SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Third Regular Session ) "
SENATE
18 JUL 26 PI2 05
s.No,_1891

Introduced by Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes TREC.

AN ACT
REGULATING AND MODERNIZING THE PRACTICE OF MEDICAL
TECHNOLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR
OTHER RELATED PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Medical Technologists are health care professionals who perform laboratory tests and analysis.
In other countries, they are called medical laboratory scientists or clinic laboratory scientists. In
more than four decades, the traditional practice of medical technologists in laboratory clinics
have evolved to include research, academe, informational technology, quality assurance, and
other non-traditional areas where the knowledge of medical technology is required.

However, Republic Act No. $527 or the Medical Technology Act of 1969, the law that governs
the practice of medical technology, has not been amended or revised since it was enacted 49
years ago. The rapid changes in health and information technology, increasing complexities in
the lifestyle among Filipinos, people empowerment and global competition have rendered the
law obsolete and in need of revision to properly address the existing and evolving demands of
the medical technology profession.

Thus, this bill seeks to:

© Create a homogenous Professional Regulatory Board of Medical Technology;

* Update the scope of practice to include molecular and cytogenetic technologies, drug
testing, phlebotomy and teaching, training and supervising students in Medical
Technology education program;

‘© Upgrade the minimum base pay of entry-level Registered Medical Technologists and
ensure that it should not be lower than Salary Grade 15; and

© Improve the practice of medical technology and ensure global competitiveness of the
profession through the creation of the Technical Committee for Medical Technology
Education under CHED and the Continuing Professional Development Council for
Medical Technology Education under Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).

Recognizing the fact that the medical technology profession needs to keep abreast with the
rapidly changing society, approval of this bill is eamestly requested.

Tk |L
ANTONIO “SONNY” F. TRILLANES IV

Senator

—r



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Third Regular Session )
SENATE
S.No. 891 18 JUL 26 P12 05
Introduced by Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV__gecsi, 2 . “a
AN ACT

REGULATING AND MODERNIZING THE PRACTICE OF MEDICAL
TECHNOLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR
OTHER RELATED PURPOSES

Be it 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 "Philippine Medical
Technology Act of 2018."

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the importance of the Medical
Technology profession in nation building and development through the portals of healthcare,
education and research. Hence, it shall develop and nurture competent, virtuous, productive and
well-rounded medical technologists whose standard of practice and service shall be world class.
Furthermore, the State shall promote, regulate and protect the professional practice of
Medical Technology in the Philippines and shall ensure its continued growth and development
and the maintenance of high international standards of practice.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean:

a. Accredited Medical Technology Training Laboratory refers to a clinical laboratory
duly licensed by the Department of Health (DOH) and accredited as a training
laboratory by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) upon recommendation
by the Technical Panel in Medical Technology Education or its equivalent;

b. Accredited Professional Organization (APO) refers to a national organization,
recognized and accredited by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC);

c. Board refers to the Professional Regulatory Board of Medical Technology of the
Professional Regulation Commission;

d. Commission refers to the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC);

e. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) refers to the inculcation of advanced
knowledge, skills and ethical values in post-licensure specialized or in
inter-or multidisciplinary field of study for assimilation into professional practice,
self-directed research and/or lifelong learning;

f. Code of Professional Ethics refers to a set of standards relating to the conduct, integrity
and moral duties of medical technologists as prescribed and promulgated by the Board,



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in consultation with the duly accredited professional organization, with the approval of
the Commission;

Medical Technology refers to the healthcare profession that provides professional
services for the purpose of ‘elping the physician in the diagnosis, treatment and
management of diseases and in the promotion of health in general. The
profession provides laboratory investigations on biological and non-biological specimen
which have impact on health, the results of which provide information to physicians or
other health professionals in relation to healthcare, research and forensics. Medical
Technology may also provide laboratory investigations on animals in relation to
veterinary medicine;

Medical Laboratory Science refers to the other name for Medical Technology;

Medical Technologists refers to a holder of a Bachelor of Science in Medical
Technology or Public Health who is duly registered with the Commission and
is qualified to practice Medical Technology;

Medical Laboratory Scientists refers to the other name for Medical technologists;
Phlebotomy refers to the collection of blood;

Phlebotomist refers to a holder of a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology and
who has passed an examination for Phlebotomy given by the Board. Provided, that a
registered medical technologist automatically qualifies as a phlebotomist. Provided,
further, that other health professionals registered by the Commission may be allowed by
the Board to take the Phlebotomy examination;

. Recognized School of Medical Technology refers to a school, college or

university which offers a Bachelor’s degree program in Medical Technology / Medical
Laboratory Science approved by the Commission on Higher Education; and

Technical Committee for Medical Technology Education refers to the Technical
Committee for Medical Technology Education organized under the Office of Programs
and Standards of the Commission on Higher Education.

SEC. 4. The Scope of the Practice of Medical Technology. ~ The practice of Medical

Technology shall include the following:

a.

Examination of tissues, secretions and excretions of the human body and other body
fluids through _— electronic, chemical, microscopic, microbiologic,
hematologic, serologic, immunologic, nuclear, molecular, cytogenetic or other
laboratory procedures and techniques, either manual or automated;

Blood banking procedures and techniques;

Parasitologic, Bacteriologic, Mycologic, Virologic or other microbiologic techniques;
Histopathologic and Cytologic techniques;

Drug Testing in clinical laboratories;



f. Research involving human beings or animals requiring the use of and/or application of
Medical Technology (Medical Laboratory Science ) knowledge and procedures;

g. Preparations and standardization of reagents, standards, stains or others. Provided, that
such reagents, standards, stains or others are exclusively for the use of their laboratory;

h. Clinical laboratory quality control;
i. Phlebotomy, collection, handling, processing or preservation of specimen;

j. Consultancy in test upgrading, method selection, laboratory equipment planning
and troubleshooting , and laboratory operations where the application of
knowledge in medical technology is required;

k, Teaching, training and supervising students. in Medical_Technology
education programs;

1. Introduction, demonstration, evaluation, or improvement of clinical laboratory
procedures or techniques and/or laboratory operations;

m. Other similar activities where the training, skill and experience of a medical
technologist are needed.

The performance of any of the foregoing activities by a registered and licensed
medical technologist shall be without prejudice to all other applicable laws, rules and
regulations.

SEC. 5. Professional Regulatory Board of Medical Technology. — There is hereby
created a Professional Regulatory Board of Medical Technology under the Commission. The
Board shall be composed of a Chairperson and two (2) Members, all of whom are
registered medical technologists who have completed the Bachelor of Science in Medical
Technology/ Medical Laboratory Science. The Chairperson and Members of the Boards
shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines (“President”) upon
recommendation of the Commission and shall serve for a term of three (3) years. The
Chairperson and the Members of the Board shall hold such office until their successors
shall have been appointed and duly qualified. For its recommendation, the Commission shall
submit to the President a list containing three (3) names from among a list of five (5)
nominees for each position recommended by the duly accredited professional organization
of medical technologists for appointment of the Chairperson or any Member of the Board
prior to the expiration of the term of the Chairperson or any Member of the Board. In
case of death, disability or removal for cause of the Chairperson or any Member of the Board,
his successor shall only serve the balance of his term.

SEC. 6. Qualifications of the Chairperson and Members of the Board. — No person
shall be appointed as Chairperson or as a Member of the Board unless he is Filipino
citizen, of good moral character and is a duly registered medical technologist. Provided, that
the Chairperson and Members of the Board must be members in good standing of the
APO . Provided, further, that the Chairperson and the Members of the Board must not be an
officer or director of the accredited professional organization at the time of their nomination.
‘The Chairperson must also have at least fifteen (15) years of experience as a medical
technologist. He must be actively practicing his profession as a medical technologist within five
(5) years prior to his nomination. The Chairperson must have at least a Master’s Degree in

3



medical technology or other medical technology related programs to include biological
sciences, education and administration or equivalent level using the Philippine Qualifications
Framework (PQF). Provided, that for the first three (3) years prior to the effectivity of
this Act, the requirement for a Master’s Degree may be waived for as long as
nominated candidate has cbtained at least 70% of the required units for a Master’s Degree

‘A Member of the Board must have at least ten (10) years of experience as a medical
technologist. He must be actively practicing his profession as a medical technologist (3) years
prior to his nomination. The Chairperson and the Members of the Board shall not in any way be
professionally connected with the faculty of any Medical Technology school at the time of
appointment or any review center for at least two (2) years prior to nomination.

SEC. 7. Compensation and Allowances of the Board. - The Chairperson and each
Member of the Board shall receive compensation and allowances comparable to that being
received by the chairperson and members of the other professional regulatory boards under the
Commission as provided for in the General Appropriation Act.

SEC. 8. Functions and Duties of the Board. ~ The following are duties and functions
of the Board.

a. Administer and implement the provisions of this Act;
b, Regulate the practice of the profession in accordance with professional regulatory law;

c. Determine and prepare the questions for the licensure examination for medical
technologists;

d. Administer oaths in connection with the administration of this Act;

e. Issue, suspend or revoke Certificates of Registration and Special Temporary Permits of
medical technologists, phlebotomists and medical laboratory technicians;

f. Look into conditions affecting the practice of medical technology in the Philippines and,
whenever necessary, adopt such measures as may be deemed proper for the
maintenance of good ethics and standards in the practice of medical technology;

g. Investigate violations of this Act or of the rules and regulations issued hereunder. For
this purpose, the Board my issue subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum;

h. Draft such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this,
Act;

i, Prescribe the qualifications and training of medical technologists with regard to
special fields of the profession and to supervise their special examination to be
conducted by the Commission;

j. Formulate and recommend the approval of refresher courses for applicants who failed to
pass the Board Examinations for the third time;

k. Determine and prepare the questions for the certification examination of
phlebotomists;



1 1. Prescribe and promulgate the Code of Ethics and Code of Professional Standards for the
2 Practice of Medical Technology, in consultation with the APO;

3

4 m. Issue guidelines on the CPD, through the CPD Council, with the approval of the
5 Commission; and

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7 n. Perform such other functions as may be prescribed by the Commission, in accordance
8 with existing laws.

9

10 SEC. 9. Removal of the Board Members - The Chairperson or any Member of the

11 Board may be removed by the President for neglect of duty, incompetence, malpractice
12 or unprofessional, unethical, immoral or dishonorable conduct after having been given an
13 opportunity to defend himself in proper administrative proceeding . Provided, that pending the
14 resolution of the administrative proceeding, the President shall have power to
15 indefinitely suspend the Chairperson or any Member of the Board under investigation
16 and appoint a temporary member in his place.

7

18 SEC. 10. Licensure Examination. - Except as otherwise specifically allowed
19 under the provisions of this Act, all applicants for registration as medical technologists shall be
20 required to undergo a written examination which shall be given by the Board semi-
21 annually during the months of March and September in such places as the Board may deem
22 proper, subject to the approval of the Commission. The examination for Phlebotomy
23 Certification as referred to in this Act shall be given by the Board semi-annually in such places
24 as may be approved by the Commission.

25

26 SEC. 11. Qualifications for Admission to the Licensure Examination. ~ Every
27 applicant for examination under this Act shall, at least thirty (30) days, prior to the date of the
28 examination, furnish the Board satisfactory proof that he:

29
30 a. Must possess Philippine citizenship or in the case of a foreigner, citizenship of a country
31 or State that has reciprocity agreement with the Philippines on the practice of Medical
32 technology;

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34 'b. Must be of good moral character;

35

36 c. Must hold a Bachelor's Degree in Medical Technology (Medical Laboratory Science)
37 or Public Health conferred by a school, college or university recognized and duly
38 accredited by the CHED; and

39

40 d. Must not have been convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude by a court of
4 competent jurisdiction.

42

43 SEC. 12. Scope of Examination. — The examination questions shall cover the
44 following courses:

45

46 Clinical Chemistry..... 00.2.0... 2.0000. ee eee

47 Microbiology & Parasitology . .

48 Hematology. ......... eeee .

49 Immunohematology (Blood Banking) ,

50 Immunology & Serology ..

51 Clinical Microscopy (Urinalysis and

32 Other Body Fluids). ..



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Histopathologic and Cytologic Techniques,
Laboratory Management, Medical

Technology Law, Related Laws and

their implementing Rules and the

Code of Sthics................5 cece eee 10%

The general average of each examinee shall be computed by the Board according
to. the above-mentioned relative weights of each course. The Board may change, add to or
remove from the list of above courses or weights as progress in the science of medical
technology may require, after consultation with the accredited professional organization and
association of schools of medical technology and upon approval of the Commission. The
schedule of courses for examination shall be prepared and submitted by the Board in a manner
prescribed by the Commission.

SEC. 13. Report of Rating. - The Board shall, after the date of completion of
the examination, report the result thereof for the approval of the Commission within such time
limit and guidelines that the Board and the Commission may set.

SEC. 14. Ratings in the Examination. — In order to pass the examination, a candidate
must obtain a general average of at least seventy-five (75%) in the written test, with no rating
below fifty percent (50%) in any of the major courses. Provided, that the candidate has not
failed in at least sixty percent (60%) of the courses computed according to their relative
weights. After three (3) unsuccessful board examinations, completion of a refresher program
prescribed by the Board shall be required before another examination can be taken.

SEC. 15. Oath, ~ All successful examinee shall be required to take a professional oath
before the Board or before any person authorized by law prior to entering the practice of
medical technology in the Philippines.

SEC. 16. Issuance of Certificate of Registration. — Every applicant who has
satisfactorily passed the required examination for medical technologists shall be issued a
Certificate of Registration. All certificates shall be signed by the Chairman and Members of the
Board and by the Chairperson and Commissioners of the Commission. A Professional
Identification Card bearing the registration number, date of issuance and expiry date, duly
signed by the Chairperson of the Commission, shall likewise, be issued to every
registrant, upon payment of the required fees. The Professional Identification Card shall be
renewed in accordance with the guidelines set by the Professional Regulation Commission and
upon satisfying the requirements of the Board such as, but not limited to, attendance in the CPD
program.

‘The Board shall refuse to issue a Certificate of Registration to any person convicted by a
court of competent jurisdiction of any criminal offense involving moral turpitude, or who has
committed immoral, dishonorable or dishonest conduct, or is of unsound mind, or is
suffering from an incurable communicable disease. In the event of the Board’s refusal to
issue a Certificate of Registration, it shall issue a written statement to the applicant
setting forth the reason for its action. The statement issued by the Board shall be
incorporated in its records.

SEC. 17. Fees.- The fees to be paid by each applicant for the issuance of a new
Certificate of Registration, replacement of a lost, destroyed or mutilated Certificate of
Registration, or issuance or replacement of the Professional Identification Card shall be in
accordance with the fees established by the Commission.



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SEC. 18. Revocation or Suspension of Certificates of Registration- The
revocation or suspension of a Certificate of Registration may only be made after the
completion of an administrative proceeding conducted by the hearing committee
composed of at least one (1) Member of the Board and one (1) legal officer. Provided, that
the existing rules of evidence shall be observed during the administrative proceeding.
Provided further, that the person whose Certificate of Registration is sought to be
revoked or suspended shall be entitled to be represented by counsel, to have a speedy,
impartial and public proceeding, to confront the witnesses against him and to all other rights
guaranteed by the Constitution, The Board may, after giving proper notice and hearing to .
the party concemed, reprimand an erring medical technologist, revoke or suspend his
Certificate of Registration for violating any provision of this Act, any rules or regulations
issued pursuant to this Act or for unprofessional conduct, malpractice, incompetency, gross
ignorance or gross negligence in the practice of medical technology. No penalty of
revocation shall be imposed unless there is a unanimous vote of all the three members
of the Board. The Board may, by majority vote, impose the penalty of reprimand or
suspension. Provided, that the suspension of the Certificate of Registration shall not exceed
two (2) years. When the penalty of suspension or revocation is imposed by the Board, the
medical technologist shall be required to surrender his Certificate of Registration within
thirty (30) days after the decision becomes final. Should the medical technologist fail to
surrender his certificate of registration within said period, the Board may disqualify him
perpetually from the practice of medical technology. The suspension shall run from the date of
such surrender.

SEC. 19, Appeal.- The revocation or suspension of a Certificate of Registration made
by the hearing committee may be appealed primarily and exclusively to the Commission.
The decision of the Commission may be elevated to the Court of Appeals in accordance
with the Rules of Court.

SEC. 20. Reissuance or Reinstatement of a revoked or suspended
Certificate of Registration. ~ The Board may reissue a revoked Certificate of Registration
upon the application of the medical technologist whose Certificate of Registration was
revoked. Provided, that the reissuance of a revoked Certificate of Registration may only be
made for proper and sufficient reasons, Provided, further, that no revoked Certificate of
Registration may be reissued within two (2) years from the date of its surrender. A suspended
Certificate of Registration shall be reinstated upon request of the medical technologist
after the expiration of the period of suspension. The reissuance or reinstatement of the
Certificate of Registration shall be without prejudice to further actions by the Board for a
violation of any provision of this Act, its implementing rules or regulations or any condition
imposed by the Board upon the medical technologist during the period of revocation or
suspension.

SEC. 21. Roster of Medical Technologists. — A roster of Medical Technologists
shall, be prepared annually by the Registration Division of the Commission. This roster shall
contain the name, address and citizenship of each registered medical technologist; the date of
registration or issuance of the Certificate of Registration and any other pertinent data. The
roster shall be open to public inspection, and copies thereof shall be placed on file in the
Commission, and furnished to other offices, private or governmental, and to the public, upon
request.

SEC. 22. Technical Committee for Medical Technology Education (TCMTE)
or its equivalent, — The Technical Committee for Medical Technology Education under the
7



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Commission on Higher Education — Office of Programs and Standards (CHED-OPS) shall be
composed of the following members:

a. A representative from the Board;

b. The President or representative of the national accredited professional organization of
medical technologists;

c. The President or representative of association of schools of medical technology;
d. A representative from the clinical laboratory practice; and

e. A physician representative whose specialty is Laboratory Medicine and who is also a
medical technologist.

The TCMTE or its equivalent shall be supported by a secretariat and staff.

SEC. 23. Responsibilities of TCMTE or its equivalent. - The TCMTE shall
assist the Commission on Higher Education in setting Policies, Standards and Guidelines for
the Medical Technology Program. It may also assist in its implementation, including
monitoring and evaluation.

The responsibilities of the TCMTE are as follows:

a. To recommend the minimum curriculum required for the program of medical
technology;

b. To determine and prescribe the number of students that will be allowed to take the
medical technology program in each school, taking into account the student-
instructor ratio and the availability of facilities for instruction;

c. To recommend the closure of medical technology schools which are found to be
substandard;

d. To inspect, whenever necessary, the different medical technology schools in the
country in order to determine whether a high standard of education is maintained
in said institutions; and

e. To promulgate, prescribe and enforce such rules and regulations as may be
necessary for the proper implementation of the foregoing functions.

SEC. 24. Medical Technology Education, — The Bachelor of Science in
Medical Technology (Medical Laboratory Science) program shall be at least four (4) years, as
stipulated in the Commission on Higher Education’s Policies, Standards and Guidelines.
Said program shall be composed of general education, core and professional courses, and
a satisfactory internship program in accredited training laboratories.

SEC. 25. Accreditation of Schools of Medical Technology Education and of
Training Laboratories. — The Commission on Higher Education, through TCMTE, shall
approve schools of Medical Technology and accredit licensed clinical laboratories for
training of students in accordance with the provisions of this Act. The laboratories shall show

8



satisfactory evidence that they possess qualified personnel and are properly equipped to carry
out laboratory procedures commonly required in the following fields: Clinical Chemistry,
Microbiology & Parasitology, Immunohematology (Blood Banking), Immunology &
Serology, Clinical Microscopy (Urinalysis & other body fluids), and Histopathologic
and Cytologic Techniques, and that the scope of activities of said laboratories offer sufficient
training in said laboratory procedures.

SEC. 26. Studies for Medical Technology Human Resource Management. - The
Board, in coordination with the accredited professional organization and appropriate
government and private agencies shall initiate, undertake and conduct studies an health,
human resources production, utilization or deployment and development.

SEC, 27. Membership to Accredited Professional Organization. — All registered
medical technologists whose names appear in the roster of the Professional Regulation
Commission shall automatically become members of the accredited professional
organization of registered and licensed medical technologists. Members of said accredited
professional organization shall receive benefits and privileges appurtenant thereto upon
compliance with the membership requirements and payment of the required fees and dues.

SEC. 28. Continuing Professional Development Program. ~ There shall be a program
of Continuing Professional Development for Medical Technology (CPD-MT)
conducted by the national accredited professional organization and other CPD-MT
providers duly accredited by the CPD Council for Medical Technology (CPDC-MT)
under the Commission, to provide, promote and facilitate lifelong learning in the
enhancement of competencies towards delivery of quality, updated and ethical services, both
locally and globally.

The CPDC-MT herein created shall ensure adequate and appropriate provision of CPD
programs and shall issue such operational guidelines as may be approved by the Commission.
All Registered medical technologists shall abide by the requirement, rules and regulations
on CPD promulgated by the CPDC-MT duly approved by the Commission.

SEC. 29. Lifelong Learning for Medical Technologists. - Upon the effectivity of this
‘Act, a medical technologist shall be required to show compliance with the required CPD units
as basis for renewal of the Professional Identification Card in accordance with the
guidelines of the Commission.

SEC. 30. Salary. - In order to enhance the general welfare, commitment to
service and professionalism of medical technologists, the minimum base pay upon entry
of a registered medical technologist in governmental and non-governmental institutions
should not be lower than the amount equivalent to Salary Grade 15.

SEC. 31. Foreign Reciprocity. — No foreigner shall be admitted to an examination, be
given a Certificate of Registration or be entitled to any of the rights or privileges under this Act
unless the country or state of which he is a subject or a citizen permits Filipino medical
technologist to practice within its territorial limits on the same basis as the subjects or citizens
of said country or state.

SEC. 32. Inhibition Against the Practice of Medical Technology/Special temporary
Permit. — No person shall practice or offer to practice medical technology as defined in this Act
without having previously obtained a valid Certificate of Registration from the Board.
Provided, that a Certificate of Registration shall not be required from the following:



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Duly registered physicians;
Medical technologists in the service of the Armed Forces of the United States of
America who are stationed in the Philippines and are rendering services as such
for members of said armed forces only.

Special Temporary Permits (STPs) may be issued to medical technologists from other

countries called for consultation or as visiting or exchange professors to colleges or
universities: Provided, that their practice medical technology within the country is limited to
their performance of the said function.

SEC. 33. Penal Provisions. — Without prejudice to the provisions of the Medical

‘Act of 1959, as amended, relating to the illegal practice of medicine, the following shall be
punished by a fine of not less than fifty thousand pesos (50,000) nor more than one hundred
thousand pesos (100,000) or imprisonment for not less than six (6) months nor more than (2)
years, or both, at the discretion of the court:

a.

Any person who shall practice Medical Technology in the Philippines without being
registered or exempted from registration in accordance with the provisions of
this Act;

Any medical technologist who shall knowingly make a fraudulent laboratory report;

Any person presenting or attempting to use as his own, the Certificate of
Registration of another;

Any person who shall give any false or fraudulent evidence of any kind to the Board or
any member thereof in obtaining a Certificate of Registration as a medical technologist;

‘Any person who shall impersonate any registrant;

‘Any person who shall attempt to use a revoked or suspended Certificate of
Registration;

‘Any person who shall, in connection with his name or otherwise, assume, use or
advertise any title or description tending to convey the impression that he is a medical
technologist without holding a valid Certificate of Registration;

Any person or corporate body who shall allow non-registered medical
technologist/medical laboratory technician under his employ to engage in the practice of
medical technology or recommend the appointment of anyone to the position of a
medical technologist/medical laboratory technicians while knowing that he is not
registered as such; and

‘Any person or corporate body who shall violate any provision of this Act or any rules or
regulations issued pursuant to this Act.

SEC. 34. Enforcement of this Act. — \t shall be the primary duty of the Commission

and Board to effectively implement the provisions of this Act. Any law enforcement
agency and officers, employees and agents of national, provincial, city or municipal

10


governments shall, upon the call or request of the Commission or the Board, render assistance
in enforcing the provisions of this Act and, to prosecute any person violating the same.

SEC. 35, Funding Provision. — The Chairperson of the Commission shall include
in the Commission’s program the funding requirements for the implementation of this Act.
Thereafter, the amount necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be
included in the General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 36. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days after the
effectivity of this Act, the Board and the Commission, in coordination with the national
accredited professional organization, the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of
Budget and Management (DBM) and other concerned agencies, shall formulate such rules
and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 37. Transitory Provisions. — Upon the effectivity of this Act:

1. The Board shall discontinue the registration of medical laboratory technicians as
provided for in Section 21 of Republic Act No. 5527. Provided, that medical
laboratory technicians registered under Republic Act No. $27 shall maintain their
status as registered medical laboratory technician after this Act has taken effect.
Provided, that a registered medical technologist occupying the position of a
medical laboratory technician shall be rendered an appropriate position and be
reclassified as a medical technologist.

2. The incumbent Chairperson and Members of the Board shall continue to serve until the
first Board constituted under the provisions of this Act shall have been appointed
and duly qualified.

SEC. 38. Separability Clause. — Should any provision herein be declared
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity of the other provisions of this Act.

SEC. 39. Repealing Clause. — Republic Act Nos. 5527 otherwise known as the
“Philippine Medical Technology Act of 1969; Republic Act No. 6138 or otherwise known as
“ An Act to Amend Certain Sections of Republic Act Numbered Five Thousand Five Hundred
‘Twenty-Seven, Known as The Philippine Medical Technology Act of 1968”; Presidential
Decree Nos. 498 or otherwise known as “ Amending Sections Two, Three, Four, Seven, Eight,
Eleven, Thirteen, Sixteen, Seventeen, Twenty-One and Twenty-Nine of Republic Act No. 5527,
Also Known as The Philippine Medical Technology Act of 1969” and Presidential Decree No.
1534 or otherwise known as “Further Amending Republic Act No. 5227 As Amended by
Presidential Decree No. 498 otherwise Known as the Philippine Medical Technology Act of
1969” are hereby repealed. All other laws, Republic Act, Decrees, Orders, letters of instruction,
rules and regulations or other issuances, and parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of
this Act are likewise repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 40. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following
its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,