Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ___________ 
Introduced by Representative Ma. Rene Ann Lourdes G. Matibag 
AN ACT 
REQURING THE PLACEMENT OF DEFIBRILLATORS IN PUBLIC SPACES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Deaths caused by cardiovascular problems can be reduced through the use of 
cardiopulmonary resuscitation and Automated External Defibrillators (AED). 
Defibrillators reset the electrical activity of the heart in the hope that the natural 
pacemaker cells can then regain control of the rhythm. Together with cardiopulmonary 
resuscitation, they can help reduce deaths caused by cardiovascular diseases. Unfortunately, 
they are only available in medical facilities. Cardiac arrests can occur anywhere, and the 
availability of defibrillators in public places removes the need to bring a patient to a medical 
facility in order to be resuscitated. 
This bill will require the installment and maintenance of public access defibrillator 
(PAD) devices, which shall be available in government buildings and private establishments 
open to the public. The bill also provides training for personnel who are tasked to operate and 
maintain such devices. 
MA. RENE ANN LOURDES G. MATIBAG 
July 21, 2022
4:28 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ___________ 
Introduced by Representative Ma. Rene Ann Lourdes G. Matibag 
AN ACT 
REQURING THE PLACEMENT OF DEFIBRILLATORS IN PUBLIC SPACES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
Section 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Defibrillators in Public 
Places Act of 2022.” 
Sec. 2. Definition of Terms. – For purposes of this Act, the following terms are defined as 
follows: 
a.
Automated External Defibrillator (AED) device –  refers to an electronic device used to
counteract fibrillation of the heart muscle and restore normal heartbeat by applying a brief
electric shock;
b.
Public Access Defibrillator (PAD) device – refers to an AED device which is placed in
government buildings, private places, and other private places as defined in this
Section;
c.
Government building – refers to a building or portion of a building owned, leased, or
otherwise used by the national government of the Republic of the Philippines or local
government units;
d. Private places – refer to privately-owned establishments, including but are not limited
to resorts, hotels, casinos, malls, condominiums, and sports venues; and
e.
Other private places – refer to places with a high volume of people, including but are
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not limited to schools, public or wet markets, and churches or places of worship. 
 
Sec. 3. Guidelines on Placement. – The following guidelines in the placement of AEDs and 
PADs shall be followed: 
 
 
a. 
Each government building shall procure and maintain an AED device on-site in each 
establishment open to the public. The AED device shall be maintained in an accessible location 
within the building and shall be made available; 
 
 
b. The PAD shall come with visible signage and maintained in an accessible location 
within the government building, private places, or other private places. 
 
The Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH) shall establish guidelines with respect to 
placing AED devices in government buildings. Such guidelines shall take into account the 
extent to which such devices may be used by lay persons, the typical number of employees 
and visitors in the buildings, the extent of the need for security measures regarding the 
buildings, buildings or portions of buildings in which there are special circumstances such as 
high electrical voltage or extreme heat or cold, and such other factors as the Secretary 
determines to be appropriate. 
 
Sec. 4. Training. – The DOH shall establish a program for appropriate training courses in the 
use and proper maintenance of AED devices, including for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. 
The DOH shall ensure coordination with appropriate licensed professionals in the oversight 
of training of the devices. All personnel tasked to operate and maintain AED devices shall 
undergo such trainings. 
 
Sec. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The DOH shall issue the implementing rules 
and regulations (IRR) of this Act within ninety (90) days after the approval of this Act.  
 
Sec. 6. Appropriation. – The amounts necessary to implement the provisions of this Act is 
hereby appropriated out of any funds in the National Treasury not otherwise appropriated; 
Provided, that the corresponding amount needed to implement this Act in subsequent years 
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act for the Department of Health. 
 
Sec. 7. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or otherwise 
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other provisions 
hereof. 
 
Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, orders, issuances or portions thereof, which are 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
Sec. 9. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in two (2) 
national newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,