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28 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
Republic of the Philippines 
) 
Third Regular Session 
) 
SENATE BILL No.3 5'7 9 
(In Substitution of Senate Bill No. 3458) 
Prepared Jointly by the Committees on Health and Demography and Finance with 
Senators Enrile, Legarda, Angara, Zubiri and Gordon as authors 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTIONALIZING A PRE-HOSPITAL EMERGENCY CARE SYSTEM, 
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT, SUPERVISION AND 
REGULATION OF THE PRE-HOSPITAL EMERGENCY CARE PROFESSION, 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House if Representatives if the Philippines in Congress assembled: 
CHAPTER I 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
SECTION 1. 
Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Pre-Hospital 
Emergency Care Act of2010." 
SEC 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among 
them. Pursuant to this national policy, the goverrunent shall set up a climate conducive to 
the practice of pre-hospital emergency care and maximize the capability and potential of 
Emergency Medical Technicians ("EMTs") and other pre-hospital care professionals and 
institute a standard system of pre-hospital emergency medical services in the countty. 
SEC. 3. Objectives. - This Act provides for and shall govern: 
(a) 
The creation of the National Pre-Hospital Care Council (the Council or 
"NPHCC"); 
(b) 
The development and institutionalization of pre-hospital emergency service 
system at the national and local level; 
(c) 
(d) 
(e) 
(f) 
(g) 
(b) 
The establishment of national standards for the provision of pre-hospital 
emergency medical services by duly certified/registered pre-hospital care 
professionals; 
The supervision, control and regulation of the practice of pre-hospital care 
professionals; 
The program standardization for the training of pre-hospital care 
professionals; 
The 
certification/registration 
and 
re-certification/ re-registration 
requirements of pre-hospital care professionals; 
The standards for design, manufacture, accreditation and regulation of 
Emergency Medical Vehicles; 
The adoption and implementation of a National Universal Emergency 
Telephone Number; and 


1 
2 
(i) 
The establishment and prov1S1on of support serv1ces to pre-hospital 
emergency medical services. 
3 
SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of tbis Act, the following terms are 
4 
hereby defIned: 
5 . 
(a) Pre-Hospital Emergency Medical Services -
6 
(i) Pre-Hospital Emergency Care -
Independent delivery of pre-hospital 
7 
emergency medical services by appropriately trained and certifIed Emergency 
8 
Medical Technicians ("EMTs"), usually in a mobile or community setting, in full 
9 
accordance with National Pre-Hospital Emergency Medical Treatment Protocols 
1 0 
established by tbe Council. 
11 
(ii) Pre-Hospital Advance Life Support - Advanced pre-hospital standards for 
12 
tbe care of serious illness or injury by appropriately trained and certifIed EMTs, 
13 
as established by tbe Council. These pre-hospital standards may include 
14 
advanced pre-hospital trauma care, advanced pre-hospital cardiac life support 
15 
and tbe care of high dependency patients for inter-hospital transfer, among 
16 
others. 
17 
(b) National Pre-Hospital Medical Treatment Protocols - Emergency medical 
18 
procedures outlining approved clinical practices and tberapies to be observed by 
19 
pre-hospital care professionals, as established by tbe Council. 
20 
(c) Pre-hospital Care Professionals 
21 
(i) Emergency Medical Technician ("EMT") - A pre-hospital emergency 
22 
care provider who has fulfilled tbe requirements and continues to hold tbe 
23 
qualifIcations established by tbe Council in coordination witb tbe Technical 
24 
Education and Skills Development Authority ("TESDA"), tbe Commission on 
25 
Higher Education ("CHED") and the Professional Regulation Commission 
26 
("PRC"), among otbers. 
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(ii) Ambulance Dispatch Officer (ADO) - A person duly trained and certifIed 
28 
in the administration, management and operation of the ambulance dispatch and 
29 
communication system, who has fulfilled tbe requirements and continues to hold 
30 
the qualifIcations established by tbe Council in coordination witb Technical 
31 
Education and Skills Development Autbority ("TESDA"), tbe Commission on 
32 
Higher Education «"CHED") and the Professional Regulation Commission 
33 
("PRC"), among otbers. 
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(iii) Ambulance Assistants - Personnel who, having gained tbe "miuirnum" 
35 
certifIcation as a Medical First Responder (Advanced First Aider), charged witb 
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tbe operation and general care of emergency medical vehicles (ambulance driver), 
37 
in addition to providing basic medical care for patients under tbe direct 
38 
supervision of an Emergency Medical Technician / Paramedic. 
39 
. (iv) Otber pre-hospital care professionals providing other support services for 
40 
tbe provision of pre-hospital emergency care. 
41 
(d) Competency-based assessment -
Evidence gatbering and judgment by an 
42 
autborized assessor who evaluates the technical and practical skills, abilities and 
43 
knowledge of a pre-hospital care professional in accordance with standards and 
44 
guidelines established by the Council in coordination witb TESDA in the case of 
45 
technical non-degree CertifIed Emergency Medical Technician courses falling 
46 
under TESDA jurisdiction; or in coordination witb CHED and PRC in tbe case 
2 


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1.0 
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2.0 
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of Registered Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic (REMT-P) degree 
courses reqniring the issuance of a professional license. 
(e) Accredited Training Institutions -
Training institutions offering tralnmg 
programs, courses and continuing education in emergency medical services for 
pre-hospital care professionals that meet the standards established by the 
Council, in coordination with TESDA, CHED and DOH among others, and are 
duly recognized by TESDA or CHED, as applicable, and duly registered in good 
standing with the Council. 
(I) Ambulance / Emergency Medical Vehicle - An ambulance or other vehicle 
for emergency medical care and transportation which provides, at minimum, (a) a 
driver's compartment; (b) a patient compartment to accommodate an emergency 
medical technician (EM1) and a patient so positioned that said patient can be 
given intensive life-support during transit; (c) equipment and supplies for 
emergency care at the scene as well as during transport; (d) two-way radio, 
telephone or electronic communication with the Ambulance Dispatch Officer; 
and (e) when necessary, equipment for light rescue/extrication procedures. The 
emergency medical vehicle shall be so designed and constructed to provide the 
patient with safety and comfort, and avoid aggravation of the patient's injury or 
illness. The designated vehicle marking of "Ambulance" is hereby restricted for 
use by Emergency Medical Vehicles only. 
. (g) Emergency Medical Services Medical Director - A licensed physician with 
training in Emergency Medicine who has at least five (5) years of experience in 
emergency medical care and approved by the Council or local medical authority 
charged with the supervision of emergency medical services and the 
implementation of approved emergency medical treatment protocols set by the 
Council to govern the practice of EMTs. 
27 
CHAPTER II 
28 
NATIOIliAL PRE-HOSPITAL CARE COUNCIL 
29 
SEC. 5. Creation of the National Pre-Hospital Care Council - A body to be 
3D 
known as the National Pre-Hospital Care Council (NPHCq, hereinafter referred to as the 
31 
Council, is hereby created to; 
32 
(a) Formulate policies governing the field of pre-hospital emergency medical 
33 
services and related institutions; 
34 
(b) Implement these policies in coordination with affiliated medical and educational 
35 
institutions; 
36 
(c) Develop national standards for the provision of pre-hospital emergency medical 
37 
services to include, among others, the skills, abilities and knowledge reqnired of a 
38 
pre-hospital care professional, and the development of mandatory national 
39 
medical treatment protocols to be observed by pre-hospital care professionals 
4.0 
and such other entities as it may consider appropriate; 
. 
41 
(d) Promulgate a Code of Ethics for Emergency Medical Technicians; 
42 
(e) Develop standards of operation for pre-hospital emergency care support services 
43 
providers to support best practices by pre-hospital care practitioners; 
44 
(I) Establish and maintain a roster of certified emergency medical technicians; 
45 
(g) Develop standards and protocols for the design, construction, outfitting and 
46 
operations of emergency medical vehicles; 
. 
47 
(h) Engage in research into pre-hospital care, including emerging technology, 
48 
education and training, the formulation of curricula, and the evaluation of 
49 
existing courses and assessment and examination procedures. 
3 


I 
SEC. 6. Membership of the Council -- The members of the Council shall initially 
2 
be composed of the following: 
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ID 
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1. 
II. 
Ex-Officio Members: 
(a) The Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH) as chair of the Council; 
(b) The Secretary of the Department ofInterior and Local Government (DILG); 
(c) The Chair of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority 
(TESDA); and 
(d) The Chair of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). 
Members to be appointed by the Secretary if the Department if Health upon nomination by their 
respective associations: 
(a) One (1) nominee of a national organization duly registered with the Securities and 
Exchange Commission and recognized by the Secretary of the Department of 
Health as being representative of the profession of Emergency Medical 
Technician within the Republic of the Philippines; 
(b) Four (4) nominees of local health boards, one each from NCR, Luzon, Visayas 
and Mindanao; 
(c) Two (2) registered emergency medical practitioners, representing recognized 
professional-based organizations with interest on emergency medicine; 
(d) One (1) registered medical practitioner representing a recognized professional-
based organization on cardiology; 
(e) One (1) registered nurse holding a qualification in emergency room nursing 
representing a recognized professional-based organization of emergency care 
nurses; 
(f) One (1) representative from an educational or training institution providing EMT 
programs, which have been duly approved by TESDA I CHED as applicable. 
(g) One (1) representative from a recognized national professional association of 
medical practitioners; 
(h) One (1) representative from a recognized national organization of private 
hospitals; and 
(i) One (1) representative from a DOH hospital. 
31 
SEC. 7. Term of Office. No' member of the Council shall serve for more than 
32 
three (3) consecutive terms of two (2) years each. 
33 
SEC. 8. Powers and Functions. -
To carry out its mandate, the Council shall 
34 
exercise the following powers and functions: 
. 
35 
(a) Encourage and facilitate the organization of a network of pre-hospital care 
36 
professionals, to ensure the provision of emergency medical services to the 
37 
general public on a national basis; 
38 
(b) Maintain a roster of qualified pre-hospital care professionals and providers, and 
39 
training institutions, and oversee their licensing and accreditation; 
40 
(c) Establish a secretariat under an Executive Director for the administrative and day-
41 
to day operations of the Council; 
42 
(d) Create committees and other mechanisms to help expedite the implementation of 
43 
plans and strategies; 
4 


I 
2 
3 
(e) Set up a system of networking and coordinatio.n with and among all existing 
government health agencies and local government units for the effective 
implementation of programs and activities; 
,4 
5 
(f) Call upon and coordinate with other government and non-government medical 
and other institutions and agencies for assistance in any form; 
6 
7 
(g) Generate resources, both from the Government and private sectors, local, 
national and international, for its operation; 
8 
(h) Receive and accept donations and other conveyances including funds, materials, 
9 
and services, by gratuitous tide, Provided, that not more than thirty percent (30%) 
10 
shall be used for administrative expenses; 
11 
(i) Prepare an annual budget of the Council and submit the same to the President for 
12 
inclusion in the annual General Appropriations Act; 
13 
0) Advise the President on matters pertaining to pre-hospital emergency medical 
14 
services; 
15 
(k) Regulate activities inimical to the delivery of emergency medical services; 
16 
(1) Review membership of the Council in line with status changes of concerned' 
17 
national organizations duly recognized as involved in Emergency Medical Care / 
18 
Pre-Hospital Emergency Medical Care as required by this Act; and 
19 
(m) Promulgate rules, regulations and undertake any and all measures as may be 
20 
necessary to implement this Act. 
21 
SEC. 9. The Secretariat. -
The Council shall organize a Secretariat headed by an 
22 
Executive Director, who shall be a person of probity and shall have at least five (5) years 
23 
experience in emergency medical services or a related field. The Council shall fix its staffing 
24 
pattern, determine the duties, qualifications, responsibilities and functions as well as the 
25 
compensation scheme for the positions to be created upon the recommendation of the 
26 
Executive Director. The staffmg pattern shall be approved and prescribed by the Council 
27 
within one hundred twenty (120) days from the approval of this Act. 
28 
In establishing the Secretariat, the Council shall consider the need to address, among 
29 
others, the following areas: (a) Education and Standards Development; (b) National 
30 
Examination I Assessment System for Pre-hospital Care Professionals; (c) Research; (d) 
31 
Supervision and Regulation; (e) Policy, Planning and Research; (f) Administration; (g) 
32 
Finance; and (h) Programs, including (i) Human Resource Development; (ii) Emergency 
33 
Medical Vehicles and (iii) Emergency Communications 
34 
SEC. 10. Accreditation. The Council shall issue certifications and licenses for the: 
35 
36 
(a) Accreditation of training institutions for emergency medical technicians and 
related personnel; and 
37 
(b) Accreditation of emergency medical vehicle providers. 
38 
SEC. 11. Meetings. The Council shall meet at least once every quarter. 
39 
SEC. 12. Program Plans. -
The Council shall, within six (6) months after having 
40 
been officially constituted and finally staffed, adopt and immediately cause to be 
41 
implemented in coordination with medical and related agencies, a short-range program in 
42 
support of relevant existing projects mid activities; and within one (1) year, a long-range five 
43 
(5) year development program. This development program shall be developed and subjected 
44 
to annual review and revision by the Council in coordination with relevant public and private 
45 
medical agencies and organizations. 
5 


1 
CHAPTER III 
2 
EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS 
3 
SEC. 13. Creation of Plant ilia Positions for Emergency Medical Technicians-
4 
There shall be created a minimum number of plantilla positions for Emergency Medical 
5 
Technicians in the following government agencies within the next five (5) years upon 
6 
approval of this Act: 
7 
a) Specialized Hospitals - Five (5) Emergency Medical Technicians 
8 
b) Regional Hospitals - Five (5) Emergency Medical Technicians 
9 
c) Provincial Hospitals - Three (3) Emergency Medical Technicians 
10 
d) Local Government Units - Three (3) Emergency Medical Technicians 
II 
e) Other agencies - as may be deemed necessary by the Council. 
12 
The annual fmancial requirements needed to pay for the salaries of Emergency 
13 
Medical Technicians shall be included in the annual general appropriations of the respective 
14 
hospitals, agencies and local government units. 
15 
SEC. 14. Scope of the Practice of'the Emergency Medical Technician. - The 
16 
practice of Emergency Medical Technician involves services performed in responding to the 
17 
perceived needs of an individual for immediate medical care in order to prevent loss of life 
18 
or aggravation of physiological or psychological illness or injury delivered in a pre-hospital, 
19 
inter-hospital and hospital emergency care setting. 
For this purpose, the Council shall 
20 
develop the scope of work of Emergency Medical Technicians based on internationally-
21 
accepted standards, as adapted to the Philippine setting. 
22 
SEC. 15. Authorized Training Institution. -
Training programs, courses, and 
23 
continuing education for an Emergency Medical Technician shall be conducted by an 
24 
institution that has been granted a Certificate of Program Registration (COPR) by TESDA, 
25 
in the case of technical non-degree courses falling under TESDA jurisdiction, or a Certificate 
26 
of Accreditation as a Higher Education Institution (HEI) as well as Program Accreditation 
27 
by CHED, in the case of degree programs falling under CHED jurisdiction. 
The 
28 
requirements prescribed by the Council shall serve as the minimum requirement for program 
29 
registration. The DOH can provide training programs for EMTs; PrOVIded, that these shall be 
30 
accordance with the standards set by the Council. 
31 
SEC. 16. Certification, Registration and Re-certification. Registration and re-
32 
certification of EMTs in the Philippines shall be go;erned by the Technical Education and 
33 
Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for non-degree courses, and by the Professional 
34 
Regulation Commission (PRC) for degree courses, in accordance with PRC rules and 
35 
regulations and without prejudice to the enactment of a licensure law for EMTs. A 
36 
certification is valid for a period of three (3) years. TESDA and PRC shall re-certify 
37 
Emergency Medical Technicians upon submission of a competency-based assessment 
38 
statement from a recognized Emergency Medical Services Medical Director. 
39 
Sec. 17. Qualifications. - All applicants for registration as an Emergency Medical 
40 
Technician (EMT) must be a citizen of the Philippines, at least twenty-one (21) years of age, 
41 
of good moral character, and must produce before the NPHCC satisfactory evidence of 
42 
good moral character, and that no charges against him involving moral turpitude have been 
43 
fUed or are pending in any court in the Philippines. 
44 
He or she must have successfully completed a non-degree cour~e lead41g to an EMT 
45 
basic certification, EMT intermediate certification, or EMT-advancc;d certification, or a 
46 
degree course leading to an EMT-paramedic certification, conferr'ld by \In ~ut1iorized 
47 
training institution as defmed in Sec. 15 of this Act. 
. 
6 


1 
Schools and institutions accredited to offer education and training programs for 
2 
EMT shall be given the responsibility to certify their graduates as mandated by the Council. 
3 
Sec. 18. Examination Required. - All applicants for registration as an Emergency 
4 
Medical Technician shall be required to undergo a nationally based assessment test or 
5 
licensure examination, respectively, to be given in such places and dates as may be 
6 
designated, by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for 
7 
non-degree courses, and by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) for degree 
8 
courses. 
9 
SEC. 19. Schedule of Examination. -
National written examinations . for 
10 
Emergency Medical Technicians in the Philippines shall be given by TESDA and/or PRC at 
11 
leas t twice every year. 
12 
SEC. 20. Release of the Results of Examination. -
The results of the 
13 
Examination shall be released by TESDA within twenty (20) working days or by the PRC 
14 
within two (2) months from the date of the examination. 
15 
SEC. 21. Issuance of the Certificate of Registration and EMT Identification 
.16 
Card. - A Certification of Registration shall be issued to examinees who pass the National 
17 
EMT examinations given by TESDA or the PRe. The Certificate of Registration shall 
18 
remain in full force and effect until revoked or suspended in accordance with this Act. An 
19 
EMT Identification Card, bearing the registration number, date of issuance, expiry date, duly 
20 
signed by TESDA Director-General or PRC Chairman, shall likewise be issued to every 
21 
registrant upon payment of the required fees. The EMT Identification Card shall be renewed 
22 
every three (3) years upon satisfactory compliance with the requirements of TESDA or PRC 
23 
as prescribed by the Council. 
24 
SEC. 22. Disqualification. -TESDA, PRC and the Council shall not accept an 
25 
applicant for coml?etency requirement nor issue a national certificate to any person who has 
26 
been convicted by final judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction of any criminal 
27 
offense involving moral turpitude, or has been found guilty of irumoral or dishonorable 
28 
conduct after investigation and due process, or has been declared to be of unsound mind by 
29 
competent authority, or for other grounds as may be determined by the Council in the 
30 
implementing rules and regulations. The reason for the refusal shall be set forth in writing. 
31 
SEC. 23. Revocation or Suspension of the Certificate of Registration, EMT 
32 
Identification Card or Cancellation of Temporary /Special Permit. - The Council, upon 
33 
recommendation ofTESDA or PRC in accordance with the prescribed procedures and due 
34 
process, may revoke or suspend the national certificate or EMT Identification Card. 
35 
SEC. 24. Reinstatement, Re-issuance or Replacement of Certificate of 
'36 
Registration and EMT Identification Card - The TESDA or PRC, upon the 
37 
recommendation of Council, in accordance 'with the rules and regulations may, after two (2) 
38 
years from the date of revocation of Certificate of Registration reinstate any revoked 
39 
Certificate of Registration and re-issue a suspended EMT Identification Card after 
40 
compliance by the applicant with the requirements for reinstatement. 
41 
SEC. 25. Continuing Education. - The Council shall develop a program for 
42 
continuing education of emergency medical technicians as a condition for EMTs to maintain 
43 
their license and accreditation. 
44 
SEC. 26. Roster of Certified Emergency Medical Technician. - The Council, in 
45 
coordination with TESDA, CHED, PRC, and the accredited professional organization 
46 
representing the profession of Emergency Medical Technician within the Republic of the 
47 
Philippines, shall prepare, update and maintain a roster of certified Emergency Medical 
48 
Technicians / Paramedics. 
7 


1 
SEC. 27. Issuance of Special or Temporary Permit. - Upon application and 
2 
payment of the necessary fees, and subject to the requirements specified by the Council, 
3 
TESDA or PRC may issue special or temporary permits to Emergency Medical Services 
4 
personnel from foreign countries whose services are urgendy needed in the absence or 
5 
inadequacy of local Emergency Medical Technicians that can provide pre-hospital 
6 
emergency care in the Philippines. 
7 
SEC. 28. Prohibition Against the Unauthorized Practice of Pre-Hospital 
8 
Emergency Care. - No person shall practice or offer to practice pre-hospital emergency 
9 
care services in the Philippines or offer himself/herself as Emergency Medical Technician as 
10 
defined in this Act, or use the tide, word, letter, figure, or any sign tending to convey the 
II 
impression that one is an Emergency Medical Technician, or advertise or indicate in any 
12 
manner whatsoever that one is qualified to practice pre-hospital emergency care unless 
13 
he/ she has satisfactorily demonstrated the prescribed competency standards, in full 
14 
accordance with the requirements of the Council, and is a holder of a National Certificate in 
IS 
Emergency Medical Services or a special/temporary permit duly valid issued to him/her by 
16 
Council. 
17 
SEC. 29. Registration Without Examination for Emergency Medical 
18 
Technicians. All practicing Emergency Medical Technicians at the time this Act is passed 
19 
shall be deemed qualified for registration as an EMT if, in accordance with the rules and 
20 
regulations of the Council, they have performed work within the scope of the practices of an 
21 
EMT as defmed in this Act, for such period of time as may be required by the Council and 
22 
have been certified by an EMS medical director to have performed full EMT functions in a 
23 
pre-hospital and inter-hospital care setting. 
24 
SEC. 
30. 
Registration 
With 
Examination 
for 
Emergency 
Medical 
25 
Technicians. All practicing Emergency Medical Technicians who are not graduates of an 
26 
EMT program from a TESDA- or CHED-accredited public or private educational/training 
27 
institution at the time this Act is passed shall be deemed qualified for registration through 
28 
examination using the following procedure: 
29 
a) All applicants must provide a full record of initial training completed as an EMT. 
30 
This record must include details of the training establishment, a full syllabus of 
31 
training completed, a record of on-going training and proof of having worked as an 
32 
EMT in any local or international organization for at least one (1) year and has been 
33 
certified by a EMS medical director to have performed full EMT functions in a pre-
34 
hospital and inter-hospital care setting. 
35 
b) Once approved by the Council as qualified for examination, the candidate will be 
36 
referred to an approved TESDA or PRC EMT assessment center for qualifying 
37 
examinations for EMT registration. 
38 
SEC. 31. Accredited Professional Organization. -
All certified Emergency 
39 
Medical Technicians shall have one (1) national organization, which shall be recognized by 
40 
the Council as the one and only accredited EMT organization in the country. A certified 
41 
EMT duly registered with TESDA or PRC shall automatically become a member of the 
42 
accredited professional organization of Emergency Medical Technician and shall receive the 
43 
benefits and privileges appurtenant thereto. 
44 
SEC. 32. Code of Ethics of Emergency Medical Technicians. - The Council, in 
45 
coordination with the accredited professional organizations, shall adopt and promulgate the 
46 
Code of Ethics and Code of Technical Standards for Emergency Medical Technicians to 
47 
include among others, duties of Emergency Medical Technicians to Pre-Hospital Emergency 
48 
Care patients, to the community, to their colleagues and to the profession, and to allied 
49 
professionals. 
8 


1 
CHAPTER IV 
2 
EMERGENCY MEDICAL VEHICLES 
3 
SEC. 33. Emergency Medical Vehicles. The Council shall develop 1ll111unum 
4 
requttements for the design, construction, performance, equipment, testing and appearance 
5 
of emergency medical vehicles. As such, only Emergency Medical Vehicles shall be allowed 
6 
to display the word "Ambulance" and the' universally-accepted ~'Star of Life" symbol. It shall 
7 
also provide for the operation protocols of said vehicles. It shall also design an accreditation 
8 
system to provide the public with ambulances and other emergency medical vehicles that are 
9 
easily identifiable, nationally recognizable, properly constructed, easily maintained, and, when 
10 
appropriately equipped, will enable Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) to safely and 
11 
reliably perform their functions as basic and advanced pre-hospital life support providers. 
12 
While failure of an emergency medical vehicle to conform to the Council standards 
13 
may be a ground for the removal of its certification, such failure shall not bar EMTs from: 
14 
(a) Responding and providing appropriate basic or advanced life support on-site to 
15 
persons reported experiencing acute injury or illness in a pre-hospital setting, and 
16 
transporting them, while continuing such life support care, to an appropriate 
17 
medical facility for definitive care; 
18 
(b) Providing inter-hospital critical transport care; or 
19 
(c) Transporting essential personnel and equipment to and from the site of a 
20 
multiple medical emergency or a triage site and transporting appropriately triaged 
21 
patients to designated medical facilities. 
22 
CHAPTER V 
23 
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS 
24 
SEC. 34. Adoption of a National Universal Emergency Telephone Number. 
25 
There shall only be one national emergency number to enable the public to access 
26 
emergency medical services. Towards this end, the National Telecommunications Council 
27 
(NTC) shall develop a program for the adoption of a national emergency number. It shall 
28 
consult and cooperate with national and local institutions and officials responsible for 
29 
emergency services and public safety, the telecommunications industry (specifically including 
30 
the cellular and other wireless telecommunications service providers), the motor vehicle 
31 
manufacturing industry, emergency medical service providers and emergency dispatch 
32 
providers, transportation officials, public safety, fire service and law enforcement officials, 
33 
consumer groups, and hospital emergency and trauma care personnel (including emergency 
34 
physicians, trauma surgeons, and nurses). 
35 
SEC. 35. Compliance. It shall be the duty of every voice service provider to 
36 
provide its subscribers with access to the national universal emergency number 1tl 
37 
accordance with the implementing rules and regulations. 
38 
SEC. 36. Prohibited Acts - (1) Any person who makes a telephone call to an 
39 
emergency telephone number with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any person 
40 
who answers the telephone call shall be guilty of an offense and, subject to subsectioq (3) of 
41 
this Section, shall be given a warning for the fl.tst offense, and shall be compelled to attend a 
42 
seminar on the proper use of the national emergency telephone number on the $econd 
43 
offense. Upon comlnission of the offense for the third time, the offender shall be liable on 
44 
conviction to a fine not exceeding Pl,OOO. Upon comlnission of the offense for the fourth 
9 


1 
and succeeding times, the offender shall be liable on conviction to a fme not exceeding 
2 
P5,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to both. 
3 
(2) Any person who makes a telephone call to an emergency telephone number and, 
4 
upon the call being answered, makes or solicits any comment, request, suggestion, proposal 
5 
or other comment, request, suggestion, proposal or other communication or sound which is 
6 
obscene, lewd, lascivious, filthy or indecent, shall be guilty of an offense and, subject to 
7 
subsection (3) of this Section, shall be given a warning for the flrst offense, and shall be 
8 
compelled to attend a seminar on the proper use of the national emergency telephone 
9 
number on the second offense. Upon commission of the offense for the third time, the 
10 
offender shall be liable on conviction to a fme not exceeding Pl,OOO. Upon commission of 
11 
the offense for the fourth and succeeding times, the offender shall be liable on conviction to 
12 
a fme not exceeding P5,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to 
13 
both. 
14 
(3) A person who gives a false report of a medical emergency or gives false 
15 
information in connection with a medical emergency, or makes a false alarm of a medical 
16 
emergency, knowing the report or information or alarm to be false; or makes a false request 
17 
for ambulance service to an ambulance service provider, knowidg the request to be false, 
18 
shall be liable shall be given a warning for the flrst offense, and shall be compelled to attend 
19 
a seminar on the proper use of the national emergency telephone number on the second 
20 
offense. Upon commission of the offense for the third time, the offender shall be liable on 
21 
conviction to a fme not exceeding P5,000 and payment of damages. Upon commission of 
22 
the offense for the fourth and succeeding times, the offender shall be liable on conviction to 
23 
a fme not exceeding PI0,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or to 
24 
both, and payment of damages. 
25 
SEC. 37. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The NTC, in coordination 
26 'with the Council and other concerned agencies, shall issue and promulgate the rules and 
27 
regulations to implement the provisions of this Chapter within \,:>ne hundred twenty (120) 
28 
days upon constitution of the Council. 
29 
CHAPTER VI 
30 
OTHER PROVISIONS 
31 
SEC. 38. Service Requirement. - The Council shall develop policies regarding 
32 
mandatory service requirement for all pre-hospital emergency care providers as a condition 
33 
for maintaining their license and accreditation. 
34 
SEC. 39. Role of the LGUS. - Local government units are hereby mandated to 
35 
develop and institutionalize a pre-hospital emergency care system within their area of 
36 
jurisdiction. The Council shall include in its programs, activities that will support and enable 
37 
the LGUS to accomplish such task. 
38 
'39 
SEC. 40. Prohibited Acts. -
The following acts shall constitute an offense 
40 
punishable under this Act: 
41 
(a) Practicing or offering to practice pre-hospital emergency care services in the 
42 
Philippines or offering himself/herself as an EMT, or using the title, word~ letter, 
43 
flgure or any sign tending to convey the impression that one is a registerrd and 
44 
licensed EMT, or advertising or indicating in any manner whatsoever th'at one is 
45 
qualified to practice pre-hospital emergency care unless he/she has satisfactorily 
46 
demonsttated the prescribed competency standards, in full accordance with the, 
47 
requirements of the Council and is a holder of a National Certiflcate in 
10 


I 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
Emergency Medical Services or a temporary/special permit duly issued to 
him/her by the Council; 
(b) Providing pre-emergency hospital care within the meaning of this Act without a 
valid Certificate of Registration and a Professional Identification Card or a valid 
special permit issued in accordance herewith; 
(c) Presenting or using as his or her own a Certificate of Registration or Professional 
Identification Card belonging to another; 
(d) Giving any false or forged evidence of any kind to the Council or TESDA or 
CHED or PRC in obtaining any of the foregoing documents; 
10 
(e) Falsely impersonating any registrant with like or different name; 
II 
(f) Abetting or assisting by any registered and licensed emergency hospital 
12 
technician of the illegal practice of a person who is not lawfully qualified to 
13 
provide pre-emergency hospital care within the meaning of this Act; 
14 
(g) Attempting to use a revoked or suspended Certificate of Registration or any 
IS 
invalid or expired EMT Identification Card or a cancelled special permit; 
16 
(h) Operating an Emergency Medical Services training institution without proper 
17 
accreditation; and 
18 
19 
(i) Unauthorized use of ambulance/emergency medical vehicle, such as but not 
20 
limited to transporting illegal drugs and transporting passengers and personnel 
21 
which are not valid emergency cases. 
22 
SEC. 41. Penalties. - The commission of any of the prohibited acts stated under 
23 
Section 40 shall be penalized with a fine of not less than Fifty Thousand Pesos (50,000.00) 
24 
nor more than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (100,000.00) or by imprisonment of not less 
25 
than one (1) year nor more than five (5) years, or both, at the discretion of the court. 
26 
SEC. 42. Enforcement. - The Council shall implement the provisions of this Act, 
27 
enforce its implementing rules and regulations, and investigate complaints against violators 
28 
of this Act, its rules and regulations and other policies of the Council. 
29 
The Council shall call upon or request any department, instrumentality, office, 
30 
bureau, or agency of the government including local government units to render such 
31 
assistance as it may require in order to carry out, enforce or implement the provisions of this 
32 
Act. 
33 
SEC. 43. Appropriations. -
The amount of Thirty Million Pesos (Php 
34 
30,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated for the creation of the Council to enable its initial 
35 
operations and to implement the provisions of this Act. Thereafter, such amount as may be 
36 
necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the General 
37 
Appropriations Act. 
38 
SEC. 44. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Except as otherwise provided, 
39 
the Council shall issue and promulgate the rules and regulations to implement the provisions 
40 
of this Act within one hundred twenty (120) days upon constitution of the Council. 
41 
SEC. 45. Separability Clause. - If any clause, sentence, paragraph or part of this 
42 
Act shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid, such judgment shall not affect, invalidate or 
43 
impact any other part of this Act. 
44 
SEC. 46. Repealing Clause. - Any provision of laws, orders, agreements, rules or 
45 
regulations contrary to and inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended or 
46 
modified accordingly. 
11 
... 


1 
SEC. 47. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
2 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a major newspaper of general circulation in the 
3 
Philippines. 
4 
Approved, 
12