Chapter 2: The Board of Optometry

Question 1

– There is hereby created a Board of Optometry, hereinafter referred to as the Board, composed of _____ members who shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines, upon the recommendation of the PRC, from a list of ten (10) nominees submitted by the duly integrated and accredited national organization of optometrists.

What section?

Answer 1

five (5); SEC. 7. The Board of Optometry.

Question 2

– Only persons possessed with the following qualifications may be nominated and appointed to the Board:

(a) A natural-born citizen of the Philippines;

(b) A duly registered optometrist of good standing;

(c) At least thirty-five (35) years of age at the time of his appointment;

(d) Of good moral character; and

(e) In active practice of the profession for at least ten (10) years prior to his appointment: Provided, That a person who is a member of the faculty, whether full time, part time or lecturer of any school, college or university where a regular course in optometry is taught, or who has any pecuniary interest, directly or indirectly, in such an institution must forego his membership in said faculty or relinquish his interests in said institution before or upon taking his oath as a member of the Board: Provided, further, That an officer of any optometric association is disqualified from being appointed to or serving in the Board.

What section?

Answer 2

SEC. 8. Minimum Qualifications of Board Members.

Question 3

– The members of the Board shall hold office for a non-renewable term of five (5) years, starting on the date of appointment and until their successors shall have been appointed: Provided, however, That the first appointee to the Board, who may include the incumbent members of the existing Optometry Board, shall hold office as follows: the chairperson for five (5) years and the four (4) other members for fixed terms of four (4), three (3), two (2), and one (1) year/s, such that the term of one member shall be due to expire every year. Thereafter, one member shall be appointed for the full term every year and such member, in the last year of his term, shall automatically become the chairperson of the Board. Vacancies brought about by reasons other than expiration of term shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term only.

What section?

Answer 3

SEC. 9. Term of Office.

Question 4

– Any member of the Board, after having been given the opportunity to defend himself in a proper administrative investigation conducted by the PRC, may be removed by the President of the Philippines for neglect of duty, incompetence, malpractice, or unprofessional, unethical, immoral or dishonorable conduct. During the process of investigation, the President of the Philippines may suspend such member under investigation for a period of not more than sixty (60) days and appoint a temporary member in his place.

What section?

Answer 4

SEC. 10. Removal or Suspension of Board Members.

Question 5

– The members of the Board shall each receive compensation in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Professional Regulatory Commission.

What section?

Answer 5

SEC. 11. Compensation of Board Members.

Question 6

– The Board is hereby vested with authority to:

(a) Promulgate the rules and regulations for the practice of optometry, subject to the approval of the PRC and in accordance with the provisions of this Act;

(b) Administer and enforce the rules and regulations specified in the preceding section;

(c) Determine and prepare the contents of licensure examinations, adopt measures to ensure its integrity, check and rate the examination papers and submit the results thereof to the PRC;

(d) Formulate and oversee, in consultation and coordination with the PRC, guidelines for the proper conduct of licensure examinations and the registration of optometrists;

(e) Issue, suspend, revoke and reissue certificates of registration to qualified optometrists and renew their professional licenses;

(f) Impose reasonable requirements and conditions, such as attendance in continuing education activities and programs, for the renewal of an optometrist’s license to practice and for the purpose of upgrading the professional competence of optometrists;

(g) Maintain a registry of optometrists in good standing;

(h) Adopt, promulgate and disseminate the Code of Ethics for the practice of optometry in the Philippines;

(i) Administer oaths in connection with the implementation of this Act;

(j) Conduct hearings and investigations to resolve complaints against practitioners of optometry for malpractice, unethical and unprofessional conduct, and violations of this Act or its implementing rules and regulations, and in connection therewith, issue subpoena ad testificandum and subpoena duces tecum and punish with contempt persons obstructing, impeding and/or otherwise interfering with the conduct of such proceedings;

(k) Conduct ocular inspections of establishments and/or premises where optometric services are offered to ascertain that professional standards are complied with;

(l) Upon application, to issue an order enjoining or abating the illegal practice of optometry by unqualified persons;

(m) Impose fines and penalties, after due process and in accordance with the provision of this Act, for causes provided for by law or by the rules and regulations promulgated therefor;

(n) Evaluate periodically the status of optometric education and recommend and/or adopt measures to upgrade and maintain its high standards;

(o) Update the list of topical diagnostic pharmaceutical agents, specifically mydriatics, cycloplegics, miotics, anesthetics and diagnostic dyes, that may be used by optometrists, subject to the approval of the Department of Health and the Bureau of Food and Drugs; and

(p) Study the conditions affecting the practice of optometry in all parts of the Philippines, and, whenever necessary, adopt such measures as may be deemed proper for the maintenance of good ethics and high professional standards of optometric practice.

What section?

Answer 6

SEC. 12. Functions and Powers of the Board.

Question 7

– The attendance of ____ members shall constitute a quorum for the Board to officially transact business.

What section?

Answer 7

three (3); SEC. 13. Quorum in Board Meetings.

Question 8

– The members of the Board shall be under the general supervision of the PRC. All records, including examination papers, examination results, minutes of deliberations, records of administrative cases and investigation of the Board shall be kept by the said Commission.

What section?

Answer 8

SEC. 15. Supervision of the Board and Custody of its Records.

Question 9

– The Board shall, at the end of each calendar year, submit to the Commission an annual report of its activities and proceedings during the year. Other information or data may be requested by the Commission as often as may be necessary and practicable.

What section?

Answer 9

SEC. 16. Annual Report.

Question 10

In section 8,

– Only persons possessed with the following qualifications may be nominated and appointed to the Board:

(a) A natural-born citizen of the _____________;

(b) A duly registered optometrist of ______________;

(c) At least _____________ years of age at the time of his appointment;

(d) Of good _____________ ; and

(e) In active practice of the profession for at least ______ years prior to his appointment: Provided, That a person who is a member of the faculty, whether full time, part time or lecturer of any school, college or university where a regular course in optometry is taught, or who has any pecuniary interest, directly or indirectly, in such an institution must forego his membership in said faculty or relinquish his interests in said institution before or upon taking his oath as a member of the Board: Provided, further, That an officer of any optometric association is disqualified from being appointed to or serving in the Board.

Answer 10

Philippines; good standing; thirty-five (35); moral character; ten (10)

Question 11

In section 15,

The members of the Board shall be under the general supervision of the _____. All records, including examination papers, examination results, minutes of deliberations, records of administrative cases and investigation of the Board shall be kept by the said Commission.

Answer 11

PRC

Question 12

In section 9,

The members of the Board shall hold office for a non-renewable term of ____ years, starting on the date of appointment and until their successors shall have been appointed: Provided, however, That the first appointee to the Board, who may include the incumbent members of the existing Optometry Board, shall hold office as follows: the chairperson for ____ years and the four (4) other members for fixed terms of ____, ____, ____, and ____ year/s, such that the term of one member shall be due to expire every year. Thereafter, one member shall be appointed for the full term every year and such member, in the last year of his term, shall automatically become the chairperson of the Board. Vacancies brought about by reasons other than expiration of term shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term only.

Answer 12

five (5); five (5); four (4); three (3); two (2); one (1)

Question 13

In section 10,

Any member of the Board, after having been given the opportunity to defend himself in a proper administrative investigation conducted by the PRC, may be removed by the President of the Philippines for neglect of duty, incompetence, malpractice, or unprofessional, unethical, immoral or dishonorable conduct. During the process of investigation, the President of the Philippines may suspend such member under investigation for a period of not more than ____________ and appoint a temporary member in his place.

Answer 13

sixty (60) days

Question 14

In section 11,

The members of the Board shall each receive ____________ in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Professional Regulatory Commission.

Answer 14

compensation

Question 15

In section 12,

(a) Promulgate the rules and regulations for the practice of optometry, subject to the approval of the ____ and in accordance with the provisions of this Act;

Answer 15

PRC

Question 16

In section 12,

(b) ____________ and ________ the rules and regulations specified in the preceding section;

Answer 16

Administer and enforce

Question 17

In section 12,

(c) Determine and prepare the contents of ______________________, adopt measures to ensure its integrity, check and rate the examination papers and submit the results thereof to the PRC;

Answer 17

licensure examinations

Question 18

In section 12,

(d) __________ and ________, in consultation and coordination with the PRC, guidelines for the proper conduct of licensure examinations and the registration of optometrists;

Answer 18

Formulate and oversee

Question 19

In section 12,

(e) ______, ______, ______, and ______ certificates of registration to qualified optometrists and renew their professional licenses;

Answer 19

Issue, suspend, revoke and reissue

Question 20

In section 12,

(f) Impose reasonable requirements and conditions, such as _________ in continuing education activities and programs, for the renewal of an optometrist’s license to practice and for the purpose of upgrading the _______________________ of optometrists;

Answer 20

attendance; professional competence

Question 21

In section 12,

(g) Maintain a registry of optometrists in _________________;

Answer 21

good standing

Question 22

In section 12,

(h) Adopt, promulgate and disseminate the _______________ for the practice of optometry in the Philippines;

Answer 22

Code of Ethics

Question 23

In section 12,

(i) Administer ______ in connection with the implementation of this Act;

Answer 23

oaths

Question 24

In section 12,

(j) Conduct ________ and _____________ to resolve complaints against practitioners of optometry for malpractice, unethical and unprofessional conduct, and violations of this Act or its implementing rules and regulations, and in connection therewith, issue ____________________ and ____________________ and punish with contempt persons obstructing, impeding and/or otherwise interfering with the conduct of such proceedings;

Answer 24

hearings and investigations; subpoena ad testificandum and subpoena duces tecum

Question 25

In section 12,

(k) Conduct __________________ of establishments and/or premises where optometric services are offered to ascertain that professional standards are complied with;

Answer 25

ocular inspections

Question 26

In section 12,

(l) Upon application, to issue an order _________ or ________ the illegal practice of optometry by unqualified persons;

Answer 26

enjoining or abating

Question 27

In section 12,

(m) Impose ______ and _________, after due process and in accordance with the provision of this Act, for causes provided for by law or by the rules and regulations promulgated therefor;

Answer 27

fines and penalties

Question 28

In section 12,

(n) Evaluate periodically the status of optometric education and recommend and/or adopt measures to upgrade and maintain its _____________;

Answer 28

high standards

Question 29

In section 12,

(o) _________ the list of topical diagnostic pharmaceutical agents, specifically mydriatics, cycloplegics, miotics, anesthetics and diagnostic dyes, that may be used by optometrists, subject to the approval of the Department of Health and the Bureau of Food and Drugs; and

Answer 29

Update

Question 30

In section 12,

(p) ______ the conditions affecting the practice of optometry in all parts of the Philippines, and, whenever necessary, adopt such measures as may be deemed proper for the maintenance of good ethics and high professional standards of optometric practice.

Answer 30

Study

Question 31

– To render a decision in an administrative case for unethical practice, malpractice, immorality, dishonesty, and related charges affecting the professional fitness and integrity of an optometrist, the vote of three (3) members must be obtained: Provided, That in case members are disqualified to vote by virtue of their relation to or interest in any of the parties or voluntarily inhibits themselves from participating in the proceedings, the Board shall designate, with the approval of the Commission, an optometrist in good standing who is respected in the optometric community for their probity and integrity to sit in the Board, participate in the proceedings and vote on the case.

What section?

Answer 31

SEC. 14. Votes Required in Administrative Cases.

Question 32

In section 14,

To render a decision in an administrative case for unethical practice, malpractice, immorality, dishonesty, and related charges affecting the professional fitness and integrity of an optometrist, the vote of ______ members must be obtained: Provided, That in case members are disqualified to vote by virtue of their relation to or interest in any of the parties or voluntarily inhibits themselves from participating in the proceedings, the Board shall designate, with the approval of the Commission, an optometrist in good standing who is respected in the optometric community for their probity and integrity to sit in the Board, participate in the proceedings and vote on the case.

Answer 32

three (3)