TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and 
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr. 
House Bill No.  _____ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill was filed during the 19th Congress and was approved by the House of 
Representatives. 
After the 9/11 attacks in the US, President George W. Bush called for the establishment of 
the USA Freedom Corps. The USA Freedom Corps is a coordinating entity in the White House 
charged with promoting a culture of service, citizenship, and responsibility in America. It 
promotes and expands volunteer service in America by supporting Federal service programs, 
serving as a resource for non-profits, recognizing volunteers, and helping to connect 
individuals with volunteer organizations in their communities. 
The Medical Reserve Corps was created as an extension of the Freedom Corps. The Medical 
Reserve Corps (MRC) is a network in the U.S. of community-based units initiated and 
established by local organizations to meet the public health needs of their communities. It 
consists of medical and non-medical volunteers who contribute to local health initiatives, such 
as activities meeting the Surgeon General's priorities for public health, and supplement 
existing response capabilities in time of emergency. The MRC provides the structure 
necessary to pre-identify, credential, train, and activate medical and public health volunteers. 
In the Philippines, the importance of an MRC was realized during the COVID-19 pandemic 
wherein we saw that we lack medical personnel leaving our hospital front liners thoroughly 
overwhelmed and exhausted.  
This bill proposes to establish a Medical Reserve Corps which shall be composed of all 
persons who have degrees in the field of medicine, nursing, medical technology, and other 
health-related fields but have yet to have their respective licenses to practice. A medical 
reserve force specifically trained to supplement the existing human health resources will ease 
the burden in our healthcare system. 
The Medical Reserve Corps may be called upon and mobilized during national health 
emergencies to assist the national government and the local government units in their 
functions related to addressing medical needs. This measure allows our hospitals and medical 
facilities to handle the extreme demand for patient care in times of disaster and health 
emergencies. 
In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly requested. 
RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ 
 MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR. 
July 3, 2025
1:25 pm
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TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and 
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr. 
House Bill No.  _____ 
AN ACT 
CREATING THE HEALTH EMERGENCY AUXILIARY REINFORCEMENT TEAM UNDER 
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Health Emergency Auxiliary 
Reinforcement Team (HEART)” Act. 
SEC 2. Declaration of Policy. – Article II, Section 15 of the Constitution enjoins the State to 
protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among 
them. Article XIII, Section 11 also provides for the adoption of an integrated and 
comprehensive approach to health development. The State further reiterates its commitment 
to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3, which calls on the State 
to ensure healthy lives and promote the well-being of Filipinos at all ages. 
The State recognizes the need for a reserve force of highly skilled and health-oriented 
professionals and volunteers who can be mobilized to maintain the capacity to meet surges 
in the demand for additional manpower in the country’s healthcare system and provide 
assistance as needed in times of health crises. 
Pursuant to this, it is the policy of the State to: 
a. Prioritize the health of its citizens whether in the country or overseas by maintaining a strong
and resilient healthcare system at all times that will immediately, efficiently, and effectively
address all potential and actual public health emergencies; and
b. Promote the spirit of “Bayanihan” and enhance the capacity of the nation to expand its
human health resources in times of disasters, public health emergencies and health threats
of both national and local scale through the mobilization of the Health Emergency Auxiliary
Reinforcement Team.
SEC 3. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act: 
a. Allied health professionals refer to professions who are involved with the delivery of health
or related services such as the identification, evaluation and prevention of diseases and
disorders, dietary and nutrition services, and rehabilitation and health systems management.
Allied health professionals, shall include, among others, dental hygienists, diagnostic medical
sonographers, dietitians, medical technologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists,
radiographers, respiratory therapists, and speech language pathologists;
b. Bayanihan refers to the value of communal unity through helping others to achieve a certain
goal without expecting anything in return;
c. Deployment refers to the actual movement of workforce to the assigned area within a
prescribed period;
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d. Health Emergency Auxiliary Reinforcement Team refers to a group of individual volunteers 
who are in the field of medicine, nursing, medical technology, and other allied health-related 
fields who are ready to be deployed to complement the health workforce in the event of a 
public health emergency and health threat; 
 
e. Health threat refers to a condition, agent, or incident that greatly impacts the health that 
leads to disease, accident, injury, and loss of life; 
 
f. Mobilization refers to the process and procedures for activating, assembling, and 
transporting the needed health workforce to respond to a public health emergency and health 
threat; 
 
g. Mobilization center refers to the establishment where the Health Emergency Auxiliary 
Reinforcement Team shall report upon receipt of the order for mobilization, coordinate their 
mission order and mobilization-related issues and concerns, and submit their report upon 
receipt of the order for demobilization; 
 
h. Public health emergency refers to an occurrence that poses an imminent threat of an illness 
or health condition as defined in Republic Act No. 11332, otherwise known as Mandatory 
Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act, that: 
1. Is caused by any of the following: 
i. 
Bio terrorism; 
ii. 
Appearance of a novel or previously controlled or eradicated infectious 
agent or biological toxin; 
iii. 
A natural disaster; 
iv. 
A chemical attack or accidental release; 
v. 
A nuclear attack or accident; or 
vi. 
An attack or accidental release of radioactive materials; and 
2. Poses a high probability of any of the following: 
i. 
A large number of deaths in the affected population; 
ii. 
A large number of serious injuries or long-term disabilities in the 
affected population; 
iii. 
Widespread exposure to an infectious or toxic agent that poses a 
significant risk of substantial harm to a large number of people in the 
affected population; 
iv. 
International exposure to an infectious or toxic agent that poses a 
significant risk to the health of citizens; or 
v. 
Trade and travel restrictions 
 
i. Volunteers refer to those who freely register to be members of the HEART. 
 
SEC 4. Scope. – This Act provides for the organization of the Health Emergency Auxiliary 
Reinforcement Team, hereinafter referred to as the HEART, the development of policies, 
plans, guidelines, and the implementation of actions pertaining to the mobilization, services, 
and protection of the HEART in times of disasters, public health emergencies and health 
threats. 
 
SEC 5. Health Emergency Auxiliary Reinforcement Team. – There is hereby established a 
HEART under the Department of Health (DOH) to augment the health workforce in times of 
disasters, public health emergencies and health threats. The HEART shall be composed of 
the following individuals who shall voluntarily register with the DOH: 
a. Licensed professionals in the fields of medicine, nursing, medical technology, and 
other allied health fields including those who are retired and those who are no longer practicing 
their professions in a health facility setting. All health and allied health professional 


organizations may be tapped for the engagement of professionals who are not affiliated in any 
healthcare facility; 
 
b. Graduates of medicine and allied health courses and medical students who have 
completed a one-year medical internship and who have not yet been issued licenses to 
practice their respective professions, but due to the need for their services may be issued a 
limited and special authorization to render medical services during public health emergencies 
or health threats pursuant to Republic Act No. 2382, otherwise known as the Medical Act of 
1959 or as may be amended hereafter; and 
 
c. Other health support workforce, including barangay health workers, whose services 
are necessary in times of disasters, public health emergencies and health threats. 
 
SEC 6. The Health Emergency Auxiliary Reinforcement Team Promotion Program. – There 
is hereby established the Health Emergency Auxiliary Reinforcement Team Promotion 
Program, which shall refer to the comprehensive set of objectives, targets, strategies and 
activities for the promotion, recruitment and selection of reserve force of highly skilled and 
health-oriented professionals and volunteers. 
It shall include, but not be limited to, the following areas of concern: the provision of 
initiatives that shall underscore the importance of volunteerism to improve the health and 
safety of communities; the utilization of medical reserves pool who want to donate their time 
and expertise to prepare for and respond to emergencies and to support ongoing 
preparedness initiatives; and the building of partnerships and ensuring the sustainability of 
the HEART with the end goal of maintaining its capacity to meet surges in the demand for 
healthcare system and provide assistance in times of public emergencies. 
 
SEC 7. Creation of the HEART Board. - A HEART Board, hereinafter referred to as Board, is 
hereby created to ensure efficient and effective mobilization of the HEART. It shall be chaired 
by the Department of Health (DOH) and composed of representatives of the following, as 
members: 
a. Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG); 
b. Department of National Defense (DND); 
c. Commission on Higher Education (CHED); 
d. Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC); 
e. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP); 
f. Office of Civil Defense (OCD); and 
g. One 
representative 
from 
a 
non-governmental 
health 
professional 
organization. 
 
The members of the Board shall designate a representative, with a rank not lower than 
Assistant Secretary or its equivalent, to represent their respective offices in the Board: 
Provided, That the representative must be fully authorized to decide on behalf of the member-
agency. 
The AFP shall designate a representative from the Office of the Surgeon General with 
a rank not lower than Colonel as its Board representative. 
The representative from a non-governmental health professional organization shall 
have a two (2) -year term of office. The Board shall select the representative base on the 
guidelines it shall promulgate: Provided, That, the non-governmental health organization is 
national in scope and has a good track record in providing emergency health services. 
The Board shall establish close coordination with the National Disaster Risk Reduction 
and Management Council and the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency. 
It may call upon any government office or instrumentality, including government owned or 
controlled corporations and local government units (LGUs), as necessary. The Board may 
likewise closely coordinate and collaborate with non-governmental health organizations and 


the private sector, especially those with actual programs in the delivery of emergency health 
services. 
 
SEC 8. Powers and Functions of the Board. – The Board shall have the following powers and 
functions: 
a) Define and develop the organization, management, mobilization, demobilization, and 
reporting mechanisms, policies, and guidelines for the HEART; 
b) Oversee the effective and efficient functioning of the HEART in responding to public health 
emergencies and health threats; 
c) Coordinate with concerned national government agencies and other stakeholders in 
responding to public health emergencies and health threats; and 
d) Conduct regular meetings every quarter or as often as may be necessary in times of 
disasters, during public health emergencies or in the occurrence of health threats. 
 
SEC 9. Creation of a HEART Unit. – A HEART Unit shall be created by the DOH which shall 
serve as the secretariat of the Board. It shall oversee program implementation, including the 
maintenance of the database or information system of the HEART. 
The DOH shall determine the organizational structure and staffing pattern of the 
HEART unit subject to the evaluation and approval of the Department of Budget and 
Management (DBM) and in accordance with the civil service laws, rules and regulations. 
The regional counterparts of the HEART Unit shall likewise be allocated additional 
staff and personnel to ensure the grassroots implementation of this Act. 
All LGUs shall ensure that a HEART Unit shall be operationalized under their 
respective Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office which shall act as 
mobilization centers in times of disasters, public health emergencies or health threats. 
 
SEC 10. Registration and Training. – The Board shall prescribe a comprehensive guideline 
for the recruitment and selection of a HEART volunteer. 
The Board shall also prescribe a training program through written, practical, and 
simulation activities on various aspects of health emergency management and response in 
different health emergency scenarios. To this end, all volunteers must undergo: 
a. (a)Basic training on disaster and health emergency response; and 
b. (b)Skill enhancement activities with relevant agencies in the both public and 
private sector. 
Completion of the basic training or acceptable substitute or equivalent certification 
shall be a requisite for admission to the HEART. 
 
SEC 11. Registry and Accounting of Members. – HEART Volunteers shall be issued with 
individual registration numbers which shall serve as their identification during deployment. 
A registry or database that contains the names of the volunteers, their registration 
numbers, address, contact details and other personal information as may be necessary, shall 
be maintained and regularly updated in accordance with Republic Act No. 10173, otherwise 
known as the Data Privacy Act. 
The HEART registry or database shall be integrated or linked to existing registries 
such as the National Health Workforce Registry pursuant to Republic Act No. 11223, 
otherwise known as Universal Health Care Act, Section 25 (c). 
All volunteers covered under this Act are required to update their addresses and 
contact details on file through the registry system or database as necessary. 
 
SEC 12. Mobilization. – The Board shall approve the prompt mobilization of the HEART upon 
receipt of a request from municipal and city mayors and provincial governors in connection 
with a public health emergency, threats to public health, or a disaster, whether of local or 
national scale. The HEART may be mobilized partially or in full, as may be necessary. 
The Board shall promulgate a mechanism that shall ensure efficient implementation of 
deployment, assignment areas, deployment periods, how deployment orders are 


communicated to each volunteer, and to which mobilization center the volunteers will report 
taking into consideration Section 13 on “Accreditation, Mobilization, and Protection of Disaster 
Volunteers and National Service Reserve Corps, CSOs, and the Private Sector” of Republic 
Act No. 10121, otherwise known as the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management 
Act of 2010. 
 
SEC 13. Deployment Order. – The President of the Philippines, upon the recommendation of 
the HEART Board through a resolution, may order the nationwide mobilization of the HEART 
to augment the health workforce in case of a declaration of a state of public health emergency, 
state of calamity, and other threats to public health. 
Orders of deployment sent to the volunteers’ addresses and through the contact 
details on file in the registry system or database shall be sufficient notice for purposes of 
deployment. 
 
SEC 14. Mobilization Centers - Mobilization Centers shall be established in each province as 
needed where volunteers shall report to once deployment is ordered. 
A mobilization center may be any establishment that can adequately house the 
volunteers, their equipment and supplies during the period of deployment, including a multi-
purpose hall, gymnasium, and other similar structures. 
The Board shall, in consultation with the local executives, prescribe the location of the 
mobilization centers. The concerned municipal and city mayors and provincial governors shall 
disseminate information on the location of mobilization centers to the widest extent possible. 
 
SEC 15. Essential Emergency Commodities. - The Board shall ensure that the minimum 
essential individual and organizational commodities and medical equipment and supplies shall 
be procured, stored, and managed to enhance the rapid transition to readiness required for 
deployment of HEART teams in the shortest possible time. 
The Board shall ensure and maintain its capacity to scale up the procurement of these 
equipment and supplies as needed during the period of deployment. 
 
SEC 16. Incentives. - In recognition and appreciation of the HEART volunteers’ service 
rendered during the period of actual mobilization, implementing agencies may provide 
volunteers with an allowance as may be determined by the Department of Health (DOH), in 
coordination with Department of Budget and Management, subject to availability of funds, and 
other existing civil service, budgeting, accounting and auditing rules and regulations. 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Act, shall be construed as creating an employer-
employee relationship between the government and HEART volunteers. 
 
SEC 17. Legal Liability. - No volunteer shall be held liable for the death or injury to any person 
or for the loss of, or damage to the property of any person where such death, injury, loss, or 
damage was proximately caused by the circumstance of an actual public health emergency 
or its subsequent conditions. 
This Section shall not preclude liability for civil damages because of gross negligence, 
recklessness, or willful misconduct. 
 
SEC 18. Public Health Emergency Insurance. - The DOH is mandated to secure an insurance 
policy that would insure HEART volunteers from injury, death, damage to, or loss of property, 
and for any legal liability asserted against or incurred by the volunteer arising from the lawful 
performance of his duty. 
 
SEC 19. Termination of Deployment or Demobilization. - Upon the declaration of the 
President, or as determined by the Board that the need for the HEART is no longer necessary, 
or upon the expiration of the deployment or end of mission there being no approved extension 
thereof, volunteers who are deployed pursuant to the declaration of a public calamity, a public 
health emergency or health threat shall be discharged from the performance of HEART duties. 


Upon order of the demobilization of the HEART, the deployed volunteers shall be 
reverted to inactive status. Mobilization Centers shall ensure reports on the mission are duly 
submitted and the certificate of services rendered pertaining to the deployment are promptly 
issued. 
 
SEC 20. Annual Report. - The HEART Unit shall prepare and submit an annual report to the 
Office of the President, through the DOH Secretary, containing the list of accomplishments, 
status of the operations and program implementation of the HEART. 
 
SEC 21. Appropriations. - The funds necessary for the initial implementation of this Act shall 
be charged against the available funds of the implementing agencies comprising the HEART 
Board. Thereafter, the funding shall be included in the budget of the DOH under the annual 
General Appropriations Act. 
 
SEC 22. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of 
this Act, the HEART Board shall, in consultation with other stakeholders, promulgate the 
necessary guidelines for the effective implementation of this Act. 
 
SEC 23. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or 
invalid, the validity of other provisions shall not be affected thereby. 
 
SEC 24. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, other issuances, 
or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly. 
 
SEC 25. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,