Senate Passes Chemistry Profession Act

Senate Passes Chemistry Profession Act

The Senate last week approved on third and final reading a bill which seeks to regulate and modernize the practice of Chemistry in the Philippines.

Sen. Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV, author and sponsor of Senate Bill No. 914, known as the Chemistry Profession Act of 2014, said that the existing Republic Act 754 enacted in 1952 needs to be reformulated in order to make the law more responsive to the recent developments in Science and Technology.

Trillanes stressed that during the 15th Congress, the bill was passed on third reading in the House of Representatives but due to time constraints, it was not approved in the Senate.

Since “Significant changes brought about by the rapid developments in Chemistry, science and technology, the rise of international standards, global competition, as well as concerns for the environment, climate change and sustainable development, there is an urgent need to reformulate the Chemistry Law so that it wil1 be more responsive to these modern developments.,” Trillanes said.

 The bill aims to update the definition of Chemistry and the scope of its professional practice, rationalize the relationship between Chemistry and its allied professions and bring the practice of Chemistry in line with the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) modernization act of 2000 (RA 8981), as well as national .concerns related chemistry, such as toxic and hazardous and nuclear waste (RA 6969) and dangerous drugs (RA 9165). 

The bill, if approved, will create the Professional Regulatory Board of Chemistry which will supervise and regulate the practice of the chemistry profession in the Philippines. The board shall determine the requirements and evaluate the qualifications of the applicants for registration and renewal of license of Registered Chemists and Registered Chemical Technicians. 

The board shall be composed of Chairperson and two (2) Members under the administrative control and supervision of the PRC. The members of the board shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines. 

Any person who wishes to practice Chemistry and Chemical Analysis must obtain a certificate of registration and pass the licensure examination given by the Professional Regulatory Board of Chemistry.  

“Chemistry plays an important role in every aspect of life -from scientific or academic endeavor to its application in everyday life. Without the proper regulation of its application and practice, it has the potential to become a threat to the safety of the public,” Trillanes concluded. /MP