RECEIVED

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE} 27 MUL 2016
‘Quezon City, Metro Manila DATE:
TNE: or
Seventeenth Congress ey:
First Regular Session oo
RFSISTRATION UNIT

HOUSE BILL NO. 2049 BILLS NJ (NuEX SERVICE
fiona

Introduced by Honorable Leopoldo N.Bataoil

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to regulate and modemize the practice of Medical Technology
(Medical Technology Science).

The practice of Medical Technology is covered by Republic Act (RA) 5527,
otherwise known as the “Philippine Medical Technology Act of 1969”, The said law has been
in existence for 47 years now. Hence, majority of its sections are now obsolete and are no
longer applicable to the present time. 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

'SE OF REPRESENTATIVES


‘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.



Caer noanwn

10
coy
12
13
14
15

v7
18
19

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

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS,
First Regular Session

‘
HOUSE BILL NO. 2049

Introduced by Representative. 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. - Thi
(Medical Laboratory Science) Act
SEC.
profession in nation building and development. Thus, the State shall endeavor to develop and

is act shall be known as the "Philippine Medical Technology

.2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the role of Medical Technology

nurture competent, ethical, and globally competitive medical technologists whose standards of
professional practice and service shall conform to the highest standards of excellence,

SI
a. Aceredited medical technology training laboratory refers to a clinical laboratory duly

3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:

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 @ national organization, recognized and
accredited by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).

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

4. 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,

or lifelong learning, or both.


werwanues ene

10
cu
12
13
14
15
16
aw
18
19
20
2a
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33

e. 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 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.

g& 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 PRC 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;

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;


Cory aonewne

10
aw
12
13
14
15
16
aw
18
49
20
a
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34

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 PRC.

h. Medical laboratory technician refers to @ 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, otherwise known as “The Philippine Medical Technology Act of
1969 *, ‘The Board shall discontinue the registration of medical laboratory technicians under
R.A. No, 5527 upon the effectivity of this Act. Provided, That Medical laboratory technicians
registered under the said Act shall maintain their status as registered medical laboratory
technicians . Provided, further, That a registered medical technologist occupying the position of
a medical laboratory technician shall be rendered an appropriate position and be reclassified as a
medical technologist.

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

therapeutic purposes.

j. Phlebotomist refers to a holder of a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology
(Medical Laboratory Science) who passed an examination for Phlebotomy given by the Board of
Medical 1

qualifies as a Phlebotomist.

echnology of the PRC. Provided, That a registered medical technologist automatically

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

1. 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.


Cavan ew ne

10
a
2
13
14
15
16
7
18
19
20
24
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33

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.

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.5. 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) 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:
(d) 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;

(@) A person who does not have any pecuniary interest, directly or indirectly, in any

higher educational institution conferring an academic degree necessary for admission
to the practice of medical technology or where review classes in preparation

for the licensure examination are being offered or conducted; nor shall one be a member

of the faculty or administration thereof

(e) A member in good standing of the APO;

(f) Not an officer or trustee of the APO; and

(g) Not convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction of an offense involving moral

turpitude.

SEC. 6. Compensation and Allowances of the Board. - The Chairperson and members of
the Board shall receive compensation and allowances compatable 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;

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

c. 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;

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
Phiebotomists; and

1. Such other functions as may be prescribed by the Commission, in accordance with
existing laws governing the Commission.

SE

. 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


Cau anunrwen

10
i
2
13
14
45
16
7
18
19
20
24
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34

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

SE
sure examination for medical technologist shall establish to the satisfaction of the Board

>. 10, Qualifications of an Applicant for Medical Technologist. — An Applicant for

the li

at least thirty (30) days prior to the said examination that the following qualifications are met:
a, A resident and citizen of the Philippines;
b, Of good moral character and of sound mind;

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 a holder of a Bachelor of Science in Public Health should have complied

with the standards as stipulated in the Poli Standards and Guidelines for Medical

Technology education;
d. Paid the required examination fees as may be determined by the Professional

Regulation Commission; and

e. 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 z 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 Ethies

‘The Board shall prepare the schedule of subjects for examination and submit the same to
the Commissioner of the Commission for publication. The Board shall compute the general

average of each examinee according to the above-mentioned relative weights of each subject.

6


Carn auswn

10
a
12
13
14
15
16
wv
18
19
20
2a
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34

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 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 the time limit

and guidelines set by the Profes

ional Regulation Commission.
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 wi

(en 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,

SEC. 14. Oath Taking, - All successful, examinees shall be required to take a professional
oath before the Board or before any pe

n 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 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, its!

II 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, for the replacement of a lost, destroyed or mutilated certificate of
registration, or for the issuance or replacement of Commission's 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 two (2)

7


weavaun sewn

10
a
12
13
14
15
16
wy
18
19
20
2a
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
gil
32
33
34

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 heating 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.
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 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

8


woawaneswne

10
ua
12
13
14
15
16
7
18
19
20
2a
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34

or regulations or any condition imposed by the Board, upon the medical technologist during the
period of revocation or suspension

SEC. 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 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 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 Commi

sio1

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

SEC. 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;

c. To recommend the closure of medical technology schools which are found to be

substandard;


Caw auawn

10
ww
12
13
14
15
16
7
18
19
20
2a
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34

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; 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 (Medical Laboratory Science) Education, - The Medical

Technology (Medical Laboratory Science) course shalll be at least four years, as stipulated in the

Commi

ion 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;
Hematology;

a.
b. Clinical Chemistry;

Microbiology;
d. Parasitology:

Blood Banking/Immunohematology:

Serology/immunology;
g. Clinical Microscopy:
h. Histopathology & Cytology;
i, Laboratory Management; and
j. Medical Technology Laws & Ethies
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,
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, Blood

Banking, Immunohematology, Immunology & Serology. Clinical Microscopy (Urinalysis &

10


omuaunewn

10
a
12
13
14
15
16
a7
18
19
20
2a
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
cre
32
33
34

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 Commission shall automatically become
members of the 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. Membership in the APO shall not be a
bar to membership in any other association of allied health professionals.

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 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 Couneil for Medical Technology (CPDC-MT) under the Commi

ion 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.

SEC. 28.

felong 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.

SEC. 29. 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.

SE

30. 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:

aw


eo av an er wn

10
an
12
2B
14
15
16
7
18
19
20
21
22
23
24

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33

Special Temporary Permits (S

Duly registered physicians;
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.

s) 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. 31. 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 (Php$0,000.00) nor more than one hundred thousand

pesos (Php100,000.00) 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;

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

12


eoaovauswne

10
a
12
13
14
15
16
wv
18
19
20
24
22
23
24
25

i, Any person or corporate body who shall violate any provision of this Act or any

rules or regulations issued pursuant to this Act.

SEC. 32. Enforcement of this Act. - It shall be the primary duty of the 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 Commission or the Board, render assistance in enforeing the provisions of this
‘Act and, to prosecute any persons violating the same.

SI
Commission's program the funding requirements for the implementation of this Act. Thereafter,

°, 33. Appropriations. - The Chairperson of the Commission shall include in the

the amount necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the
General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 34. 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 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. 35. 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. 36. 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.

‘This Act takes effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the

Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,

13