Philippine Medical Technology Act

Senate Office of the Seerary 25 AUG 20 P3:44 TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session RECEIVED BY: SENATE S. No. 1229 INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RONALD "BATO" DELA ROSA AN ACT REGULATING AND MODERNIZING THE PRACTICE OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES, REPEALING FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NOS. 5527 AND 6138 AND PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NOS. 498 AND 1534, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE Medical technologists are among the unsung heroes of the healthcare system. Often working behind the scenes, they perform critical laboratory analyses which then serve as the foundation for various healthcare-related processes. These include, but are not limited to: medical diagnoses, disease surveillance, public health responses, and research. Their importance became especially evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, where they stood at the frontlines of testing and laboratory diagnostics. Republic Act No. 5527 or the Philippine Medical Technology Act of 1969 was the bedrock of the profession for over five decades. However, despite minor amendments over the years, the law has been unable to keep pace with the evolving demands of healthcare, global best practices, and emerging technologies. It has been five years since the emergence and horror of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the challenges on which it has shed light remain stark and clear. Urgent reform in healthcare, primarily, remains to be a nationwide need, which includes reforms in the practice of Medical Technology.

This bill seeks to modernize and strengthen the practice of medical technology in the Philippines by repealing Republic Act Nos. 5527 and 6138 and Presidential Decree Nos. 498 and 1534. Among the salient provisions of this proposed measure are: 1. Updated definitions and scope of practice, ensuring the law reflects modern techniques and standards in clinical laboratories, education, and research; 2. Institutionalization of a Professional Regulatory Board of Medical Technology under the Professional Regulation Commission to oversee licensure, discipline, and practice standards; 3. Establishment of career progression and specialization programs, including support for continuing professional development; 4. Standardization of compensation, setting the minimum entry salary at Salary Grade 15 and mandating hazard pay of 25% of base pay; 5. Strengthened provisions on education and training, including CHED-recognized academic programs and accredited laboratory internships; 6. Public and private sector safeguards, including penalties for unauthorized practice and fraudulent reporting. By enacting this bill, we not only honor the legacy of medical technologists but also ensure that future generations of laboratory professionals are equipped, protected, and empowered to meet the country's growing and evolving healthcare needs. In view of the foregoing, the swift passage of this bill is earnestly sought. RONALD "BATOY DELA ROSA

Senate Office of the retary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session ) 25 AUG 20 P3:44 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. 1229 INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RONALD "BATO" DELA ROSA AN ACT REGULATING AND MODERNIZING THE PRACTICE OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES, REPEALING FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NOS. 5527 AND 6138 AND PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NOS. 498 AND 1534, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This law shall be known as the "Philippine Medical

Technology Act."

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, 7 virtuous, productive, and well-rounded medical technologists whose standard of practice and service shall be world class. Further, the State shall promote, regulate, and protect the professional practice of Medical Technology in the Philippines and shall ensure its continued growth and development at par with international standards of practice.

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

mean: a. Accredited Medica/ Technology Training Laboratory - refers to a clinical laboratory duly licensed by the Department of Health and accredited as a training laboratory for Medical Technology Program by the Commission on Higher Education.

b. Accredited Professional Organization -refers to the national professional organization, whose membership is voluntary, and recognized and accredited by the Professional Regulation Commission. c. Board - refers to the Professional Regulatory Board of Medical Technology under the administrative supervision and control of the Professional Regulation Commission. d. Career Progression and Specialization (CPS) - refers to the process of developing or moving towards a more advanced state in a person's job, title, position, or profession; it outlines the route one may follow in order to reach identified career development goals. e. Commission - refers to the Professional Regulation Commission. f. Code of Ethics - refers to a set of guidelines, standards, and principles to promote professional behavior that are value- and compliance-based and relates to integrity, professionalism, and social responsibility, as prescribed and promulgated by the Board, in consultation with the duly accredited professional organization, with the approval of the Professional Regulation Commission. g. Medical Technology refers to the healthcare profession that provides professional services for the purpose of helping the physician in the diagnosis, treatment and management of diseases, for public health surveillance, and for the promotion of health in general. The profession provides laboratory investigations on biological and non-biological specimens which have impact on health, the results of which provide information to physicians or other health professionals in relation to healthcare, research, forensics, and other services related to medical technology using emerging, converging or disrupting technologies as may be applied in the field and other related fields. Medical Technology may also provide laboratory investigations on animals for the purpose of helping veterinarians in the care of animals. h. Medical Laboratory Science - refers to the other name for Medical lechnology. i. Medical Technologist - refers to a holder of Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology (BS in Medical Laboratory Science) or Bachelor of Science in Public

Health, who is duly licensed and registered with the Commission and is qualified to practice Medical Technology. j. Medical Laboratory Scientist - refers to the other name for Medical Technologist. k. Phlebotomy - refers to drawing or collection of blood. I. Recognized School of Medical Technology - refers to a school, college or university which offers a Bachelor's degree program in Medical Technology also known as Medical Laboratory Science approved by the Commission on Higher Education. m. Technical Panel for Medical Technology Education - refers to the Technical Panel for Medical Technology Education organized under the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

Sec. 4. Areas and Scope of Practice of Medical Technology. - A person is

deemed to be in the practice of medical technology within the meaning of this Act if, for purposes of helping in the diagnosis, treatment and management of diseases, in public health surveillance, and in the promotion of health in general, such person, with or without a fee, salary, compensation or reward, paid, given directly or indirectly: a. Performs examinations of tissues, secretions and excretions of the human body and other body fluids through electronic, chemical, microscopic, hematologic, serologic, immunologic, nuclear, molecular, cytogenetic, parasitologic, bacteriologic, mycologic, virologic and other laboratory procedures and techniques, either manual or automated; b. Performs blood banking procedures and techniques for transfusion service; c. Performs histopathologic and cytologic techniques; d. Performs phlebotomy, processing and preservation of specimens; e. Teaches courses, trains and supervises students in educational institutions with Medical Technology/ Medical Science programs; provided, that teaching of courses for licensure examinations shall follow Section 11 of Republic Act No.8981, "PRC Modernization Act of 2000";

f. Undertakes consultancy in clinical laboratory equipment planning and evaluation, introduction and demonstration of new clinical laboratory methods, or troubleshooting of laboratory tests and procedures where knowledge, skills, and experience as medical technologists are required; g. Performs drug testing; h. Performs research involving human beings, animals or non-biological materials which requires the utilization of the knowledge and skills of a Medical Technologist (Medical Laboratory Scientist); i. Performs clinical laboratory quality control; j. Performs preparation and standardization of reagents, standards, stains or others; Provided, that such reagents, standards, stains or others are exclusively for the use of their clinical laboratory; k. Provides other services where knowledge, skills and experience of a medical technologist are needed. Provided, That any person who has passed the corresponding Board examination for the practice of a profession already regulated by existing law, shall not be subject to the provisions of paragraphs (g), (h), (i), and (i) if the performance of such acts or services is merely incidental to his profession. 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. The Professional Regulatory Board of Medical Technology, hereinafter created, subject to the "Modernization Act of 2000", and in consultation with the accredited professional organization (APO), may modify the above-enumerated acts, services, or activities, as the need arises, in order to conform to the latest trends and developments in the practice of the medical technology profession: Provided, That such modifications are consistent with the enumeration above.

Sec. 5. Professional Regulatory Board of Medical Technology. - There is hereby

29 created a Professional Regulatory Board of Medical Technology under the Commission.

1 The Board shall be composed of a Chairperson and two (2) Members, all of whom are 2 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 Republic of the Philippines ("President") upon recommendation of the Commission and shall serve for a term of 6 three (3) years. The Chairperson and the Members of the Board shall hold such office 7 until their successors shall have been appointed and duly qualified. For its recommendation, the Commission shall submit to the President a list 9 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/she is a duly registered medical technologist, a natural born Filipino citizen and a resident of the Philippines within the last five years at the time of nomination, and of good moral character. Provided, that the Chairperson and Members of the Board must be members in good standing of the accredited professional organization. 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 be at least forty (40) years of age, and must have at least fifteen (15) years of professional experience as a medical technologist and must be holding a position as medical technologist in a continuous period of at least 5 years at the time of appointment. He must be a holder of at least a Masters degree, preferably a Masters in Medical Technology. The Members of the Board must be at least forty (40) years of age, must have at least ten (10) years of professional experience as medical technologist and holding a position as Medical Technologist in a continuous period of at least 5 years at the time of appointment and preferably a holder of a Masters degree.

The Chairperson and Members of the Board must not have any pecuniary 2 interest, directly or indirectly, in any school, college, university or institution conferring an academic degree necessary for admission to the practice of medical technology or in any review center ; neither shall he/she be a member of the faculty or of the administration thereof at the time of his/her appointment to the Board; nor shall 6 he/she be a member of the faculty/ administration in a medical technology school 7 and reviewer in a review center at the time of nomination.

Sec. 7. Compensation and Allowances of the Board. - The Chairperson and each

9 Member of the Board shall receive compensation and allowances equivalent to that 10 being received by the chairperson and members of the other professional regulatory 11 boards under the Commission as provided for in the General Appropriations Act.

Sec. 8. Powers and Functions of the Board - The Board shall have the following

powers and functions: a. Administer and implement the provisions of this Act; b. Regulate the profession in accordance with the 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, revoke or reissue, reinstate certificates of registration and Special Temporary Permits for the practice of medical technology and medical technician; f. Look into conditions affecting the practice of medical technology in the Philippines and, whenever necessary, adopt such a measure that may be deemed proper for the maintenance of good ethics and standards in the practice of medical technology; g. Investigate cases arising from the violations of this Act, or of the rules and regulations issued hereunder. For this purpose, the Board may issue subpoena and subpoena duces tecum; h. Draft such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions under 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 implement guidelines for a refresher course for use of applicant who failed to pass the Board Examination for the third time; k. Prescribe and promulgate the Code of Ethics and Code of Professional Standards for the Practice of Medical Technology, in consultation with the APO; I. Issue guidelines on the CPD, through the CPD Council, with the approval of the Commission; and m. Perform such other functions as may be prescribed by the Commission, in accordance with existing laws.

Sec. 9. Removal of Board Members. - Any member of the Board may, upon the

recommendation of the Commission after due process of law and investigation conducted by the Commission, be suspended or removed by the President of the Philippines from office for cause such as gross neglect of duty, incompetence, malpractice, crimes involving moral turpitude, and manipulating of the licensure examination results, or disclosure of secret and confidential information in the examination questions prior to the conduct of the said examination.

Sec. 10. Licensure Examination. - Except as otherwise specifically allowed under

the provisions of this Act, all applicants for registration as medical technologists shall be required to undergo a written examination which shall be given by the Board semi- annually in such places as the Board may deem proper, subject to the approval of the Commission.

Sec. 11. Qualifications for Admission to the Licensure Examination. - An

applicant for the licensure examination for medical technologists shall establish to the satisfaction of the Board, that: (a) He/She is a citizen of the Philippines, or if he/she is a foreigner, must prove that the country of which he/she is a subject or citizen thereof permits Filipino medical technologists to practice within its territorial jurisdiction on the same basis as the subjects or citizens of such country;

(b) He/She is a graduate of a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology/Medical Laboratory Science from a CHED recognized school, college or university. A graduate of Bachelor of Science in Public Health may be eligible if the completed degree program is similar to the Policies, Standards and Guidelines for Medical Technology Education as approved by CHED. (c) He/She is of good moral character; and (d) He/She must not have been finally convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude by a competent court.

Sec. 12. Scope of Examination for Medical Technology. - The scope of

examination for medical technology shall cover the following courses with their respective relative weights: Clinical Chemistry 20% 20% Microbiology & Parasitology Hematology 20% Immunohematology (Blood Banking and Transfusion Service) and Immunology & Serology 20% Clinical Microscopy (Urinalysis and Other Body Fluids) 10% Histopathologic, cytologic and cellular immunologic techniques, Laboratory Management, Medical Technology Law, Related Laws, 10% and the Code of Ethics The general average of each examinee shall be computed 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 for

2 Medical Technology, a candidate must obtain a general average of at least seventy- 3 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 as prescribed by the Board shall be required before another examination can 8 be taken.

Sec. 15. Oath. - All successful examinees qualified for registration shall be

10 required to take an oath of profession before any member of the Board or any representative of the Board as authorized by the Commission to administer oaths, prior to entering into 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 as such: Provided, That no such certificate shall be issued to any successful applicant who has not attained the age of twenty-one (21) years. All certificates shall be signed by the Chairman and Members of the Board and by the Chairperson of the Commission. A Professional Identification Card shall at least bear minimum information such as the registration number, date of issuance and expiry date, duly signed by the Chairperson of the Commission. Other information such as qualifications of the applicant may be included upon the approval of the Commission. The Professional Identification Card shall be renewed subject to requirements prescribed by the Board and the Commission. 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. 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

1 of Registration, or issuance or replacement of the Professional Identification Card shall 2 be in accordance with the fees established by the Commission.

Sec. 18. Revocation or Suspension of Certificates of Registration. - The

4 revocation or suspension of a Certificate of Registration may only be made after the 5 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, 7 that the existing rules of evidence shall be observed during the administrative proceeding. Provided further, that the person whose Certificate of Registration is 9 sought to be revoked or suspended shall be entitled to be represented by counsel, to 10 have a speedy, impartial, and public proceeding, to confront the witnesses against 11 him and to all other rights guaranteed by the Constitution. The Board may, after giving proper notice and hearing to the party concerned, 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 and unethical conduct, incompetence or ignorance, malpractice or 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 fifteen (15) days after the decision becomes final. Should the medical technologist fail to surrender his certificate of registration within said period without valid reason, 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

1 the application of the medical technologist whose Certificate of Registration was revoked. Provided, that the reissuance of a revoked Certificate of Registration may 3 only be made for proper and sufficient reasons, Provided, further, that no revoked 4 Certificate of Registration may be reissued within two (2) years from the date of its 5 surrender. A suspended Certificate of Registration shall be reinstated upon request of the 7 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 Professional Registry Division. This roster shall contain the name of each registered medical technologist; the date of registration or issuance of the Certificate of Registration and other pertinent data, as approved by the Commission.

Sec. 22. Technical Panel for Medical Technology Education (TPMTE) or its

equivalent. - The Technical Panel for Medical Technology Education under the Commission on Higher Education shall be composed of the following members: a. A representative from the Board; b. The President of the accredited professional organization of medical technologists; c. The President of the association of schools of medical technology; d. Two representatives from clinical laboratory practice who are Chief Medical technologists or at least holding a supervisory medical technologist position in a tertiary clinical laboratory; and e. Two representatives from academe who are Medical technologists holding positions with management responsibility in an institution with medical technology/medical laboratory science program. The Commission on Higher Education shall provide secretariat and other support services to the TPMTE or its equivalent.

Sec. 23. Responsibilities of TPMTE or its equivalent. - The TPMTE shall assist

2 the Commission on Higher Education in setting Policies, Standards and Guidelines for 3 the formal Medical Technology Programs, both undergraduate and post-graduate studies. It shall serve as the Resource Persons for CHED.

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 for Medical Technology Education. Said program shall be composed of general 9 education, core and professional courses, and a satisfactory and duly approved 10 internship program in CHED accredited training laboratories.

Sec. 25. Accreditation of Schools of Medical Technology Education and Training

Laboratories. - The Commission on Higher Education 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 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 and Transfusion Service), 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 on health, human resources production, utilization or deployment and development.

Sec. 27. Salary. - In order to enhance the general welfare, commitment to

service, and professionalism of medical technologists, the minimum base pay upon entry of a medical technologist in public or private shall not be lower than the amount equivalent to Salary Grade 15.

Sec. 28. Hazard Pay, Health and Safety, and other Entitlements. - Medical

technologists working in either public or private healthcare institutions shall be entitled to 25% of the minimum basic pay as hazard pay; a working environment compliant to occupational safety and health standards, including provision of personal protective

1 equipment; and other non-wage benefits such as availment of health services, 2 including psychological and physical health services; and support for professional needs such as but not limited to Continuing Professional Development and Career Progression and Specialization.

Sec. 29. Career Progression and Specialization. - The Board shall formulate a

6 Career Progression and Specialization Program for Medical Technology as approved 7 by the Commission.

Sec. 30. Foreign Reciprocity. - No foreigner shall be admitted to an examination,

9 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 technologists to practice within its territorial limits on the same basis as the subjects or citizens of said country or state.

Sec. 31. Inhibition Against the Practice of Medical Technology. - - 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 registration shall not be required of the following: a. Duly registered physicians b. Medical technologists from other countries called for specific consultation or as visiting or exchange professors to colleges or universities or medical missions who may be issued Special Temporary Permits (STPs): Provided, that their practice of medical technology within the country is limited to their performance of the said function and subject to other conditions as may be prescribed by the Board and the Commission.

Sec. 32. Penal Provisions. - 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: Any person who shall practice Medical Technology in the Philippines without being registered in accordance with the provisions of this Act; (a) Any medical technologist who shall knowingly make a fraudulent laboratory report;

(b) Any person presenting or attempting to use as his own, the Certificate of Registration of another; (c) 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; (d) Any person who shall impersonate any registrant, (e) Any person who shall attempt to use a revoked or suspended Certificate of Registration; (f) 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; (g) Any person or corporate body who shall allow non-registered medical technologist under his employ to engage in the practice of medical technology or recommend the appointment of anyone to the position of a medical technologist while knowing that he is not registered as such; or (h) Any person or corporate body who shall violate any provision of this Act or any rules or regulations issued pursuant to this Act. FINAL PROVISIONS

Sec. 33. Enforcement of this Act. - It 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 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. 34. Appropriations. - 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. 35. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days after

the effectivity of this Act, the Board and the Commission, in coordination with the accredited professional organization, the Department of Health, the Department of Budget and Management and other concerned agencies, shall formulate such rules

and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. The implementing rules and regulations shall be published in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.

Sec. 36. Transitory Provisions. Upon effectivity of this Act:

(a) 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. 5527 shall maintain their status as registered medical laboratory technician after this Act has taken effect. Provided, further, that a registered medical technologist occupying the position of a medical laboratory technician shall be accorded an appropriate position and be reclassified as a medical technologist. (b) 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. 37. Separability Clause. If any part or provision of this Act is held

unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof which are not affected shall continue to remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 38. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, issuances, rules and

regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby amended, repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 39. Effectivity, - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

22 publication in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,