REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No. 7681

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. GARY C. ALEJANO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Pre-Hospital Emergency medicine is relatively a new field of medical practice in the country.
Despite this, the provision of emergency medical service in the country is continuing to grow and
the linkages among practitioners/providers have become established. It has provided relevant liffe
support services to patients with injuries and illness, or those in critical condition. Its growing
practice and relevance in the country’s healthcare therefore calls for the need to professionalize
and regulate the practice.

‘This bill secks to institutionalize a Pre-hospital Emergency Medical Care System (EMS) in the
country through the creation of National Pre-hospital Care Council (NPCC). The Council shall
be in charge with the formulation of policies governing the field of pre-hospital emergency
medical services and related institutions; the development of high standards of operation for pre-
hospital emergency care support service providers; and the engagement in research on pre-
hospital care, technology, education and training; and the formulation of curricula and evaluation
of existing courses, assessment and examination procedures. This bill also seeks to create one
national emergency number to enable the public to access emergency medical services.

‘The increase in the number of highly qualified Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics
is also sought in this measure through the creation of plantilla positions for Emergency Medical
Technicians in all government hospitals.

In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly sought.

x

GARYC. ALEJANO
Representative
Magdalo Para sa Pilipino Party-List


REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES P
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No, 7681

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. GARY C. ALEJANO

AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING A PRE-HOSPITAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE
SYSTEM, PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT, SUPERVISION AND
REGULATION OF THE PRE-HOSPITAL EMERGENCY, AND PROVIDING FUNDS
THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and the 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 2018".

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. 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 has the following objectives:
a) To create a National Pre-Hospital Care Council;

b)

To develop and institutionalize a pre-hospital emergency medical service system at the
national and local levels;

c) To establish a national standard for the provision of pre-hospital emergency medical
services by duly certified/registered pre-hospital care professionals;

d) To supervise, control and regulate the practice of pre-hospital care professionals;
e) To provide a program standardization for the training of pre-hospital care professionals;

f) To prescribe certification, registration and recertification requirements of pre-hospital
care professionals;

g) To establish standards for design, manufacture, accreditation and regulation of
‘emergency medical vehicles;

h) To adopt and implement a National Universal Emergency Telephone Number (NUETN);
and


i) To establish and provide 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:

2

1) Pre-hospital emergency care shall refer to independent delivery of pre-hospital
emergency medical services by appropriately trained and certified EMTs, usually
in a mobile or community setting, in full accordance with the National Pre-
Hospital Emergency Medical Treatment Protocols established by the National
Pre-Hospital Care Council (NPCC), hereinafter referred to as the Council, created
under this Act.

2) Pre-hospital advance life support shall refer to advanced pre-hospital standards

for the care of seriously ill or injured patient 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 Emergency Medical Treatment Protocols shall refer to emergency
medical procedures outlining approved clinical practices and therapies to be observed by
pre-hospital care professionals, as established by the Council.

©) Pre-hospital care professionals:

1) Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) shall refer to a pre-hospital emergency
care provider who has fulfilled the requirements of 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.

Registered Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic (REMT-P) shall refer to a
pre-hospital emergency care provider who is capable of performing extensive pre-
hospital care services such as administering medications orally and intravenously,
interpreting clectrocardiograms (ECGs) tracings, performing endotracheal
intubations, and using monitors and other complex equipment. A REMT -P is
required to maintain the qualifications and fulfill the requirements set by the
Council.

3) Ambulance Dispatch Officer (ADO) shall refer to a person duly trained and

certified in the administration, management and operation of the ambulance
dispatch and communication system and who has fulfilled the requirements and
who continues to hold the qualifications established by the Council, in
coordination with the TESDA, the CHED and the PRC, among others.

4) Ambulance Assistant shall refer to a person who, having gained the minimum

certification as a Medical First Responder (Advanced First Aider), is charged with
the operation and general care of emergency medical vehicles (ambulance driver),
in addition to providing basic medical care for patients under the direct
supervision of an EMT or REMT-P.

5) Other pre-hospital care professionals providing other support services for the

provision of pre-hospital emergency medical care.


4) Competency-based assessment shall refer to 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 the standards and
guidelines established by the Council, in coordination with the TESDA, in the case of one
who holds a technical non-degree Certified Emergency Medical Technician course falling
under the TESDA jurisdiction; or in coordination with the CHED and the PRC in the case
of one who holds a REMT -P degree course requiring the issuance of a professional
license.

°)

Accredited training institutions shall refer to 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 the TESDA, the CHED and the Department of Health (DOH), among
others, and are dilly recognized by the TESDA or the CHED, as applicable, and duly
registered in good standing with the Council.

f) Ambulance/Emergency medical vehicle shall refer to an ambulance or other vehicle for
‘emergency medical care and transportation which provides, at a minimum: (1) a driver's
compartment; (2) a patient compartment with sufficient space to safely and comfortably
accommodate an EMT and a patient who can be given intensive life-support during
transit; (3) equipment and supplies for emergency care at the scene as well as during
transport; (4) two-way radio, telephone or electronic communication with the ADO; and
(5) 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 to prevent aggravation of the patient's injury or illness. The designated
vehicle marking of "Ambulance" is hereby restricted for use by emergency medical
vehicles only.

2) Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Medical Director shall refer to a licensed- physician
with training in emergency medicine and with at least five (5) years experience in
emergency medical care as approved by the Council or the local medical authority
charged with the supervision of EMS and the implementation of approved emergency
medical treatment protocols set by the Council.

CHAPTER I
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 (NPCC)" is hereby created under the DOH.

SEC. 6. Functions of the NPCC. - The Council shall perform the following functions:

‘To formulate policies governing the field of pre-hospital emergency medical services and
related institutions;

b)

To implement policies in coordination with affiliated medical and educational institutions;

¢

To 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;

d) To promulgate a Code of Ethics for EMTs;


BES eavausunn

€) To develop high standards of operation for pre-hospital emergency care support service
providers;

f) To establish and maintain: a roster of certified EMTs;

To develop standards and protocols for the design, construction, outfitting and operations
of emergency medical vehicles; and

8)

h) To engage in research on pre-hospital care, technology, education and training, the
formulation of curricula and the evaluation of existing courses, assessment and the
examination procedures.

SEC. 7. Membership of the Council. - The members of the Council shall be composed of

the following:

a) Ex officio members:
1) The Secretary of the DOH as Chairperson of the Council;
2) The Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG);
3) The Director General of the TESDA; and
4) The Chairperson of the CHED; and

b) Members to be appointed by the Secretary of the DOH upon nomination by their
respective associations:

1) One (1) nominee of a national organization duly registered with the Securities and
Exchange Commission and recognized by the DOH as being representative of the
profession of EMT within the Republic of the Philippines: Provided. That upon
the organization of the national accredited professional organization of EMTs,
mandated under Section 31 of this Act, its nominee shall hold this seat in the
Council;

2) Four (4) nominees of local health boards, one (1) each from the National Capital
Region Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao;

3) One (1) registered emergency medical practitioner representing a recognized
professional-based organization with interest on emergency medicine;

4) One (1) registered medical practitioner representing a recognized professional-
based organization on cardiology;

5) One (1) registered nurse holding a qualification in emergency room nursing,

representing a recognized professional-based organization of emergency care
nurses;

6)

One (1) representative from an educational or training institution providing EMT
programs, which has been duly accredited by the TESDA or the CHED and
recognized by the Council in accordance with its rules and regulations;

7

One (1) representative from a recognized national professional association of
medical practitioners;

8) One (1) representative from a recognized national organization of private
hospitals;


9) One (1) representative from a DOH hospital; and
10) One (1) representative from the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC).

SEC. 8. Term of Office. - Each member of the Council shall not serve for more than

three (3) consecutive terms. A term shall be for a period of two (2) years.

SEC. 9. 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 EMS 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;

Establish a Secretariat under an Executive Director for the administrative and day-to-day
operations of the Council;

3

d) Create committees and other mechanisms to help expedite the implementation of plans
and strategies;

€) Set up a system of networking and coordination among all existing government health
agencies, local government units (LGUs) and nongovernment medical
institutions/agencies for the effective implementation of its programs and activities;

f) Generate resources from local, national and international organizations/agencies, whether
government or private sector, for its operation;

Receive and accept donations and other conveyances including funds, materials and
services by gratuitous title: Provided, That not more than thirty percent (30%) of said
funds shall be used for administrative expenses;

8)

h) Prepare an annual budget of the Council and submit the same to the President for
inclusion in the annual General Appropriations Act;

i) Advise the President on matters pertaining to pre-hospital EMS;

J) Review membership of the Council in line with changes in the status of concerned
national organizations duly recognized as involved in emergency medical care/pre-
hospital emergency medical care, as required by this Act;

k

Investigate complaints against violators of this Act, its rules and regulations and policies
of the Council;

1) Request any department, instrumentality, office, bureau or agency of the government,
including LGUs, to render such assistance as it may require in order to carry out, enforce
or implement the provisions of this Act; and

m) Promulgate rules and regulations and policies of the Council, and enforce the provisions
of this Act.

SEC. 10. The Secretariat. - The Council shall organize a Secretariat to be headed by an

Executive Director coming from anyone of the Undersecretaries or Assistant Secretaries from the
DOH acting in a concurrent capacity. The Secretaries of the DOH and the DILG and the


Chairpersons of the TESDA and the CHED shall designate their respective staff to serve as
members of the Secretariat.

In establishing the Secretariat, the Council shall consider 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 of the following areas:
1) Human Resource Development;
2) Emergency Medical Vehicles; and
3) Emergency Communications.

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 and 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.

SEC. 13. Accreditation. - The Council shall issue certifications and licenses for the
following:

a) Accreditation of training institutions for EMTs and related personnel; and
b) Accreditation of emergency medical vehicle providers.
CHAPTER Il
EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS
SEC. 14. Creation of Plantilla Positions for Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTS).

There shall be created a minimum number of plantilla positions for EMTs in the following
government hospitals/health facilities within the next five (5) years upon approval of this Act:

a) Level 3 and 4 Hospitals - Five (5) EMTs and at least one (1) Ambulance Assistant;

b) Level I and 2 Hospitals - Three (3) EMTs and at least one (1) Ambulance Assistant; and

c) Other Health Facilities - as may be deemed necessary by the Council. The annual

financial requirements needed to pay for the salaries of EMTs shall be included in the
annual general appropriations of the respective hospitals, health facilities and LGUs.

SEC. 15. Scope of the Practice of Emergency Medical Care. - The emergency medical
care practice involves services performed in responding to the perceived needs of an individual
for immediate medical care in order to prevent loss of life or aggravation of physiological or
psychological illness or injury delivered in a pre-hospital, inter-hospital and hospital emergency
care setting. For this purpose, the Council shall develop the scope of work of EMTs based on
internationally-accepted standards, as adapted to the Philippine setting.


SEC. 16. Authorized Training Institution. - Training programs, courses and continuing
education for an EMT shall be conducted by an institution that has been granted a Certificate of
Program Registration (COPR) by the TESDA, in case of technical non-degree courses falling
under the TESDA jurisdiction, or a Certificate of Accreditation as a Higher Education Institution
(HED as well as Program Accreditation by the CHED, in the case of degree programs falling
under the CHED jurisdiction. The requirements prescribed by the Council shall serve as the
minimum requirement for program registration. The DOH can provide training programs for
EMTs: Provided, that these shall be in accordance with the standards set by the Council.

SEC. 17. Certification, Registration and Recertification. - Certification, registration and
recertification of EMTs in the Philippines shall be governed by the TESDA for non-degree
courses and by the 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. The TESDA and the PRC shall recertify EMTs upon submission of a
competency-based assessment statement from a recognized EMS Medical Director.

SEC. 18. Qualifications. - All applicants for registration as an 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 NPCC satisfactory evidence of good moral character and a certification that no
charges against one's person involving moral turpitude have been filed or are pending in any
court in the Philippines.

SEC. 19. Examination Required. - Ail applicants for registration as an EMT 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 TESDA, for those who hold non-
degree courses, and by the PRC, for those who hold degree courses.

SEC. 20. Schedule of Examination. - National written examinations for EMTs in the
Philippines shall be given by the TESDA and the PRC at least twice every year.

SEC. 21. Release of the Results of Examination. - The results of the examination shall
be released by the TESDA within twenty (20) working days and by the PRC within two (2)
months from the date of the examination.

SEC. 22. Issuance of the Certificate of Registration and EMT Identification Card. —
Certificate of Registration shall be issued to the examinees who passed the national EMT
examinations given by the 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, date of issuance and expiry date, duly signed
by the TESDA Director General or the PRC Chairperson, shall likewise be issued to every
registrant upon payment of the required fees.

‘The EMT examination card shall be renewed every three (3) years upon satisfactory
compliance with the requirements of the TESDA or the PRC as prescribed by the Council.

SEC. 23. Disqualification. - The TESDA, the PRC and the Council shall not accept the
application 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. 24. Revocation or Suspension of the Certificate of Registration, EMT
Identification Card or Cancellation of Temporary/Special Permit. - The Council, upon
recommendation of the TESDA or the PRC in accordance with the prescribed procedures and
due process, may revoke or suspend the national certificate or EMT identification card.


SEC. 25. Reinstatement, Reissuance or Replacement of Certificate of Registration and
EMT Identification Card. - The TESDA or the PRC, upon the recommendation of the Council
in accordance with the rules and regulations may, after two (2) years from the date of revocation
of the Certificate of Registration, reinstate any revoked Certificate of Registration and reissue a
suspended EMT identification card after compliance by the applicant with the requirements for
reinstatement.

SEC. 26. Continuing Education. - The Council shall develop a program for the
continuing education of EMTs as a condition for EMTs to maintain their license and
accreditation.

SEC. 27. Roster of Certified EMTs. - The Council, in coordination with the TESDA, the
CRED, the PRC and the accredited professional organizations representing the profession of
EMT within the country, shall prepare, update and maintain a roster of certified EMTs and
REMTs-P.

SEC. 28. Issuance of Temporary/Special Permit. - Upon application and payment of the
necessary fees, and subject to the requirements specified by the Council, the TESDA or the PRC,
the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI) may issue
temporary/special permits to EMS personnel from foreign countries whose services are urgently
needed in the absence or inadequate supply of local EMTS in the Philippines.

SEC. 29. Registration Without Examination for EMTs. - All practicing EMTs 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 EMTs. - All practicing EMTs 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 procedures:

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 ongoing 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 an
EMS Medical Director to have performed full EMT functions in a pre-hospital and inter-
hospital care setting; and

b) Once approved by the Council as qualified for examination, the candidate will be referred
to an approved TESDA, PRC or EMT assessment center-for qualifying’ examinations for’
EMT registration.

SEC. 31. Accredited Professional Organizations. - All certified EMTs shall belong to
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 the TESDA or
the PRC shall automatically become a member of the accredited professional organizations of
EMTS and shall enjoy the corresponding benefits and privileges.

SEC. 32. Code of Ethics of EMTs. - The Council, in coordination with the accredited
professional organizations, shall adopt and promulgate the Code of Ethics and the Code of
Technical Standards for EMTs to include, among others, duties of EMTs to pre-hospital
emergency care patients, to the community, to their colleagues in 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 EMTs to safely and reliably perform their functions as basic
and advanced pre-hospital life support providers. 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

) Transporting essential personnel and equipment to and from the site of a multiple medical

emergency triage site and transporting appropriately triaged patients to designated
medical facilities.

CHAPTER V
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS,

SEC. 34. Adoption of a National Universal Emergency Telephone Number. — There
shall only be one (1) national emergency number to enable the public to access emergency
medical services. Towards this end, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) shall
develop a program for the adoption of a national emergency number. It shall consult and
cooperate with national and local agencies and institutions; LOU s and officials responsible for
emergency service 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; 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 to be adopted pursuant to this Act.

SEC. 36. Prohibited Acts and Penalties on Emergency Communications. -

a) 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 (c) 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, upon conviction, be imposed with a fine of
not less than Five hundred pesos (P500.00) but not more than One thousand pesos
(P1,000.00). Upon commission of the offense for the fourth and succeeding times, the
offender shall, upon conviction, be imposed with a penalty of imprisonment of not less
than one (1) month but not more than six (6) months or a fine of not less than Two

9


thousand pesos (P2,000.00) but not more than Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00), or both,
at the discretion of the court.

b) 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
sound which is obscene, lewd, lascivious, filthy or indecent, 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, upon conviction, be imposed with a fine of
not less than Five hundred pesos (P500.00) but not more than One thousand pesos
(PI,000.00). Upon commission of the offense for the fourth and succeeding times, the
offender shall, upon conviction, be imposed with a penalty of imprisonment of not less
than one (I) month but not more than six (6) months or a fine of not less than Two
thousand pesos (P2,000.00) but not more than Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00), or both,
at the discretion of the court.

c) 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 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, upon conviction,
be imposed with a fine of not less than Two thousand pesos (P2,000.00) but not more
than Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) and payment of damages. Upon commission of the
offense for the fourth and succeeding times, the offender shall, upon conviction, be
imposed with a penalty of imprisonment of not less than one (1) year but not more than
three (3) years or a fine of not less than Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) but not more
than Ten thousand pesos (10,000.00) and payment of damages, or both, at the discretion
of the court.

CHAPTER VI
OTHER PROVISIONS

SEC. 37. 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. 38. Role of the LGUs. - The LGUs 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. 39. Other 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 oneself 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 madvertising or
indicating in any manner whatsoever that one is qualified to practice pre-hospital
‘emergency care, unless one 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 temporary/special permit duly
issued by the Council;

10


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
temporary/special permit issued in accordance herewith;

c) Presenting or using a Certificate of Registration or a professional identification card
belonging to another person;

d)

Giving any false or forged evidence of any kind to the Council, the TESDA, the CHED
or the PRC in obtaining any of the foregoing documents;

Falsely impersonating any registrant with like or different name;

) Abetting or assisting by any registered and licensed emergency hospital technician the
illegal practice of a person who is not lawfully qualified to provide pre-emergency
hospital care within the meaning of this Act;

2) Attempting to use a revoked or suspended Certificate of Registration or any invalid or
expired EMT identification card or a cancelled temporary/special permit;

h) Operating an EMS training institution without proper accreditation; and

i) Using without appropriate authority an 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. 40. Penalties. - The commission of any of the prohibited acts stated under Section
39 shall be penalized with imprisonment of not less than one (1) year but not more than five (5)
years or a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) but not more than One hundred
thousand pesos (P100,000.00), or both, at the discretion of the court.

SEC. 41. Appropriations. - The Secretaries of the Departments concerned shall include
in their programs the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be included in the
annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 42. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Except as otherwise provided, the
Council, in coordination with the NTC, the TESDA, the CHED, the PRC and the DOH, 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. 43. Separability 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. 44. Repealing Clause. - Any provision of laws, orders, agreements, rules or
regulations contrary to and inconsistent with this Act is hereby repealed, amended or modified
accordingly.

SEC. 45. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

n