07/08/2026
๐ก๐๐ช๐ฆ | House Panel Advances Bid to Professionalize Microbiology in PH
Microbiologists in the Philippines may soon gain official legal recognition as a House
panel began discussions on a proposed measure seeking to regulate the practice of the profession in the country.
The House Committee on Civil Service and Professional Regulation began deliberations
on Wednesday, Aug. 5, on the proposed Philippine Microbiology Professionalization Act.
The consolidated bill, which combines House Bills 7312, 8026, and 10159, aims to
establish a Professional Regulatory Board of Microbiology under the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). It also sets national professional standards, requires
licensure examinations, and grants registered microbiologists official legal standing and signatory authority.
During the hearing, Bukidnon Rep. Audrey Zubiri, author of HB 8026, underscored the
critical role of microbiologists in safeguarding public health, maintaining food safety standards, protecting ecosystems, and driving scientific research.
Despite these contributions, Laguna Rep. Ramil Hernandez, principal author of HB
7312, pointed out that the field remains a "gray area" as practitioners still lack
state-recognized signatory authority.
Hernandez said the proposed measure would address this gap by according
microbiologists the same statutory recognition given to chemists and medical
technologists.
At present, microbiologists can secure certification through private organizational bodies such as the Philippine Academy of Microbiology (PAM), but the certification is voluntary and does not carry legal authority.
Because of this, official laboratory results and certificates of analysis are often signed off by licensed professionals from allied fields rather than the specialists responsible for the analyses.
Moreover, to accommodate seasoned practitioners, the substitute bill includes an
equivalency or "grandfather clause." Under this provision, qualified practitioners and university faculty with advanced degrees and extensive experience can register without taking the licensure board exam.
This mechanism was cited during the discussions as a way to help prevent disruptions in government laboratories, schools, and industries should the profession become PRC-regulated.
The measure also gained backing from executive agencies, including the Department of Agriculture โ Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (DA-BAFS).
DA-BAFS Director Grace Mandigma told lawmakers that formal regulation would create a recognized pool of scientific experts who can guide government agencies in crafting food safety policies, agricultural standards, and risk evaluations.
The panel, however, noted that there could be overlaps in practice areas with other professions. PRC Director Atty. Giselle Durana told lawmakers that six existing regulatory boards, including Medical Technology, Chemistry, Food Technology, Agriculture, Veterinary Medicine, and Pharmacy, have existing mandates that may intersect with the proposed profession.
In response, stakeholders urged the committee to clearly define the boundaries, legal scope, and specific duties of registered microbiologists to avoid conflicts in practice.
In light of the issues raised, the substitute bill will undergo further deliberations before proceeding to the next stages of the legislative process.
Report by Raymart Nieva | Associate Editor for Technicals
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