OCT.

28, 2012

NR # 2906

House approves on 3rd reading the proposed Chemistry Law of 2012

The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a proposal to give emphasis to the role of chemistry in national development by promoting and protecting the interests of the chemistry profession. House Bill 6575, authored by Reps. Juan Edgardo Angara (Lone District, Aurora), Florencio Bem Noel (Party-list, An Waray) and Angelo Palmones (Party-list, Agham), seeks to elevate the standards of the profession by strengthening the promotion, regulation and measures for continued development in the field. To boost the countrys aspirations towards global competitiveness, it is imperative for the country to enact a responsive policy instrument that is responsive to the demands of the profession, Angara said. Noel said it is the policy of the State to promote, regulate and protect the professional practice of chemistry in the Philippines and to ensure the continued development of the practice of chemistry in the country. Palmones said the bill updates the definition of Chemistry and the scope of the professional practice of Chemistry. It likewise defines the practice of the Chemical Analyst. The proposed Act strengthens the professional practice of Chemistry for global competitiveness and to bring it in line with international practice, certification and standards. It rationalizes the relationship between the training of Chemists and the professional practice of Chemistry. Under the measure to be known as the Chemistry Law of 2012, the authority of the Board of Chemistry to supervise chemistry laboratories and other entities which practice chemistry is strengthened to ensure that the minimum quality standards are maintained. It supports the requirement for Continuing Professional Education (CPE) for the continuous training and international competitiveness of professional chemists. Moreover, the bill synchronizes the practice of Chemistry with the requirements and standards of Republic Act 8981 or the PRC Modernization Act of 2000 as well as national concerns related to chemistry, such as toxic and hazardous and nuclear wastes as incorporated in Republic Act 6969 otherwise known as the "Toxic Substances and

Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act of 1990" and dangerous drugs under "Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002" or Republic Act 9165. The bills plenary approval was endorsed by the House Committee on Civil Service and Professional Regulation and the Committee on Appropriations chaired by Reps. Andres Salvacion, Jr. (3rd District, Leyte) and Joseph Emilio Abaya (1st District, Cavite), respectively. Co-authors of the bill are Reps. Neil Benedict Montejo (Party-list, An Waray), Josephine Veronique Lacson-Noel (Lone District, Malabon City), Rachel Marguerite del Mar (1st District, Cebu City) and Catalina Bagasina (Party-list, ALE). (30) lvc