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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _________ 
Introduced by Representative Richard I. Gomez 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
A sudden cardiac arrest is a life-threatening condition where the heart ceases pumping 
blood to the rest of the human body– putting one at risk of death. Emergency treatment of such a 
circumstance include cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation.  
An automated external defibrillator (AED) is used to help those experiencing sudden 
cardiac arrest. It is a sophisticated, easy-to-use, medical device that can analyze the heart’s rhythm 
and, if necessary, deliver an electrical shock, or defibrillation, to help the heart re-establish an 
effective rhythm.  
Furthermore, almost 80% of cardiac arrests happen outside the hospital setting. According 
to the Philippine Heart Association (PHA), the prompt application of a defibrillator (within one to 
three minutes) is the key to survival in such emergencies. Unfortunately, access to AED in the 
Philippines is limited, unlike in more developed countries where there are established systems for 
emergency response and have defibrillators accessible to the public.  
Because heart disease is one of the leading causes of mortality among adults, accounting 
for close to 20% of all deaths per Department of Health, it would be no surprise that cardiac arrest 
constitutes the predominant emergency of this nature.  
Thus, this bill seeks to require the installation of automated external defibrillator (AED) in 
high-density, high-traffic and cardiac emergency prone buildings, such as public pools, venues for 
large gathering, schools, offices and industrial work places. CPR saves lives, but the availability 
of AEDs allow for more lifesaving options. With AEDs installed in public and private buildings, 
that are easily accessible to the public, coupled with the appropriate training for its use, deaths 
resulting from sudden cardiac arrests could be averted or minimized.  
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
RICHARD I. GOMEZ, DPA 
4:17 pm
September 6, 2022
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _________________ 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Representative Richard I. Gomez 
AN ACT REQUIRING THE INSTALLATION OF AUTOMATED EXTERNAL 
DEFIBRILLATORS (AED) IN HIGH-TRAFFIC CARDIAC EMERGENCY PRONE 
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE BUILDINGS  
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. This Act shall be known as the “Installation of AEDs in High Traffic 
Buildings Act.”  
SEC. 2. Rationale. It is the policy of the State to protect the health of its citizens and 
instill health consciousness in society. It is found that Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) 
are effective in saving individuals in the event of cardiac arrest, one of the leading causes of 
mortality in the Philippines.  The installation of AEDs in high traffic, emergency prone buildings 
is expected to help resuscitate individuals during cardiac emergencies occurring outside the 
hospital setting.  
SEC. 3. Coverage. The Department of Health (DOH) shall define the type, use, traffic 
density and occupancy density of buildings that shall be required to install Automated External 
Defibrillators (AEDs). The DOH shall also recommend the number and physical placement of 
AEDs in specified buildings. The definitions, recommended number and recommended building 
placements shall constitute the Implementing Rules and Regulations of this Act.  
SEC. 4. Personnel and Training. Administrators of buildings defined in Section 3 and 
the Implementing Rules and Regulations of this Act shall ensure the availability of personnel 
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trained in the use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) during hours of active use of 
said buildings. 
SEC. 5. Enforcement. Buildings defined in Section 3 and the Implementing Rules and 
Regulations of this Act shall be required to: (a) Install the recommended number of Automated 
External Defibrillators (AEDs), and (b) Adhere to recommended placements within the 
buildings, as a requirement in the application for business permits from the local government 
unit (LGU), pursuant to Section 18 of R.A.  7160, or the Local Government Code.  
SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within sixty (60) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, the Department of Health (DOH), in collaboration with the Department 
of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), shall issue the guidelines in the installation of 
AEDs in private and public places.  
SEC. 7. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the other provisions not so declared shall remain in force and in effect. 
SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. Any other law, issuance or part thereof inconsistent with this 
Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.  
SEC. 8. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,