Aquino signs Chemistry Profession Act

President Aquino has signed Republic Act No. 10657, or the Chemistry Profession Act, which seeks to regulate and modernize the practice of chemistry in the country.

Former Rep. Angelo Palmones of party- list group Agham said the law “will greatly contribute in addressing the country’s concerns on public safety and environment protection.”

He said he filed a similar bill as representative of the science and technology sector in the last Congress.

“The approval by Congress of the Chemistry Profession Act and its signing into law by the President will be a big boost to the country’s goal for global competitiveness, particularly under the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) integration scheme,” he said.

One of the features of the law is the creation of the Professional Regulatory Board of Chemistry, which will be under the administrative control and supervision of the Professional Regulation Commission.

The board will be composed of a chairperson and two members to be appointed by the President from those recommended by accredited professional organizations of chemists.

Palmones said no chemist and chemistry technician could practice the chemistry profession without passing the required licensure examination.

Any person or business entity engaged in the practice of chemistry found violating the law would be penalized with imprisonment for one month to one year, or a fine P100,000 to P1 million, or both at the discretion of the court, he said.

“The passage of the Chemistry Profession Law is a strong policy support to our aspirations for the advancement of science and technology in the country,” Palmones noted.