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ACQ Volume 12, Number 2 2010 89
1982 and it continues to evolve to address the growing need
for services in the country.
References
Cheng, W.T., Olea, T.M., & Marzan, J. (2002). Speech
language pathology in the Philippines: Reflections on the
past and present, perspectives for the future. Folia
Phoniatrica et Logopaedica, 54, 79–82.
Council for the Welfare of Children, Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education, Department of Health, Republic of
the Philippines Department of Social Welfare and Development,
Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID),
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). (2005). Early
Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Checklist. Manila,
Philippines: CWC and UNICEF.
Cuadro, C.A., Marzan, J., & Munar, B.F. (2008). The core
competencies expected of speech pathologists practicing
in the Philippines: A validation study. Unpublished paper.
Technical Committee for Speech Pathology Education,
Office of Programs and Standards, Commission on Higher
Education, Republic of the Philippines. [available from
Committee Chair
Marzan, J. (2007). The bilingual language learning
environment in the Philippines: An exploratory study utilizing
a focus group discussion. Unpublished paper. Dept. of
Psychology, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy,
University of the Philippines – Diliman. [available from author
National Statistics Office (NSO), Philippines (2000). 2000
Census of population and housing. Retrieved 28 June 2009
from
final.html
National Statistics Office (NSO), Philippines (2009). The
Philippines in figures 2009. Retrieved 14 January 2010 from
The 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines.
Retrieved 27 May 2010 from
article14language.htm
Further reading
MCA Limited (2001). The healthcare system in the
Philippines. Retrieved 28 June 2009 from http://www.
Villaraza, C. (1995). History of speech pathology in the
Philippines. University of the Philippines, Manila. Unpublished
Paper.
with the Professional Regulation Commission before they
are allowed to start their professional practice. However,
the practice of speech pathology is not currently legislated.
PASP first called for the enactment of a national law
regulating SP practice in 1993. Despite years of deliberations
of a proposed act, the act has not been approved yet.
While stakeholders realise the importance of having the SP
practice regulated, the logistics required for initiating such
a move were seen as economically not viable. There are
only a small number of SPs to be registered since only one
institution is producing graduates at this time.
Despite this, PASP has not been deterred from ensuring
that SPs adhere to high professional standards. They
developed and implemented an organisational policy for
professional self-regulation through the PASP Certification
of Speech Pathologists (PASP, 2005) to acknowledge
practising clinicians who have completed a recognised
speech pathology program. The certification is valid for two
years and subject to renewal after meeting requirements set
forth by the association.
Future developments for the
profession
Further development of knowledge base and skills among
the local SPs is enhanced through short-term continuing
education courses offered by visiting professionals or Filipino
SPs who have graduated from foreign institutions. However,
these continue to be limited. Some research studies
conducted by Filipino SPs have been published in peer-
reviewed journals and presented at international conferences
such as International Symposium on Communication
Disorders in Multilingual Populations and those held by the
American Speech-Language Hearing Association. In recent
years, UP SP alumni situated abroad have organised the
donation of therapy materials, journals and textbooks to the
University of the Philippines. Given the limited access to
textbooks and therapy materials, the clinicians in the field are
generally encouraged to use their creativity and
resourcefulness when treating clients.
Some initiatives have been started to increase the
availability of SP services and to improve the quality of
healthcare service delivery. The University of the Philippines
has started accepting lateral entrants (persons seeking
a secondary degree in SP). Initially, entry to the BSSP
program was only available for those entering the university
as first-year students, with a quota of 30 students per year.
The University of the Philippines has also begun fostering
research and educational partnerships with the University
of Illinois and the University of Hawaii. PASP has initiated
Special Interest Teams with focus group discussions on
dysphagia and motor speech disorders.
In cooperation with local government units, SP graduates
and parent organisations have started initiatives of providing
free clinics in provinces, such as Bicol, Baguio and Davao.
Organisations specialising in particular disorders (e.g., the
Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines, Autism
Society of the Philippines, Aphasia Foundation) continue
to support the profession through outreach programs
and workshops involving SPs as resource speakers for
professionals as well as clients and families.
The future of speech pathology in the Philippines remains
to hold promise. A strong educational foundation, exposure
to varied patient caseloads and language proficiency levels,
and a push to rely heavily on creativity, resourcefulness, and
clinical observation are among the focal points of SP practice
in the Philippines. Speech pathology in the Philippines has
definitely come a long way since its humble beginnings in
Johncy Concepcion oversees the speech therapy services at
Khoo Teck Puat Hospital in Singapore. Tricia Olea Santos is a
research assistant and PhD student at University of Texas-Dallas.
Carla Cuadro is a speech-language pathologist working mainly
with adults with communication, swallowing and voice disorders.
Winston Cheng is the section chief of speech-language pathology
at Columbia University Medical Center, New York. Joyce Marzan
has been a faculty member of the Department of Speech Pathology
at the University of the Philippines for more than 15 years.
Fernando Ligot is the chairperson of the Department of Speech
Pathology at the University of the Philippines Manila.
Correspondence to:
Johncy Rose M. Concepcion
Senior Speech Therapist
Khoo Teck Puat Hospital
90 Yishun Central
Singapore 768828
email: