Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Constitution Hills, Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No._____ 
________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE EDWIN L. OLIVAREZ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In the World Health Organization's Declaration of Alma Ata in 1978, four 
healthcare strategies were recognized: promotion, prevention, cure or treatment, and 
rehabilitation. Of the four strategies, Rehabilitation strategies had received the least 
attention. However, due to the rapidly aging world population, resulting from better 
healthcare and increased survival, noncommunicable diseases are becoming the 
primary source of mortality. People are living longer but with more disability. 
Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine is the health strategy that will address 
the increasing prevalence of disability. The focus of Physical and Rehabilitation 
Medicine is to improve the lives of people living with health condition, whether it is 
acute, chronic or progressively debilitating. 
The objective of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine is specifically to optimize 
people's intrinsic health capacity, including strengthening psychological resources, 
facilitating the person's immediate environment and in the process improving his 
function and state of health. 
World Health Organization (WHO) has recently concluded that demographic 
and epidemiological trends are in the process of transforming rehabilitation into the 
key health strategy of the 21st Century. In 2010, the WHO has described five main 
health care strategies: curative, rehabilitative, maintenance or supportive, preventive 
and palliative strategies.  Rehabilitation strategy aim to reduce the burden of disease 
md improve function. 
As our population age, we need to produce more Physical and Rehabilitation 
Medicine Physicians md Centers in the community, primary, secondary md tertiary 
level to ensure that every Filipino will be able to optimize their function, community 
participation and productivity despite their disability. 
In February 2017, WHO hosted “Rehabilitation 2030: A Call to Action”, a 
meeting that brought about more than 200 rehabilitation experts from 46 countries. 
The stakeholders concluded that there is an increasing global unmet need for 
rehabilitation, calling for coordinated action and commitment amongst stakeholders 
to raise the profile of rehabilitation as a health strategy relevant to all people from all 
ages across the continuum of care. 
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5:25 pm
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The key actions identified were improving rehabilitation management and 
investment, building a high-quality rehabilitation workforce and services; and 
enhancing data collection on rehabilitation. 
 
With this proposed measure, it will empower the Department of Health to 
standardize Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine centers, help produce more 
Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine specialists and paramedical professionals, 
improve delivery of safe and accessible physical and rehabilitation medicine services, 
increase public awareness through nationwide information, communication and 
education campaign on how Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine can minimize 
disability and optimize function. 
 
The passage of this measure is earnestly sought. 
 
 
 
EDWIN L. OLIVAREZ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Constitution Hills, Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No._____ 
________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE EDWIN L. OLIVAREZ 
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR STANDARDS FOR THE PRACTICE OF 
REHABILITATION MEDICINE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be in enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled. 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Medical 
Rehabilitation Standards Act of 2023". 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to protect 
and promote the right to health of the people through optimizing function by making 
the delivery of expert rehabilitative care accessible, effective and affordable to 
Filipinos suffering from neuromusculoskeletal, cardiovascular, pulmonary and other 
system disorders which produce temporary or permanent disability. Toward this end, 
standards for the effective practice of Rehabilitation Medicine, and for the 
establishment, management and operations of rehabilitation facilities are hereby 
established. 
SECTION 3. - Definitions. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall 
mean: 
a. Physical and 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 and therapeutic procedures, including,
but not limited to medical prescription, procedures, injections, drug
administration, prognostication, manual therapy, assessment and review of
interventions, neuropsychology, nutrition, provision of 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 and Rehabilitation Medicine uses agents such as heat,
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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 and Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist - a physician who is licensed 
and duly registered with the Professional Regulation Commission and who 
completed three (3) years of residency training in Physical and Rehabilitation 
Medicine in a training institution accredited by the Philippine Academy of 
Rehabilitation Medicine Specialty Board. They shall be qualified by the PARM 
Specialty Board as: 
 
i. 
Board Eligible Physical and 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. 
ii. 
Board Certified (Diplomate) - refers to those have passed Part I (written) 
and Part II (oral) of the Diplomate Board Examination given by the 
PARM Specialty Board examination. 
 
d. Philippine Academy of 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 and Rehabilitation Medicine Specialists. 
 
e. Philippine Academy of 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 and Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist. 
 
g. Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Facility — any facility that renders 
services for the rehabilitation of physical disabilities and which may be 
hospital-based or free-standing. 
 
h. Physical and 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: 
 
i. 
Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Specialists 
ii. 
Physical Therapists 
iii. 
Occupational Therapists 
iv. 
Prosthetists and Orthotists 
v. 
Rehabilitation Nurses 
vi. 
Speech Pathologists 
vii. 
Social Workers 
viii. 
Vocational Counselors 
ix. 
Recreational Therapists 
x. 
Electromyography 
xi. 
Musculoskeletal Sonographer 


xii. 
Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach 
xiii. 
Special Education (SPED) Teachers 
xiv. 
Neuropsychologist 
xv. 
Physical Therapy Aide 
 
SECTION 4. Scope of Practice. - The practice of Physical and Rehabilitation 
Medicine includes: 
 
a. Professional services related to the care of an individual patient, rendered in 
the role of a physician primarily responsible for individual patient care or as 
a consultant to another physician, and consists of: 
 
i. 
History taking, examination of patients, performance of specific 
diagnostic procedures like Electromyography and Nerve Conduction 
Velocity 
studies, 
Neuromusculoskeletal 
Ultrasound, 
and 
Bone 
Densitometry for the purpose of establishing diagnosis and evaluation 
of disability, impairment, functional capacity and potential for 
rehabilitation; 
ii. 
Prescription and rendering of appropriate medical treatment which may 
include any or all, aspects or physical medicine as well as rehabilitative 
measures, including but not limited to physical therapy, occupational 
therapy, speech therapy, orthotic and prosthetic services, joint and 
trigger point injections, ultrasound guided interventional procedures; 
iii. 
Follow-up examination of patients in offices, hospitals, rehabilitation 
facilities, extended care facilities or home for purposes of re-evaluation 
md treatment modifications; 
iv. 
Appropriate consultation with other medical specialists; 
v. 
Psychological counseling and conference with non- physician health 
care professionals or family members concerning conduct of patient's 
care or patient's progress; and, 
vi. 
Examination of patient's records, preparation of reports, designing, 
planning, and implementation of health programs for the maintenance 
of health and prevention of disability; and correspondence as well as 
appearance in court or providing testimony pertaining to a patient 
 
b. Professional services related to the administration of rehabilitation facilities or 
units consist of: 
 
 
i. 
Professional general supervision of rehabilitation services in a hospital-
based rehabilitation center or unit or any other freestanding units that 
render limited rehabilitation services, convalescent home and private 
homes, for quality assurance and appropriate utilization of services; 
ii. 
Planning, establishment and management of facilities, equipment and 
personnel for the performance of functions and activities of a 
rehabilitation department or unit, or my other free-standing unit that 
render limited rehabilitation services; 
 
iii. 
Convalescent home and private homes, for quality assurance and 
appropriate utilization of services; 
iv. 
Maintenance of complete and accurate records and statistics; 
v. 
Education of physicians and allied health care professionals in 
Rehabilitation Medicine, both local and foreign, for programs related to 
Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine; 


vi. 
Education of the public on health care issues pertaining to 
Rehabilitation Medicine through research and medical education; 
vii. 
Promoting professional development of Rehabilitation Medicine 
through research and medical education; 
viii. 
Designing, 
planning 
and 
implementing 
health 
programs 
for 
maintenance of health and prevention of disability; Establishing 
linkages with government and non- government agencies, both 
 
local and foreign, for programs related to Rehabilitation Medicine; 
ix. 
Promotion of the team approach among medical and allied medical 
health care professionals in the holistic care of patients; and, 
x. 
Setting standards for compensation of Physical and Rehabilitation 
Medicine services. 
 
c. Guidelines for Practice in n Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Facility: 
 
i. 
Every patient shall be examined and diagnosed by a Physical and 
Rehabilitation Medicine specialist. The Physical md Rehabilitation 
Medicine specialist recommends an individual treatment plan in 
collaboration with the Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Team. The 
treatment plan and rehabilitation program shall be regularly reviewed 
on a team basis. 
ii. 
Medications and various other forms of treatment shall be prescribed 
by a physical and rehabilitation medicine specialist. 
iii. 
The physical and rehabilitation medicine specialist has the primary 
responsibility of regularly following-up or patients in his charge and 
modifying or terminating treatment. 
iv. 
A Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist shall head facility or 
unit and collaborate with the physical and rehabilitation team in the 
delivery of rehabilitation medicine services. 
v. 
The Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist shall conduct 
himself in a manner consistent with the Code of Ethics of the Accredited 
Professional Organization (APO) 
 
SECTION 5. Qualifications to Practice. — A physician who is a Board 
Certified Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Specialists, of good moral character 
and is a member of the Accredited Professional Organization is qualified to practice 
Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine. 
 
SECTION 6. Accreditation and Certification. — A Physical and 
Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist eligible for accreditation should be a graduate of 
a residency training institution accredited by the Philippine Academy of 
Rehabilitation Medicine Specialty Board and recognized by the Accredited 
Professional Organization (APO). 
 
SECTION 
7. 
Regulatory 
Authority 
— 
Technical 
Standards 
and 
Requirements for the Registration, Operation and Maintenance of Rehabilitation 
Medicine Facilities shall be implemented and regulated by the Department of Health 
(DOH) Health Facilities and Services Regulatory Bureau. 
 
 
SECTION 8. Management and Operation of a Rehabilitation Medicine 
Facility. — A Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Facility shall be headed by a 
Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine specialist who is either a PARM Specialty Board 
Certified or Eligible Physical Rehabilitation Medicine specialist in the said facility. 


 
SECTION 9. Classification of Facilities - Rehabilitation Medicine facilities 
shall be classified according to the institutional character, and extent of services 
offered. The bases for the classification of the different categories of Rehabilitation 
facilities are: (1) Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist qualification, (2) 
Allied Health personnel staff qualification, (3) Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine 
services available and (4) Physical set-up and equipment. 
 
a. Categories: 
 
i. 
As to institutional character, a Physica1 and 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). 
ii. 
As to the extent of services, a Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine 
facilities maybe primary, secondary, tertiary, or home-based. 
iii. 
As to suction, a Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine facility may be 
utilized for training services and research or for services alone. 
iv. 
As to services, a rehabilitation Medicine facility can also be either 
general or specialized. 
 
b. A Primary Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Facility shall have the 
following: 
 
i. 
At least one (1) PARM Specialty Board Certified or Board Eligible 
Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist; 
ii. 
At least one (1) allied rehabilitation health professional; 
iii. 
Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine consultation and management 
with physical therapy services; 
iv. 
Physical set-up; 
v. 
Medical consultation area; 
vi. 
Treatment area to include at least an electrotherapy device and 
superficial heating modality, and activities of daily living (ADL) training 
devices; 
vii. 
Gym area, to include parallel bars, mirror, weights and assistive devices 
such as canes, crutches, and walkers among others; 
viii. 
Evaluation tools; 
ix. 
Adequate utilities such as water, electricity and consumables; and, 
x. 
First Aid kit with basic CPR equipment 
 
c. A Secondary Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Facility shall have the 
following: 
 
i. 
At least one (1) PARM Specialty Board certified or Board Eligible 
Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine specialist; 
ii. 
At least one (1) licensed therapist and occupational therapist; 
iii. 
Rehabilitation Medicine consultation and management, physical and 
occupational therapy services; and, 
iv. 
Compliance with the primary category set-up plus deep heating 
modality, m ua1 traction and therapeutic exercise equipment for the 
gym area. 
 
d. A Tertiary Rehabilitation Medicine Facility shall have the following. 
 


i. 
At least one (1) PARM Specialty Board certified Physical and 
Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist; 
ii. 
At least one (1) licensed physical therapist and occupational therapist; 
iii. 
Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine consultation and management, 
physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, prosthetics 
and orthotics in-house or referral services; 
iv. 
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; 
v. 
A Training/ Service and Research facility, which shall fulfill all the 
requirements as a residency training institution in accordance with 
PARM SB guidelines; 
vi. 
A specialized facility which should cater to subspecialty conditions in 
rehabilitation medicine including cardiac, pain, pediatric, pulmonary, 
sports, among others, shall be a hospital-based facility with a 
multidisciplinary set-up. 
 
SECTION 10. Management and Operation of a Rehabilitation Medicine 
facility. — A Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Facility shall be headed by a 
Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine specialist who is either a PARM Specialty Board 
Certified or Board Eligible Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine specialist in the said 
facility. An adequate and effective system of documentation, recording and 
recordkeeping 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 Accredited Professional Organization and PhilHealth. 
 
SECTION 11. Application for Registration and Issuance of License. — 
Applications for registration and issuance of a license shall be filed by the owner of 
the facility or his duly authorized representative with the Department of Health 
(DOH) Health Facilities and Services Regulatory Bureau, together with an 
information sheet to be filled up by the Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine 
Specialist-in-charge. Upon receipt of the said application together with the license 
fee, the PARM technical committee team will inspect the facility within sixty (60) 
days. Certificates of licenses shall be issued and approved by the Head of the 
Department of Health (DOH) Health Facilities and Services Regulatory Bureau. A 
provisional license may be granted to facilities with insufficient requirements for 
special cases for a period of one (1) year. 
 
SECTION 12. Terms and Validity of License. — The license to operate 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. 
 
In any violation of the standards provided, the license to operate may be 
revoked. Investigation of all charges or complaints against a Physical and 
Rehabilitation Medicine facility or any of its personnel shall be made to the Accredited 
Professional Organization (when complaint is against the Physical md Rehabilitation 
Medicine Specialist) and to the Department of Health (DOH) Health Facilities and 
Services Regulatory Bureau for appropriate investigation. 
 


SECTION 13. Penalties. — Any person, partnership, association, or 
corporation who establishes, operates, conducts, manages or maintain 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 fine of: 
 
First offense — not less than Forty Thousand Pesos (Php 40,000.00) but not 
to exceed One Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 100,000.00); 
 
Second offense — not less than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 
100,000.00) but not to exceed One Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 100,000.0O); 
 
Third and each subsequent offense — not less than Two Hundred Thousand 
Pesos (Php 200,000.00) but not to exceed Four Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 
400,000.00). 
 
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 aforementioned 
penalties, the Department of Health (DOH) Health Facilities and Services Regulatory 
Bureau, upon the approval of the Secretary of Health, may summarily order the 
closure of my rehabilitation medicine facility found without a license. 
 
SECTION 14. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). — to implement 
the provisions of this Act, the Department of Health (DOHJ Health Facilities and 
Services Regulatory Bureau, 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 the rehabilitation 
medicine facilities, within ninety (90) days after the effectivity of this Act. 
 
SECTION 15. Separability Clause. — If any part or section shall be declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, such declaration shall not affect the other parts or 
sections of this Act. 
 
SECTION 16. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, rules and regulations 
inconsistent with any provision of this Act shall be deemed repealed or modified 
accordingly. 
 
SECTION 17. Effectivity. — This shall take effect after fifteen (15) days from 
its publication in two (2) national newspaper of the general circulation or in the 
Official Gazette. 
 
Approved.