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

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. _8502

Introduced by Hon. LEOPOLDO N. BATAOIL

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Rapid changes and developments in health and information technology, increasing
complexities in Filipino lifestyle and population growth, and increasing global
competition have occurred in the last four decades. R. A. 5527, otherwise known as the
“Philippine Medical Technology Act of 1969”, has been in existence for forty-four (44)
years.

The majority of the sections in R. A. 5527 has become obsolete and no longer
applies to present conditions as it was originally created. The scope of practice and the
roles of medical technologists have extended to other areas beyond the realm of clinical
laboratory setting, Therefore, the law is in need of the following revisions in order to
properly address the existing and evolving demands of the Medical Technology
profession:

First, a homogenous Professional Regulatory Board of Medical Technology, that
is, to be composed of three (3) Medical Technologists, and chaired by a Medical
Technologist must be created. Being a regulatory body which ensures the regulation of
the practice and monitoring of the conditions affecting the profession for the
enhancement and maintenance of high professional, ethical and technical standards and
the protection of interests of members of the profession, it is but reasonable that this be
headed by one who comes from the same discipline. Other Professional Regulatory
Boards are composed and chaired by members of their own professions. The Medical
Technology profession seeks the same status and recognition accorded to other Boards

Members of the profession have assumed various managerial and 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,
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

Second, the scope of practice need to be updated to include molecular and
cytogenetic technologies, drug testing, phlebotomy and teaching of professional courses.


Third, vital support mechanisms to further improve the practice of medical
technology and ensure global competitiveness, need to be instituted. Hence, provision in
the law of the profession must include the creation of the Technical Committee for
Medical Technology Education under CHED and the Continuing Professional
Development Council for Medical Technology Education under PRC.

Fourth, provisions that have reached obsolescence were deleted. Other provisions
were added in support of the major revisions.

Fifth, proposed amendments to the Medical Technology Law have been filed and
re-filed with Batasang Pambansa/Congress since early 1980s, The latest proposed
amendments were introduced in the 15" Congress by Hon, Janette L, Garin, MD of the
House of Representatives and Hon, Edgardo J. Angara of the Senate

In view of the foregoing the passage of this bill is earnestly urged

LYOPOLDO NAATAOIL
Reprefentative, 2". {Strict of Pangasinan


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

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3
HOUSE BILL NO. 3502

Introduced by Hon. LEOPOLDO N. BATAOIL

AN ACT
REGULATING AND MODERNIZING THE PRACTICE OF MEDICAL
TECHNOLOGY (MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE) IN THE PHILIPPINES,
REPEALING, FOR THIS PURPOSE, REPUBLIC ACT NOS. 5527AND 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 (Medical Laboratory Science) Act of 2013."

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the importance of the
Medical Technology profession in nation building and development through the portals
of healthcare, education and research. Hence, it shall develop and nurture competent,
virtuous, productive and well-rounded medical technologists whose standard of practice
and service shall be world class.

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.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall
mean:
a, Accredited Medical Technology Training Laboratory refers to a clinical
laboratory duly licensed by the Department of Health and accredited as
a training laboratory by the Commission on Higher Education 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

¢. Board refers to the Professional Regulatory Board of Medical
Technology (Medical Laboratory Science) of the Professional
Regulation Commission.

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


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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

Medical Technology (Medical Laboratory Science) refers to the
healthcare 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 healthcare,
research and forensics.

Medical Technology may also provide laboratory investigations on
animals in relation to veterinary medicine.

Medical Technologist refers to a holder of a Bachelor of Science in
Medical Technology (Medical Laboratory Science) or Public Health
who is duly registered with the Professional Regulation Commission
and is qualified to practice Medical Technology.

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;

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;

8. Clinical laboratory quality control;


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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. Similar activities to the foregoing where the training, skill and
experience of a medical technologist are needed as may be
determined under the rules and regulations to be promulgated by the
Professional Regulation Commission,

. Medical Laboratory Technician refers to a person certified and

registered with the Board as qualified to assist a medical technologist in
the practice of Medical Technology as defined under Republic Act No.
5527. The Board shall discontinue the registration of medical
laboratory technicians under Republic Act No. 5527 upon the effectivity
of this Act. Provided, that Medical laboratory technicians registered
under Republic Act No. 5527 shall maintain their status as registered
medical laboratory technicians . Provided, further, that a registered
medical technologist occupying the position ofa medical laboratory
technician shall be rendered an appropriate position and be
reclassified as a medical technologist.

Phlebotomy refers to incision or puncture of a vein for drawing blood
for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

Phlebotomist refers to a holder of a Bachelor of Science in Medical
Technology (Medical Laboratory Science) and who has passed an
examination for Phlebotomy given by the Board of Medical Technology
of the Professional Regulation Commission. Provided, that a registered
medical technologist automatically qualifies as a Phlebotomist.

Recognized School of Medical Technology refers toa school, college
or university which offers a program in Medical Technology (Medical
Laboratory Science) approved by the Commission on Higher Education
upon the recommendation of the Technical Committee for
Medical Technology Education or its equivalent.

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 Commission on
Higher Education,


SECTION 4. Professional Regulatory Board of Board of Medical Technology. -
There is hereby created a Professional Regulatory Board of Medical Technology under
the Professional Regulation Commission. The Board shall be composed of a Chairperson
and two (2) members, all of whom are registered medical technologists, The Chairperson
and the Members of the Board shall be appointed by the President of the Republic of the
Philippines ("President") upon recommendation of the Professional Regulation
Commission and shall serve for a term of three (3) years. 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 recommendation, the Professional Regulation Commission shall submit to
the President a list containing at least three (3) names from among a list of five (5)
nominees for each position submitted by the national accredited professional organization
of medical technologists for appointment of 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, his successor shall only serve the balance of his term.

SECTION 5. Qualifications of the Chairperson and Members of the Board. - No
person shall be appointed as Chairperson or as a Member of the Board unless he is a
Filipino Citizen, of good moral character and is a duly registered medical technologist.
Provided, that the Chairperson and the Members of the Board must be members in good
standing in their respective national accredited professional organization, Provided,
further, that the Chairperson and the Members of the Board must not be an officer or a
director of the accredited professional organization at the time of their nomination.

‘The Chairperson must have a Master’s Degree in medical technology or other
health related programs, biological sciences, education and administration and should
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, Provided, That for the first three (3) years of 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 or review
center for at least two (2) years prior to their nomination, Further, they shall have no
pecuniary interest, directly or indirectly, in any such institution at any time during their
nomination

SECTION 6. Compensation and Allowances of the Board. - The Chairperson and
each Member of the Board shall receive compensation and allowances comparable to that


being received by chairpersons and members of professional regulatory boards under.the
Professional Regulation Commission as provided for in the General Appropriations Act

SECTION 7. Functions and Duties of the Board. - The following are duties and
functions of the Board:

a. Administer and implement the provisions of this Act;

b, Regulate the practice of the profession in accordance with professional
regulatory law;

c. Determine and prepare the questions for the licensure examination for
medical technologists;

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

e, 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 subpoenas 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 Professional Regulation Commission;

j. 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; and

1, Such other fimnetions as may be prescribed by the Professional Regulation
Commission, in accordance with existing laws governing the Commission

SECTION 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 a 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.

SECTION 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 the Board may
deem proper, as approved by the Commission.

SECTION 10. Qualifications for Admission to the Licensure Examination. — Every
applicant for examination under this Act shall, at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of
the examination, furnish the Board satisfactory proof that he:

a. Isa Filipino citizen;
b. Is in good health and is of good moral character;

c. Is 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 a holder of a Bachelor of
Science in Public Health should have complied with the standards as
stipulated in the Policies, Standards and Guidelines for Medical
Technology education;

c. Has paid the required examination fees as may be determined by the
Professional Regulation Commission; and

d. Has complied with other requirements that, the Board of the Professional
Regulation Commission may prescribe.

SECTION 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%
Blood Banking, Immunohematology, Immunology & Serology: 20%
Clinical Microscopy (Urinalysis and Other Bodily Fluids) > 10%
Histopathologic and Cytologic Techniques, Laboratory Management, 10%

MedicalTechnology Law, Related Laws and their implementing Rules
and the Code of Ethics


The Board shall prepare the schedule of subjects for examination and submit the
same to the Commissioner of the Professional Regulation Commission for publication
‘The Board shall compute the general average of each examinee according to the above-
mentioned relative weights of each subject. Provided, that the Board may change, add to
and remove from the list of subjects or weights above as progress in the science of
Medical Technology may require. Provided, further, that any change, addition, removal
or modification of the subjects or weights shall be subject to prior approval of the
Professional Regulation Commission

SECTION 12. Report of Rating. - The Board shall, after the date of completion of
the examination, report the result thereof for the approval, of the Commissioner of the
Professional Regulation Commission within the time limit and guidelines set by the
Professional Regulation Commission.

SECTION 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
ot be qualified to take further examinations until such applicant shall have completed a
refresher course in accordance with the rules prescribed by the Board,

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

SECTION 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 Commissioner of the Professional Regulation
Commission.

‘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.

SECTION 16. Fees. - The fees to be paid by each applicant for the issuance of a
new certificate of registration, for the replacement of a lost, destroyed or mutilated
certificate of registration, or for the issuance or replacement Of Professional Regulation
Commission identification cards shall be in accordance with the fees established by the
Professional Regulation Commission


SECTION 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 two (2) members 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 an 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 unprofessional conduct, malpractice, incompetency, gross ignorance or gross
negligence in the practice of medical technology.

The hearing committee may, by a majority vote, impose the penalty of revocation,
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 hearing
committee 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

SECTION 18. Appeal. - The revocation or suspension of a certificate of
registration made by the hearing committee may be appealed primarily and exclusively to
the Professional Regulation Commission. The decision of the Professional Regulation
Commission may be elevated to the Court of Appeals in accordance with the Rules of
Court.

SECTION 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 one (1) year from the date it was surrendered by the
medical technologist whose certificate of registration was revoked.

‘The suspension of a certificate of registration shall be automatically lifted upon the
expiration of the period of suspension. Said certificate of registration shall be reinstated
to the medical technologist concerned upon request.

‘The reissuance or reinstatement of the certificate of registration shall be without
prejudice to further actions by the Board for a violation of any provision of this Act, its
implementing rules or regulations or any condition imposed by the Board, upon the
medical technologist during the period of revocation or suspension.


SECTION 20. Roster of Medical Technologists. - A roster of Medical
‘Technologists shall be prepared annually by the Secretary of the Board. 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 Professional Regulation Commission, and furnished to other offices, private or
governmental and to the public, upon request.

SECTION 21. Technical Committee for Medical Technology Education (TCMTE)
- There is hereby established a Technical Committee for Medical Technology Education
under the Commission on Higher Education - Office of Programs and Standards (CHED-
OPS), The TCMTE shall be composed of the following members, who are medical
technologists:

‘a, A representative from the Board of Medical Technology of the Professional
Regulation Commission;

b. The President of the Philippine Association of Medical Technologists, Inc.
(PAMET);

a. , The President of the Philippine Association of Schools of Medical
Technology and Hygiene (PASMETH)

d. A representative from the clinical laboratory practice; and
e. A representative from the academe

‘The Technical Committee for Medical Technology Education (TCMTE) shall be
supported by a secretariat and staff.

SECTION 22. Functions of Technical Committee for Medical Technology
Education (TCMTE). - 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:

a, 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;


d. To require all medical technology schools to submit an annual report,
including the total number of students and instructors, a list of facilities
available for instruction, a list of their recent graduates and new
administrations, on or before the month of June;

e. 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;

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

SECTION 23. Medical Technology (Medical Laboratory Science) Education. -
The Medical Technology (Medical Laboratory Science) course shall be at least four
years, as stipulated in the Commission on Higher Education's Policies, Standards and
Guidelines. The said program shall be composed of general education, core and
professional courses, and a satisfactory internship program in accredited training
laboratories. It shall include the following professional courses,

a. Hematology;

b. Clinical Chemistry;

c. Microbiology;

d. Parasitology;

€. Blood Banking/Immunohematology;
f. Serology/Immunology;

g. Clinical Microscopy;

h. Histopathology & Cytology;

i Laboratory Management, and

j. Medical Technology Laws & Ethics

The Technical Committee for Medical Technology Education ("TCMTE") is
hereby authorized to change, remove from or add to the subjects listed, subject to the
approval of the Commission on Higher Education.

SECTION 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, Blood Banking, Immunohematology,
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.

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

SECTION 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 of registered and licensed medical technologists. Members of
the said accredited professional organization shall receive benefits and privileges
appurtenant thereto upon compliance to membership requirements and payment of the
required fees and dues. Membership in the accredited professional organization shall not
be a bar to membership in any other association of allied health professionals.

SECTION 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 accredited professional organization
and other CPD-MT providers to 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) under the Professional
Regulation Commission is created to ensure adequate and appropriate provision of CPD
programs and to issue operational guidelines duly approved by the Commission,

[All Registered medical technologists shall abide by the requirements, rules and
regulations on CPD promulgated by the CPDC-MT, duly approved by the Commission.

SECTION 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 PRC ID every three (3) years.

SECTION 29. Salary. - In order to enhance the general welfare, commitment to
service and professionalism of medical technologists, the minimum base pay of a
registered medical technologist should not be lower than an amount equivalent to Salary
Grade 15 under Republic Act 6758, Compensation and Position Classification Act of
1989, and the approved Joint Resolution No. 4 of Congress 2009.

SECTION 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.


SECTION 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

SECTION 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 (P50,000) nor
more than one hundred thousand pesos (P100,000) or imprisonment for not less than six
(6) months nor more than two (2) years, or both, in the discretion of the court:

a. 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,

b. Any medical technologist who shall knowingly make a fraudulent laboratory
report;

c. Any person presenting or attempting. to use as his own, the certificate of
registration of another;

d. 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;

e. Any person who shall impersonate any registrant;

£ Any person who shall attempt to use a revoked or suspended certificate of
registration;

g 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;

h. 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;

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

SECTION 33. Enforcement of this Act. - It shall be the primary duty of the
Professional Regulation Commission and the Board to effectively implement 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 Professional
Regulation Commission or the Board, render assistance in enforcing the provisions of
this Act and, to prosecute any persons violating the same.

SECTION 34. Appropriations, - The Chairperson of the Professional Regulation
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.

SECTION 35. Rules and Regulations. Within ninety (90) days after the effectivity
of this Act, the Board and the Professional Regulation Commission, in coordination with
the national accredited professional organization, the Department 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.

SECTION 36. Separability Clause - Should any provision herein be declared
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity of the other provisions of this Act.

SECTION 37. Repeating 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

SECTION 38. Effectivity. - This Act takes effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,