) 
) 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session  
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
HOUSE BILL No. 10719 
Introduced by REPRESENTATIVES LANI MERCADO-REVILLA, 
BRYAN B. REVILLA AND RAMON JOLO B. REVILLA III 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTIONALIZING AN EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES SYSTEM (EMSS), 
CREATING FOR THE PURPOSE THE NATIONAL EMSS COUNCIL, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The frequency of natural disasters that besiege the country, coupled by 
occurrences of threats to peace and order due to criminality and other disturbances 
pose great risk to public safety that need concerted intervention from the government 
and the private sector.    
1
Improving public safety services and existing peace and order mechanisms, 
therefore, cannot be overemphasized.  Providing a clear command structure for 
responsibility and accessibility, and encouraging and facilitating the prompt 
deployment of a seamless nationwide communication infrastructure for emergency 
services are therefore paramount.  
2
To address this need, the Patrol 117, which was later replaced by the 
Emergency 911, was established to provide a national emergency hotline and 
institute an emergency response mechanism through a clear command structure. 
While the Philippine Emergency Medical Services (EMS) has evolved greatly 
from the time of its establishment, it has been observed that EMS in the Philippines 
is not fully centralized and standardized. Despite the government’s effort to unify the 
 Executive Order No. 56. Institutionalizing the Emergency 911 Hotline as the Nationwide Emergency 
1
Answering Point, Replacing Patrol 117, and For Other Purposes
 ibid
2
August 5, 2024
3:57 pm


emergency medical services, different sectors such as hospitals and ambulance 
services continue to work independently resulting in overcrowding of hospitals and 
poor referral system.   
3
Changes in the system must be implemented to improve rapid situation 
assessment, timely provision of appropriate interventions and provide prompt and 
better quality of service in emergency situations.  
The enactment of this measure will institutionalize a standard, 
comprehensive, accessible, and integrated system of Emergency Medical Services 
System, enhancing the survival of patients in emergency situations.  
Immediate approval of this measure is earnestly requested. 
REP. LANI MERCADO-REVILLA 
Representative 
2nd District of Cavite
REP. BRYAN B. REVILLA 
Representative 
AGIMAT Partylist
REP. RAMON “JOLO” REVILLA III 
Representative 
1st District of   Cavite
 Padlan, MP, Mesa-Gaerlan, FJC. Philippine Emergency Medical Services: A Medical Student’s Perspective. 
3
Juntendo Medical Perspective. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/a0be/
13da73926801362d6d5e92a45079d4887228.pdf


) 
) 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session  
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
HOUSE BILL No. 10719 
Introduced by REPRESENTATIVES LANI MERCADO-REVILLA, 
BRYAN B. REVILLA AND RAMON JOLO B. REVILLA III 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTIONALIZING AN EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES SYSTEM (EMSS), 
CREATING FOR THE PURPOSE THE NATIONAL EMSS COUNCIL, 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 “Emergency Medical 
Services System (EMSS) Act of 2024.”  
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 policy, the 
government shall institutionalize a standard, comprehensive, accessible, and 
integrated system of Emergency Medical Services System and provide an 
environment that will maximize the capability and potential of Emergency Medical 
Services Personnel.  
Sec. 3. Objectives. – This Act shall have the following objectives: 
a. To develop and institutionalize an Emergency Medical Services at the
national and local levels;
b. To establish a national Emergency Medical Services System Council;
c. To encourage and promote the active participation of the private sector in
the provision of Emergency Medical Services (EMS);
d. To institute the national standard for the provision of EMS;
e. To provide a program of standardization for the training of EMS institutions
and personnel;


f.
To establish standards for design, accreditation, and regulation of
emergency medical vehicles;
g. To mandate the adoption and use of 911 as he National Emergency
Hotline Number;
h. To establish and provide support services to the EMSS; and
i.
To promote public safety and make EMS accessible to the people
especially those in need of emergency medical assistance.
Sec. 4. Definition of Terms. – For purposes of this Act, the following terms 
shall be defined:  
a. “Accredited Training Institutions” refer to any accredited government or
non-government organization, authorized by the government to conduct
EMS trainings and programs, such as the Philippine Red Cross, which
meet the standards established by the Emergency Medical Services
System Council (EMSSC), hereinafter referred to as the Council, created
under Section 5 of this Act, in coordination with the Department of Health
(DOH);
b. “Advanced Life Support” refers to a set of life-saving protocols and skills
that extend and further, open airway, adequate ventilation and support
circulation.  It may include interventions used to treat and stabilize adult
victims of life-threatening cardio-respiratory emergencies and to
resuscitate victims of cardiac arrest.  The interventions may include Cardio
Pulmonary Resuscitation, basic and advanced airway management,
tracheal intubation, medications, electrical therapy and intravenous (IV)
access.  It may also refer to a protocol of managing trauma victims that are
designed to maximize management in the first hour after trauma for
optimal long-term outcome.  These interventions may include Basic Life
Support, immobilization, venous cannula insertion, surgical airway, chest
decompression, and administration of medications, among others;
c. “Ambulance” refers to an emergency medical vehicle designed and
equipped for transporting sick or injured patients to, from, and between
places of treatment by land, water or air, affording safety and comfort and
preventing further illness or injury;
d. “Basic Life Support (BLS)” refers to actions and interventions used to
resuscitate and stabilize victims of cardiac and respiratory arrests which
include cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), relief of foreign-body airway
obstruction, control of bleeding, immobilization, dressing of wounds,
administration of oxygen, taking vital signs including level of blood sugar,
assisting a normal delivery, in pediatric, adults and elderly patients
including pregnant women, among others;
e. “Emergency Medical Dispatch” refers to the immediate identification and
prioritization of medical emergency situations, the timely dispatch of
appropriate resources, providing essential pre-arrival first-aid instructions


and full endorsement to the receiving hospital.  Dispatch encompasses all 
aspects of communication including request processing, coordination and 
support, documentation and monitoring;  
f.
“Emergency Medical Services” refers to a network of pre-hospital or pre-
health care facility services coordinated to provide aid and medical 
assistance from the place of incident to the nearest appropriate hospital or 
health care facility, delivered by an EMS personnel.  It may include basic 
and advanced life support;  
g. “Emergency Care” refers to the independent delivery of emergency 
medical services by appropriately trained and certified EMS personnel, 
usually in a mobile or community setting, in full accordance with the 
Emergency Medical Services Treatment Protocols the Council created 
under this Act;  
h. “Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Personnel” refers to a person trained 
and certified in rendering Emergency Care by any accredited government 
or non-governmental organization, authorized by the government to 
conduct EMS training, such as the Philippine Red Cross;  
i.
“Emergency Medical Services Standard” refers to the standardization of 
the EMS Procedures outlining the approved clinical practices and 
therapies to be observed by the EMS personnel, as established by the 
Council, in coordination with the DOH and the Department of Interior and 
Local Government (DILG) which shall include interventions for BLS and 
ALS;  
j.
“Emergency Medical Services (EMS) System” refers to the arrangement of 
personnel, facilities, and equipment for the effective and coordinated 
delivery of EMS required in the prevention, mitigation and management of 
incidents which occur either as a result of a medical emergency of 
accident;  
k. “Emergency Response and Care” refers to the arrival of resources at the 
scene and the timely initiation and provision of appropriate interventions;  
l.
“Emergency Transport” refers to the transportation in an adequate means 
of medical transportation, of a patient to the nearest appropriate hospital of 
health care facility with continued provision of care and appropriate 
interventions en route;  
m. “Inter-Agency Referral and Transport” refers to the transport of a patient 
with an EMS personnel, if necessary, from one referring facility or agency 
to another receiving facility or agency for definitive care, as may be 
deemed necessary, in instances where the services are not available in 
the referring facility.  
Sec. 5. Creation of the National Emergency Medical Services Systems 
Council. – There is hereby created the “National Emergency Medical Services 


Systems Council (EMSSC), hereinafter referred to as the “Council”, which shall be 
composed of the following members:  
1. Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH) as Chairperson;
2. Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)
as Co-Chairperson;
3. Director General of the Technical Education and Skills Development
Authority (TESDA);
4. Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED);
5. Secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOTr);
6. Secretary of the Department of Information and Communications
Technology (DICT);
7. President of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth);
8. Chairperson of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC); and
9. Chairperson of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC);
Sec. 6. Meetings of the Council. – A majority of the Council shall constitute a 
quorum to conduct day-to-day business.  A member of the Council may appoint a 
duly authorized representative to attend and vote on behalf of the member: Provided, 
that it shall be in writing, duly signed by the member, and filed before the scheduled 
meeting: Provided further, that such authority may only be valid for such meeting.  
Regular meetings shall be conducted by the Board at least once a month. 
Notice, in writing, must be given three (3) days before the scheduled meeting. 
Members of the Council are entitled to receive commensurate and reasonable per 
diem subject to pertinent accounting and auditing rules and regulations.  
Sec. 7. Powers and Functions of the Council. – The Council shall perform the 
following functions:  
a. To formulate policies on the EMSS;
b. To develop standards in the provision of EMS to include, among others,
the skills and competencies required for EMS personnel and the
mandatory observation of such standards by all EMS personnel and such
other entities;
c. To formulate a Code of Ethics for EMS personnel;
d. To develop and regulate reasonable standards for EMS personnel;
e. To develop standards and protocols for the design, construction,
equipment and operations of ambulances;
f.
To promote trainings and programs for Basic Life Support in the curriculum
of all public and private tertiary education institutions;
g. To ensure coordination of all concerned institutions for the effective
implementation of this Act;


h. To monitor the compliance of all Local Government Units (LGUs), health 
facilities, and EMS personnel of the standards and requirements set out in 
this Act; 
i.
To generate resources from local, national and international organizations/
agencies, whether government or private sector;  
j.
To 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;  
k. To prepare an annual budget of the Council and submit the same to the 
President for inclusion in the annual General Appropriations Act; 
l.
To advise the President on matters pertaining to EMS;  
m. To request any department, instrumentality, office, bureau or agency of the 
government, including LGUs, to render such assistance as it may require 
to carry out, enforce, implement the provisions of this Act;  
n. To promote the conduct of studies, researches, and international 
cooperation among the DOH, training institutions, and other related 
organizations;  
o. To create the mechanisms for continuous education and re-certification 
and re-accreditation of EMS personnel;  
p. To create a mechanism for investigation and evaluation of professional 
claims, in case of breach, against EMS personnel, and the possible 
suspension or removal of their certification and accreditation; and 
q. To promulgate other rules and regulations, as may be deemed necessary.  
Sec. 8. Accredited Training Institutions. – Training programs, courses, and 
continuing education for EMS personnel shall only be conducted by an Accredited 
Training Institution, as provided in Section 4(a) of this Act: Provided, That EMS 
Personnel may only be certified by an Accredited Training Institution: Provided, 
further, That certifications issued to EMS Personnel shall be valid for two (2) years 
which may be renewable, subject to the guidelines which may be determined by the 
Council: Provided, finally, That following the accreditation of the EMS Personnel, 
there should be a permit by the Medical Director , or its equivalent, of the 
organization, where the EMS person practices emergency care, providing her/him 
with the power to perform ALS procedures.  
Sec. 9. Ambulances. – The Council shall develop the standard and 
requirements for the design and specifications of ambulances which shall include a 
system that provides geolocation and time information to a receiver through the use 
of satellite systems and other necessary and adequate medical equipment.  The 
Council shall also formulate protocols for the operations of ambulances.  


Sec. 10. Inter-agency Referral and Transport. – The Council shall establish 
the prescribed guidelines on inter-agency referral and transport in accordance with 
Section 4 (m) of this Act.  
Sec. 11. Adoption of a Nationwide Emergency Hotline Number. – There shall 
only be one (1) nationwide emergency hotline number to enable the public to 
efficiently access EMS.  The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) shall 
develop a program for the adoption of the nationwide emergency hotline number. 
NTC shall consult and cooperate with national and local agencies and institutions, 
such as the Philippine Red Cross; LCDs and officials responsible for emergency 
services and public safety; the telecommunications industry (including cellular and 
other wireless telecommunications service providers); the motor vehicle 
manufacturing industry; EMS providers; emergency dispatch providers; 
transportation officials; public safety, fire service, and law enforcement officials; 
consumer groups; hospital emergency and trauma personnel, including emergency 
physicians, trauma surgeons and nurses: Provided, That the nationwide emergency 
hotline number shall operate twenty-four (24) hours a day and three hundred sixty-
five (365) days a year.  
Sec. 12. Compliance of Telecommunications Industry. – It shall be the duty of 
the telecommunications industry to provide its subscribers with free access to the 
national emergency hotline number, in accordance with the implementing rules and 
regulations to be adopted pursuant to this Act.  
Sec. 13. Harmonization with Existing 911 Emergency Operation Center. – The 
implementation of this Act shall be harmonized with the existing 911 Emergency 
Operation Center created under Executive Order 56, series of 2018.  
Sec. 14. Prohibited Acts. – In addition to acts and omissions prescribed by the 
Constitution and existing laws, the following shall constitute prohibited acts and are 
hereby declared unlawful:  
a. Any person who makes a call to the nationwide emergency hotline number, or
performs any other means of communication, with intent to annoy, abuse,
threaten, or harass the call taker, dispatcher, or any person who responds to
the call;
b. Any person who makes a call to the nationwide emergency hotline number
and, upon being answered, makes or solicits any comment, request,
suggestion, proposal, or sound which is obscene, lewd, lascivious, immoral,
or indecent; and
c. Any person who gives false report or false information in connection with a
medical emergency, knowing the report or information to be false.  For
purposes of this Act, a call taker shall be defined as any person who handles
the calls received through the nationwide emergency hotline number and


transmits it to the dispatcher who shall plan and monitor the appropriate 
emergency medical response.  The plan involves dispatching EMS personnel, 
ambulances, and other vehicles, if necessary; tracking ambulance positions; 
liaising with other emergency services (such as fire, law enforcement 
authorities); maintaining contact with all units on assignment; and monitoring 
progress of the response.  Call takers and dispatchers operate a variety of 
communications equipment including radio consoles, telephones, and 
computer systems, among others: Provided, that call takers and dispatchers 
shall be required to undergo training, as may be determined by the DOH, in 
coordination with the Department of Information and Communications 
Technology (DICT).  
Sec. 15. Penalties. – Any person who shall commit any violation, as provided 
in Section 12 of this Act, shall be punished with the following:  
a. First Offense. – The offender shall be compelled to attend a seminar on the 
proper use of the nationwide emergency hotline number and a fine of Five 
Thousand Pesos (₽5,000.00).  
b. Second Offense. – The offender shall be imposed with a fine of not less than 
Eight Thousand Pesos (₽8,000.00) but not more than Fifteen Thousand 
Pesos (₽15,000.00) or imprisonment of one (1) day to one (1) month, or both, 
at the discretion of the court.  
c. Third and Succeeding Offenses. – The offender shall be imposed with a fine 
of not less than Twenty Thousand Pesos (₽20,000.00) but not more than One 
Hundred Thousand Pesos (₽100,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than one 
(1) month to six (6) months, or both, at the discretion of the court.  
Sec. 16. Roles of the Local Government Units. – The LGUs are hereby 
mandated to develop and institutionalize an EMSS within their jurisdiction, including 
appropriations, programs, and activities that will ensure the implementation of this 
Act.  
Sec. 17. Appropriations. – The DOH and DILG shall include in their annual 
General Appropriations Act the amount needed for the full implementation of this Act.  
Sec. 18. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). – the DOH and DILG, in 
coordination with the concerned departments, agencies, and institutions shall 
promulgate the IRR within ninety (90) days upon the effectivity of this Act.  
Sec. 19. Repealing Clause. – All other laws, rules and regulations, orders, 
circulars, and other issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.  


Sec. 20. Separability Clause. – If any provision, section, or part of this Act 
shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid, such judgment shall not affect, 
invalidate, or impair other provisions, sections or parts hereof.  
Sec. 21. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.  
Approved,