heat, light, water, electricity, therapeutic exercise and mechanical agents in its 
treatment armamentarium. 
b. Medical Rehabilitation - is the process “of helping a person to reach the fullest physical, 
psychological, social, vocational, avocational and educational potential consistent with 
his or her physiologic or anatomic impairment, environmental limitation, and life plans. 
c. Physiatrist - is a physician who is licensed and duly registered with the Professional 
Regulations Commission and who has completed three years of residency training in 
Rehabilitation Medicine in a Philippine Board of Rehabilitation Medicine-accredited 
training institution. 
d, Philippine Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine (PARM) - an organization of medical 
specialists and trainees in Rehabilitation that seeks to achieve excellence in physiatric 
practice, education and research. 
e. Philippine Board of Rehabilitation Medicine (PBRM) - a non-stock, non-profit 
corporation composed of Board Certified Rehabilitation Medicine Specialists tasked with 
accrediting and evaluating training institutions with a specialty in Rehabilitation 
Medicine, and certifying graduates of these training programs. 


f. Board Certified Physiatrists - refers to members of good standing of the Philippine 
Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine (PARM) and who have passed the Diplomate 
examination given by the Philippine Board of Rehabilitation Medicine (PBRM). 
- refer to those who have completed residency 
training in a PBRM-accredited residency training program and who have not been 
qualified by the PBRM as a diplomate. 
h. Rehabilitation Medicine Center/Facility/Unit - any facility that renders services for the 
rehabilitation of physical disabilities. This maybe hospital based or free standing. 
i. Rehabilitation Medicine Team - is a group of medical and allied health professionals 
concerned with the medical rehabilitation of patients with physical disabilities. The team 
is headed by a physiatrist and is composed of, but not limited to, the following: 
g. Board Eligible (BE) Physiatrists 
1. Physical Therapists 
2. Occupational Therapists 
3. Prosthetists and Orthotists 
4. Rehabilitation Nurses 
5. Speech Pathologists 
6. Social Workers 
7. Vocational Counselors 
8. Recreational Therapists 
SECTION 3. - Scope of Practice. - The practice of Rehabilitation Medicine includes: 
a. Professional services related to the care of an individual patient, either as a physician 
primarily responsible for individual patient care or as a consultant to another physician 
namely: 
1. History taking, examination of patients, and/or performance of specific diagnostic 
procedures for purposes of establishing diagnosis and/or evaluation of disability, 
impairment, functional capacity and potential for rehabilitation. 
2. Prescription and/or rendering of appropriate medical treatment which may include 
any or all aspects of physical medicine as well as rehabilitative measures, including 
but not limited to physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and 
orthotic and prosthetic services; 
3. Follow-up examination of patients in offices, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, 
extended care facilities or home for purposes of reevaluation and treatment 
modifications; 
4. Appropriate consultation with other medical specialists; 
5. Counseling and conference with non-physician health care professionals or family 
concerning conduct of patient's care or patient's progress; 
6. Examination of patient's records, preparation of reports and correspondence, 
appearance in testimony pertaining to patient. 
b. Professional services not directly related to individual patient care but relevant to the 
administration of rehabilitation facilities or units, namely: 
1. Professional general supervision of rehabilitation services in a hospital-based 
rehabilitation center or unit or any other free standing units that render limited 
rehabilitation services, convalescent homes and private homes, for quality assurance 
and appropriate utilization of services; 
2. Planning, establishment and management of facilities, equipment and personnel for 
functions and activities of the rehabilitation department or unit, or any other free 
standing unit hat render limited rehabilitation services, convalescent homes, and 
private homes for quality assurance and utilization of service. 
3. Maintenance of adequate records and statistics; 
4. Education of physicians and allied health care professionals in Rehabilitation 
Medicine; 
5. Education of the public on health care issues pertaining to Rehabilitation Medicine; 
6. Providing professional development of Rehabilitation Medicine through research 
and medical education; 


7. 
8. 
9. 
Designing/planning/ implementing of community-based Rehabilitation Medicine 
programs in rural areas; 
Designing/ planning /implementing of health programs for maintenance of health 
and prevention of disability; 
Linkages with government and non-government agencies both local and abroad, for 
programs related to Rehabilitation Medicine; 
-
-
 
10. Promotion of the team approach among other medical and allied medical 
health care professionals in the holistic care of patients; 
1 1. Setting standards 
for 
compensation of Rehabilitation Medicine services 
rendered; 
c. Guidelines for practice in a Rehabilitation Medicine Facility: 
1. Every patient shall be examined and diagnosed by a physiatrist. The physiatrist 
recommends, prescribes and supervises an individual treatment plan. The treatment 
plan and rehabilitation program shall be regularly reviewed on a team basis. 
2. Medications and various other therapies shall be prescribed by a Board Certified 
Eligible Physiatrist. 
3. The Board Certified/ Board Eligible physiatrist has the primary responsibility of 
regularly following patients in his charge and modifring or terminating treatment. 
4. A Board Certified/ Board Eligible Physiatrist shall head the facilityhnit and shall 
supervise the delivery of Rehabilitation Medicine services rendered by other 
members of the rehabilitation medicine team. 
5. If a physiatrist is not competent to manage a patient, he shall consult or refer to 
another physiatrist or physician specialist who is competent in the particular disease 
or condition he is treating. 
6. A Board Certified physiatrist may head not more than three (3) Rehabilitation 
Medicine facilities. In the absence of a Board Certified physiatrist, a Board Eligible 
physiatrist may head the facility, provided he conforms with the requirements of the 
PBRM. 
7. The Board Certified/ Eligible physiatrist shall charge professional fees in 
accordance with the standards of the PARM and the Philippine Health Insurance 
System (PHILHEALTH). 
8. The Board Certified Eligible physiatrist shall conduct himself in a manner 
consistent with the Code of Ethics of the Philippine Medical Association. 
SECTION 4. - Qualifications to Practice. - A Physician is qualified to Practice Rehabilitation 
Medicine if he/she is a Board CertifiedBoard Eligible physiatrist who is of good moral 
character; and is a member of the Philippine Medical Association and the Philippine Academy of 
Rehabilitation Medicine. 
SECTION 5. - Accreditation and Certification. - The Rehabilitation Medicine Standard Act 
aims to establish the standards for the practice and certification of Rehabilitation Medicine 
practitioners in order to ensure the highest quality of professional rehabilitation service to the 
public and to the medical community: 
a. Accreditation of the Physiatrist 
1. The Rehabilitation Medicine Practitioner is a graduate of a Philippine Board of 
Rehabilitation Medicine (PBRM)-accredited Rehabilitation Medicine training 
institution and certified by the PBRM as 
1 a. Board Certified (Diplomate) 
lb. Board Eligible 
2. A Rehabilitation Medicine Practitioner is duly recognized as PBRM Board Certified 
upon compliance with and/or submission of the following requirements: 
2a. Authenticated Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) ID as duly licensed 
2b. Certificate of completion of training in a PBRM-accredited Rehabilitation 
2c. Certificate from the Philippine Board of Rehabilitation Medicine (PBRM) 
physician 
Medicine training institution 


3. 
4. 
A Rehabilitation Medicine Practitioner is duly recognized as PBRM Board Eligible 
upon compliance with and/or submission of the following requirements: 
3a. Authenticated Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) ID as duly licensed 
3b, Certificate of completion of training in a PBRM-accredited Rehabilitation 
3c. Certificate of eligibility from PBRM 
A Rehabilitation Medicine Practitioner, who is duly recognized as PBRM Board 
eligible, must upgrade himself to PBRM Board Certified status within five (5) years 
after graduation from a PBRM-accredited Rehabilitation Medicine training 
institution. Forfeiture of this Board eligibility status is incumbent upon review and 
evaluation of the PBRM Board of Governors. 
physician 
Medicine training institution 
b. Continuing Certification of the Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist 
A Certified Diplomate of the Philippine Board of Rehabilitation Medicine, in order to be 
duly recognized as a Rehabilitation Medicine specialist, must undergo recertification 
every three (3) years through PBRM accreditation. 
SECTION 6. - Technical Standards and Requirements for the Registration, Operation and 
Maintenance of Rehabilitation Medicine Facilities in the Philippines. - shall apply to all 
entities performing the activities and functions of Rehabilitation Medicine facilities. These shall 
include the evaluation, and treatment of all conditions requiring rehabilitation of physical 
disabilities. These standards and requirements are formulated to protect and promote the health 
of the people by the operation of standard, properly managed and adequately supported 
Rehabilitation Medicine facilities. 
SECTION 7. - Regulatory Authority. - Implementation of the Technical Standards and 
Requirements for the Registration, Operation and Maintenance of Rehabilitation Medicine 
Facilities in the Philippines shall be regulated by the Department of Health - Bureau of Health 
Facilities and Services (DOH-BHFS) through a technical committee with representatives from 
the Philippine Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine (PARM). 
SECTION 8. - Classification of Facilities. - Rehabilitation Medicine Facilities shall be 
classified according to its institutional character, extent of services offered. The bases for the 
classification of the different categories of Rehabilitation facilities are: (1) Physiatrist 
qualification, (2) Allied Health personnel staff qualification, (3) Rehabilitation Medicine services 
available and (4) Physical set-up and equipment. 
a. Categories 
1. As to institutional character, Rehabilitation Medicine facilities are either 
hospital- 
based (if operating within a hospital set-up) or freestanding (if 
operating on its 
own or part of a facility other than hospital) 
2. As to extent, a Rehabilitation Medicine facilities maybe primary, secondary or 
tertiary, or home-based. 
3. As to function, a Rehabilitation Medicine facility may be utilized for training, service 
and research, and or service alone. 
4. As to service, a Rehabilitation Medicine facility can also be either general or 
specialized. 
b. A primary Rehabilitation Medicine facility shall have the following: 
1. 
2. 
3. 
4. 
5. 
6. 
At least one (1) Philippine Board of Rehabilitation Medicine (PBRM) eligible 
Physiatrist 
At least one (1) allied Rehabilitation Health Professional 
Rehabilitation Medicine Consultation and Management with Physical Therapy 
servi c es 
Physical set-up 
Medical Consultation area 
Treatment area to include at least an electro therapy device and superficial heating 
modality and ADL training devices 


7. Gym area to include parallel bars, mirror, weights and assisitive devices (canes, 
crutches and walker) 
8. Evaluation tools 
9. Adequate utilities (water, electricity and consumables) 
10. First aid kit with Basic CPR equipment 
c. A secondary Rehabilitation Medicine facility shall have the following: 
1. At least one PBRM board certified Physiatrist 
2. At least one licensed Physical Therapist and Occupational Therapist 
3. Rehabilitation Medicine Consultation and Management, Physical Therapy and 
Occupational Therapy services. 
4. Compliance with the primary category set-up plus deep heating modality, manual 
traction and therapeutic exercise equipment for the gym area. 
d. A tertiary Rehabilitation Medicine facility shall have the following: 
1. At least one (1) Board Certified Physiatrist 
2, At least two (2) licensed Physical Therapists and one licensed Occupational Therapist 
3, Rehabilitation Medicine Consultation and Management, Physical, Occupational 
Therapy, Prosthetist/Orthotist in house or referral services, Speech Therapy in house 
or referral services 
4. Compliance with the secondary category set-up and equipment, with additional 
two superficial heating modalities, medium frequency modality, mechanized traction, 
ultraviolet or cold laser intermittent compression unit, mechanized intermittent 
traction and tilt table with additional gym equipment. 
5. A Training/Service and Research facility, which shall fulfill all the requirements as a 
residency training institution in accordance with PBRM guidelines. 
6. A Specialized facility which should cater to subspecialty conditions in Rehabilitation 
Medicine (Cardiac, Pain, Pediatric, Pulmonary, Sports, among others) shall be a 
hospital-based facility with a multi-disciplinary set-up. 
7. A freestanding clinic which must be headed by a board certified or board eligible 
physiatrist with at least one (1) allied health professional with a certificate in Basic 
Life Support. 
SECTION 9. - Management and Operation of a Rehabilitation Medicine Facility. - A 
Rehabilitation Medicine Facility shall be headed by a Rehabilitation Medicine specialist who 
is either a Philippine Board of Rehabilitation Medicine certified or eligible Rehabilitation 
Medicine Specialist who must assume technical, and administrative supervision and control of 
the activities in the said facility. An adequate and effective system of documentation, recording, 
and records keeping must be maintained for all consultations and services in the facility. The 
rates for consultation and services shall be in accordance with the standards of the PARM and 
the PHILHEALTH. 
SECTION 10. - Application for Registration and Issuance of License. - Applications for 
registration and issuance of a license shall be filed by the owner or his duly authorized 
representative to DOH-Bureau of Facilities and Services together with an Information sheet to be 
filled out by the physiatrist-in-charge. Upon receipt of the said application together with the 
license fee, a technical committee team will inspect the facility within sixty (60) days. 
Certificates of licenses shall be issued and approved by the Head of the Bureau of Health 
Facilities and Services. A provisional license may be granted to facilities with insufficient 
requirements or for special cases for a period of one (1) year. The provisional license however 
shall not be extended beyond one (1) year. During the one (1) year period the facility shall 
submit a quarterly report as to their progress in complying with the requirements mandated under 
this Act, Failure to comply with the reportorial requirement may result to the revocation of the 
provisional license even before the expiration of the one (1) year period. 
SECTION 11. - Terms and Validity of License. - The license to operate will only be valid for 
a period of two (2) years. Application for renewal of the license shall be made during the last six 
(6) months of validity. The license must be placed in a conspicuous place within the facility. A 
copy of the rules and regulation should also be readily available. Upon violation of the standards 


provided, a license may be revoked. Investigation of all charges or complaints against a 
rehabilitation medicine facility or any of its personnel shall be made to the PARM and the 
PBRM (when complaint is against the physiatrist) and to the Department of Health-Bureau of 
Health Facilities and Services for appropriate investigation. 
SECTION 12. - Penalties. - Any person, partnership, association, or corporation who 
establishes, operates, conducts, manages or maintains a rehabilitation medicine facility within the 
meaning of this Act without first obtaining a license or violates any provision of this Act or its 
implementing rules and regulations shall be liable to a fine of not less than twenty thousand 
pesos (P20,OOO.OO) but not to exceed fifty thousand (P50,OOO.OO) for the first offense, and not 
less than fifty thousand (P50,OOO.OO) but not to exceed one hundred thousand pesos 
(P100,OOO.OO) for the second offense and not less than one hundred thousand pesos 
(P100,OOO.OO) but not to exceed two hundred thousand pesos (P200,OOO.OO) for the third and 
each subsequent offense. Each day that the health facility or other related facility shall operate 
after the first violation shall be considered a subsequent offense. 
In addition to the penalties specified in the preceeding paragraph, the Bureau upon the 
approval of the Secretary, may summarily order the closure of any rehabilitation medicine 
facility found operating without a license. 
SECTION 13. - Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of the Act shall be held 
unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions hereof which are not affected hereby shall continue 
to be in full force and effect. 
SECTION 12. - Repealing Clause - All laws, orders, decrees, rules and regulations 
inconsistent with the provision of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 13. - Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (1 5) days after its approval. 
Approved,