INAPRUBAHAN ng Kamara sa ikatlo at huling pag-basa ang House Bill 8452 o “Philippine Physical Therapy Law,” na naglalayong gawing de-kalibre at globally competitive ang mga physical therapist sa bansa.

Ayon kay Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, ang panukala ay binuo mula sa limang panukala na pinag-isa, ang House Bill (HB) Nos. – 2045, 2710, 5251, 5975 at 7262 – na pangunahing iniakda nina Reps. Kristine Alexie Tutor, Yedda Marie Romualdez, Jude Acidre, Patrick Michael Vargas, Maximo Dalog, at Rudys Caesar Fariñas.

Walang tumutol sa pag-apruba sa panukala na nakakuha ng 274 boto.

“This bill hopes to regulate a steadily growing profession of healthcare professionals to make sure that only competent individuals are allowed to practice such an important pursuit. It also aims to raise the standards of the physical therapy profession through a continuing professional development program,” sabi ni Romualdez, lider ng 312 mambabatas ng Mababang Kapulungan ng Kongreso.

Batay sa datos ng World Confederation for Physical Therapy, mayroong higit sa 14,600 physical therapists sa Pilipinas hanggang nitong 2019.

Aamyendahan ng HB 8452 ang Republic Act (RA) No. 5680, para sa regulasyon ng propesyon ng physical at occupational therapy.

Ang RA 5680 ay naging batas noong 1969 o higit 54 na taon na ang nakakaraan.

Noong 2018, inaprubahan naman ng Kongreso ang RA No. 11241, o Philippine Occupational Therapy Law upang kilalanin ang occupational therapy bilang hiwalay na disiplina mula sa physical therapy.

“We need to update the law to respond to the changing times, especially if we are to raise the standards of the profession to international standards. I thank the Committee on Civil Service and Professional Regulation for a job well done in crafting the measure,” ani Romualdez said.

“The practice of physical therapy shall include identifying and maximizing the quality of life and movement potential within the spheres of promotion, prevention, treatment, intervention, habilitation, and rehabilitation. These spheres encompass physical, psychological, emotional, and social wellbeing,” sabi sa HB 8452.

Ipinatatatag din ng panukala ang Professional Regulatory Board of Physical Therapy na siyang magpapatupad ng mga ilalatag na panuntunan; magbabantay sa pagparerehistro, lisensya, at paggamit ng physical therapy; pagbuo ng listahan ng mga physical therapists; at maglabas, magsuspendi, magkansela o magbalik ng rehistro at lisensya.

“All applicants for registration for the practice of physical therapy shall be required to undergo a licensure examination to be given by the Board in such places and dates as the Commission may designate, subject to compliance with the requirements prescribed by the same,” sabi sa HB 8452

Ang naturang Board ay mapapasailalim sa Professional Regulation Commission.