pr* I’ 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
I 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
Second Regular Session 
1 
9 
MER 30 1 :  
~ 4 
SENATE 
f l  
Introduced by SENATOR EDGARDO J. ANGARA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The advancement of science and the influx of modern technology have led man 
into an endless pursuit of improvement in our quality of health and life. Due to these 
developments, the medical field which plays a vital role in this pursuit has branched out 
into specialized professions like nursing, medical technology, radiology technology, 
physical therapy, occupational therapy, and including respiratory therapy. 
Respiratory therapy is an allied health profession specializing in the assessment 
and treatment of respiratory and cardiovascular pathologies. Respiratory therapists are 
involved in the treatment of chronic lung problems such as asthma, bronchitis, 
emphysema and more acute multi-systemic problems due to other pathological conditions 
including heart attacks and stroke. 
According to the Association of Respiratory Care Practitioners, Phil., Inc. 
(ARCPP), respiratory therapy was first practiced in the country more than twenty-five 
years ago. The Philippines, being the first country in Asia to have a curriculum in 
Respiratory Therapy, also had its first graduates in 1991. 
Despite our country’s pioneering effort, respiratory therapists in the country have 
been deprived of due recognition stemming from the lack of promulgated laws to regulate 
and professionalize the field. This is inconsistent with the key role which respiratory 
therapists play in hospital health care teams and in the provision of health care to 
critically-ill patients. 
Although there have been developments towards recognizing the profession, such 
as the CMO No. 9 series of 2007 which laid out the “Policies and Standards for Bachelor 
of Science in Respiratory Therapist”, lack of legislated licensure examination has 
continuously placed our respiratory therapists in a disadvantaged position. 
Thus, this bill seeks to recognize the important role respiratory therapist play in 
our society through the following provisions, among others: 
Creation of a Professional Regulatory Board of Respiratory Therapy under the 
administrative supervision and control of the Professional Regulation 
Commission; 
Licensure examination requirement for all applicants for registration for the 
practice of respiratory therapy and; 
Guidelines and regulations involving the practice of respiratory therapy in the 
country. 
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To professionalize and regulate the practice of respiratory therapy in the country, 
which are the primary objectives bill, are in consonance with the greater role of the State 
to “protect and promote the right to health of the people” as mandated by Art. 11, Sec. 15 
of the 1987 Constitution. 
Approval of this bill is earnestly sought, 
ki/./fi 
EDGARDO J. ANGARA 
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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
1 
SENATE 
S. B. No. 31 
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@Y 
Introduced by SENATOR EDGARDO J. ANGARA 
AN ACT 
REGULATING THE PRACTICE OF RESPIRATORY THERAPY 
AND CREATING FOR THE PURPOSE A PROFESSIONAL 
REGULATORY 
BOARD 
OF 
RESPIRATORY 
THERAPY, 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in congress assembled: 
ARTICLE I 
TITLE, STATEMENT OF POLICY AND DEFINITION OF TERMS 
SECTION 1. Title. - The Act shall be known as and cited as the 
“Philippine Respiratory Therapy Act of 2009. ’’ 
SEC 2. Declaration of Policy. - The state recognizes the importance 
of respiratory therapist in nation building, Hence, it shall develop and nurture 
competent, virtuous, productive and well-rounded respiratory therapists 
whose standards and practice and service shall be excellent, qualitative, world 
class and globally competitive through inviolable, honest, effective and 
credible licensure examinations and through regulatory measures, programs 
and activities that foster their professional growth. 
SEC 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this act, the following 
terms shall mean: 
(a) Respiratory Therapy is an allied health specialty employed with 
medical direction in the treatment, management, control, diagnostic 
evaluation and care of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities in 
the cardiopulmonary system. 
(b) Respiratory Therapist is a person who is a holder of a valid certificate 
of registration and a professional identification card issued by the 
Professional Regulatory Board of Respiratory Therapy and the 
Professional Regulation Commission and who is legally qualified to 
practice respiratory therapy in the Philippines pursuant to this Act. 
(c) Respiratory Therapy Technician a person who has been registered and 
issued a valid certificate of registration a d  profession identification 
card and who underwent a two-year associate or certificate program in 
respiratory therapy procedures and who’se specific assignments are 
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supervised by a registered respiratory therapist. Such assignments are 
within the limits of a hospital or an institution of employment. 
(d) Accredited Respiratory Training Center is a respiratory therapy unit 
or pulmonary laboratory, office, center, agency, clinic, hospital or 
sanitarium duly approved by the Department of Health or its 
authorized agency. 
(e) Recognized School of Respiratory Tkevupy is any school, college, or 
university that offers a course in Respiratory Therapy as approved by 
the Commission on Higher Education in accordance with the 
requirements under this Act, upon recommendation of the Board of 
Respiratory Therapy. 
ARTICLE I1 
THE PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD 
OF RESPIRATORY THERAPY 
SEC 4. Creation and Composition of the Board. - There is hereby 
created a Professional Regulatory Board of Respiratory Therapy hereinafter 
called the board, under the administrative supervision and controlled of the 
professional regulation commission, hereinafter referred to as the 
Commission, to be composed of a chairman and two (2) members who shall 
be appointed by the President of the Philippines from a list of three 
recommendees for each position submitted by the commission from among a 
list of five nominees from each position submitted by the integrated 
professional organization of respiratory therapist. The Board shall be 
organized not later than six (6) months from the effectivity of this act. 
SEC 5. Qualycations of the Members of the Board- The Chairman 
and the members of the Board shall, at the time of their appointment, possess 
the following qualifications: 
a) Must be natural born citizen and resident of the Philippines; 
b) Must be at least thirty-five (35) years of age if he/she is the chairman 
or least thirty (30) years old if he/she is a member; 
c) Must be a duly Registered Respiratory Therapist in the Philippines 
with a valid certificate of registration and professional identification 
card, Provided, that in case of the first member of the Board of 
Respiratory Therapy, they shall be issued certificates of registration 
and professional identification card as Respiratory Therapist without 
prior examination; 
d) Must be a holder baccalaureate degree in respiratory therapy with at 
least fifteen (15) years of professional experience and with at least 
five (5) years of professional experience as director, supervisor or 
head of said laboratory or unit of Department of Health recognized 
hospital prior to hidher appointment; 


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e) Must not be an elected officer of the integrated and accredited national 
organization of respiratory therapist; 
f, Must not have been convicted by any competent court of an offense 
involving moral turpitude; and 
g) Must not have any pecuniary interest directly or indirectly, in any 
school, college, university or institution conferring an academic 
degree necessary for admission to the practice of respiratory therapy 
or where review classes in preparation for the licensure examination 
are being offered or conducted, nor shall he/she be a member of the 
faculty or the administration thereof at the time of hisher appointment 
to the Board. 
SEC 6. Term of Office of the Board of Member. - The Chairman 
and the members of the Board shall hold office for a term of three (3) years or 
until their successors shall have been appointed and duly qualified: Provided, 
that member of the first Board to be appointed after the approval of this Act 
shall hold office for the following terms: chairman for three years, one 
member for two years, and the other member for one year: Provided, further, 
that the Chairman or any member maybe reappointed for another term of 
three years but in no case shall the whole term exceed six (6) years. Interim 
vacancies in the Board shall be filled for the unexpired term only. Each 
member of the first Board shall automatically be registered as respiratory 
therapist and issued a certificate of registration and professional identification 
card and shall take the proper oath of office prior to assumption of duty. 
SEC 7. Compensation and Allowance of the Board. - The Chairman 
and member of the Board, shall receive a compensation and allowance 
comparable to that being received by the chairman and members of existing 
regulatory boards under the Commission as provided for in the General 
Appropriations Act. 
SEC 8. Powers und Functions of the Board. - The Board shall have 
the following powers and duties: 
(a) Promulgate, administer and enforce rules and regulations 
necessary for carrying out the Provisions of this Act; 
(b) Administer oaths in connection to the administration of this Act; 
(c) Study the condition affecting the practice of respiratory therapist 
in the Philippines and adopt measures for the enhancement of the 
profession and the maintenance of high professional ethical 
standards. The Board may conduct ocular inspection at places 
where registered respiratory therapists are employed or are 
working, such as hospitals and clinics, to determine and enforce 
compliance with the professional regulatory laws and the rules 
and regulations promulgated pursuant hereto, to aid the Board in 
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formulating or revising policies relating to the practice of 
respiratory therapy; 
(d) Ensure, in coordination with the Commission of Higher Education 
(CHED), that all educational institutions offering respiratory 
therapy education comply with the policies, standards and 
requirements of the course prescribed by CHED in the areas of 
curriculum, faculty, library, and facilities; 
(e) Supervise and regulate the registration, licensure and practice of 
respiratory therapy in the Philippines; 
(0 Adopt an official seal of the Board; 
(g) Maintain a roster of respiratory therapists indicating therein the 
basic information about the registered professional; 
(h) Issue, reinstate, suspend or revoke the certificate of registration 
and professional identification card or cancel special permits for 
the practice of respiratory therapy; 
(i) Prescribe and/or adopt a Code of Ethics and standard for the 
practice of respiratory therapy; 
(i) Hear or investigate any violations of this Act, its implementing 
rules and regulations and the Code of Ethics for respiratory 
therapists, and for this purpose, to issue subpoena duces tecum to 
secure the appearance of the witnesses and the production of 
documents in connection therewith Provided, That the decision 
of the board shall, unless appealed to the Commission, become 
final and executory after fifteen (15) days from receipt of 
judgment or decision; 
(k) Determine and evaluate the qualifications of applicants for 
registration with or without licensure examination and applicants 
for special permits. 
(1) Prescribed the subjects in the licensure examinations, determine 
the syllabi of the subjects and their relative weights, construct the 
test questions in the licensure examination, core and rate the 
examination papers and submit the examination result to the 
commission; 
(m) Grant registration without examination subject to approval by the 
commission; 
(n) Issue special permits to persons admitted to the practice of 
respiratory therapy for a specific duration of time, and certificates 
of 
recognition 
for 
advance 
studies, 
researches 
and 
accomplishments that contribute to the enrichment of the 
profession; 
(0) Adopt a program for the full computerization for the licensure 
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examinations; 
(p) Prescribe guidelines and criteria in the continuing professional 
education (CPE) program for respiratory therapist; 
(q) Perform such other powers and functions as it may deem 
necessary to carry out the objectives of this act. 
The policies, resolutions, rules and regulations, order or decision 
issued or promulgated by the Board shall be subject to the reviewed and 
approval of the commission. 
SEC 9. Suspension andor Removal of Board Members. - Any 
member of the Board may, upon the recommendation of the Commission 
after the due process of law and investigation conducted by the Commission, 
be suspended or removed by the President from office for cause such as 
gross neglect of duty, incompetence, malpractice, unprofessionalism, 
immorality, unethical or dishonorable conduct, final judgment of crimes 
involving moral turpitude, manipulation or rigging of the licensure 
examination results, disclosure of secret and confidential information in the 
examination questions prior to the conduct of the said examination, and 
tampering of grades. 
SEC 
10. Supervision of 
the Board, Custodian of 
its Records, 
Secretariat 
and Support Services. - The Board shall be under the 
administrative supervision of the Commission. All records of the Board, 
including applications, examination papers and results, minutes of the 
deliberation, administrative cases, and other investigations involving 
respiratory therapist shall be kept by the Commission. 
The Commission shall designate the Secretary of the Board and shall 
provide the secretariat and other support services to implement the provision 
of this Act. 
SEC 11. Annual Report. - The Board shall, at the close of each 
calendar year, submit an annual report to the Commission, giving a detailed 
account of each proceedings and accomplishments during the year and 
recommending measmes to be adopted, with the end in view of upgrading 
and improving the conditions affecting the practice of respiratory therapy in 
the Philippines. 
ARTICLE I11 
LICENSURE EXAMINATION AND REGISTRATION 
SEC. 
12. 
Examinations Required. - All 
applicants 
for 
registration for the practice of respiratory therapy shall be required to 
undergo a licensure examinations to be given by the board in such 
places 
and 
dates as the Commission may 
designate subject to 
compliance with the requirements prescribed by the Commission. 
SEC. 
13. Qualifications of Applicants. - An applicant for the 
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licensure examination for respiratory 
satisfaction of the Board, that: 
therapist shall established to the 
(a) He/she is a citizen of 
the Philippines or if helshe is a 
foreigner, 
must prove that the country of which he/she is a 
subject 
or 
citizen 
thereof 
permits 
Filipino respiratory 
therapist to 
practice within 
territorial 
jurisdiction on the 
same basis as the subjects or citizens of such country: 
(b) He/she 
has completed at least ten (IO) months of internship 
equivalent to a minimum of one thousand five hundred hours 
(1 500) 
of 
respiratory 
therapy 
clinical 
internship under 
the supervision of a competent, duly qualified 
and registered 
respiratory therapist; 
(c) He/she is a graduate of Bachelor o f  Science in Respiratory 
Therapy 
degree 
from a school, college or university in the 
Philippines 
or 
aboard 
recognized 
and 
accredited by the 
Commission on Higher Education (CHED); 
(d) He/she is of good moral character; 
(e) He/she 
must not have been convicted of an offense involving 
moral turpitude by the competent court. 
SEC. 
14. 
Scope 
of 
Examinations. - 
The 
licensure 
examination for 
respiratory 
therapists shall cover the following 
subjects: 
a) Patient Assessment and Electrocardiogarphy 
b) Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology 
c) Neonatal and Pediatric Respiratory Therapy 
d) Mechanical Ventilation 
e) Acid-Base Physiology and Blood Gas Interpretation 
i-) Airway Care and Management 
g) Pulmonary Function Testing 
h) Pulmonary Rehabilitation 
i) Oxygen Therapy 
The 
Board, subject to the approval of the Commission may 
revise or exclude any of the subjects or add new ones as the need 
arises. 
SEC. 15. Ratings in the Examination. - To be qualified as 
having 
passed 
the 
licensure 
examination of respiratory therapist, a 
candidate must have obtained a general average of seventy five percent 
(75%) with no grade lower than sixty percent (60%) in any given 
subject. 
SEC. 
16. 
Registration without Examinations as Respiratory 
Therapists. - A person possesses the pertinent qualifications required 
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for admission in the examination for registration as a respiratory 
therapist pursuant to the provisions in this Act may be registered without 
examination, provided the applicant files with theBoard within two (2) 
years after its creation an application for registration and issuance of a 
certificate of registration and professional 
identification card by 
submitting credentials showing that the applicant, before the effectivity of 
this Act, had obtained any of the following: 
a) aBachelor of Science degree in Respiratory Therapy with 
at least five (5) years of full-time work experience in the 
practice of respiratory therapy in the Philippines; or 
b) a Bachelor 
of Science degree in 
allied health professions 
with at least five (5) years of work experience in the practice of 
respiratory therapy ; 
c) a Certificate in Respiratory Therapy , Certificate in Pulmonaty 
Therapy , a Certificate for Associate in Respiratory Therapy , 
and a certificate for Associate in Pulmonary Therapy , with at 
least eight 
(8) years of work experience in the practice of 
respiratory therapy. 
SEC. 17. Reports ofthe Ratings. - The board shall submit to the 
Commission the ratings obtained by each candidate within ten (10) calendar 
days after the examination, unless extended for just cause. 
SEC. 
18. Oath of Respiratory Therapist. - All successfully 
examinees qualified for 
registration and all qualified applicants for 
registration without examination shall be required to take an oath of 
profession before any member of the board or any government official 
authorized by the Commission to administer oath, prior to entering 
into the practice of respiratory therapy in the Philippines. 
SEC. 19. Issuance 
of 
Certificate 
of 
Registration 
and 
Professional IdentiJication Card. 
- 
The 
Connnission, 
on 
recommendation of the Board, shall issue a certificate of registration 
and professional identification card to examinees who passed the 
licensure examinations for respiratory therapist subject to payment of 
fees prescribed by the Commission. The certificate of registration shall 
bear the signature of the 
chairperson of the Commission and the 
members of the Board, stamped with the official seal of the 
Commission and of the Board, 
indicating that the persons named 
therein is entitled to practice the profession with all the privileges 
appurtenant thereto. This certificate of registration shall remained in full force 
and effect until revoked or suspended in accordance with this Act. 
A professional Identification 
card bearing the registration 
number, date of issuance, expiry date, duly signed by the chairperson 
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of the Commission shall likewise be issued to every registrant who has 
paid the prescribed fee and this shall be renewable every three years. 
SEC. 20. Refusal to register. - The Board shall not register 
any successful examinee who has been convicted by a court of 
competent jurisdiction of 
any 
criminal offense involving moral 
turpitude or has been found guilty of immoral or dishonorable conduct 
after investigation by the Board, or has been declared to be of unsound 
mind. The reason for the refusal shall be set forth in writing. 
SEC. 21. Indication of Certificate of Registration and Professional 
TaxReceipt. - The respiratory therapist shall be required to indicate 
hisher registration number, including the professional tax receipt number 
on the document he/she signed 
uses or issues in connection with the 
practice of hidher profession. 
SEC. 
22. Initials. 
- The initials “RPRT” which stands for 
Registered Philippine Respiratory Therapist, shall 
be 
added 
to 
the 
name of the 
respiratory 
therapist 
who 
successfully 
passes the 
examination specially when signing 
documents 
pertinent 
to 
the 
practice of hisher profession. 
SEC. 
23, Revocation and Suspension of the Certificate of 
Registration and Professional Zdentification Card and Cancellation 
of Specid Permit. - The Board may, after giving proper notice of hearing 
to the party concern, revoke the practitioner’s certificate of registration 
and professional identification card or suspend hindher from the 
practice of hidher profession or cancel hisher special permits for any 
of the causes or grounds under Section 20 
of 
this 
Act or any 
unprofessional or unethical conduct, malpractice, violation of any of 
the provision of this Act, its rules and 
regulations, the Code of 
Ethics and Standards for respiratory therapists. 
SEC. 24. Reinstatement, Reissuance or Replacement of Certipcate 
of 
Registration 
and 
Professional 
Identipcation 
Card and 
Temporary/Special Permit. - Two years after the date of revocation, 
the Board may, 
upon application and for reasons deemed proper and 
sufficient, reinstate any revoked certificate of registration and reissue a 
professional identification card, 
and in so doing, may, 
in its discretion, 
exempt the applicant from taking another examination. 
A new certificate of registration or temporary/special permit, to 
replace lost, destroyed or mutilated ones may be issued subject to the rules 
as implemented by the Board. 
SEC. 25. Roster of Respiratory Therapist. - The 
Board 
shall prepare, update and maintain a roster of respiratory therapists 
which shall contain the name of each registered respiratory therapist, 
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hisker residence and office addresses, the date of registration and 
issuance of certificate, 
and 
other data which the Board may deem 
pertinent. 
The roster shall be open to the public, copies of which shall 
be mailed to each person therein. 
SEC. 
26. 
Issuance 
of 
SpeciaWTemporaiy 
Permit - 
Special/temporary permit may be issued by the Board subject to the 
approval 
of 
the 
Commission and payment of the fees the later has 
prescribed and charged thereof to the following persons; 
(a) A foreign respiratory therapist called for consultation or 
for a 
specific purpose which, in 
the judgment of the Board, is 
essential for 
the development of the country; 
Provided, that 
hisher practice 
shall be limited only for a particular work 
that 
he/she 
is being engaged Provided, Further, 
that there 
is no Filipino respiratory therapist 
qualified 
for such 
consultation or specific purpose; 
@) A foreign respiratory therapist engaged as professor, lecturer 
or critic in fields essential to respiratory therapy education in 
the 
Philippines 
and 
hisker 
engagement 
confine 
to 
teaching only; and 
(c) A 
foreign 
respiratory 
therapist 
who is an internationally 
recognized 
expert 
or 
with specialization in any branch of 
respiratory therapy and hidher service is essential for the 
advancement of respiratory therapy in the Philippines. 
The permit shall, among other things, include these limitations 
and conditions: for a validity period of not more than one (1) year 
subject to renewal, the branch or specialty of respiratory therapy, and 
the specific place of practice such as clinic, hospital, center, 
school/college/university offering the course of respiratory 
therapy. 
The Board, subject to the approval by the Commission, shall prescribe rules 
and regulations on the implementation of this particular section. 
ARTICLE IV 
PRACTICE OF RESPIRATORY THERAPY 
SEC. 21. 
Scope of the Practice of Respiratory Therapy. - 
A registered respiratory therapist performs, but is not limited to, the 
following functions under the direction of a physician: 
a) Performs and recommends tentative 
interpretation of 
tests 
obtained from physiological specimens which will assist in the 
diagnosis and 
determination 
of the degree 
of impairment 
of relevant aspect of cardio-pulmonary efficiency, 
b) Implement 
treatment 
programs 
on 
the basis of test findings 
within the scope of respiratory therapy; 
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c) Performs pulmonary function testing (PFT) maneuvers; 
d) Perform 
cardio-pulmonary resuscitation 
and 
provide 
an 
artificial airway; 
e) Administers mechanical ventilatory support 
f) Administer 
pharmacologic agents related to respiratory care 
procedures 
g) Offers 
broncopulmonary 
hygiene 
procedures 
to 
improve 
pulmonary status; 
h) Participates in the pulmonary rehabilitation of 
patient 
with 
lung disorders; 
i) Evaluates polysomnography studies 
j) Assists in the performance of bronchoscopy procedures; 
k) Participates 
in 
research 
programs 
and studies for the 
advancement of the field of respiratory therapy 
1) Teaches, 
lectures, 
and 
reviews 
subjects 
given in the 
licensure examination. 
SEC. 28 . Prohibition on 
the 
Practice 
of 
Respiratory 
Therapy. - 
No 
person shall practice or offer to practice respiratory 
therapy 
in 
the 
Philippines or 
offer himselfherself as respiratory 
therapist, or use the title, word, 
letter, figure, 
or any sign tending to 
convey 
the 
impression 
that 
he/she 
is a respiratory therapist, or 
advertise 
or 
indicate 
in 
any 
manner 
whatsoever 
that hdshe is 
qualified to perform the work of a respiratory therapist unless he/she 
has satisfactorily passed the licensure examination given by the Board, 
except as otherwise provided in this Act, and is a holder of a valid 
certificate of registration and professional identification card or a valid 
temporary/special permit duly issued to hidher by the Board and the 
Commission. 
SEC. 29. ProhibitedActs. -No person shall: 
(a) Engage in the practice of respiratory therapy by representing 
himselfherself 
as a 
respiratory 
therapist without a valid 
certificate of 
registration 
and professional identification card 
or a valid 
temporary/special 
permit granted by the Board 
pursuant to this Act; 
(b) Represent himself/herself 
as a respiratory therapist during 
the 
time 
that hidher 
certificate 
of 
registration 
and 
professional 
identification 
card 
is not valid or has been 
suspended or revoked, 
or 
that 
hidher temporary/special 
permit is cancelled; 
(c) Allow any body to use hisher certificate of registration and 
professional identification card or temporary/special 
permit 
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as a respiratory 
therapist 
to 
enable such 
unqualified 
individual to engage in the practice of respiratory therapy; 
(d) Use 
as 
hisher 
own the 
certificate of 
registration and 
professional 
identification 
card 
or 
temporaryhpecial 
permit of another. 
SEC. 30. 
Employment 
of 
Respiratory Therapist in 
Pulmonary Units and Laboratories. - 
Hospitals, clinics, home care, 
medical centers and similar establishments shall be required to employ 
and station at least three (3) registered respiratory 
therapist, under 
the 
direction of 
a physician, 
who shall be on duty for each shift to 
ensure that the service they offer comply with professional standards. 
SEC. 31. Code of Ethics andstandards for Respiratory Therapists. 
- The Board 
shall adopt and promulgate the Code of Ethics and 
Standards for Respiratory Therapist prescribed 
and 
issued by the 
accredited national organization of respiratory therapist. 
SEC. 32. 
Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Program 
- All 
respiratory therapists shall abide by the requirement, rules and 
regulations 
regarding 
continuing 
professional 
education 
as 
promulgated 
by 
the 
Board in collaboration with the integrated 
professional organization of respiratory therapists. 
SEC. 33. 
Integration 
of Respiratory Therapists. - All 
respiratory therapists shall be integrated into one (1) and only national 
organization of registered respiratory therapists, upon the recognition 
and 
accreditation 
by 
the Board subject to the approval by the 
Commission. 
A 
respiratory therapist duly registered by the Board and 
the Commission shall automatically become a member of the said 
organization 
and shall receive the benefits and privileges appurtenant 
thereto upon payment of required fees and dues. Membership in the 
integrated organization shall not be a bar to membership in any other 
association of respiratory therapists. 
SEC. 34. 
Foreign Reciprocity - 
No 
foreigner shall be 
admitted to the examination or be given a certificate of registration or 
be entitled to any of the privileges under this Act unless the country of 
which he/she is a 
subject or citizen specifically permits Filipino 
respiratory therapists to practice within its territorial limits on the 
same basis as the subjects or citizens of such foreign state or country. 
ARTICLE V 
PENAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS 
SEC. 35. 
Penal Provision. - Any person who shall violate any 
of the provisions 
of this Act or any of its implementing d e s  and 
regulations as promulgated by the Board subject to the approval of the 
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Commission shall, upon conviction, be punished by a crime of not less 
than Twenty Thousand Pesos (P 20,000.00) or by 
imprisonment of not 
less than six (6) months, at the discretion of the court. 
SEC. 36. 
Funding 
Provision, 
- The Chairman of the 
Professional Regulation Commission shall include in the Commission's 
programs the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be 
included in the Annual General Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 37. 
Implementing 
Rules 
and 
Regulations. - To 
implement the provisions of this Act, 
the Board shall, 
subject to the 
approval of the Commission and coordination with the 
integrated 
and 
accredited professional organization, promulgate the rules and 
regulations 
and 
the 
Code of 
Ethics for respiratory therapists within 
ninety (90) days after the effectivity of this Act. 
SEC. 38. 
Interpretation of This Act. - Nothing in this Act 
shall be construed to effect or prevent the practice of any other legally 
recognized profession. 
SEC. 39. 
Separabili@ Clause. - Any section or provision of 
this Act shall be declared invalid or 
unconstitutional, such shall not 
invalidate any other section or provision to this Act. 
SEC. 40. 
Repealing 
Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, 
issuance, or parts thereof, which are consistent with the provisions 
of this Act are hereby repealed, modified or superseded. 
SEC. 41. 
Eflectivi@. - This Act shall take effect after fifreen 
(15) days 
following its publication 
in 
two (2) major newspapers 
national circulation. 
Approved. 
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