By Azer Parrocha/PNA
MANILA — President Rodrigo R. Duterte has signed into law a measure regulating the registration, licensure, and practice of occupational therapy (OT) in the country.
Duterte signed Republic Act 11241 or the “The Philippine Occupational Therapy Law of 2018” on March 11 but a copy of which was released to media on Tuesday.
“The State recognizes the importance of occupational therapists in nation building. Hence, it shall develop and nurture competent, virtuous, productive, and well-rounded occupational therapists whose standards of practice and service shall be excellent, world-class and globally competitive through inviolable, honest, effective and credible licensure examinations and through regulatory measures, programs, and activities that foster their continuing professional growth,” the law read.
Under the proposed measure, there will be the creation of the professional regulatory board of occupational therapy under the administrative supervision of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).
The board will be composed of a chairperson and two members appointed by the President within six months from the enactment of the law.
Among its powers and functions is to maintain a roster of occupational therapists indicating therein basic information about the registered professionals.
The board may also issue, reinstate, suspend, cancel or revoke the registration and license or special permits for the practice of occupational therapy.
Moreover, it may also prescribe guidelines and criteria in the Continuing Professional Development program for occupational therapists including a reciprocity clause that would allow Filipino occupational therapists to practice abroad and integrate the OT profession into one national professional organization through the Accredited Integrated Professional Organization.
