Philippine Medical Technology Act of 2025

Senate Offite of the Becretarp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 NOV -3 P2:43 First Regular Session ) SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. 14'79 Introduced by Senator JV Ejercito AN ACT REGULATING AND MODERNIZING THE PRACTICE OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES, REPEALING FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 5527 AS AMENDED, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER RELATED PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE When Republic Act No. 5227 or the "Philippine Medical Technology Act of 1969 was enacted into law, DNA sequencing had not yet been discovered. There were no automatic clinical analyzers, rapid diagnostic tests, or molecular diagnostics. The medical tools were limited and medical laboratories were largely confined to manual laboratory procedures and analog reporting. The scientific breakthroughs over the last five decades have transformed the role of medical technologists. From previously confined to laboratories, they are now essential not just to hospitals but also to epidemiological research, pharmaceutical development, and digital health systems. During the COVID-19 pandemic, medical technologists serve as key in determination of national policy including quarantine protocols. They conducted millions of RT-PCR tests and ensured the accuracy of results. As one of the frontliners, they endured physical exhaustion and high risk of inspection. Despite that, they remained professionals and dedicated to their duty as part of the healthcare system in its most vulnerable hour.

Even with their indispensable role, the law regulating medical technologists remains anchored in the era of analog science. As such, the proposed bill aims to modernize and strengthen the regulatory framework governing the practice of medical technology in the country. It aims to recognize and institutionalize the vital role of medical technologists in nation-building and development through its contribution to healthcare delivery, disease surveillance, and scientific research. Through this legislative measure, we reaffirm our commitment to promote, regulate, and protect the practice of Medical Technology in the Philippines. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. JV EJERCITO

Senate Office of the secretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 NOV -3 P2:43 First Regular Session SENATE RECEIVED BY 1479 S. No. _ Introduced by Senator JV Ejercito AN ACT REGULATING AND MODERNIZING THE PRACTICE OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES, REPEALING FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 5527 AS AMENDED, 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 law shall be known as the "Philippine Medical

2 Technology Act of 2025."

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the vital role of the Medical

4 Technology profession in nation-building and development through its contribution to 5 healthcare delivery, education, and scientific research. Accordingly, it shall be the 6 policy of the state to develop and nurture competent, ethical, service-oriented medical 7 technologists whose standard of practice and professional excellence are globally 8 competitive. In addition, the State shall promote, regulate, and protect the practice of 10 Medical Technology in the Philippines and ensure its continued advancement and alignment with international standards of practice.

Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act,

a) Accredited Medical 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 Professional 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 Technologist or Medical Laboratory Scientist 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;

i) Phlebotomy refers to drawing or collection of blood. ]) 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; and k) 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. - The practice of

10 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, cytogenic or other laboratory procedures and techniques, either manual or automated; b) Blood banking procedures and techniques; c) Parasitology, Bacteriologic, Mycologic, Virologic, or other microbiologic techniques; d) Histopathologic and cytologic techniques; e) Drug testing in clinical laboratories; f) Research involving human beings or animals requiring the use of or application of Medical Technology or 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 procedure or techniques or laboratory procedures or techniques or laboratory operations; and 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. 11 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 or 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 three (3) years. They 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 term 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, 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,

1 further, That the Chairperson and the Members of the Board must not be an officer 2 or director of the accredited professional organization at the time of their nomination. The Chairperson must be at least forty (40) years of age with at least fifteen 4 (15) years of professional experience as a medical technologist. He must be actively practicing his profession as a medical technologist within five (5) years prior to his nomination. He must be a holder of at least a Masters degree, preferably a Masters in 7 Medical Technology. The Members of the Board must be at least forty (40) years of age with at least 9 ten (10) years of professional experience as a medical technologist. He must be actively practicing his profession as a medical technologist within three (3) years prior to his nomination. The Chairperson and Members of the Board must not have any pecuniary interest, directly or indirectly, and not in any way professionally connected in any Medical Technology school or review center at the time of nomination.

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

Member of the Board shall receive compensation and allowances equivalent to that being received by the chairperson and members of the other professional regulatory boards under the Commission as provided for in the annual 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; 9) 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 Accredited Professional Organization; 1) 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: Provided, That pending the resolution of the administrative proceeding, the President shall have the power to indefinitely suspend the Chairperson or any Member of the Board under investigation and appoint a temporary member in his place.

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-

1 annually in such places as the Board may deem proper, subject to the approval of the 2 Commission.

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

4 applicant for the licensure examination for medical technologists shall establish to the 5 satisfaction of the Board, that he or she is: a) 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) 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) of good moral character; and d) 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: a) Clinical Chemistry - Twenty percent (20%) b) Microbiology & Parasitology - Twenty percent (20%) c) Hematology - Twenty percent (20%) d) Immunohematology (Blood Banking and Transfusion Service) and Immunology & Serology - Twenty percent (20%) e) Clinical Microscopy (Urinalysis and Other Body Fluids) - Ten percent (10%) f) Histopathologic, cytologic and cellular immunologic techniques, Laboratory Management, Medical Technology Law, Related Laws, and the Code of Ethics - Ten percent (10%) 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 2 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 9 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

11 Medical Technology, 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 as prescribed by the Board shall be required before another examination can be taken.

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

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. 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, shall likewise, be issued to every registrant, upon payment of the required fees. 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

1 turpitude, or who has committed immoral, dishonorable or dishonest conduct, or is of 2 unsound mind. In the event of the Board's refusal to issue a Certificate of Registration, 3 it shall issue a written statement to the applicant setting forth the reason for its action. 4 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

6 Certificate of Registration, replacement of a lost, destroyed, or mutilated Certificate of Registration, or issuance or replacement of the Professional Identification Card shall 8 be in accordance with the fees established by the Commission.

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

10 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 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

2 made by the hearing committee may be appealed primarily and exclusively to the 3 Commission. The decision of the Commission may be elevated to the Court of Appeals 4 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 7 the application of the medical technologist whose Certificate of Registration was 8 revoked. Provided, that the reissuance of a revoked Certificate of Registration may 9 only be made for proper and sufficient reasons, Provided, further, that no revoked 10 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 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

7 the Commission on Higher Education in setting Policies, Standards and Guidelines for 8 the formal Medical Technology Programs, both undergraduate and post-graduate 9 studies. It shall serve as the Resource Persons for CHED.

Sec. 24. Medical Technology Education. - The Bachelor of Science in Medical

11 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 education, core and professional courses, and a satisfactory and duly approved 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

1 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

4 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 7 equipment; and other non-wage benefits such as availment of health services, 8 including psychological and physical health services; and support for professional needs such as but not limited to Continuing Professional Development and Career 10 Progression and Specialization.

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

12 Career Progression and Specialization Program for Medical Technology as approved 13 by the Commission.

Sec. 30. 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 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

1 (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 in accordance with the provisions of this Act; b) Any medical technologist who shall knowingly make a fraudulent laboratory report; c) Any person presenting or attempting to use as his own, the Certificate of Registration of another; d) 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; e) Any person who shall impersonate any registrant, f) Any person who shall attempt to use a revoked or suspended Certificate of Registration; g) 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; h) 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 i) Any person or corporate body who shall violate any provision of this Act or any rules or regulations issued pursuant to this Act.

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

1 Act. Thereafter, the amount necessary for the continued implementation of this Act 2 shall be included in the General Appropriations Act.

Sec. 35. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days after

4 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 technicians 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. - Republic Act No. 5227 otherwise known as the

"Philippine Medical Technology Act of 1969", as amended is hereby repealed. 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

publication in the official gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,