DAVAO CITY: The Psychological Association of the Philippines (PAP)-Southern Mindanao Chapter has expressed alarm over some provisions of the resolution issued by the Professional Regulatory Board (PRB) of Psychology last June 22 as it will force several clinics to close shop.
Resolution No. 4 was issued to implement Section 33 (b) of Republic Act 10029, also known as the “Philippine Psychology Act of 2009,” which imposes a set of “stringent” requirements for the issuance of “permit to operate a psychology or psychometrics office, center, clinic, or facility” effective July 16.
In a statement emailed to MindaNews on Thursday, Dr. Maria Isabel Lemen, PAP-Southern Mindanao chair, questioned the resolution for its vagueness, which leaves room for “misinterpretation, misunderstanding, and abuse of authority.”
The new regulation is “unlawful, oppressive and unjust” and reflects a “punitive spirit of regulation,” which can potentially affect the country, particularly in far-flung communities, as there will only be a few professionals who can practice, she said.
The resolution requires that the head of the Psychological Services Unit (PSU) “must be a registered and licensed Psychologist who possesses a master’s degree in Psychology, with at least seven years of experience as a Psychologist, three years of which is in a supervisory capacity.”
“Many centers will have to close because of the seven-year requirement. Those in far-flung areas in Mindanao will no longer be able to have access to mental health services that are currently being provided by psychologists who have passed the board examination but have not yet reached the seven-year requirement,” she said.
Lemen feared that the requirement could disenfranchise around 1,700 psychologists who have certificates of registration and Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) IDs.
“The requirement for the board exams is more intended for clinical psychology and by default, it has been assumed that any person who passes the board or has been certified by the board under the grandfather’s clause who holds both the Certificate of Registration and PRC IDs may practice,” she said.
