FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SEN~I.E 
S.B. No: Zti96 
) 
) 
) 
.~I?!Ulh' 
It}ffJ( t of t~t1- .,irtff't:lrll 
'11 
f'EBi 4 P.J:23 
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
EXP~ANATORY NOTE 
Emergency Medical Service (EMS) is a type of service which aims to provide 
first-aid treatment and/or transport to definitive care to patients with illnesses and 
injuries which the patient, or the medical practitioner, believes constitutes a medical 
emergency 1. 
At present, this type of service is already in place in our society. Ambulance 
service, as it is more commonly known here in the country, is summoned by the public 
through coordination with agencies, such as the PCSO, the local government, the health 
department, or through the hospital facility itself. 
However, we must take into account that through the years, our country has seen 
the rise of emergency cases resulting from natural and man-made disasters, sicknesses 
and diseases. Thus, there emerges a need to professionalize and regulate this practice. 
This bill seeks to institute a National Pre-Hospital Care Council (NPHCC) which 
shall facilitate the institutionalization of EMS. Among other things, the NPHCC shall train 
and accredit Emergency Medical Technicians who will practice the profession. The bill 
also provides for the adoption of a National Universal Emergency Telephone Number for 
easy access to the public. 
The past congress has seen the passage of this same bill in this House. Further, 
it has also been certified by no less than the President of the Philippines as an urgent 
measure. 
We recognize the need to provide emergency medical service to our fellowmen. 
Along with this, it is imperative to professionalize this profession. 
In view of the foregoing, passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
NG REVILLA, JR. 
I (1978) IS'" ed. Encyclopedia Britlanica. Chicago. Encyclopedia Brittanica Inc. 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
Republic of the Philippines 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.B.NO. 2696 
,~I?rmtp 
{~Hl~r L1f thO' '1ir,rrbr~ 
'11 
FEB 14 P 3 :23 
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
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 of Representatives of 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 of 2011." 
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 government 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 country. 
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) The establishment of national standards for the provIsion of pre-hospital 
emergency medical services by duly certified/registered pre-hospital care 
professionals; 
d) The supervision, control and regulation of the practice of pre-hospital care 
professionals; 
e) The program standardization for the training of pre-hospital care professionals; 
f) The certification/registration and re-certification/ re-registration requirements of 
pre-hospital care professionals; 
1 


g) The standards for design, manufacture, accreditation and regulation of 
Emergency Medical Vehicles; . 
h) The adoption and implementation of a National Universal Emergency Telephone 
Number; and 
i) The establishment and provision of support services to pre-hospital emergency 
medical services. 
SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms are 
hereby defined: 
(a) Pre-Hospital Emergency Medical Services -
(i) 
Pre-Hospital Emergency Care -
Independent delivery of pre-hospital 
emergency medical services 
by appropriately trained and certified Emergency 
Medical Technicians 
("EMTs"), usually in a mobile or community setting, 
in full 
accordance with National Pre-Hospital Emergency Medical Treatment Protocols 
established by the Council. 
(ii) Pre-Hospital Advance Life Support - Advanced pre-hospital standards for the 
care of serious illness or injury by appropriately trained and certified EMTs, as 
established by the Council. These pre-hospital standards may include advanced pre-
hospital trauma care, advanced pre"hospital cardiac life support and the care of high 
dependency patients for inter-hospital transfer, among others. 
(b) 
National Pre-Hospital Medical Treatment Protocols - Emergency medical 
procedures outlining approved clinical practices and therapies to be observed by pre-
hospital care professionals, as established by the Council. 
(c) Pre-hospital Care Professionals 
(i) 
Emergency Medical Technician ("EMT") - A pre-hospital emergency care 
provider who 
has 
fulfilled 
the 
requirements 
and 
continues 
to 
hold 
the 
qualifications established by the Council 
in coordination with the Technical 
Education and Skills Development Authority ("TESDA"), the Commission on Higher 
Education ('CHED") and the Professional Regulation Commission ("PRC"), among 
others. 
(ii) Ambulance Dispatch Officer (ADO) - A person duly trained and certified in the 
administration, 
management and 
operation 
of the 
ambulance 
dispatch 
and 
communication system, who has fulfilled the requirements and continues to hold the 
qualifications established by the Council in coordination with Technical Education 
and Skills Development Authority ("TESDA"), the Commission on Higher Education 
("CHED") and the Professional Regulation Commission ("PRC"), among others. 
(iii) 
Ambulance Assistants - . Personnel who, having gained the "minimum" 
certification as a Medical First Responder (Advanced First Aider), charged with the 
bperation and general care of emergency medical vehicles (ambulance driver), 
in 
addition to providing basic medical care for patients under the direct supervision 
of an Emergency Medical Technician I Paramedic. 
(iv) Other pre-hospital care professionals providing other support services for the 
provision of pre-hospital emergency care. 
2 


(d) Competency-based assessment - Evidence gathering and judgment by an 
authorized assessor who evaluates the technical and practical skills, abilities and 
knowledge of a pre-hospital care professional in accordance with 
standards 
and 
guidelines established by the Council in coordination with TESDA in 
the case of 
technical non-degree Certified Emergency Medical Technician courses falling under 
TESDA jurisdiction; or in coordination with CHED and PRC in the case of Registered 
Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic (REMT-P) degree courses requiring the 
issuance of a professional license. 
(e) Accredited Training Institutions - Training institutions offering training 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. 
(f) Ambulance I 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 (EMT) 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 "Ambu'lance" 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 Councilor 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. 
CHAPTER II 
NATIONAL PRE·HOSPITAL CARE COUNCIL 
SEC. 5. Creation of the National Pre-Hospital Care Council - A body to be 
known as the National Pre-Hospital Care Council (NPHCC), hereinafter referred to as 
the CounCil, is hereby created to; 
(a) Formulate policies governing the. field of pre-hospital emergency medical services 
and related institutions; 
(b) 
Implement these policies in coordination with affiliated medical and educational 
institutions; 
(c) 
Develop national standards for the provision of pre-hospital emergency medical 
services to include, among others, the skills, abilities and knowledge required of a pre-
hospital care professional, and the development of mandatory national medical 
treatment protocols to be observed by pre-hospital care professionals and such 
other entities as it may consider appropriate; . 
Cd) Promulgate a Code of Ethics for Emergency Medical Technicians; 
3 


(e) Develop standards of operation for pre-hospital emergency care support services 
providers to support best practices by pre-hospital care practitioners; 
(f) Establish and maintain a roster of gertified emergency medical technicians; 
(g) 
Develop standards and protocols for the design, construction, outfitting and 
Operations of emergency medical vehicles; 
(h) 
Engage in research into pre-hospital care, including emerging technology, 
education and training, the formulation of curricula, and the evaluation of existing 
courses and assessment and examination procedures. 
SEC. 6. 
Membership of the Council -- The members of the Council shall 
initially be composed of the following: . 
I. 
Ex-Officio Members: 
a) The Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH) as chair of the Council; 
b) The Secretary of the Department of Interior 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). 
II. 
Members to be appointed by the Secretary if the Depanment 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 
medicine; 
Professional-based organizations with interest on emergency 
d) One (1) registered medical practitioner representing a recognized professional 
based organization on cardiology; 
e) One (1) registered nurse' holding 
nursing representing a 
recognized 
emergency care nurses; 
a qualification in emergency room 
professional-based 
organization 
of 
f) One (1) representative from an educational or training institution providing EMT 
programs, which have been duly approved by TESDAICHED 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. 
4 


SEC. 7. Term of Office. No' member of the Council shall serve for more than 
three (3) consecutive terms of two (2) years each. 
SEC. 8. Powers and Functions. - To carry out its mandate, the Council shall 
exercise the following powers and functions: 
a. Encourage and facilitate the organization of a network of pre-hospital 
care professionals, to ensure the provision of emergency medical 
services to the general public on a national basis; 
b. Maintain a roster of qualified pre-hospital care professionals and 
providers, and training institutions, and oversee their licensing and 
accreditation; 
c. Establish a secretariat under an Executive Director for the administrative 
and day-to day operations of the Council; 
d. Create committees and other mechanisms to help expedite the 
implementation of plans and strategies; 
e. Set up a system of networking and coordination with and among all 
existing government health agencies and local government units for 
the effective implementation of programs and activities; 
f. 
Call upon and coordinate with other government and non-government 
medical and other institutions and agencies for assistance in any form; 
g. 
Generate resources, both from the Government and private sectors, local, 
national and international, for its operation; 
h. Receive and accept donations and other conveyances including funds, 
materials, and services, by gratuitous tide, provided, that not more than 
thirty percent (30%) shall be used for administrative expenses; 
i. 
Prepare an annual budget of the Council and submit the same to the 
President for inclusion in the annual General Appropriations Act; 
j. 
Advise the President on matters pertaining to pre-hospital emergency 
medical services; 
k. 
Regulate activities inimical to the delivery of emergency medical services; 
I. 
Review membership of the CounCil in line with status changes of 
concerned' national organizations 
duly 
recognized as 
involved in 
Emergency Medical Care/Pre-Hospital Emergency Medical Care as 
required by this Act; and 
m. Promulgate rules, regulations and undertake any and all measures 
as may be necessary to implement this Act. 
SEC. 9. The Secretariat. - The Council shall organize a Secretariat headed by 
an Executive Director, who shall be a person of probity and shall have at least five 
(5) years experience in emergency medical services or a related field. The Council 
shall fix its staffing pattern, determine the duties, qualifications, responsibilities and 
functions as well as the compensation scheme for the positions to be created 
5 


upon the recommendation of the Executive Director. The staffing pattern shall be 
approved and prescribed by the Council within one hundred twenty (120) days from 
the approval of this Act. 
In establishing the Secretariat, the Council shall consider the need to address, 
among others, the following areas: (a) Education and Standards Development; (b) 
National Examination/Assessment System for Pre-hospital Care Professionals; (c) 
Research; (d) Supervision and Regulation; (e) Policy, Planning and Research; (f) 
Administration; (g) Finance; and (h) Programs, including (i) Human Resource 
Development; (ii) Emergency Medical Vehicles and (iii) Emergency Communications 
the: 
SEC. 10. Accreditation. The Council shall issue certifications and licenses for 
a. Accreditation of training institutions for emergency medical technicians 
and related personnel; and 
b. Accreditation of emergency medical vehicle providers. 
SEC. 11. Meetings. The Council shall meet at least once every quarter. 
SEC. 12. Program Plans. - The Council shall, within six (6) months after having 
been offiCially constituted and finally staffed, adopt and immediately cause to be 
implemented in coordination with medical and related agencies, a short-range 
program in support of relevant existing projects mid activities; and within one (1) year, 
a long-range five (5) year development program. This development program shall be 
developed and subjected to annual review and revision by the Council in coordination 
with relevant public and private medical agencies and organizations. 
CHAPTER III 
EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS 
SEC. 
13. 
Creation 
of Plantilla 
Positions 
for 
Emergency 
Medical 
Technicians- There shall be created a minimum number of plantilla pOSitions for 
Emergency Medical Technicians in the following government agencies within the 
next five (5) years upon approval of.this Act: 
a. Specialized Hospitals - Five (5) Emergency Medical Technicians 
b. Regional Hospitals - Five (5) Emergency Medical Technicians 
c. Provincial Hospitals - Three (3) Emergency Medical Technicians 
d. Local Government Units - Three (3) Emergency Medical Technicians 
e. Other agencies - as may be deemed necessary by the Council. 
The annual financial requirements needed to pay for the salaries of 
Emergency Medical Technicians shall be included in the annual general appropriations 
of the respective hospitals, agencies and local government units. 
SEC. 14. Scope of the Practice of the Emergency Medical Technician. -
The practice of Emergency Medical Technician involves services performed in 
responding to the perceived needs oLan individual for immediate medical care in order 
to prevent loss of life inter-hospital and hospital emergency care setting. 
For this 
purpose, the Council shall develop the scope of work of Emergency Medical 
Technicians 
based 
on 
internationally-accepted standards, as 
adapted to 
the 
Philippine setting. 
6 


SEC. 15. Authorized Training Institution. - Training programs, courses, 
and continuing 
education 
for 
an 
Emergency 
Medical 
Technician 
shall 
be 
conducted 
by 
an institution 
that has 
been granted a Certificate of Program 
Registration (COPR) by TESDA, in the case of technical non-degree courses falling 
under TESDA jurisdiction, or a Certificate of Accreditation as 
a Higher Education 
Institution (HEI) as well as Program Accreditation by CHED, in the case of degree 
programs falling 
under CHED jurisdiction. 
The requirements prescribed by the 
QouncH shall serve as the minimum requirement for program registration. The DOH can 
provide training programs for EMTs; provided that these shall be accordance with the 
l?tandards set by the Council. 
SEC. 16. Certification, Registration and Re-certification. Registration and 
re-certification of EMTs 
in 
the Philippines shall 
be governed by the Technical 
Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for non-degree courses, and 
by 
the 
Professional Regulation 
Commission 
(PRC) 
for degree 
courses, 
in 
accordance 
with 
PRC 
rules 
and regulations 
and 
without 
prejudice 
to 
the 
enactment of a licensure law for EMTs. A certification is valid for a period of three 
(3) years. TESDA and PRC shall re-certify Emergency Medical Technicians upon 
submission 
of 
a 
competency-based 
assessment statement from a recognized 
Emergency Medical Services Medical Director. 
SEC. 17. Qualifications. -All applicants for registration as an Emergency 
Medical Technician (EMT) must be a citizen of the Philippines, at least twenty-one (21) 
years of age, of good moral character, and must produce before the NPHCC 
satisfactory evidence of good moral character, and that no charges against him 
involving moral 
turpitude have been filed 
or are pending in any court in 
the 
Philippines. 
He or she must have successfully completed a non-degree course lead41 g to 
an EMT basic 
certification, 
EMT· intermediate certification, 
or EMT-advanced 
certification, 
or a degree course .Ieading to 
an 
EMT-paramedic certification, 
conferred 
by an authorized training. institution as 
defined in Sec. 
15 of this Act. 
Schools and institutions accredited to offer education and training programs for 
EMT shall be given the responsibility to certify their graduates as mandated by the 
Council. 
SEC. 18. 
Examination Required. 
- All applicants for registration as an 
Emergency Medical Technician shall be required to undergo a nationally based 
assessment test or licensure examination, respectively, to be given in such 
places and dates as may be designated, by the Technical Education and Skills 
Development Authority (TESDA) for non-degree courses, and by the Professional 
Regulation Commission (PRC) for degree courses. 
SEC. 
19. 
Schedule of Examination. 
- National written examinations for 
Emergency Medical Technicians in the Philippines shall be given by TESDA and/or 
PRC at leas twice every year. 
SEC. 20. Release of the Results of Examination. - The results of the 
Examination shall be released by TESDA within twenty (20) working days or by the 
PRC within two (2) months from the date of the examination. 
SEC. 21. Issuance of the Certificate of Registration and EMT Identification 
Card. - A Certification of Registration shall be issued to examinees who pass the 
National. EMT examinations given by TESDA or the PRC. 
The Certificate of 
Registration shall remain in full force and effect until revoked or suspended in 
accordance with this Act. An EMT Identification Card, bearing the registration number, 
7 


date of issuance, expiry date, duly signed by TESDA Director-General or PRC 
Chairman, shall likewise be issued to every registrant upon payment of the required 
fees. The EMT Identification Card shall be renewed every three (3) years upon 
satisfactory compliance with the requirements of TESDA or PRC as prescribed by the 
Council. 
SEC. 22. Disqualification. -TESDA, PRC and the Council shall not accept 
an applicant for competency requirement nor issue a national certificate to any person 
who has been convicted by final judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction of 
any criminal offense involving moral turpitude, or has been found guilty of immoral 
or dishonorable conduct after investigation and due process, or has been declared to 
be of unsound mind by competent authority, or for other grounds as may be 
determined by the Council in the implementing rules and regulations. The reason for 
the refusal shall be set forth in writing. 
SEC. 23. Revocation or Suspension of the Certificate of Registration, EMT 
Identification Card or Cancellation .of Temporary /Special Permit. - The Council, 
upon recommendation of TESDA or PRC in accordance with the prescribed procedures 
and due process, may revoke or suspend the national certificate or EMT Identification 
Gard. 
SEC. 24. Reinstatement, Re·issuance or Replacement of Certificate of 
Registration and EMT Identification Card - The TESDA or PRC, upon the 
recommendation of Council, in accordance 'with the rules and regulations may, after 
two (2) years from the date of revocation of Certificate of Registration reinstate 
any 
revoked Certificate 
of 
Registration 
and 
re-issue 
a 
suspended 
EMT 
Identification 
Card 
after compliance by the applicant with the requirements for 
reinstatement. 
SEC. 25. Continuing Education. - The Council shall develop a program for 
continuing education of emergency medical technicians as a condition for EMTs to 
maintain their license and accreditation. 
SEC. 26. Roster of Certified Emergency Medical Technician. - The Council, 
in coordination with 
TESDA, 
CHED, 
PRC, 
and 
the accredited 
professional 
organization representing the profession of Emergency Medical Technician within the 
Republic of the Philippines, shall prepare, update and maintain a roster of certified 
Emergency Medical Technicians / Paramedics. 
SEC. 27. Issuance of Special or Temporary Permit. - Upon application and 
payment of the necessary fees, and subject to the requirements specified by the 
Council, TESDA or PRC may issue special or temporary permits to Emergency 
Medical Services personnel from foreign countries whose services are urgently 
needed in the absence or inadequacy of local Emergency Medical Technicians 
that can provide pre-hospital emergency care in the Philippines. 
SEC. 28. 
Prohibition against the Unauthorized Practice of Pre-Hospital 
Emergency Care. 
- No person shall practice or offer to practice pre-hospital 
emergency care services 
in the Philippines or offer himself/herself as Emergency 
Medical Technician as defined in this Act, or use the title, word, letter, figure, or 
any sign tending to convey the impression that one is an Emergency Medical 
Technician, 
or advertise or indicate in any manner whatsoever that one is 
qualified to practice pre-hospital emergency care unless he! she has satisfactorily 
demonstrated the prescribed competency standards, in full accordance with the 
requirements of the Council, and is a holder of a National Certificate in Emergency 
Medical Services or a special/temporary permit duly valid issued to him/her by Council. 
8 


SEC. 
29. 
Registration without Examination for Emergency Medical 
Technicians. All practicing Emergency Medical Technicians at the time this Act is 
passed shall be deemed qualified for registration as an EMT if, in accordance with 
the rules and regulations of the Council, they have performed work within the scope of 
the practices of an EMT as defined in this Act, for such period of time as may be 
required by the Council and have been certified by an EMS medical director to have 
performed full EMT functions in a pre-hospital and inter-hospital care setting. 
SEC. 
30. 
Registration .with Examination for Emergency Medical 
Technicians. All practicing Emergency Medical Technicians who are not graduates of 
an EMT program 
from 
a TESDA-
or CHED-accredited public or private 
educational/training institution at the time this Act is passed shall be deemed 
qualified for registration through examination using the following procedure: 
a. All applicants must provide a full record of initial training completed 
as 
an EMT. This 
record 
must include details 
of the training 
establishment, a full syllabus of training completed, a record of on-
going training and proof of having worked as an EMT in any local or 
international organization 
for 
at least one (1) 
year and has been 
certified by a EMS medical director to have performed full EMT functions 
in a pre-hospital and inter-hospital care setting. 
b. Once approved by the Council as qualified for examination, the 
candidate will be referred to an approved TESDA or PRC EMT 
assessment center for qualifying examinations for EMT registration. 
SEC. 31. Accredited Professional Organization. - All certified Emergency 
Medical Technicians shall have one (1) national organization, which shall be 
recognized by the Council as the one and only accredited EMT organization in 
the 
country. 
A 
certified EMT 
duly 
registered 
with 
TESDA 
or PRC 
shall 
automatically 
become 
a member 
of the accredited professional organization of 
Emergency Medical Technician and shall receive 
the benefits and privileges 
appurtenant thereto. 
SEC. 32. Code of Ethics of Emergency Medical Technicians. - The Council, 
in coordination with 
the accredited professional organizations, 
shall adopt and 
promulgate the Code of Ethics and Code of Technical Standards for Emergency 
Medical Technicians 
to include among others, duties of Emergency Medical 
Technicians to Pre-Hospital Emergency Care patients, to the community, to their 
colleagues and to the profession, and to allied professionals. 
CHAPTER IV 
EMERGENCY MEDICAL VEHICLES 
SEC. 33. Emergency Medical Vehicles. The Council shall develop minimum 
requirements for the design, construction, performance, equipment, testing and 
appearance of emergency medical vehicles. As such, only Emergency Medical Vehicles 
shall be allowed to display the word "Ambulance" and the' universally-accepted Star of 
Life" symbol. It shall also provide for' the operation protocols of said vehicles. It shall 
also design an accreditation system to provide the public with ambulances and other 
emergency medical vehicles 
that are easily identifiable, nationally recognizable, 
properly constructed, easily maintained, and, when appropriately equipped, will enable 
Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) to safely and reliably perform their functions 
as basiC and advanced pre-hospital life support providers. 
9 


While failure of an emergency medical vehicle to conform to the Council 
standards may be a ground for the removal of its certification, such failure shall not bar 
EMTs from: 
a. Responding and providing appropriate basic or advanced life support on-
site to persons reported experiencing acute injury or illness in a pre-
hospital setting, and transporting 
them, 
while continuing 
such 
life 
support care, to an appropriate medical facility for definitive care; 
b. Providing inter-hospital critical transport care; or 
c. Transporting essential personnel and equipment to and from the site 
of 
a multiple medical emergency or a triage site and transporting 
appropriately triaged patients to designated medical facilities. 
C;:HAPTER V 
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS 
SEC. 34. Adoption of a National Universal Emergency Telephone Number. 
There shall only be one national, emergency number to enable the public to 
access 
emergency 
medical 
services. 
Towards 
this 
end, 
the 
National 
Telecommunications Council (NTC) shall develop a program for the adoption of a 
national emergency number. It shall consult and cooperate with national and local 
institutions and officials responsible for emergency services and public safety, the 
telecommunications industry (specifically including the cellular and other wireless 
telecommunications service providers), the motor vehicle manufacturing industry, 
emergency, medical 
service 
providers 
and 
emergency 
dispatch providers, 
transportation officials, public safety, fire service and law enforcement officials, 
consumer groups, and hospital emergency and 
trauma 
care personnel (including 
emergency phySicians, trauma surgeons, and nurses). 
SEC. 35. Compliance. It shall be the duty of every voice service provider 
to provide its subscribers with access to the national universal emergency 
number in accordance with the implementing rules and regulations. 
SEC. 36. Prohibited Acts - (1) Any person who makes a telephone call to an 
emergency telephone number with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any 
person who answers the telephone .call shall be guilty of an offense and, subject to 
subsection (3) of this Section, shall be given a warning for the first offense, and shall 
be compelled to attend a seminar on the proper use of the national emergency 
telephone number on the second offense. Upon commission of the offense for the 
third time, the offender shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding P 1,000. 
Upon commission of the offense for the fourth and succeeding times, the offender 
shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding P5,000 or imprisonment for a 
term not exceeding six months or both, 
2) Any person who makes a telephone call to an emergency telephone number 
and, upon the call being answered, makes or solicits any comment, request, 
suggestion, proposal or other comment, request, suggestion, proposal or other 
communication or sound which is obscene, lewd, lascivious, filthy or indecent, 
shall be guilty of an offense and, subject to subsection (3) of this Section, 
shall be given a warning for the first offense, and shall be compelled to 
attend a seminar on the proper use of the national emergency telephone 
number on the, second offense. Upon commission of the offense for the 
third time, the offender shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding 
P1,000. Upon commission of the offense for the fourth and succeeding times, 
the offender shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding P5,000 or 
imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or both. 
10 


3) A person who gives a false report of a medical emergency or gives false 
information in connection with a medical emergency, or makes a false alarm 
of a medical emergency, knowing the report or information or alarm to be false; 
or makes a false request for ambulance service to an ambulance service 
provider, knowing the request to be false, shall be liable shall be given a 
warning for the first offense, and shall be compelled to attend a seminar on 
the proper use of the national emergency telephone number on the second 
offense. Upon commission of the offense for the third time, the offender shall 
be liable on conviction to 
a fine 
not exceeding P5,000 
and payment of 
damages. Upon commission of the offense for the fourth and succeeding 
times, the offender shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding PIO,OOO 
or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or both, and payment 
of damages. 
SEC. 
37. 
Implementing Rules and Regulations. 
-
The Council, in 
coordination with 
the 
NTC and 
other concerned 
agencies, 
shall 
issue 
and 
promulgate the rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Chapter 
within one hundred twenty (120) days upon constitution of the Council. 
CHAPTER VI 
OTHER PROVISIONS 
SEC. 38. Service Requirement. - The Council shall develop policies regarding 
mandatory service requirement for all pre-hospital emergency care providers as a 
condition for maintaining their license and accreditation. 
SEC. 39. Role of the LGUS. - Local government units are hereby mandated 
to develop and institutionalize a pre-hospital emergency care system within their 
area of jurisdiction. The Council shall include in its programs, activities that will support 
and enable the LGUS to accomplish such task. 
SEC. 40. Prohibited Acts. - The following acts shall constitute an offense 
punishable under this Act: 
a. Practicing or offering to practice pre-hospital emergency care services in 
the Philippines or offering himself/herself as an EMT, or using the title, word 
letter, figure or any sign tending to convey the impression that one is a 
registered and licensed EMT, or advertising or indicating in any manner 
whatsoever that one is qualified to practice pre-hospital emergency care unless 
he/she has satisfactorily demonstrated the prescribed competency standards, 
in full accordance with the, r~quirements of the Council and is a holder of 
a National Certificate in 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 Councilor TESDA 
or CHED or PRC in obtaining any of the foregoing documents; 
e. Falsely impersonating any registrant with like or different name; 
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f. 
Abetting or assisting by any registered and licensed emergency hospital 
technician of the illegal practice of a person who is not lawfully qualified to 
provide pre-emergency hospital care within the meaning of this Act; 
g. Attempting to use a revoked or suspended Certificate of Registration or 
any invalid or expired EMT Identification Card or a cancelled special permit. 
h. Operating an Emergency Medical Services training institution without proper 
Accreditation; and 
i. 
Unauthorized use of ambulance/emergency medical vehicle, such as but not 
limited to transporting illegal drugs and transporting passengers and personnel 
which are not valid emergency.cases. 
SEC. 41. Penalties. - The commission of any of the prohibited acts stated 
under Section 40 shall be penalized with a fine of not less than Fifty Thousand Pesos 
(50,000.00) 
nor more 
than One Hundred Thousand Pesos 
(100,000.00) 
or by 
imprisonment of not less than one (1) year nor more than five (5) years, or both, at the 
discretion of the court. 
SEC. 42. Enforcement. - The Council shall implement the provisions of this 
Act, enforce its implementing rules and regulations, and investigate complaints against 
violators of this act, its rules and regulations and other pOlicies of the Council. The 
Council shall call upon or request any department, instrumentality, office, bureau, 
or agency of the government including local government units to render such 
assistance as it may require in order to carry out, enforce or implement the provisions of 
this Act. 
SEC. 
43. 
Appropriations. 
- The amount of Thirty Million Pesos (Php 
30,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated for the creation of the Council to enable 
its initial operations and to implement the prOVisions of this Act. Thereafter, such 
amount as may be necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be 
included in the General Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 44. 
Implementing Roles and Regulations. - Except as otherwise 
provided, the Council shall issue and promulgate the rules and regulations to implement 
the provisions of this Act within one hundred twenty (120) days upon constitution of the 
Council. 
SEC. 45. Reparability Clause. - If any clause, sentence, paragraph or part of 
this Act shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid, such judgment shall not affect, 
invalidate or impact any other part of this Act. 
SEC. 46. Repealing Clause. "Any prOVision of laws, orders, agreements, rules 
or regulations contrary to and inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or 
amended or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 47. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a major newspaper of general Circulation 
in the Philippines. 
Approved 
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