New Philippine Medical Technology Act of 2025

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session 25 JUL -7 A9:58 SENATE NELi S. No. 172 INTRODUCED BY SENATOR CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE "BONG" T. GO AN ACT REGULATING AND MODERNIZING THE PRACTICE OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER RELATED PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE Republic Act No. 5527, or the "Medical Technology Act of 1969," has remained the governing law for the practice of medical technology in the Philippines for over five decades. While it has served as a foundation for the profession, many of its provisions are now outdated and no longer reflect the current advancements, standards, and realities of medical practice, especially in light of the rapid developments in science and healthcare delivery. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the vital role that Filipino medical technologists play in the health system. They have stood at the frontlines of disease detection, diagnostics, and public health surveillance, often at great personal risk. Beyond the pandemic, their contribution continues to be essential in addressing a wide range of emerging and persistent health challenges across the country. Given these realities, it is imperative that the State ensures the continued growth, protection, and empowerment of the medical technology profession. This bill seeks to modernize the legal framework governing the practice of medical technology in the Philippines. It aims to cultivate a corps of competent, ethical, globally

competitive, and service-oriented medical technologists by instituting clear standards for education, training, licensure, and professional development. Furthermore, the measure seeks to enhance the welfare of medical technologists by setting the minimum base pay upon entry of a registered medical technologist in government to Salary Grade 15, aligning it with the pay scale of similarly vital health professionals such as nurses. In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 JUL -7 A9:58 SENATE 0... S. No. 172 INTRODUCED BY SENATOR CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE "BONG" T. GO 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 "New Philippine

Medical Technology Act of 2025."

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 be

defined as: 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); 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, in consultation with the duly accredited professional organization, with the approval of the 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 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; h) Medical Laboratory Science refers to the other name for Medical Technology; i) Medical Technologists refers to a holder of a Bachelor of Science on 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; k) Phlebotomy refers to the collection of blood;

Phlebotomist refers to the 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; m) 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 n) Technical Committee for Medical Technology Education refers to the Technical Committee for Medical Technology Education recognized 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, cytogenic or other laboratory procedures and techniques, either manual or automated; b) Blood banking procedures and techniques; c) Parasitologic, 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 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; Phlebotomy, collection, handling, processing or preservation of specimen; 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; Introduction, demonstration, evaluation, or improvement of clinical laboratory procedure or techniques and/or laboratory procedures or techniques and/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 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 or Medical Laboratory Science. The Chairperson and Members of the Boards shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines 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

1 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, his successor shall only serve the balance of this 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: 10 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 of director of the accredited professional organization at the time of their nomination. The Chairperson must also have at least fifteen (15) years of experience 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 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 of a Master's Degree may be waived for as long as the nominated candidate has obtained 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 three (3) yeas 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 the appointment of 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 the accordance with professional regulatory law; Determine and prepare the questions for the licensure examination for medical technologists; d) Administer oaths in connection with the administration of this Act; 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 the rules and regulations issued hereunder. For this purpose, the Board may issue subpoenas duces tecum; Draft such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the h) 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; Formulate and recommend the approval 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; Prescribe and promulgate the Code of Ethics and Code of Professional Standards for the Practice of Medical Technology, in consultation with the APO; and m) Perform such other functions as may be prescribed by the Commission, in accordance with existing laws.

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

of the Board may be removed by the President for neglect of duty, incompetence, malpractice or unprofessional, unethical, immoral or dishonorable conduct after having been given an opportunity to defend himself in proper administrative proceeding: 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

18 under the provisions of this Act, all applicants for registration as medical technologists 19 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. The examination for Phlebotomy Certification as referred to in this Act shall be given by the Board semiannually in such places as may be approved by the Commission.

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

applicant for examination under this Act shall, at least thirty (30) days, prior to the date of the Examination, furnish the Board satisfactory proof that he: a) Must possess Philippine citizenship or in the case of a foreigner, citizenship of a country or State that has a reciprocity agreement with the Philippines on the practice of medical technology; b) Must be of good moral character;

c) Must hold a Bachelor's Degree in Medical Technology (Medical Laboratory Science) or Public Health conferred by a school, college or university recognized and duly accredited by the CHED; and d) Must not have been convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude by a court of competent jurisdiction.

SEC. 12. Scope of Examination. - The examination shall cover the following

courses: (a) Chemical Chemistry - Twenty percent (20%) (b) Microbiology and Parasitology - Twenty percent (20%) (c) Hematology and Immunohematology (Blood Banking) - Twenty percent (20%) (d) Immunology & Serology - Twenty percent (20%) (e) Clinical Microscopy (Urinalysis and Other Body Fluids) - Ten percent (10%) (f) Histopathologic and Cytologic Techniques, Laboratory Management, Medical Technology Law, Related Laws and their implementing Rules and the Code of Ethics - Ten percent (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 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 the any of the major courses. 4 Provided, that the candidate has not failed in at least sixty percent (60%) of the courses computed according to their 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 examinees shall be required to take a

professional oath before the Board or before any person authorized by iaw prior to entering the practice of medical technology in the Philippines.

SEC. 16. Issuance of Certificate of Registration. - Every appiicant 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 the Members of the Board and by the Chairperson and the Commissioners of the 17 Commission. A Professional Identification Card bearing the registration number, date 18 of issuance and expiry date, duiy 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. 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 immorai, dishonorable or dishonest conduct, or is of unsound mind, or is suffering from an incurable communicable disease. In the event of the Board's refusai 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.

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, 10 that the existing rules of evidence shall be observed during the administrative proceeding: Provided further, that the existing rules of evidence shall be observed during the administrative proceeding: Provided finally, 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 witness against him and 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 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 Revocation 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 3 Commission. The decision of the Commission may be elevated to the Court of Appeals in accordance with the Rules of Court.

SEC. 20. Reissuance of Reinstatement of a revoked or suspended Certificate

7 of Registration. - The Board may reissue a revoked Certificate of Registration upon 8 the application of the medical technologist whose Certificate of Registration was 9 revoked: Provided, that the reissuance of a revoked Certificate of Registration may 10 only be made for proper and sufficient reasons: Provided, further, that no revoked Certificate of Registration shall be reissued within two (2) years from the date of its surrender. A suspended 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 (TCMTE) under the 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 of representative of the association of schools of medical technology; d) A 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 the TCMTE or its equivalent. - The TCMTE shall

assist the Commission on Higher Education ((CHED) in setting Policies, Standards, and 10 Guidelines for the Medical Technology Program. It may also assist in its implementation, including mentoring 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 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 suggested 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 satisfactory evidence that they possess qualified personnel and are properly equipped to carry our laboratory procedures commonly required in the following fields: Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology and Parasitology, Immunohematology (Blood Banking), Immunology and Serology, Clinical Microscopy (Urinalysis & other body 12 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. 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. 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 government shall not be lower than Salary Grade 15.

SEC. 29. 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. 30. 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: a) Duly registered physicians; b) 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 the members of said armed forces only.

SEC. 31. 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 (Php 50,000) nor more than one hundred thousand pesos (Php 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; 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; Any person who shall attempt to use a revoked or suspended Certificate of Registration; g) Any person who shall attempt to use a revoked or suspended Certificate of Registration; h) 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 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. 32. 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 on Board, render assistance in enforcing the provisions of this Act and, to prosecute any person violating the same.

SEC. 33. 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. 34. 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 Heaith (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. 35. Transitory Provisions. - Upon the effectivity of this Act:

1) The Board shall discontinue the registration of medical laboratory technicians as provided for in Sec. 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, that a registered medical technologist occupying the position of 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. 36. Separability Clause. - Should any provision or part of this Act is

declared invalid or unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity of the other provisions of this Act.

SEC. 37. Repealing Clause. - Republic Act No. 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 No. 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. 5527 as Amended by Presidential Decree No. 498" are hereby repealed. All other laws, decrees, ordinances, rules, regulations, issuances or parts

thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 38. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following

its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,