EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S E N A T E
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20 
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Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR STANDARDS FOR THE PRACTICE OF REHABILITATION 
MEDICINE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Physiatry or commonly known as Rehabilitation Medicine is a branch of 
medicine that has a primary objective of restoring the functionai ability of those who 
are physically impaired and disabied in order to restore and enhance their quality of 
life. Over the years, this sector has seen a tremendous growth as medical professionals 
practicing the said discipline has increased exponentially.
TTiroughout the country, rehabilitation centers have also been appearing 
rapidly, with the intention of delivering comprehensive rehabilitative care to patients 
with distinctive needs. To become effective in the provision of safe and patient- 
centered treatment, these physiatry centers must be headed by an expert physiatrist 
-  a speciaiist who has completed at least three (3) years of rehabilitative medicine 
training. 
These 
physiatrists 
have 
a 
broad 
understanding 
in 
neurological, 
musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and rheumatological systems that will aid them in 
evaluating and properly treating patients from a wide range of age groups. 
Furthermore, they are able to supervise allied medical professionals and other 
members of the care team who play an integral part in the rehabilitative process of 
the patients, including but not limited to prosthetists, speech therapists, orthotists, 
physical therapists and occupational therapists.
In addition, the furnishing of these facilities with the appropriate equipment 
and right medical tools is vital to properly and accurately addressing the patients and


their needs, expert diagnosis should be guaranteed through a specific treatment plan 
to help these patients and fully restore their physical mobility and functions, eventually 
maximizing their independence for their day to day activities in life.
TTiis bill seeks to set the proper standards in training and practice of 
Rehabilitation Medicine. Furthermore, this measure also has the objective of setting 
the proper guidelines, technically and operationally for rehabilitation facilities and 
medical personnel alike, ensuring top notch service and care provided to the patients 
thus protecting the interest of all who seek rehabilitative treatment.
In line with this, the passage of this measure into law is earnestly sought.
RAMON/BONG REVILLA, JR.


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
S E N A T E
1
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PEB -3 f 5
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR STANDARDS FOR THE PRACTICE OF REHABILITATION 
MEDICINE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Short Title. -  This Act shall be known as the "Medical Rehabilitation
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Standards Act o f 2019."
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Sec. 2. Declaration o f Policy. -  It is the policy of the State to protect and
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promote the right to heaith of the people through optimizing function by masking the
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delivery of expert rehabilitative care to Filipinos suffering from neuromusculoskeletal
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cardiovascular, pulmonary and other system disorders which produce temporary or
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permanent disability accessibie, effective and affordabie. Toward this end, standards
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for the effective practice of Rehabilitation Medicine and for the establishment,
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management and operations of rehabilitation faciiities are hereby established.
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Sec. 3. Definition o f Terms. -  As used in this Act, the foiiowing terms shaii
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mean:
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A. Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine - the branch of medicine which
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deais with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of
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neuromuscuioskeietal, cardiovascular, pulmonary and other system
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disorders which produce temporary or permanent disability in patients
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as well as the performance of different diagnostic and therapeutic
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procedures, 
including, 
but 
not limited 
to 
medical 
prescription,
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procedures, 
injections, 
neuropsychology, 
nutrition, 
provision 
of
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equipment and assistive devices, physical modalities, electromyography, 
musculoskeletal sonology, manual therapy, therapeutic exercises, 
prosthetics and orthotics. It also involves specialized medical care and 
training of patients with loss of function so that he or she may obtain his 
or her maximum potential, physically, psychologically, socially and 
vocationally, 
providing 
special 
attention 
and 
care 
to 
prevent 
complications or deterioration, and to assist in physiologic adaptation of 
disability, impairment or handicap. In addition, the practice of Physical 
& Rehabilitation Medicine uses agents such as heat, light, water, 
electricity, therapeutic exercise and mechanical agents in its treatment 
armamentarium.
B. Medical Rehabilitation - the process of helping a person achieve his 
fullest physical psychological, social, vocational, educational and 
functional potential consistent with his or her physiologic or anatomic 
impairments, environmental limitations and life plans;
C. Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist- a physician who is licensed 
and duly registered with the Professional Regulation Commission and 
who completed three (3) years of residency with the Professional 
Regulation Commission and who completed three (3) years of residency 
training in Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine in a training institution 
accredited by the Philippine Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine 
Specialty Board.
D. Philippine Academy o f Rehabilitation Medicine (PARM) -  a non-stock, 
non-profit corporation, duly recognized by the Professional Regulation 
Commission and the Accredited Professional Organization (APO) 
composed of Board Certified Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine 
Specialists.
E. Philippine Academy o f Rehabilitation Medicine Specialty Board (PARM 
SB) -  is the recognized Specialty Board by Philippine Academy of 
Rehabilitation Medicine tasked with examining and certifying competent 
specialty practitioners.
F. Physiatrist - synonym for Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist


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They shall be qualified by the PARM Specialty Board as:
a) Board Eligible Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist -  
refers to one who completed residency training in a residency 
training program accredited by the PARM Specialty Board but who 
has not successfully completed the PARM Specialty Board 
examination.
b) Board Certified (Diplomate) -  refers to those who passed Part I 
(written) and Part II (oral) of the Diplomate Board Examination 
given by the PARM Specialty Board examination.
G. Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine Center/Facility/Unit -  any facility that 
renders services for the rehabilitation of physical disabilities and which 
may be hospital-based or free-standing.
H. Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine Team -  a group of medical and allied 
health professionals concerned with the medical rehabilitation of 
patients with physical disabilities. The team is composed of, but not 
limited to, the following:
1. Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine Specialists
2. Physical Therapists
3. Occupational Therapists
4. Prosthetists and Orthotists
5. Rehabilitation Nurses
6. Speech Pathologists
7. Social Workers
8. Vocational Counselors
9. Recreational Therapists
10. Electromyographer
11. Musculoskeletal Sonographer
12. Certified Strength Sl Conditioning Coach
13. SPED Teachers
14. Neuropsychologist
15. Physical Therapy Aide


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Sec. 4. Scope o f Practice. -  The practice of Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine
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includes:
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A. Professional services related to the care of an individual patient, rendered
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in the role of a physical primarily responsible for individual patient care or
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as a consultant to another physician, and consists of
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1. History taking, examination of patients, performance of specific
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diagnostic 
procedures 
like 
Electromyography 
and 
Nerve
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Conduction Velocity studies, Neuromusculoskeletal Ultrasound,
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and Bone Densitometry for the purpose of establishing diagnosis
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and evaluation of disability, impairment, functional capacity and
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potential for rehabilitation;
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2, Prescription and rendering of appropriate medical treatment
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which may include any or all, aspects or physical medicine as well
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as rehabilitative measures, including but not limited to physical
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therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, orthotic and
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prosthetic services, joint and trigger point injections, ultrasound
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guided interventional procedures;
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3. Follow 
up 
examination 
of patients 
in 
offices, 
hospitals,
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rehabilitation facilities, extended care facilities or home for
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purposes of re-evaluation and treatment modifications;
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4, Appropriate consultation with other medical specialists;
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5. Psychological counseling and conference with non-physical health
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care professionals or family members concerning conduct of
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patient's care or patient's progress; and
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6. Examination 
of patient's 
records, 
preparation 
of reports,
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designing, planning and implementation of health programs for
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the maintenance of health and prevention of disability; and
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correspondence as well as appearance in court or providing
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testimony pertaining to a patient.
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B. Professional services related to the administration of rehabilitation facilities
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or units consist of:


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1. Professional general supervision of rehabilitation services in a 
hospital-based rehabilitation center or unit or any other freestanding 
units;
2. Planning, establishment and management of facilities, equipment 
and personnel for the performance of functions and activities of a 
rehabilitation department or unit, or any other free standing unit that 
render limited rehabilitation services.
Convalescent home and private homes, for quality assurance and 
appropriate utilization of services;
3. Maintenance of complete and accurate and statistics;
4. Education of physicians and allied health care professionals in 
Rehabilitation Medicine, both local and foreign, for programs related 
to Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine;
5. Education of the public on health care issues pertaining to 
Rehabilitation Medicine through research ad medical education;
6. Promoting professional development of Rehabilitation Medicine 
through research and medical education;
7. Designing, 
planning 
and 
implementing 
health 
programs 
for 
maintenance of health and prevention of disability;
8. Establishing 
linkages 
with 
government 
and 
non-government 
agencies, 
both 
local 
and 
foreign, 
for programs 
related 
to 
Rehabilitation Medicine;
9. Promotion of the team approach among medical and allied medical 
health care professionals in the holistic care of patients; and
10. Setting standards for compensation of Physical & Rehabilitation 
Medicine services.
Guidelines for Practice in a Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine Facility:
1. Every patient shall be examined and diagnosed by a Physical & 
Rehabilitation Medicine specialist. The Physical and Rehabilitation 
Medicine specialist recommends an individual treatment plan in 
collaboration with the Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine team. The


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treatment plan and rehabilitation program shall be regularly reviewed
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on a team basis.
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2. Medications & various other forms of treatment shall be prescribed
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by a Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine specialist.
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3. The Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine specialist has the primary
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responsibility of regularly following-up on patients in his charge and
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modifying or terminating treatment.
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4. A Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine specialist shall head facility or
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unit and collaborate with the physical & rehabilitation team in the
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delivery of rehabilitation medicine services.
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5. The Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine specialist shall conduct
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himself in a manner consistent with the Code of Ethics of the
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Accredited Professional Organization (APO).
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Sec. 5. Qualifications to Practice. -  A physician who is a Board Certified/Board
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Eligible Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine Specialists, of good moral character and is
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a member of the Accredited Professional Organization is qualified to practice Physical
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& Rehabilitation Medicine Specialists is qualified to practice Physical & Rehabilitation
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Medicine.
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Sec. 6. Accreditation and Certification. -  This Act aims to establish the
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standards for the practice of Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine and the certification
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of Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine Specialists in order to ensure the highest quality
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of professional medical rehabilitation service to the public and to the medical
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community.
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a. Accreditation of the Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist-A Physical
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& Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist eligible for accreditation is a graduate
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of residency training institution accredited by the Philippine Academy of
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Rehabilitation Medicine Specialty Board and recognized by the Accredited
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Professional Organization.
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Sec. 7. Regulatory Authority. -  Technical Standards and Requirements for the
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Registration, Operation and Maintenance of Rehabilitation Medicine Facilities shall be
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implemented and regulated by the Department of Health (DOH) Health Facilities and
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Services Regulatory Bureau.


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Sec. 8. Management and Operation o f a Rehabilitation Medicine Facility. -  A
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Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine Facility shall be headed by a Physical &
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Rehabilitation Medicine specialist who is either a PARM Specialty Board Certified or
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Eligible Physical Rehabilitation Medicine specialist in the said facility.
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Sec. 9. Classification o f Facilities. -  Rehabilitation Medicine facilities shall be
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classified according to the institutional character, and extent of services offered. The
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bases for the classification of the different categories of Rehabilitation facilities are:
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(1) Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist qualification, (2) Allied Health
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personnel staff qualification, (3) Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine services available
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and (4) Physical set-up and equipment.
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a. Categories
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1. As to institutional character, a Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine
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facilities are either hospital-based (if operating within a hospital set-
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up) or freestanding (if operating on its own or part of a facility other
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than a hospital).
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2. As to extent of services, a Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine
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facilities maybe primary, secondary, tertiary, or home-based.
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3. As to function, a Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine facility may be
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utilized for training services and research or for services alone.
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4. As to services, a rehabilitation Medicine facility can also be either
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general or specialized.
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b. A Primary Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine facility shall have the following:
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1. At least one (1) PARM Specialty Board Certified or Board eligible
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Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist;
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2. At least one (1) allied rehabilitation health professional;
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3. Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine consultation 
and management
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with physical therapy services;
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4. Physical set-up;
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5. Medical consultation area;
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6. Treatment area to include at least an electrotherapy device and
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superficial hearing modality, and activities of daily living (ADL)
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training devices;


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7. Gym area, to include parallel bars, mirror, weights and assistive 
devices such as cranes, crutches & walkers among others;
8. Evaluation tools;
9. Adequate utilities such as water, electricity and consumables; and
10. First Aid kit with basic CPR equipment
c. A Secondary Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine facility shall have the 
following:
1. At least one (1) PARM Specialty Board certified or Board Eligible 
Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine specialist;
2. At least one (1) licensed therapist and occupational therapist;
3. Rehabilitation Medicine consultation and management, physical and 
occupational therapy services; and
4. Compliance with the primary category set-up plus deep heating 
modality, manual traction and therapeutic exercise equipment for the 
gym area.
d. A Tertiary Rehabilitation Medicine facility shall have the following:
1. At least one (1) PARM Specialty Board certified or Board Eligible 
Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine specialist;
2. At least one (1) licensed therapist and occupational therapist;
3. Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine consultation and management, 
physical and occupational therapy, speech therapy, prosthetics and 
orthotics in-house or referral services.
4. Compliance with the secondary category set-up and equipment, with 
additional two (2) superficial heating modalities, medium frequency 
modality, ultraviolet or cold laser intermittent compression unit, 
mechanized intermittent traction and tilt table with additional gym 
equipment.
5. A Training/Service and Research facility, which shall fulfill all the 
requirements as a residency training institution in accordance with 
PARM SB guidelines.
6. A specialized facility which should cater to subspecialty condition in 
rehabilitation medicine including cardiac, pain, pediatric, pulmonary.
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sports, among others, shall be hospital based facility with a
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multidisciplinary set-up.
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Sec. 10. Management and Operation o f a Rehabilitation Medicine Facility. -  A
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Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Facility shall be headed by a 
Physical and
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Rehabilitation Medicine specialist who is either a PARM Specialty Board Certified or
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Board Eligible Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine specialist in the said facility. An
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adequate and effective system of documentation, recording and recordkeeping must
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be maintained for all consultations and services in the facility. The rates for
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consultation and services shall be in accordance with the standards of the Accredited
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Professional Organization and PhilHealth.
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Sec. 11. Application for Registration and Issuance o f License. -Applications for
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registration and issuance of a license shall be filed by the owner of the facility or his
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duly authorized representative with the Department of Health (DOH) Health Facilities
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and Services Regulatory Bureau, together with an information sheet to be filled up by
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the Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist-in-charge. Upon receipt of the said
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application together with the license fee, the PARM technical committee team will
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inspect the facility within sixty (60) days. Certificates of licenses shall be issued and
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approved by the Head of the Department of Health (DOH) Health Facilities and
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Services Regulatory Bureau. A provisional license may be granted to facilities with
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insufficient requirements for special cases for a period of one (1) year.
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Sec. 12. Terms and Validity o f License. -  The license to operate valid for a
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period of two (2) years. Application for renewal of the license shall be made during
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the last six (6) months of validity. The license must be placed in a conspicuous place
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within the facility. A copy of the rules and regulations should also be readily available.
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In any violation of the standards provided, the license to operate may be revoked.
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Investigation of all charges or complaints against a Physical and Rehabilitation
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Medicine facility or any of its personnel shall be made to the Accredited Professional
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Organization (when compliant is against the Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine
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Specialist) and to the Department of Health (DOH) Health Facilities and Services
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Regulatory Bureau for appropriate investigation.
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Sec. 13. Penalties. -  Any person, partnership, association, or corporation who
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establishes, operates conducts, manages or maintain a rehabilitation medicine facility


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within the meaning of this Act without first obtaining a license or violated any provision
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of this Act or its Implementing Rules and Regulations shall be liable to fine of not less
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than Forty Thousand Pesos (Php 40,000.00) but not exceed One Hundred Thousand
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Pesos (Php 100,000.00) for the first offense, not less than One Hundred Thousand
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Pesos (Php 100,000.00) but not to exceed Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php
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200,000.00) for the second offense, and not less than Two Hundred Thousand Pesos
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(Php 200,000.00) for the third and subsequent offense. Each day that a facility or
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other related facility shall operate after the first violation shall be considered a
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subsequent offense. In addition to the penalties specified in the preceding paragraph,
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the Department of Health (DOH)
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Sec. 14. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). -  To implement provisions of
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this Act, the Department of Health (DOH) Health Facilities and Services Regulatory
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Bureau, in coordination with the national professional organization duly recognized by
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the Professional Regulation Commission, shall promulgate the rules and regulations,
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including the technical standards and requirements for the registration, operation and
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maintenance of the rehabilitation medicine facilities, within ninety (90) days after the
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effectivity of this Act.
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Sec. 15. Separability Clause. -  If any part or provision of the Act shall be held
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unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions hereof which are not affected shall
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continue to be in full force and effect.
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Sec. 16. Repealing Clause. -  All other laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations
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or parts thereof which are inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act
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are hereby repealed, am ended or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 16. Effectivity. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
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in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.
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Approved,
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