Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Nineteenth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ______ 
Introduced by Representative Maria Jamina Katherine B. Agarao 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to regulate the practice of microbiology in the Philippines. 
Microorganisms provide a multitude of benefits to humans. They are utilized in the 
production of food and condiments, such as bread, cheese, beer, and soy sauce. 
Pharmaceuticals also use microorganisms in the production of antibiotics, vaccines, 
vitamins and hormones such as insulin. Environmental clean-up, as well as cultivating 
biogas and bioethanol require the use of microorganisms. Utilizing such microscopic 
organisms has proven beneficial due to their sustainability. Microorganisms also recycle 
elements such as carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur in both terrestrial and 
aquatic ecosystems. Furthermore, microorganisms serve as sources of nutrients at the base 
of the ecological food chains. In addition, microscopic organisms are employed in scientific 
research and technology. 
The underlying foundation of microbiology sets the stage for modern biotechnology, which 
includes genetic engineering, and cell and tissue culture. On the other hand, there are also 
evident downsides in using microorganisms. These include the spoilage of food and 
processed goods and postharvest losses. In addition, microbes serve as the cause of 
multiple diseases humans acquire, such as HIV and cholera, as well as food poisoning; in 
livestock, such as foot and mouth disease; and various other crop diseases. 
Hence, it is crucial to enact a proper regulation in the handling of microorganism as this 
requires adequate skills and prior educational background to utilize it to its full potential 
efficiently. Background knowledge on the fundamentals of microbes is essential for quality 
control of processed food and manufactured goods, in controlling environmental pollution 
January 26, 2023
3:14 pm
6938


2 
and in repairing degraded soils. This will also aid in alleviating epidemics among humans, 
animals, and crops, as well as to produce microbial-based goods and services efficiently. 
This can be ensured by providing academic preparation and training in universities and 
colleges. However, due to existing differences in philosophical beliefs, facilities, and 
resources, these courses may differ from institution to institution. With the crucial role 
played by microbiologists, this bill seeks to regulate the profession and overall practice of 
microbiology. 
The COVID-19 pandemic further emphasizes the microbiologists’ role in responding to 
public health emergencies. The regulation and standardization of the practice of 
microbiology in the country will safeguard the Filipinos’ health for the present and the 
future. It will ensure high quality delivery of technical services in the monitoring, 
surveillance, prevention and control of future epidemics. 
In synergy and convergence with other professions regulated by the Professional 
Regulation Commission where microbiology is an essential component of their practice, 
Doctors of Medicine, Doctors of Veterinary Medicine, Medical Technologists, Agriculturists, 
Pharmacists and Food Technologists, among others, shall continue to practice microbiology 
without registering under this Act. 
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
  MARIA JAMINA KATHERINE B. AGARAO 


3 
AN ACT 
REGULATING THE PRACTICE OF MICROBIOLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
ARTICLE I. 
TITLE, DECLARATION OF POLICY AND OBJECTIVES 
SEC. 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Microbiology Act of 2022." 
SEC. 2. Statement of Policy and Objectives. - The State recognizes the 
vital role of microbiologists in national advancement. Therefore, it is the objective of 
this Act to institute a regulatory system guaranteeing the delivery of technical services 
to ensure food safety and a high quality of manufactured goods, preventing the rapid 
spread of microbiologically caused diseases in human, plant, and animal populations, 
and providing a safe and healthy environment for the general public. This Act also 
aims to foster competent, ethical, globally competitive, and well-rounded 
professionals, who shall observe the highest standards of excellence through a credible 
licensure examination to be administered by the Professional Regulation Commission 
(hereinafter referred to as the Commission), an attached agency of the Department of 
Labor and Employment. 
ARTICLE II 
DEFINITION OF TERMS AND SCOPE OF PRACTICE 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms - As used in this Act: 
a. Accredited   Professional   Organization (APO) - shall refer t o  t h e  professional
organization established for the benefit and welfare of professionals of microbiology,
the advancement of the microbiology profession and attainment of other
professional ends, and complies with all the requirements for accreditation, subject
to the approval of the Commission.
b. Microbiology - shall refer to a multi-disciplinary study of the structure, form
and function of microorganisms such as bacteria, archaea, fungi, algae, protozoa,
and acellular infectious agents. It covers several branches of biology such as
physiology, 
molecular 
biology, genetics, ecology, evolutionary biology,
systematics and other related fields.
HB NO. 6938


 
 
 
4 
 
c. Registered Microbiologist - shall refer to a person who has been issued a 
Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card by the Board and the 
Commission. 
 
d. FIELDS OF M ICROBIOLOGY: 
  
1. Bacteriology - shall r e f e r t o th e  b ra n c h  o f microbiology t h a t  specifically 
deals with the biochemistry, physiology, morphology, evolution, genetics, and 
ecology of bacteria, a large domain of single-celled prokaryotic microorganisms. 
Bacteriology also deals with the study of medically- and  industrially significant 
bacteria, such as those which cause major infectious diseases, food spoilage, and those 
which ferment food or produce valuable pharmaceuticals and enzymes. 
 
2. Archaeal Biology - shall refer to the discipline that is concerned with the 
study of the biology of archaea, a domain of  prokaryotic microorganisms that 
are distinct from bacteria and eukaryotes. 
 
3. Virology - shall refer to the branch of microbiology that specifically deals with 
viruses,  and subviral particles such as prions and viroids, which usually cause 
disease in animals, plants, and humans. Virology 
studies 
the taxonomic 
classification and ultrastructure of agents, such as their genetic make-up, mode of 
infection, as well as their interactions with their respective hosts. 
 
4. Protozoology - shall refer to the branch of microbiology that studies protozoans, 
a diverse group 
of eukaryotic, heterotrophic microorganisms. This study is 
concerned with the taxonomy, physiology, evolution, biochemistry and metabolism 
of protozoans. As several protozoans cause diseases, protozoology is also concerned 
with studying the modes of infection, transmission, life cycles, as well as their 
interactions with their host organisms. 
 
5. Phycology - shall refer to the branch of microbiology that studies algae, which 
is a large group of chiefly aquatic macroscopic and microscopic organisms   similar   
to plants in terms   of metabolism and structure.  Phycology s tudies the 
ultrastructure, biochemistry, metabolism and ecology of different algae, such 
as species of seaweeds and phytoplankton, among others. 
 
6. Mycology - shall refer to the branch of microbiology that studies yeasts, molds 
and mushrooms, collectively referred to as fungi. This study is concerned with the 
physiology, taxonomy, biochemistry, ecology, and genetic properties of fungi. 
Several fungi possess properties that cause diseases, while others produce antibiotics 
and secondary metabolites. Hence, the study of mycology deals with the significance 
and application of specific fungal species in the medical and industrial fields. 


 
 
 
5 
 
 
7. Medical Microbiology- shall refer to the branch of microbiology that 
specifically deals with the study of the characteristics of pathogens, their modes of 
transmission, and their mechanisms of infection and growth. This study is also 
concerned with the interactions of pathogens with their  hosts and the 
environment, as well as applications of microbes for the overall improvement of one's 
health. For purposes of this Act, clinical microbiology is excluded from the definition 
and scope of medical microbiology. 
 
Clinical Microbiology refers to the branch of microbiology that relates to the diagnosis, 
treatment, management, and prevention of infectious diseases among patients in 
hospitals and clinical laboratories. It also entails the environmental surveillance and 
monitoring of hospital facilities to ensure that safety measures and guidelines are 
established to contain infections. This field of practice encompasses several different 
sciences applied to hospital and clinical laboratories, including bacteriology, mycology, 
virology, parasitology, immunology, and molecular diagnostics. It involves culture, 
analysis, and identification of pathogenic and other clinically relevant bacteria, fungi, 
viruses, and parasites isolated from clinical specimens, and other non-biological 
specimens. This study also involves susceptibility testing to guide antimicrobial therapy 
and provide antibiograms to health facilities and local communities to demonstrate the 
prevalence of various pathogens and emerging antibiotic resistance. 
 
8. Public health microbiology - shall refer to the branch of microbiology that specifically 
deals with the detection and identification of microbial pathogens, their vectors, animal 
and environmental reservoirs and modes of transmission as they impact public health.  It 
also includes monitoring and surveillance measures for the effective prevention, control 
and mitigation of the spread of infectious diseases in the community and the general 
population. It involves various disciplines, such as microbiology, pharmacy, medical 
technology, nursing, midwifery, medicine, and veterinary medicine, working on the 
investigation and management of public health incidents as well as the monitoring and 
evaluation of such interventions. 
 
9. Environmental Microbiology   - shall refer to the branch   of microbiology that 
deals with t h e study of indigenous microorganisms on land, water, and air systems, 
as well as their interactions with organic and inorganic pollutants, and the 
application of their products for the benefit of human health and welfare. It is the 
applied part of microbial ecology dealing with the study of the interactions of 
microorganisms with the biotic and abiotic environment. 
 
e. Related Fields in Microbiology - shall include cell biology, helminthology, 
immunology, molecular biology and biotechnology, parasitology, plant pathology, 
and public health. 
 


 
 
 
6 
 
SEC. 4 . Scope of Practice of the Microbiology Profession - The practice of microbiology 
shall refer to the profession requiring the application of the 
fundamental principles of microbiology pertinent to the conditions and requirements 
of food safety and manufacturing standards, disease prevention, environmental 
protection, conservation, and quality management. This shall include the following, 
among others: 
 
a. Consultation, valuation, 
investigation, 
and 
management 
services 
on 
the 
identification of microbial agents in food, feeds, and human, plant and animal 
diseases, and in environmental impact assessments. 
 
b. Management or supervision and 
t h e  
p r e p a r a t i o n  of design plans, 
specifications, project studies, and estimates for microbial-based processes and 
related manufacturing and waste management facilities; 
 
c. Conduct of research and development, 
training and extension work, and 
consultancy services on the various areas of microbiology, such as general 
microbiology, 
food 
microbiology, 
agricultural 
microbiology, 
industrial 
microbiology, veterinary microbiology, medical 
microbiology, 
public 
health 
microbiology, aquatic microbiology, and environmental microbiology, as well as on 
microbiological facilities/services, systems and technologies; 
 
d. Microbiological testing and inspection of food, pharmaceutical, agricultural, fishery, 
and forest products; 
 
e. Management, manufacturing, and marketing of microbial and microbial-based 
products. Marketing of the microbial and microbial-based products are not 
exclusive to the practice of microbiology and shall include other professions 
mentioned in Section 26; 
 
f. Quality control on microbiological concerns in the manufacture of food, food 
additives 
and preservatives, feeds, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, biofuels, 
biofertilizers, among others; 
 
g. Teaching microbiology subjects (as defined in the Act), and offering degree programs 
and training courses in microbiology in higher education institutions (HEIs) in the 
Philippines in conjunction with Section 11 of Republic Act No. 8981 and the 
rules and regulations of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED); and 
 
h. Other practices which require the knowledge and expertise of a registered 
microbiologist. 
 
 


 
 
 
7 
 
 
 
ARTICLE III 
 
CREATION OF THE PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD FOR 
MICROBIOLOGY 
 
SEC. 5.  Creation and Composition o f  the Professi on al Regul atory Board  
for Microbiology - 
There is hereby created a Professional Regulatory Board for 
Microbiology hereinafter referred to as the Board, under the administrative 
supervision and control of the Commission. The Board shall comprise of a Chairperson 
and two (2) Members of the Board who shall be appointed by the Secretary of the 
Department of Labor and Employment from among a list of three (3) recommendees for 
each position submitted by the Commission from among a list of nominees for each 
position submitted by APO.. The Board shall be organized not later than sixty (60) days 
from the effectivity of this Act. 
 
SEC. 6 . Qualifications of the Chairperson and Members of the Board. - 
The Chairperson and Members of the Board shall, at the time of appointment, 
possess the following qualifications: 
 
a. Must be a Filipino citizen; 
b. Must be of good moral character; 
c. Must have not been convicted by a competent court of any offense involving moral 
turpitude; 
d. Must be a holder of at least a Master of Science degree in microbiology-related 
field, conferred   by a CHED-recognized Philippine   higher   educational institution 
or foreign university; 
e. Must have at least ten (10) years of practice in microbiology, with at least five 
(5) years in the academe, either in government or in a private institution; 
f. Must not have any business interest or financial connection, directly or indirectly, 
in any HEI conferring academic degree necessary for admission to the practice of 
microbiology or where review classes in preparation for the microbiology licensure 
examination are being offered or conducted; nor shall one be a member of the 
faculty or the administration thereof. 
g. Must not be an incumbent officer of the Accredited Professional Organization 
/Accredited Integrated Professional Organization pursuant to EO No. 496. 
 
 
SEC. 7 . Tenure of Office for the Chairperson and Members of the Board. 
- The Chairperson and Members of the Board shall hold office for a term of three (3) 


 
 
 
8 
 
years from the date of appointment or until their successors shall have been qualified 
and appointed. The Chairperson and Members of the Board may be reappointed for a 
second term but in no case shall they serve continuously for more than six (6) years. 
Any vacancy in the Board shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term of 
the member who vacated the position.  On the constitution of the first Board, the 
Chairperson and the Members of the Board shall automatically be registered and 
issued Certificates 
of Registration 
and Professional Identification Cards. Each 
Member of the Board shall take the proper oath of office prior to the assumption of 
duty before a duly authorized officer. 
 
SEC. 8 . Meetings of the Board. - The Board shall have a regular meeting 
once a month. Special meetings may also be held upon the call of the Chairperson 
or by request of its members. Reasonable notice of all meetings shall be given in the 
manner prescribed by the rules of the Board. 
 
SEC. 9. Compensation and Allowances of the Board. - The Chairperson 
and Members of the Board shall receive compensation and allowances equivalent to 
those being received by the Chairpersons and Members of existing professional 
regulatory boards under the Commission 
as provided for in 
the   General 
Appropriations Act. 
 
SEC. 10. Powers and Functions of the Board. - The Board shall be vested 
with the following powers and functions: 
 
a. Promulgate, administer and enforce rules and regulations necessary to carry out the 
provisions of this Act; 
 
b. Prescribe the subjects in the licensure examination and their relative weights, 
determine the syllabi and Table of Specifications (TOS) for the subjects on which 
the examination questions shall be based, and submit the examination results to 
the Commission; 
 
c. Evaluate and approve applications for licensure examination; 
 
d. Administer oaths, and issue certificates of registration and the professional 
identification cards to persons admitted to the practice of the profession of 
microbiology; 
 
e. Submit to the Commission an annual report at the close of each fiscal year on the 
proceedings and accomplishments of the Board during the year, as well as make 
recommendations for the purpose of upgrading and improving the conditions 


 
 
 
9 
 
affecting the practice of microbiology in the Philippines; 
 
f. Oversee the conduct of the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program 
for microbiologists; 
 
g. Recommend necessary measures for the upgrading, enhancement, development, 
and growth of microbiology in the Philippines; 
 
h. Conduct regular inspection and monitoring of conditions affecting the practice of 
microbiology, e.g., training facilities and microbiology laboratories, in establishments 
and research institutions where microbiology is being practiced and recommend 
measures to upgrade and improve such as deemed necessary, as defined in this Act. 
Pertinent support and partnership with the Department of Science and Technology 
and the CHED will provide mechanisms for students to have adequate learning 
experience and will ascertain that the professional standards are complied with; 
 
i. Approve registration of microbiologists without examination; 
 
j. Issue special temporary permits to microbiologists of foreign nationalities 
subject to the requirements and conditions prescribed by the Board; 
 
k. Conduct reviews every five years or as the need arises to ensure consistent and non-
discriminatory implementation of the law that is responsive to the challenges and 
conditions of the society; and 
 
l. Consult with different government agencies such as the Department of Budget and 
Management and the Civil Service Commission for updating or creating position 
classification and qualification standards for microbiologists, and with CHED for the 
development of policies, standards, and guidelines for microbiology program as a 
separate discipline. 
 
The policies and resolutions, rules and regulations, orders, or decisions issued or 
promulgated by the Board shall be subject to the review and approval of the 
Commission; Provided, that the decisions, resolutions, and orders rendered by the Board 
which are interlocutory in an administrative case shall be subject to review on appeal. 
 
SEC. 11. Removal of Board Members. - The Chairperson or any Member of the Board 
may be suspended or removed from office by the President of the Republic of the 
Philippines upon the recommendation of the Commission for neglect of duty, 
incompetence, tolerance of irregularities in any examination given by the Board, 
unprofessional, or unethical conduct. Any such person shall be afforded due process 
according to the laws of the Republic of the Philippines. 


 
 
 
10 
 
 
SEC. 12. 
Supervision of t h e  Board, Custodian of the Records, Secretariat, and 
Support Services. 
- The Board shall be under the general supervision and 
administrative control of the Commission. The Commission shall keep all records of 
the Board, including applications for examination papers and results, minutes of 
deliberations, 
administrative cases, 
and 
other 
investigative 
cases involving 
microbiologists. 
 
ARTICLE IV 
EXAMINATION AND REGISTRATION 
 
SEC. 13. Licensure Examination. -  Unless otherwise provided in the Act, every 
applicant seeking to be registered and licensed as microbiologist shall take and pass 
a written examination to be given by the Board at least once a year in places and 
dates the Commission designates. 
 
SEC.  14. Qualifications for E x a m i n a t i o n . - Any p e r s o n  applying for admission 
to the licensure examination for microbiologist shall meet the following requirements: 
 
a. Must be a citizen and resident of the Philippines: Provided, that citizen of a 
foreign country may be allowed to take the examination, subject to the requirement 
of reciprocity pursuant to Section 30 of this Act; 
b. Must be of good moral character; 
c. Must not have been convicted by a competent court of any offense involving 
moral turpitude; and 
d. Must hold a baccalaureate   degree in Microbiology 
or Biology 
major   
in Microbiology, or graduate degree in Microbiology, or any related field with a t  
l e a s t  twenty-four (24) units of microbiology, to include the courses covered in the 
licensure exam. 
 
SEC. 15. Scope of Examination. - The licensure examination for microbiology shall cover 
six (6) subjects: 
 
a. General Microbiology, Code of Ethics for Microbiology and the Philippine 
Microbiology Act of 2022 
b. Virology 
c. Microbial Physiology 
d. Microbial Ecology 
e. Medical Microbiology 
f. Applied Microbiology (Food and Industrial) 
 
The Board, subject to the approval of the Commission, may revise the scope of the 


 
 
 
11 
 
examination and any of the subjects and their syllabi to conform to technological 
advances brought about by global trends and developments in the profession. 
 
SEC. 16. Release of the Results of Examination. - The Board shall correct and release 
the licensure examination results within three (3) days from the date of the 
examination, unless extended for valid reason. 
 
SEC. 17. Rating in Examination. - To pass the licensure examination for microbiology, 
an examinee must obtain a general average of at least seventy-five percent (75%) 
and no rating lower than fifty percent (50%) in any subject. An examinee with a 
general average of seventy- five percent (75%), and with grade lower than fifty 
percent (50%) in any subject, may retake the subject(s) in which the examinee failed, 
at most twice. If still unsuccessful after the second retake, the examinee shall be 
required to retake the entire examination. There is no limit to the number of retakes. 
 
SEC. 18. Oath. - All persons qualified to register with or without examination shall 
take their oath of profession before the Chairperson or any Member of the Board, 
or any authorized officer of the Commission prior to entering the practice of 
microbiology. 
 
SEC. 19. Issuance of the Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification 
Card. - A Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card shall be issued 
to a person who has complied with all the requirements for registration under this 
Act. The Certificate of Registration shall serve as evidence that the microbiologist can 
lawfully practice the profession. It shall remain in full force and effect until withdrawn, 
revoked, or suspended in accordance with this Act. 
 
A Professional Identification Card bearing the registration number and date of issuance, 
its expiry date, and the signature of the Chairperson of the Commission shall likewise 
be issued to every qualified registrant.  
 
SEC. 20.  Registration Without Examination. - The Board shall register without examination 
any person who can present evidence or proof satisfactory to the Board that: 
a. The person is a Filipino citizen; 
b. The person is of good moral character; 
c. The person is a holder of a Master of Science or Doctoral Degree in Microbiology, or in 
a related field from an HEI duly recognized by CHED. Provided that:  
1. the person has at least 24 units of Microbiology courses or the equivalencies as 
stipulated in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), such as dissertation units 
and/or research publications. 
2. the person has substantial work experience in the field of microbiology in terms of 
length of service, position and accomplishments in the profession as defined in the 


 
 
 
12 
 
IRR.  
Furthermore, individuals who have been certified as Registered Microbiologists conducted 
by a reputable, well established, and long-standing professional organization in 
microbiology prior to the implementation of this Act shall be registered without 
examination by the Board. 
 
All qualified applicants, as provided in Sec 20, must apply for registration within two (2) 
years from the effectivity of IRR of this Act. Thereafter, anyone who wants to be registered 
will have to take the examination. 
 
SEC. 2 1. Refusal to Register. - The Board shall refuse to issue a Certificate 
of Registration to those who have been: 
 
a. Convicted of any offense involving moral turpitude by a court of competent 
jurisdiction; 
b. Found guilty of immoral or dishonorable conduct after due investigation by the Board; 
c. Summarily adjudged guilty for violation of the general instructions to examinees by 
the Board; and 
d. Declared to be of unsound mind by a court of competent jurisdiction. 
 
In refusing such registration, the Board shall give the applicant a written statement 
setting forth the reasons t h e r e o f  and shall file a copy of this in its records. 
 
SEC. 22. Revocat ion or Suspension of the Certificate of Registration. -The Board shall 
have the power, after giving proper notice and hearing to the party concerned, to 
suspend or revoke the practitioner's Certificate of Registration, or to cancel the special 
temporary permit granted to a foreigner microbiologist, for any of the grounds or 
causes cited in Section 21 of this Act, thereof, or on any of the following grounds: 
 
a. Violation of any provision of this Act, its IRR, Code of Ethics, Code of Good 
Governance, Code of Technical Standards for the Practice of Microbiology, or other 
policy measure of the Board or the Commission; 
b. Perpetration or use of fraud in obtaining one's Certificate of Registration, 
Professional Identification Card, or Special Temporary Permit; 
c. Gross incompetence, negligence or ignorance resulting to death, injury or 
damage; 
d. Aiding or abetting the illegal practice of a non-registered and non-licensed 
person by allowing another to use one's Certificate of Registration or Professional 
Identification Card, or both, or Special Temporary Permit; 
e. Practicing the profession during suspension from the practice; or 
f. Proven addiction to drug or alcohol, impairing one's ability to practice the 
profession, or declared with unsound mind by a court of competent jurisdiction. In 
case of drug or alcohol addiction, a finding to this effect of a medical or drug testing 


 
 
 
13 
 
facility shall be sufficient. 
 
Any person, firm, or association may file charges in accordance with the provision 
of this section against any registrant, or the Board may, on its own, investigate 
any of the above-mentioned violations. An affidavit of complaint shall be filed 
together with the affidavits of witnesses and other documentary evidence with the 
Board, through   the Legal   Service   Office.   The   Board   may   conduct an investigation, 
motu proprio, on a matter relating to the commission of a violation:  
 
Provided, that such decision to investigate shall be embodied in a formal charge to be 
signed by at least majority of its members. The rules on administrative investigation 
issued by the Commission shall govern the hearing or investigation subject to 
applicable provisions of this Act, Republic Act No. 8981 and the Rules of Court. 
 
SEC. 23. Reissuance of Revoked Certificate of Registration, Replacement of Lost or 
Damaged Certificate of Registration, Professional Identification Card or Special 
Temporary Permit. - The Board may, upon petition, reinstate or reissue a revoked 
Certificate of Registration after two (2) years from the effectivity of the period for 
revocation, which is the date of surrender of the Certificate of Registration and 
Professional Identification Card, if still vali d, to the Board and the Commission. The 
Board may not require the holder thereof to take another licensure examination. 
The petitioner shall prove to the Board that there are valid reasons to practice the 
profession. The Board shall issue a Board Resolution granting the petition, subject to 
the approval of the Commission. 
 
In 
the case of a lost or damaged Certificate of Registration, Professional 
Identification Card, or Special Temporary Permit, the replacement may be issued upon 
application of the valid license holder in accordance with the prescribed procedure 
and subject to the payment of the prescribed fees. 
 
SEC. 24.  Renewal of Professional Identification Card. - The Professional Identification 
Card shall be renewed a c c o r d i n g  t o  t h e  e x i s t i n g  r u l e s  a n d  
r e g u l a t i o n s  
o f  
t h e  
C o m m i s s i o n  
a n d  
upon 
satisfying 
the 
requirements imposed by the Board, such as compliance with a CPD and payment of 
the corresponding fees. 
 
SEC. 25. Roster of Microbiologist s. - The Professional Registry Division of the 
Commission shall keep a roster of duly registered and licensed microbiologists, 
indicating their names, registration numbers, and other pertinent information. The 
Board shall regularly update such roster and make it available to all interested 
parties subject to the provisions of R.A. No. 10173 or the Data Privacy Act of 2012. 
 


 
 
 
14 
 
SEC. 26. Practice of Microbiology in Other Professions Registered with the 
Professional Regulation Commission. - In synergy and convergence with other 
professions regulated by the Commission where microbiology is an essential component 
of their practice, Doctors of Medicine, Doctors of Veterinary Medicine, Medical 
Technologists, Agriculturists, Pharmacists, and Food Technologists, among others, shall 
continue to practice microbiology without registering under this Act. 
 
SEC. 27. Practice through Issuance of Special Temporary Permits.  - Without 
prejudice to the existing laws on the practice of professions by foreigners in the 
Republic of the Philippines, and subject to the approval of the Commission and 
payment of fees, the Board may issue a special temporary permit to practice 
microbiology in the Philippines to the following: 
 
a. Foreign registered or licensed microbiologist or a recognized expert in 
microbiology called in by the Philippine government or any private institutions for 
consultation or for any specific activity; and 
 
b. Foreign registered   or licensed microbiologist who   have   distinguished themselves 
in their respective fields of specialization, and who are either directly hired or 
employed as professors, lecturers, or instructors in Microbiology by Philippine 
schools, colleges, universities, or research institutions; Provided, that their practice 
of the profession shall be limited to the particular work for which they have been 
commissioned; Provided further, that the special temporary permit shall be valid 
for a maximum period of one (1) year, subject to renewal at the discretion of the 
Board and the Commission. 
   
ARTICLE V 
PRACTICE OF MICROBIOLOGY 
 
SEC. 28. Prohibitions and Limitations in the Practice of Microbiology. No person 
shall practice or offer to practice as a microbiologist in the Philippines or offer oneself 
as a microbiologist without a Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification, or 
a valid Special Temporary Permit; or make use of any word, letter, figure, or sign 
tending to convey the impression of being a microbiologist, or advertise 
qualifications to  perform  the  work  as such,  without  holding  a  valid Certificate of 
Registration in accordance with the provisions of this Act, except as provided under 
Section 27 hereof. However, persons occupying positions as microbiologists shall 
be allowed to practice for two (2) years after the promulgation of this Act, after which, 
they shall take the licensure exam in order to continue practicing as microbiologists. 
 
SEC. 29. Code of Ethics. - The Board, in consultation with the APO, shall formulate 


 
 
 
15 
 
the Code of Ethics for Microbiology. 
 
SEC. 30. Foreign Reciprocity. - No foreign microbiologist shall be admitted to the 
licensure examination, or be given  a  certificate  of  registration  and  a professional 
license, or be entitled to any of the privileges under this Act, unless the country of which 
the person is a subject or citizen specifically permits Filipino microbiologists to practice 
within its territorial limits under the same conditions and an equal basis as its own 
subjects or citizens. 
 
ARTICLE VI 
PENAL AND GENERAL PROVISIONS 
 
SEC. 31. Penal Clause. - Any person who shall violate any of the provisions of this Act 
shall, upon conviction, be imposed with a fine of not less than Fifty Thousand Pesos 
(P50,000) 
but not more than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000), or 
with imprisonment of not less than six (6) months nor more than five (5) years, or 
both, at the discretion of the Court. 
 
SEC. 32. Appropriations. - The savings from any item of appropriations of the 
Commission shall be utilized for the initial implementation of this Act. Thereafter, such 
sum as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be included 
in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
 
SEC. 33. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Subject to the approval of the 
Commission, the Board shall adopt and promulgate such rules and regulations within 
ninety (90) days, to carry out the provisions of this Act, and which shall be effective 
fifteen (15) working days following its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least 
one (1) major newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines. 
 
SEC. 34. Separability Clause. - If any provision, section, or part of this Act shall be 
declared unconstitutional or invalid,  such  judgment  shall  not  affect, invalidate or 
impair any other provision, section, or part hereof, but shall be merely   confined to the 
provision, section, or part thereof that is directly involved in the issue upon which 
judgment has been rendered. 
 
SEC. 35. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations 
or parts thereof which are in conflict with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed 
or modified accordingly. Provided, however, that nothing in this Act shall be construed 
as repealing or amending any portion of the laws of other professions regulated 
by Commission. 
 
SEC. 36. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 


 
 
 
16 
 
in the official Gazette. 
 
 
 
Approved.