FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
1 
SENATE 
S. No. 
3 
Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In the past decade, Rehabilitation Medicine as a specialty has experienced growth in all aspects. 
The number of trainees, graduates, and certified diplomats and fellows has increased 
tremendously. 
Alarming, however, is the fast pace at which rehabilitation centers have sprouted throughout the 
country, all with the noble intent of delivering expert rehabilitative care to Filipinos suffering 
from neuromusculoskeletal, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and other system disorders which 
produce temporary or permanent disability. Unfortunately, not all these rehabilitation centers are 
rendering what they purport to render. 
Moreover, many of these rehabilitation centers are not headed by physiatrist (a medical specialist 
who has trained a minimum of 3 years in Rehabilitation Medicine) but by other medical and 
allied health .professionals. By the nature of their training, physiatrists are in the best position to 
head rehabilitation centers and supervise the allied rehabilitative professionals: physical 
therapist, occupational therapists, speech therapist, orthotists, and prosthetists. 
In the medical field, it is physiatrist who is the specialist in medical rehabilitation and who is 
thus tasked to evaluate and treat patients with physical disabilities from the rehabilitation 
standpoint, and to manage and administer Rehabilitation Medicine departments, center, clinics or 
other similar facilities. 
It is the objective of the proposed Rehabilitation Medicine Standard Act to set standards for the 
training and practice of Rehabilitation Medicine and set technical and operational standards for 
rehabilitation centers which will function at the highest level of standard and be headed and 
supervised by duly trained and certified physiatrists (medical specialists in rehabilitation 
medicine) and thereby protect the interest of the Filipino patients who seek treatment from these 
centers. 
In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought 
A~TONIO "SONNY" F. TRILLANES IV 
Senator 
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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
1 
SENATE 
S. No.2-3 
I 
Introduced by Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE STANDARD FOR THE PRACTICE OF REHABILlTATION 
MEDICINE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be in enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives ofthe Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Medical Rehabilitation 
Standards Act of 200%’! 
SEC. 2. Declaration ofP01lq~. - It is the policy of the State to protect and promote the 
right to health of the people by an accessible delivery of expert rehabilitative care to Filipinos 
suffering from neuromusculoskeletal, cardiovascular, pulmonary and other system disorders 
which produce temporary or permanent disability. This shall be realized by standardizing the 
practice of Rehabilitation Medicine and standardizing the establishment, management and 
operational aspects of rehabilitation facilities. 
SEC. 3. Defttillom. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean: 
a. Rehabilitation Medicine - the branch of medicine which deals with the prevention, 
diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of neuromusculoskeletal, cardiovascular, 
pulmonary and other system disorders which produce temporary or permanent 
disability in patients as well as the performance of different diagnostic procedures, 
including, but not limited to, electromyography and other electrodiagnostic 
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techniques. It also involves specialized medical care and training of patients with loss 
of function so that she may obtain his/ her maximum potential, physically, 
psychologically, social and vocationally with special attention to prevent unnecessary 
complications or deterioration and to assist in physiologic adaptation to disability. In 
addition, the practice of Rehabilitation Medicine uses 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 to reach the fullest physical, 
psychological, social, vocational, avocational and educational potential consistent 
with his or her physiologic or anatomic impairment, environmental limitation and life 
plans. 
c. Physiatrist - a physician who is licensed and duly registered with the Professional 
Regulation Commission and who has completed three years of residency training in 
Rehabilitation Medicine in a Philippine Board Rehabilitation Medicine-accredited 
training institution. 
d. Philippine Board of Rehabilitation Medicine (PBRM) - a non-stock, non-profit 
corporation, duly recognized by the Professional Regulation Commission and the 
Philippine Medical Association, composed of Board Certified Rehabilitation 
Medicine Specialists tasked with accrediting and evaluating training institutions with 
a specialty in Rehabilitation Medicine, and certifying graduates of these training 
programs. 
e. Rehabilitation Medicine Practitioner/ Physiatrist - a licensed physician who has 
completed a residency training program in Rehabilitation Medicine in a Philippine 
Board of Rehabilitation Medicine (PBRM) accredited training institution. They shall 
be qualified by the PBRM as: 
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A) Board Eligible Physiatrist - refers to those who have completed the residency 
training in a PBRM-accredited residency training program but who have not 
successfully completed the specialty board examination. 
B) Board Certified (Diplomate) - refers to those who have passed Part I (wnitten) 
and Part I1 (oral) ofthe Diplomate Board Examination given by the Philippine 
Board of Rehabilitation Medicine (PBRM). 
f. Rehabilitation Medicine Center/ Facility/ Unit - any facility that renders services for 
the rehabilitation of physical disabilities. This may be hospital-based or free standing. 
g. Rehabilitation Medicine Team - a group of medical and allied health professionals 
concerned with the medical rehabilitation of patients with physical disabilities. The 
team is headed by a physiatrist and is composed of, but not limited to, the following: 
1. Physical Therapists 
2. Occupational Therapists 
3. Prosthetists And Orthotists 
4. Rehabilitation Nurses 
5. Speech Pathologists 
6. Social Workers 
7. Vocational Counselors 
8. Recreational Therapists 
SEC. 4. Scope ofPmctice. - The practice of Rehabilitation Medicine includes: 
a. Professional services related to the care of an individual patient, either as a physician 
primarily responsible for individual patient care or as a consultant to another 
physician namely: 
1. History taking, examination of patients andor performance of specific 
diagnostic procedures for purposes of establishing diagnosis and or 
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evaluation of disability, impairment, functional capacity and potential for 
rehabilitation; 
2. Prescription and or rendering of appropriate medical treatment which may 
include any or all aspects of physical medicine as well as rehabilitative 
measures, including but not limited to physical therapy, occupational therapy, 
speech therapy and orthotic and prosthetic services; 
3. Follow-up examination of patients in offices, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, 
extended care facilities or home for purposes of reevaluation and treatment 
modifications; 
4. Appropriate consultation with other medical specialists; 
5. Counseling and conference with non-physician health care professionals or 
family concerning conduct of patient’s care or patient’s progress; and 
6. Examination of patient’s records, preparation of reports Designing/ planning/ 
implementing of health programs for maintenance of health and prevention of 
disability; and correspondence, appearance in testimony pertaining to patient. 
b. Professional services related to the administration of rehabilitation facilities or units, 
namely: 
1. Professional general supervision of rehabilitation services in a hospital-based 
rehabilitation center or unit or any other free standing units that render limited 
rehabilitation services, convalescent home and private homes, for quality 
assurance and appropriate utilization of services; 
2. 
Planning, establishment and management of facilities, equipment and 
personnel for functions and activities for 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 adequate records and statistics; 
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4. Education of physicians and allied health care professionals in Rehabilitation 
Medicine; both local and abroad, for programs related to Rehabilitation 
Medicine, 
5. Education of the public on health care issues pertaining to Rehabilitation 
Medicine through research and medical education; 
6. Providing professional development of Rehabilitation Medicine through 
research and medical education; 
7. Designingiplanninghrnplementing of health programs for maintenance of 
health and prevention of disability; 
8. Linkages with government and non-governmental agencies both local and 
abroad, 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; Setting standards for 
compensation of Rehabilitation Medicine services rendered. 
10. Setting standards for compensation of Rehabilitation medicine services 
rendered. 
c. Guidelines for Practice in a Rehabilitation Medicine Facility: 
1. Every patient shall be examined and diagnosed by a physiatrist. The physiatrist 
recommends, prescribes and supervises an individual treatment plan. The 
treatment plan and rehabilitation program shall be regularly reviewed on a 
team basis. 
2. Medications and various other therapies shall be prescribed by a physiatrist. 
3. The physiatrist has the primary responsibility of regularly following patients in 
his charge and modifying or terminating treatment. 
4. A physiatrist shall head the facility/unit and shall supervise the delivery of 
rehabilitation medicine services rendered by other members of the 
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Rehabilitation Medicine team. In areas where there is no physiatrist, a 
licensed physician shall head the facility or unit. 
5. If a physiatrist is not competent to manage a patient, he shall consult or refer 
to another physiatrist or physician specialist who is competent in the particular 
disease or condition he is treating. 
6. A Board Certified physiatrist may head not more than three (3) Rehabilitation 
Medicine facilities. In the absence of a Board Certified physiatrist, a Board 
eligible physiatrist may head the facility, provided that he conforms with the 
requirements of the PBRM. 
7. The physiatrist shall charge professional fees in accordance with the standards 
of the Philippine Medical Association and the Philippine Health Insurance 
System (PHILHEALTH). 
8. The physiatrist shall conduct himself in a manner consistent with the Code of 
Ethics of the Philippine Medical Association. 
SEC 5. Qualifications to Practice. - A physician is qualified to practice Rehabilitation 
Medicine if s/ he is a Board Certified Board Eligible physiatrist who is of good moral character 
and is a member of the Philippine Medical Association. 
SEC. 6. Accreditation and Certzycation - This Act aims to establish the standards for 
the practice, and certification of Rehabilitation Medicine practitioners in order to ensure the 
highest quality of professional rehabilitation service to the public and to the medical community. 
a. Accreditation of the Physiatrist 
1. The Rehabilitation Medicine Practitioner is a graduate of a Philippine Board of 
Rehabilitation Medicine (PBRM) - accredited Rehabilitation Medicine 
training institution and certified by the PBRM as: 
1 .a. Board certified (Diplomate) 
1 .b. Board Eligible 
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2. A Rehabilitation Medicine Practitioner is duly recognized as PBRM Board 
Certified upon compliance with andor submission of the following 
requirements: 
2.a. Authenticated Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) ID as duly 
registered physician. 
2.b. Certificate of completion of training in a PBRM accredited Rehabilitation 
Medicine training institution. 
2.c. Certificate from the Philippine Board of Rehabilitation Medicine 
( P B W .  
3. 
A Rehabilitation Medicine Practitioner is duly recognized as PBRM Board 
Eligible upon compliance with and/ or submission of the following 
requirements: 
3.a. Authenticated Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) ID as duly 
registered physician. 
3.b. Certificate of completion of training in a PBRM accredited Rehabilitation 
Medicine training institution. 
3.c. Certificate of eligibility from PBRM 
4. A. Rehabilitation Medicine Practitioner, who is duly recognized as PBRM 
Board Eligible, must upgrade himself to PBRM Board Certified status within 
five (5) years after graduation from a PBRM-accredited Rehabilitation 
Medicine training institution. Forfeiture of this Board eligibility status is 
incumbent upon review and evaluation of the PBRM Board of Governors. 
b. Continuing Certification of the Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist 
A Certified Diplomate of the Philippine Board of Rehabilitation Medicine, in order to be duly 
recognized as a Rehabilitation Medicine specialist, must undergo recertification every three (3) 
years through PBRM accreditation. 
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SEC. 7. - Technical Standards and Requirements for the Registration, Operation and 
Maintenance of Rehabilitation Medicine Facilities in the Philippines. - Technical standards 
and requirements for the registration, operation and maintenance of rehabilitation medicine 
facilities shall apply to all entities performing the activities and functions of Rehabilitation 
Medicine facilities. These shall include the evaluation and treatment of all conditions requiring 
rehabilitation of physical disabilities. These standards and requirements shall be formnlated to 
protect and promote the health of the people by the operation of standard, properly managed and 
adequately supported Rehabilitation Medicine facilities. 
SEC. 8. Regulatory Authority - Technical standards and requirements for the 
registration, operation and maintenance of Rehabilitation Medicine Facilities in the Philippines 
shall be implemented and regulated by the Department of Health - Bureau of Health Facilities 
and Services (DOH-BHFS). 
SEC. 9. Classt$?cation of Facilities - Rehabilitation Medicine facilities shall be classified 
according to its institutional character, extent of services offered. The bases for the classification 
of the different categories of Rehabilitation facilities are: ( 1) Physiatrist qualification, (2) Allied 
Health personnel staff qualification, (3) Rehabilitation Medicine 
services available and (4) Physical set-up and equipment. 
a. Categories 
1. As to institutional character, Rehabilitation Medicine facilities are either hospital- 
based (if operating within a hospital set-up) or freestanding (if operating on its own 
or part of a facility other than a hospital). 
2. As to extent, Rehabilitation Medicine facilities maybe primary, secondary or 
tertiary, or home-based. 
3. As to function, a Rehabilitation Medicine facility may be utilized for training, 
service and research or service alone. 
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4. As to service, a Rehabilitation Medicine facility can also be either general or 
specialized. 
b. A primary Rehabilitation Medicine facility shall have the following: 
1. At least one (1) Philippine Board Rehabilitation Medicine (PBRM) eligible 
physiatrist 
2. At least one (1) allied rehabilitation health professional 
3. Rehabilitation Medicine Consultation and Management with Physical Therapy 
services. 
4. Physical set-up 
5. Medical consultation area 
6. Treatment area to include at least an electro therapy device and superficial heating 
modality and ADL training devices 
7. Gym area, to include parallel bars, mirror, weights and assistive devices( canes, 
crutches and walker) 
8. Evaluation tools 
9. Adequate utilities (water, electricity and consumables) 
10. First aid kit with basic CPR equipment 
c. A secondary Rehabilitation Medicine facility shall have the following: 
1. At least one PBRM Board certified physiatrist 
2. At least one licensed Physical therapist and Occupational therapist 
3. Rehabilitation Medicine Consultation and Management, Physical Therapy and 
Occupational Therapy services 
4. Compliance with the primary category set-up plus deep heating modality, manual 
traction and therapeutic exercise equipment for the gym area. 
d. A tertiary Rehabilitation Medicine facility shall have the following: 
1. At least one PBRM Board certified physiatrist 
2. At least one licensed Physical therapist and Occupational therapist 
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3. Rehabilitation Medicine Consultation and Management, Physical, Occupational 
Therapy, Prosthetist/ Orthotist in house or referral services, speech therapy in house 
or referral services. 
4. Compliance with the secondary category set-up and equipment, with additional two 
superficial heating modalities, medium frequency modality, mechanized traction, 
ultraviolet or cold laser intermittent compression unit, mechanized intermittent 
traction and tilt table with additional gym equipment. 
5. A Training/ Service and Research facility, which shall fulfill all the requirements 
as a residency training institution in accordance with PBRM guidelines. 
6. A specialized facility which should cater to subspecialty conditions in 
Rehabilitation Medicine (Cardiac, Pain, Pediatric, Pulmonruy, Sports, among 
others.) shall be hospital-based facility with a multi-disciplinary set-up. 
SEC. 10. Management and Operation of a Rehabilitation Medicine FaciliQ. - A 
Rehabilitation Medicine Facility shall be headed by a Rehabilitation Medicine specialist who is 
either a Philippine Board of Rehabilitation Medicine Ckrtified or Eligible Rehabilitation 
Medicine specialist who must assume technical and administrative supervision and control of the 
activities in the said facility. An adequate and effective system of documentation, recording and 
records keeping must be maintained for all consultations and services in the facility. The rates for 
consultation and services shall be in accordance with the standards of the Philippine Medical 
Association and PHILHEALTH. 
SEC. 11. Application for Registration and Issuance of License. - Applications for 
registration and issuance of a license shall be filed by the owner or his duly authorized 
representative with the DOH-Bureau of Health Facilities and Services together with an 
Information sheet to be filled up by the physiatrist-in-charge. Upon receipt of the said application 
together with the license fee, a technical committee team will inspect the facility within sixty 
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(60) days. Certificates of licenses shall be issued and approved by the Head of the Bureau of 
Health Facilities and Services. A provisional license may be granted to facilities with insufficient 
requirements for special cases for a period of one (1) year. 
SEC. 12. Terms and Valid& of License. - The license to operate will only be valid for a 
period of two (2) years. Application for renewal of the license shall be made during the last six 
(6) months of validity. The license must be placed in a conspicuous place within the facility. A 
copy of the rules and regulations should also be readily available. Upon violation of the 
standards provided, a license may be revoked. Investigation of all charges or complaints against 
a Rehabilitation Medicine facility or any of its personnel shall be made to the PBRM (when 
complaint is against the physiatrist) and to the Department of Health- Bureau of Health Facilities 
and Services for appropriate investigation. 
SEC. 13. Penalties. - Any person, partnership, association, or corporation who 
establishes, operates, conducts, manages or maintains a rehabilitation medicine facility within the 
meaning of this Act without first obtaining a license or violates any provision of this Act or its 
Implementing Rules and Regulations shall be liable to a fine of not less than Twenty Thousand 
Pesos (P20,OOO.OO) but not to exceed Fitly Thousand Pesos (p50,OOO.OO) 
for the first offense, 
and not less than Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,OOO.OO) but not to exceed One Hundred Thousand 
Pesos (PlOO,OOO.OO) for the second offense, and not less than One Hundred Thousand Pesos 
(PlOO,OOO.OO), but not to exceed Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (P200,OOO.OO) for the third and 
each subsequent offense. Each day that a facility or other related facility shall operate after the 
first violation shall be considered a subsequent offense. In addition to the penalties specified in 
the preceding paragraph, the Bureau, upon the approval of the Secretary, may summarily order 
the closure of any rehabilitation medicine facility found operating without a license. 
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SEC 14. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - To implement the provisions of 
this Act, the Department of Health - Bureau of Health Facilities and Services (DOH-BHFS ), in 
coordination with the national professional organization duly recognized by the Professional 
Regulation Commission, shall promulgate the rules and regulations, including the technical 
standards and requirements for the registration, operation and maintenance of rehabilitation 
medicine facilities, within ninety (90) days after the effectivity of this Act. 
SEC. 15. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of the Act shall be held 
unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions hereof which are not affected hereby shall continue 
to be in full force and effect. 
SEC. 16. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, rules and regulations inconsistent with 
the provision of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 17. Eflectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its approval. 
Approved, 
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