REPRES,

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NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) Ea E-Filed aN
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) ~ RECEIVED
Second Regular Session ) 2 DATE April 18, 2024
* TIME 1:58 pm
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES wy BY Bai

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0 invek?

House Bill No. 10259

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVES LANI MERCADO-REVILLA,
BRYAN B. REVILLA AND RAMON JOLO REVILLA III

AN ACT
MANDATING ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS AND
HOSPITALS TO PROVIDE FOR MOTORCYCLE MEDICAL EMERGENCY FIRST-
RESPONDERS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

“Angkas Buhay’, touted as the country’s pioneering motorcycle ambulance
service, was anticipated to commence operations by mid-2019.' However, since its
announcement in late 2018, its realization remains uncertain. This parallels a prior
initiative undertaken by the Department of Health (DOH) — Mimaropa in 2015, where
the introduction of two motorcycle ambulances for remote regions? gradually slipped
from public attention. Recently, Hospital on Wheels (HOW) unveiled a prototype of a
motorcycle ambulance, envisioned for adoption by barangays to facilitate swift
emergency medical services (EMS).>

Embracing this life-saving innovation is imperative for both public and private
medical institutions and hospitals. For instance, given Metro Manila’s notorious
congestion, earning it the title of the slowest city in travel time among 387 cities

 Maniiabulletin_Admin. (2018, November 29). Angkas buhay: 1st motorcycle ambulance to ht the streets. Manila Bulletin.
Retrieved April 3, 2024, from https /imb com, phv2018/11/29/angkas-buhay-1st-motorcycle-ambulance-to-hit-the-
streets!

2 Geronimo, J. ¥. (2015, September 9). DOH's motorcycio ambulance aims to avoid trafic, savo ives. Rappler.htpe:!/
‘wwe rappler cornation/105222-doh-motorcycle-ambulance/

3 Rocamora. J. A. L. (2023, June 24) ‘Motorcycle ambulance’ prototype launched for LGUS to adopt. Philippine News Agency
https www pna gov phvarticles/1204219

1


across 55 countries according to the 2023 TomTom Traffic index, the value of
motorcycle ambulances becomes evident. Moreover, their maneuverability is
indispensable, particularly in accessing hard-to-reach areas where traditional
ambulances struggle. Motorcycles are frequently relied upon in navigating rugged
road conditions in remote geographical regions

Drawing inspiration from global precedents, Melbourne, Australia permanently
integrated motoroycle paramedics into its ambulance service after a successful
three-year trial Similarly, research conducted on the EMS unit of Srinagaring
Hospital in Thailand revealed that motorcycle ambulances outpaced traditional
ambulances within a 10-kilometer radius, particularly during peak traffic hours, from
6:00 to 9:00 in the moming, and 3:00 to 6:00 in the afternoon? Motorcycle
paramedics possess the ability to swiftly assess patients and determine the
necessity of a stretcher ambulance.”

Certainly, the dispatch flexibility of motorcycle medical emergency first-
responders, armed with essential equipment, medications, and procedural skills to
stabilize patients, is indispensable

With this in mind, we strongly urge the swift passage of this bill

REP. LAI -RCADO-REVILLA ht B. REVILLA

AGIMAT Partylist
2"4 District of Cavite

/JOLO REVILLA Ill
18 District of Cavite

4 Yu, LS, (2024, January 19). Metro Manila has world's worst metro area traffic in 2023. What can we lear? Rappler.htps:l/
\werw rappler com/businessimanila.world-worst-metro-area-traffic-2023/

5 Vic amtos all for paramedics on motorbikes. QNews. (2015, October 10). https www Snews.com.au/health/vic-ambos-allfor-
paramedics-on-motorbikes/Gab44830-0017-4a2a-8415-8a22bb6da21

6 ppiratwarakul, K., Phungoen, P., Cheung, L. W., Tiamkao, S., Suzuki, T, Pearkao, C., & lenghong, K. (2023). Optimizing
‘Operation Time and Travel Distance for Motorcycle Ambulances in Emergency Medical Services. Prehospital and
Disaster Medicine, 38{1). 88-4. hips Idol orgtdoi 10 1017/81049023X2200228X

7 Motorcycle medics prove useful. EMS1. (2018, October 9). htips:Jwwmw erst. comlems-products/speciatly-vehicles/articles/
‘motorcycle-medics-prove-usefulRPy4OgQJCDLS6WS!

2


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

House Bill No. 10259

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVES LANI MERCADO-REVILLA,
BRYAN B. REVILLA AND RAMON JOLO REVILLA Ill

AN ACT
MANDATING ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS AND
HOSPITALS TO PROVIDE FOR MOTORCYCLE MEDICAL EMERGENCY FIRST-
RESPONDERS

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 “Motorcycle
Medical Emergency First Responder Act.”

SEC 2. Declaration of Policy. — It shall be the policy of the State to promote
public safety and make emergency medical services available to the people
especially those in need of emergency medical services and give priority for the
under-served and unserved communities.

SEC 3. Definition of Terms. — For purposes of this Act, the following terms
are defined:

a) Automated External Defibrillator (AED) - an external computerized
defibrillator designed for use in unresponsive victims with no breathing and
no signs of circulation;

b) Basic Life Support (BLS) — is a variety of non-invasive emergency
procedures performed to assist in the immediate survival of a patient,
including cardiopulmonary resuscitation, haemorrhage control, stabilization
of fractures, spinal immobilization, and basic first aid;

©) Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) — any manoeuvres or techniques
designed to restore circulation, or a technique combining artificial


ventilation and chest compressions designed to perfuse vital organs or
restore circulation to a victim of cardiopulmonary arrest;

dq)

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) — medical service designed to provide
timely pre-hospital or out of hospital acute medical care and/or transport to
definitive care, to patients with sudden and life-threatening injuries or
emergencies;

e)

First Aid — initial emergency care given to a person who is injured or
suddenly becomes ill;

f) Medical Emergency — any acute or life-threatening condition that requires
immediate intervention by competent personnel;

g) Motorcycle Medical First Responder — an emergency medical first-line
responder that provides basic life support to a patient or victim of an injury
or trauma before the arrival of an emergency paramedic and ambulance

that will transport the patient/victim to a hospital or medical facility; and

hy

Standard Motorcycle Riding Equipment — includes helmet and protective
clothing such as riding jacket, gloves, boots and pants

SEC 4. Responsibility of the Hospital and Medical Facilities. — All public
and private hospitals and medical facilities are hereby mandated to establish
motorcycle medical first responder unit as part of their emergency medical service
that provides emergency medical response to patients or victim/s of injury or
trauma; and to serve hard-to-reach areas such as traffic congested areas, under-
served or unserved communities and areas. Compliance to this Act shall be part of
the hospital or medical facility license requirement.

The motorcycle medical responder unit/s shall be equipped with motorcycles
adaptive to the particular condition of their service area, standard motorcycle riding
equipment; communication equipment, such as radio trans-receiver and/or cellular
phone; medical equipment; medicines and supplies to perform procedures to
stabilize the patient prior to the arrival of emergency paramedic or ambulance. The
minimum medical supplies and equipment shall be, but not limited to the following

a) First aid and Trauma kit;

b) Oxygen administration; and

c) Automated External Defibrillator (AED)


SEC 5. Qualifications of Motorcycle Medica! First Responder. - The
following are the minimum qualifications of a Motorcycle Medical First Responder:

a)

Can drive a motorcycle with a driver's license and have undergone and
passed a qualifying examination on safe motorcycle driving;

b

Can monitor vital signs;

c) Can perform first aid;
d) Can administer oxygen therapy;

e)

Can perform cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR); and

f) Can perform Automated External Defibrillator (AED)

Medical First responders shall be Standard First Aid, BLS, Emergency
Medica! Technician (EMT) and ACLS-trained from a DOH-certified training provider.

The Department of Health (DOH), in cooperation with the Technical Education
and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and non-government organizations like
the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), shall provide the curriculum for the
training and certification of Motorcycle Medical First Responders to develop
competency in providing basic life support for adult, child, and infant patient.

The Land Transportation Office (LTO), in coordination with the DOH, is hereby
mandated to conduct a safe motorcycle driving course and a qualifying examination,
to prospective candidates for motorcycle medical first responders. The LTO may, in
the performance of this mandate, accredit non-governmental organizations with at
least five (5) years track record on advocacy and conducting education and training
for safe motorcycle driving

SEC 6. Appropriations. - The amount needed for the immediate
implementation of this Act shall be taken from the current year’s budget of the DOH,
TESDA, and LTO relative to their responsibility in the implementation of this Act.
Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for its continued implementation shall be
included in the annual budget of the respective government agencies.

SEC 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days from

the effectivity of this Act, the DOH as the lead agency, with TESDA, LTO, non-
government organizations and other stakeholders shall promulgate the necessary
rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act


SEC 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision or part not otherwise
affected shall remain valid and subsisting

SEC 9. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary
to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, or
amended accordingly.

SEC 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days

after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of
general circulation.

Approved,