Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City
|9th Congress
First Regular Session
---       6209
House Bill  No.
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Introduced by HONORABLE PETER 8. MIGUEL
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AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE HEALTH EMERGENCY AuXILIARY REINFORCEMENT
TEAM UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
There is a shortage of health care professionals in the country, with many having sought better pay and
opportunities abroad. Estimates from 2018 show that 25% of all barangays -the smallest government
unit  in  the  Philippines  -  in  the  country  do  not  have  any  health  workers,  according  to  data  from
the National Health Human Resource Master Plan 2020-2040.
The concept of a medical reserve coaps is not new, but we need actual healthcare professionals to meet
our country's growing healthcare needs.  As a feasible option for reservists, the President should also
consider giving the choice for college students to undergo the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC)
or the Medical Reserve Training Corps (MRTC).
Members  of emergency  response  tears  should  be  thoroughly  trained  for potential  emergencies  and
physically capable of carrying out their duties; know about toxic hazards in the workplace and be able to
judge when to evacuate personnel or depend on outside help.
No  two  emergencies  are  the  same  but  the  basic  mechanism  and  processes  involved  in  managing
emergencies  are  similar.  Therefore,  we  must  focus  on  the  fundamental  governance,  organizational
structures, competencies required, and strategies.
Our country's history and record have taught us that when dealing with dynamic situations and hunans,
that accidents can happen, do happen and will happen. But all of these are preventable. We need to form
a clear guiding pillar to Incident Management System (IMS) and the Emergency Response Team (ERT)
members.
Previous emergency events have demonstrated that, despite analysis and application of lessons leaned,
there  are  still  significant gaps  and  deficiencies  in health monitoring  and  surveillance  for emergency
response  workers  (including  police,  fire,  and emergency  medical  personnel,  as well  as public  health
personnel and cleanup/repair/ restoration/recovery workers). These gaps and deficiencies were observed
during the calamities or disasters in the past that hit our country, but they have persisted and, despite
improvements, were observed again in different calamities that recently devastated our country.
The persistence of these gaps and deficiencies in emergency responder health monitoring and surveillance,
despite considerable attempts to anticipate and correct them, emphasizes that there remains a need for a
coherent,  comprehensive  approach  to  protecting  these  groups  of workers  and  for  detailed,  practical
guidance on implementing such an approach.
Through this  Act,  the  creation  of public  entities  dedicated  to  managing  emerging  diseases  will  be
achievable. With this purpose in mind, the immediate approval of this bill is strongly requested.
PETER 8. MIGUEL
Representative, 2nd District South Cotabato


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSH OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
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HOUSE BILL NO.
6209
(In Substitution of House Bills Numbered 2, 88, 285, 603,1093,1261,1490,1695, 2693,
2752, 2788, 2970, 3009, 3041, 3083, 3095, 3119, 3123, 3150, 3461, 3504, 3593, 3608, 3726,
4266, 4639, 4832, 5220, 5869, and 5907)
Introduced by Representatives Ciriaco a. Gato, Jr., Ferdinand Martin G. Romunldez, Yedda
Marie K.  Romualdez, and Jude A.  Acidre, Marjorie lin A.  Teodoro,  Keith Micch "Arty.
Mike" D.L. Tan, Edgar M. Chatto, Luis Raymund "LRay" F. Villafuerte, Jr., Miguel Luis R.
Villafuerte,TsuyoshiAnthonyG.Horibata,NicholasC.EncisoVIII,DivinaGraceC.Yu,Ma.
Lucille L. Nava, M.D.,Dan S. Femandez, Ray Florence T. Reyes, Ron P. Salo, Alfred C. Delos
Santos,   Patrick   Michael   D.   Vargas,   Jonathan   Keith   T.   Flores,   Rufus   8.   Rodriguez,
Christopherson  "Coco"  M.  Yap,  Juan  Carlos  "Ado"  C.  Atayde,  Teodorico  Haresco,  Jr.,
Reynante U. Arrogancia, Michael M. Morden, Ambrosio C. Cruz, Jr., Paolo Z. Duterte, Eric
Go Yap,  Edvic G.  Yap, Jeffrey  Soriano,  Edward Vera Perez Maceda,  Michael L.  Romero,
Ph.D., Kristine Singson-Meehan, Ruth Mariano-Hemandez, Gus S. Tambunting, David "Jay-
Jay" C. Suarez, Marlyn L. Primicias-Agabas, Gerville R. Luistro, Joseph Gilbert F. Violago,
and Jose "Bong" J. Teves, Jr.
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AN ACT
ESTABLISHING  THE HEALTH EMERGENCY AUXILIARY REINFORCEMENT
TEAM UNDER THE DEPARTMENT 0F HEALTH AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR
Be  it  e,n.ac,ted by  the  Senate  and  House  Of Representatives  Of the  Philippines  in Congress
assembled:
SECTION  1. Srfearf rjJ/e.  - This Act shall be known as the  "Health Emergency Auxiliary
Reinforcement Team (HEART)".
SEC. 2. Dectoroljo# a/PoJJ.ey. -Article 11, 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 well-being for all at all ages.
11       The  State  recognizes  the  need  for  a  reserve  force  of highly  skilled  and  health-oriented
12      professionals and volunteers who can be mobilized to maintain the capacity to meet surges in
13       the demand for the country's healthcare system and provide assistance as needed in times of
14       healthcrises.


1       Pursuantto this, it is the policy of the state to:
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3                    a. Prioritize the health of its citizen whether in the country or overseas by maintaining
4      a strong and resilient healthcare system at all times that will  immediately,  efficiently,  and
5      effectively address all potential and actual public health emergencies for the promotion of the
6      welfare of the general public; and
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8                    b. Promote the culture of "Bayanihan spirit" during periods of calamities and enhance
9      the capacity of the nation to expand its human health resources in times of disasters and public
10      health emergencies of both national and local scale through the mobilization of the Health
11       Emergency Auxiliary Reinforcement Team.
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SEC. 3. Dc/iH#z.ou a/ rerms. -For the purpose of this Act, the following terms shall mean:
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"Allied Health Professionals" - refer to professions who are involved with the
delivery of health or related services pertaining to the identification, evaluation
and  prevention  of  diseases  and  disorders;  dietary  and  nutrition  services;
rehabilitation  and  health  systems  management,  aniong  others.  Allied  health
professionals,  to  name  a  few,  include  dental  hygienists,  diagnostic  medical
sonographers,    dietitians,    medical   technologists,    occupational   therapists,
physical therapists, radiographers, respiratory therapists, and speech language
pathologists;
"Bayanihan Spirit"  - refers to the  value of communal  unity through helping
others without expecting rewards to achieve a certain goal;
lil.         "Health Threat" -refers to a condition, agent, or incident that greatly impacts
the health that leads to disease, accident, injury, and loss of life;
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"Deployment" - refers to the actual sending of workforce to the assigned area
within a prescribed period;
"Health  Emergency  Auxiliary  Reinforcement  Team"  -  refers  to  group  of
dedicated  individuals  who  are  in  the  field  of  medicine,  nursing,  medical
technology, and other allied health-related fields, voluntarily on standby, and
ready to be deployed to complement workforce in the event of a public health
emergency;
vi.         "Mobilization" -refers to the process and procedures for activating, assembling,
and transporting the workforce that are needed to respond in the event of a
public health emergency;
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43                    vii.       "Mobilization center" -refers to the establishment where the volunteers of the
44                                Health Emergency Auxiliary Reinforcement Tear will report upon receipt of
45                                 the  order for mobilization,  coordinate  their mission  order and  mobilization-
46                                 related issues and concerns, and submit their report upon receipt of the order for
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49                    viii.       "Public Health Emergency" -as defined in Republic Act No.11332, otherwise
50                                known as Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of
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Public Health Concern Act shall refer to an occurrence of imminent threat of an
illness or health condition that:
1.     Is caused by any of the following:
a)   Bio terrorism;
b)   Appearance of a novel or previously controlled or eradicated infectious
agent or biological toxin;
c)   A natural disaster;
d)   A chemical attack or accidental release;
e)   A nuclear attack or accident; or
f)   An attack or accidental release of radioactive materials; and
2.     Poses a high probability of any of the following:
a)   A large number of deaths in the affected population;
b)   A  large  number  of  serious  injuries  or  long-term  disabilities  in  the
affected population;
c)   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;
d)   International  exposure  to  an  infectious  or  toxic  agent  that  poses  a
significant risk to the health of citizens; or
e)   Trade and travel restrictions
ix.         "Volunteers"  -refers to those who voluntarily register to be members of the
HEART.
SEC.  4. Scope.  - This Act provides  for the organization of HEART, the development of
policies, plans, guidelines, and the implementation of actions pertaining to the mobilization,
services, and protection of the HEART during public health emergencies and in accordance
with the Republic Act No.  10121, otherwise known as the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction
and Management Act of 2010, specifically under Section 13, Accreditation, Mobilization, and
Protection of Disaster Volunteers and National Service Reserve Corps, CSOs and the Private
Sector.
Srmc.  5.  Health  Emergency  Awcillary  Reioforcement  Team  Service.  - mere  is t*e\eky
established a HEART to augment the health workforce in times of public health emergencies
and health threats. The HEART shall be composed of the following individuals who voluntarily
registered:
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(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  in a health  facility  setting.  All  health and allied health
professional   organizations  may   be   coordinated  and  collaborated   for  the
engagement of professionals who are not affiliated in any healthcare facilities;
(b)        Graduates of medicine and allied health courses, and medical students who have
completed the 1 -year medical internship, who may be issued with 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 its amendment thereafter; and
(c)        Other health support professionals necessary to render services during public
health emergencies and health threats.
16      SEC. 6. Crco/I.o# a/the HE4iRrBoard -.4 HEART Board, hereinafter referred to as Board,
17      is hereby created to ensure efficient and effective mobilization of the HEART.  It shall be
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Chaired by the Department of Health (DOH) and composed of the following, as members:
1.   Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)
2.   Department of National Defense (DND)
3.   Armed Forces of the philippines (AFP)
4.   Office ofcivil Defense (OCD)
5.   Commission on Higher Education (CHED)
6.   Professional Regulatory commission (PRC)
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27      Except for the AFP, the members of the Board shall designate a representative, with a rank not
28       lower than Assistant Secretary or its equivalent, to represent their respective offices in the
29      Board. Prow.did,  That the representative must be fully authorized to decide on behalf of the
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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 Board may call upon any government office or instrunentality, including government
owned or controlled corporations and Local Government Units, as necessary.
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38      SEC. 8. Powers ¢#d F##cfl.our a/ffec Bound -The Board shall have the following powers
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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 response to public
health emergencies and health threats;
c)   Coordinate  with concerned national  government agencies  and other  stakeholders  in
response to public health emergencies and other health threats;
d)   Conduct regular meetings every quarter or as often as may be necessary during public
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health emergencies or occurrence of health threats;
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3      SEC. 9. Cre¢/r.o# a/a HE4jRr I/#j.i -A HEART unit shall be created by the DOH which
shall serve as the secretariat of the Board. It shall oversee the overall program implementation,
and maintain the repository/database or information system of the HEART.
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7      The DOH, in consultation with the DBM, shall define and determine the organizational and
8      staffing pattern for the HEART unit.
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10      The  regional  counterparts  of the  HEMB  shall  likewise  be  allocated  additional  staff and
personnel to ensure the grassroots implementation of this Act.
13       The local government units shall ensure that a HEART unit shall be operationalized under its
14      Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management office, with the former acting as mobilization
15       centers during disasters or public health emergencies or as prescribed.
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17       SHC.10. Regisfro/z.om ¢Hd rr#!.#i.Hg. -The Board shall draft a comprehensive guideline for
18      the recruitment, selection, compensation, and provision of incentives forjoining and continued
19      membership, and the length of service ofa HEART volunteer.
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The  Board  shall  prescribe  a  training  program  through  whtten,  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) Basic training on disaster and health emergency response; and
(b) Skill enhancement activities with relevant agencies in the both public and private sector.
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29      Completion of the basic training or acceptable substitute or equivalent certification shall be a
30      requisite for admission to the HEART.
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32      SHC.11. Rcgtstry ¢#d4cco##fj#g a/Mcmbers. -HEART Volunteers shall be issued with
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individual registration numbers which will serve as their identification in case of deployment.
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35       A registry or database that contains the names of the volunteers, their registration numbers,
36      address, contact details and other personal information as may be determined necessary, shall
37       be maintained and regularly updated in accordance with Republic Act No.10173 otherwise
38       known as the Dataprivacy Act.
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40      The registry or database for the HEART shall be integrated or linked to existing registries such
41       as the National Health workforce Registry under Republic Act No.11223, otherwise known
42      as universal Health care Act, Section 25 (c).
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44      All volunteers covered under this Act are required to update their addresses and contact details
45       on file through the registry system or database as often as necessary.
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47      SEC.  12. Mobi./I.z¢fl.o". - The Board shall approve the prompt mobilization of the HEART
48      upon receipt of request in times of public health emergencies and in case of threats to public
49      health, whether of local or national scale. The HEART may be mobilized partially or in full as
50       necessary.
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TheBoardshallpromulgateamechanismthatensuresefflcientimplementationofdeployment,
assignment  areas,  deployment periods,  how deployment orders  are  communicated  to  each
volunteer, and to which mobilization center the volunteers will report.
SEC. 13. Dcp/o}7me"! 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 complement the health human workforce in case of a declaration of state of public health
emergency, state of calamity, and other threats to public health.
Ordersofdeploymentsenttotheaddressesandthroughthecontactdetailsonfileintheregistry
system or database shall be sufficient notice for purposes of deployment.
SEC. 14. A4:obi./I.z¢/I.on Cc"/crs. - There shall be established as many mobilization centers as
needed in each province where volunteers shall report to once deployment is ordered.
17      Mobilization centers may be any establishment that can adequately house the volunteers, their
18       equipment  and  supplies  during  the  period  of deployment,  including  multi-puapose  halls,
19       gymnasiums, and other similar structures.
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21       The  Board  shall,  in  consultation  with  the  local  executives,  prescribe  the  location  of the
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mobilization centers.  The Local  Executives  shall disseminate to the widest extent possible
information to the public on the location of these centers.
SEC.  15.  Afobi./I.z¢/I.o#  S/OCA.  -  The  minimum  essential  individual  and  organizational
commodities and medical equipment and supplies shall be procured, stored, and maintained to
enhance the rapid transition to readiness required for deployment in the shortest possible time.
The Board shall develop guidelines on the logistics management that will ensure availability
of commodities,medicalequipmentandsuppliesnecessaryforthemobilizationoftheHEART.
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.
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35       SEC.16. J#ce#&.veg. -In recognition and appreciation of the volunteer service rendered during
36      the period of actual mobilization, implementing agencies may provide volunteers an allowance
37      to be determined by the Department of Health (DOH), in coordination with Department of
38      Budget and Management,  subject to  availability of funds,  and  other existing  civil  service,
39      budgeting,  accounting  and  auditing  rules  and  regulations.  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,
40      nothing in this Act, shall be construed as creating an employer-employee relatiouship between
41       the government and the volunteers.
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SEC. 17. Legal Liability and Malpractice Insurance. -NIo volunteer s:I:lit+1 be held lia,b\e 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.
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48       The   Insurance   Commission  is  mandated  to   develop  public  health  emergency   specific
49      malpractice   insurance  policy   or  modify   existing  policies  that  would  protect   HEART
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professionals' efforts from any legal liability as provided for by this Section to allow them to
respond in good faith during public health emergencies.
This  Section  shall  not  preclude  liability  for  civil  damages  because  of gross  negligence,
recklessness or willful misconduct.
SEIC.  18.  Termination  Of Deplaynent  or  Demobilization  ~ Upon the  dechration of the
President or as determined by the Board that the need for the HEART is no longer necessary
or through the expiration of the deployment or end of mission without an extension having
been  requested  and  approved,  volunteers  who  are  deployed  pursuant  to  a  public  health
emergency or as ordered shall be discharged from the performance of their duties.
Upon order of the demobilization of the HEART, the deployed volunteers shall be reverted to
inactive status. Mobilization Centers shall ensure submission of reports and issuance of the
certificate of service rendered pertaining to the deployment.
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17      SEC.19. 4#H#¢/jReparts. -The HEART unit as the secretariat shall submit an annual report
18      to the office of the president containing the list of accomplishments, status of the operations
19       and program implementation.
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21       SHC. 20.4apraprfufi.our. -The funds necessary for the initial implementation of this Act shall
22      be charged against the available funds of the implementing agencies of the HEART Board.
23      Thereafter, the funding shall be included in the budget of the DOH under the annual General
24       Appropriations Act.
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26      SELC. 21. Iiixplementing Rules and Regulations aRR). -WI"n r[inety (90) days from tine
27      effectivity of this Act, the implementing units shall promulgate the necessary guidelines for the
28      effective implementation of this Act.
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30      SEC. 22. Scp¢robI./rty c!¢usc. -If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or
31       invalid, the validity of other provisions shall not be affected thereby.
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33       SEC. 23. jRepcoJJ.Hg cJ¢usc. -All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, other issuances,
34      or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
35       accordingly.
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SEC. 24. EJ7cc/I.vrty CJ¢usc. - This Act shall take effect fifteen ( 15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
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40                    Approve d,
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