House approves physical therapy bill on third reading

A professor guides a physical therapy student as limited face-to-face classes resume at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila on October 20, 2021. (AFP File Photo)

MANILA, Philippines–The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a bill that seeks to regulate the practice of physical therapy in the Philippines.

House Bill 8452, or the “Philippine Physical Therapy Law,” was approved by a vote of 274-0. The bill was principally filed by Representatives Kristine Alexie Tutor, Yedda Marie Romualdez, Jude Acidre, Patrick Michael Vargas, Maximo Dalog, and Rudys Caesar Fariñas.

“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,” the bill says.

It also establishes the Professional Regulatory Board of Physical Therapy, which will be responsible for the registration, licensure, and regulation of physical therapists in the Philippines. The board will be under the administrative supervision of the Professional Regulation Commission.

Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said the 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,” he said.

According to the World Confederation for Physical Therapy, the Philippines had over 14,600 physical therapists in 2019.

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