The resolution regarding the Certificate of Authority to Operate Chemical Laboratories has finally been released.
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Official Statement of the Philippine Chemistry Community on the Inclusion of Precursor and Essential Chemicals in the Death Penalty Bill
The Philippine Chemistry Community Strongly Urges our Legislators to Use Science in Drafting Laws:
The Death Penalty Bill and the Inclusion of Precursor and Essential Chemicals
The Philippine chemistry community, represented by the Philippine Federation of Chemistry Societies (PFCS), strongly urges our legislators to use SCIENCE in drafting laws. House Bill 001, otherwise known as the “Death Penalty Law”, aims to address the scourge of dangerous drugs in Philippine society. While we recognize this important concern, we oppose the provisions that equate dangerous drugs themselves with precursor and essential chemicals. Because of their importance in industry, agriculture, health, education, and research, inclusion of these chemicals must be done with adequate scientific knowledge.
We wish to note the following important points:
1. The bill does not define and identify what are precursor chemicals and essential chemicals. Virtually all precursor chemicals and essential chemicals are multi-use chemicals. Precursor chemicals may also be precursors to other important products, such as pharmaceuticals, fragrances, cosmetics, agro-chemicals, and others. Likewise, essential chemicals may also be essential for many other purposes, including household and health uses. The cost to the economy can be staggering. The proposed bill is not scientifically rational.
2. Mere possession of a precursor chemical or an essential chemical is not equivalent to possession or manufacture of dangerous drugs. The proposed bill will criminalize legitimate users, and raise the cost of goods and damage the economy. This will also provide many opportunities for corruption.
3. The bill equates pure substances with mixtures. It does not distinguish a compound that is relatively pure with its presence in an essential oil or spice at 1% composition. It will criminalize possession of many medicinal plants and cooking ingredients.
This topic of precursor chemicals and essential chemicals should be discussed extensively together with experts in the field and with industry manufacturers.
The PFCS is composed of four organizations: the Integrated Chemists of the Philippines (ICP), Kapisanang Kimika ng Pilipinas (KKP), Philippine Association of Chemistry Teachers (PACT) and Philippine Association of Chemistry Students (PACS).
Signed:
Armando M. Guidote Jr., PhD
President, Philippine Federation of Chemistry Societies
Fabian M. Dayrit, PhD
President, Integrated Chemists of the Philippines
Nestor S. Valera, PhD
President, Kapisanang Kimika ng Pilipinas
Jose M. Andaya, PhD
President, Philippine Association of Chemistry Teachers
Mr. John Michael Porca
President, Philippine Association of Chemistry Students
Requirement of the Chemistry Profession Act on the Certificate of Authority to Operate Chemical Laboratories
This is to inform all concerned of the passage into law of Republic Act No 10657 otherwise known as the Chemistry Profession Act. This new chemistry law came into full force and effect on 12 April 2015 or fifteen (15) days following its complete publication in the Official Gazette last 27 March 2015.
In this light please be advised of its salient provisions regarding the operation of laboratories performing chemical analyses in the Philippines:
1.) Only firms, corporations, government agencies, academic institutions duly authorized by the Board, that hold a valid certificate may operate a chemical laboratory or engage in the practice of chemistry or chemical analysis in the Philippines ( SEC. 35. Certificate of Authority to Operate for Firms, Corporations and Government Agencies). For the requirements to secure this certificate of authority to operate please see the Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 10657 Rule XI section 46 and the Rules and Regulations Implementing Section 35 of Republic Act No. 10567 (Chemistry Profession Act) on the Issuance of Certificates to Operate Chemical Laboratories and Other Related Establishments. Grace period for compliance is 3 years after the law took effect or until April 12 2018.
2.) Only registered Chemists or registered Chemical Technicians holding valid certificates of registration (CRs) and professional identification certificates (PICs) issued by the Board and the Commission can carry out the chemistry practice in the chemical laboratory (Implementing Rules and Regulations RA 10657 Rule XI Section 46 .1)
3.) Only registered Chemists can head a chemical analyses laboratory and certify certificates of analyses. Only registered Chemists and Chemical Technicians can sign the analyzed by section of certificates of analyses (Implementing Rules and Regulations Rule XI Section 46.2)
4.) All new appointments to the following positions or designations must be registered Chemists with valid CRs and PICs: Heads of chemical laboratories / Supervisors of chemical work in a laboratory / Signatories to a chemical analysis (Implementing Rules and Regulations Rule XI Section 56)
5.) Registered chemists and registered chemical technicians working in chemical analyses laboratories are entitled to hazard pay, insurance and legal assistance (SEC. 42. Hazard Pay, Health and Accident Insurance, and Legal Assistance)
Many covered laboratories and establishments are not yet aware of this requirement of the law, thereby placing in jeopardy public safety and interest. We call upon all relevant government agencies, industries and academic institutions, to effectively enforce and implement this provision of the law. Local and international audit and standards accreditation bodies are also requested to include in their audit checklist compliance with such requirement. Most importantly, all covered chemical laboratories and establishments should comply with the requirement to secure the Certificate of Authority to Operate, under pain of penalties as provided for in Section 39 of R. A. No. 10657, which reads: “No chemical laboratory or firm shall undertake activities covered by this Act without a valid authority to operate the same. The president or the highest ranking officer of the corporation shall be held liable for violations of this Act. Upon conviction, these persons shall be sentenced to a penalty of imprisonment for a period of not less than one (1) month but not more than one (1) year, or a fine of not less than one hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) but not more than one million pesos (P1,000,000.00), or both, at the discretion of the court.”
For dissemination to all companies, government agencies, and academic institutions which are operating chemical laboratories and to all audit and standards accreditation bodies for inclusion in their audit checklist for compliance.
Thank you for helping to ensure that the provisions of the Chemistry Profession Act are properly implemented.
Outstanding Chemist for 2017: Call for Nominations
Every year, the Professional Regulation Commission honors the outstanding professional from each profession during the PRC Week which is held every June. We would like to invite ICP members to nominate individuals for the honor of Outstanding Chemist for 2017.
The criteria for selection include the following:
1. Professional Competence and Integrity in the exercise of the Chemistry profession
2. Meaningful participation in professional activities through the professional organization
3. Significant contributions to the advancement of the Chemistry profession
4. Evidence of social responsibility through meaningful social activities
The Outstanding Chemist can come from government, industry or academe. The evidence for outstanding performance will depend on the sector where the nominee comes from. The nominees have to be evaluated and endorsed by ICP. The deadline for submission to ICP is on 1 March (Wednesday).
You may download the criteria by clicking on this link. For relevant forms and further details, please contact the ICP via email (integratedchemists@gmail.com).
Let us recognize the Outstanding Chemists among us!
USC Chem Hosts Security and Safety Workshop
In an effort to engage universities to adopt flexible best practices in campus emergency preparedness, sixteen chemistry practitioners from Mindanao higher educational institutions along with eight University of San Carlos (USC) participants attended the Workshop on Security and Safety in Universities from January 17–20, 2017 held at the Josef Baumgartner Learning Resource Center-Virtual Training Room (JB LRC-VTR) in Talamban Campus, Nasipit, Cebu City.
Under the leadership of chair Eugene T. Bacolod, Ph.D., the USC Department of Chemistry hosted the workshop, which was organized by the International Biological and Chemical Threat Reduction (IBCTR) program of Sandia National Laboratories based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.A.
Former American Chemical Society president Nancy B. Jackson, Ph.D., from Sandia’s IBCTR program, and USC chemistry professor Patrick John Y. Lim, Ph.D. served as trainers for the three-and-a-half day workshop. Sandia logistical analyst Bernadette Garcia de Rodriguez accompanied Dr. Jackson and handled the arrangements for the Mindanao participants.
Participants to the workshop included one dean and four chairs of departments from seven HEIs in Mindanao, namely Agnes T. Aranas (Ateneo de Davao University), Cellyn A. Verallo (Ateneo de Zamboanga University), Julius O. Campecino, Maria Cristina A. Dancel, Ellen dV. Inutan, Joel H. Jorolan, Rachel Anne E. Lagunay, Myrna S. Mahinay, Joanna Kristine E. Pancho, Lunesa C. Pinzon (all from Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology), Grace Prado (MSU-Naawan), Maria Cleofe N. Badang (University of Immaculate Conception), Girlie D. Leopoldo and Rengel Cane E. Sia (University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines), and Heide R. Rabanes and Aileen B. Angcajas (Xavier University).
Participants from USC included Rolly Viesca (Biology), Leonila N. Adarna, Jinky Y. Derla, Sharajen A. Julasiri, Gail Jeremias B. Posas (all from Chemistry), Nikki Marie O. Marquez and Marie Kristie B. Reyes (Water Laboratory), and Talamban Campus Pollution Control Officer Esmeralda S. Cuizon.
The workshop covered security and safety issues including international and national regulations, dual-use chemicals, risk assessment, physical security of chemicals, chemical management and inventory, formulation of standard operating procedures, personal protective equipment, fire protection and prevention, and a security by design module which featured a laboratory design exercise.