Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House art. No, 8795

Introduced by HON. JOY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Pre-hospital Emergency Medical Service (EMS) is a type of service which aims to provide first-aid
treatment and/or transport to definitive care to patients with illnesses and injuries which the
patient, or the medical practitioner, believes constitutes a medical emergency. It is a coordinated
system where personnel provide aid to patients before they are transported to a hospital—fillng
in the gap between the scene of emergency and the hospital.

This field of medical practice is relatively new in the country with a lot of areas for improvement.
Taking into account the rise of emergency cases resulting from natural and man-made disasters,
sicknesses and diseases, there is clearly a need to institute a standard system of pre-hospital
emergency medical services in the country to ensure the safety and lives of the people receiving
these services.

As such, this bill seeks to create a National Pre-hospital Care Council (NPCC) which shall formulate
policies towards the development and institutionalization of pre-hospital emergency medical
service system at the national and local level. This measure also provides for the
professionalization and regulation of this medical practice. To this end, the NPCC shall establish
a national standard for the provision of pre-hospital emergency medical services by duly
certified/registered pre-hospital care professionals.

On behalf of the people of Parafiaque City’s Second District, and for the common good of the
Filipino people, the approval of the said measure is earnestly sought.

reP/Apy re s. | dubia,

istrict, Parafiaque City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 8795

Introduced by HON, JOY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING

AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING A PRE-HOSPITAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE SYSTEM,
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT, SUPERVISION AND REGULATION OF THE
PRE-HOSPITAL EMERGENCY, AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

CHAPTER I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Act".

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 national policy, the government shall
set up a climate conducive to the practice of pre-hospital emergency care and maximize the
capability and potential of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and other pre-hospital care
professionals and institute a standard system of pre-hospital emergency medical services in the
country.

SEC. 3. Objectives. — This Act has the following objectives:

a) To create a National Pre-Hospital Care Council;
b) To develop and institutionalize a pre-hospital emergency medical service system at the
national and local levels;

To establish a national standard for the provision of pre-hospital emergency medical
services by duly certified/registered pre-hospital care professionals;

d) To supervise, control and regulate the practice of pre-hospital care professionals;

e) To provide a program standardization for the training of pre-hospital care professionals;
f) To prescribe certification, registration and recertification requirements of pre-hospital care
professionals;

To establish standards for design, manufacture, accreditation and regulation of emergency
medical vehicles;

G

g


h) To adopt and implement a National Universal Emergency Telephone Number (NUETN);

and

i) To establish and provide support services to pre-hospital emergency medical services.
SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. — For purposes of this Act, the following terms are hereby defined:

a) Pre-hospital emergency medical services:

b)

°

1) Pre-hospital emergency care shall refer to independent delivery of pre-hospital
emergency medical services by appropriately trained and certified EMTs, usually in a
mobile or community setting, in full accordance with the National Pre-Hospital
Emergency Medical Treatment Protocols established by the National Pre-Hospital Care
Council (NPC), herein after referred to as the Council, created under this Act.
Pre-hospital advance life support shall refer to advanced pre-hospital standards for
the care of seriously ill or injured patient by appropriately trained and certified EMTs,
as established by the Council.
3) These pre-hospital standards may include advanced pre-hospital trauma care,
advanced pre-hospital cardiac life support and the care of high dependency patients
for inter-hospital transfer, among others.

2Q

National Pre-Hospital Emergency Medical Treatment Protocols shall refer to emergency
medical procedures outlining approved clinical practices and therapies to be observed by
pre-hospital care professionals, as established by the Council.

Pre-hospital care professionals:

1) Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) shall refer to a pre-hospital emergency care
provider who has fulfilled the requirements of and continues to hold the qualifications
established by the Council, in coordination with the Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority (TESDA), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and
the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), among others.

Registered Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic (REMT-P) shall refer to a pre~
hospital emergency care provider who is capable of performing extensive pre-hospital
care services such as administering medications orally and intravenously, interpreting
electrocardiograms (ECGs) tracings, performing endotracheal intubations, and using
monitors and other complex equipment. A REMT -P is required to maintain the
qualifications and fulfil the requirements set by the Council.

Ambulance Dispatch Officer (ADO) shall refer to a person duly trained and certified in
the administration, management and operation of the ambulance dispatch and
communication system and who has fulfilled the requirements and who continues to
hold the qualifications established by the Council, in coordination with the TESDA, the
CHED and the PRC, among others.

Ambulance Assistant shall refer to a person who, having gained the minimum
certification as a Medical First Responder (Advanced First Aider), is charged with the
operation and general care of emergency medical vehicles (ambulance driver), in

2)

z

4


addition to providing basic medical care for patients under the direct supervision of an
EMT or REMT-P.

5) Other pre-hospital care professionals providing other support services for the provision
of pre-hospital emergency medical care.

d) Competency-based assessment shall refer to evidence gathering and judgment by an
authorized assessor who evaluates the technical and practical skills, abilities and
knowledge of a pre-hospital care professional in accordance with the standards and
guidelines established by the Council, in coordination with the TESDA, in the case of one
who holds a technical non-degree Certified Emergency Medical Technician course falling
under the TESDA jurisdiction; or in coordination with the CHED and the PRC in the case
of one who holds a REMT -P degree course requiring the issuance of a professional license.

e

Accredited training institutions shall refer to training institutions offering training
programs, courses and continuing education in emergency medical services for pre-
hospital care professionals that meet the standards established by the Council, in
coordination with the TESDA, the CHED and the Department of Health (DOH), among
others, and are duly recognized by the TESDA or the CHED, as applicable, and duly
registered in good standing with the Council.

f) Ambulance/Emergency medical vehicle shall refer to an ambulance or other vehicle for
emergency medical care and transportation which provides, at a minimum: (1) a driver's
compartment; (2) a patient compartment with sufficient space to safely and comfortably
accommodate an EMT and a patient who can be given intensive life-support during transit;
(3)equipment and supplies for emergency care at the scene as well as during transport;
(4) two-way radio, telephone or electronic communication with the ADO; and (5) when
necessary, equipment for light rescue/extrication procedures. The emergency medical
vehicle shall be so designed and constructed to provide the patient with safety and
comfort, and to prevent aggravation of the patient's injury or illness. The designated
vehicle marking of "Ambulance" is hereby restricted for use by emergency medical vehicles
only.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Medical Director shall refer to a licensed physician with
training in emergency medicine and with at least five (5) year- experience in emergency
medical care as approved by the Council or the local medical authority charged with the
supervision of EMS and the implementation of approved emergency medical treatment
protocols set by the Council.

g.

CHAPTER II
NATIONAL PRE-HOSPITAL CARE COUNCIL

SEC. 5. Creation of the National Pre-hospital Care Council. — A body to be known as the
“National Pre-hospital Care Council (NPCC)" is hereby created under the DOH.

SEC. 6. Functions of the NPCC. — The Council shall perform the following functions:


a) To formulate policies governing the field of pre-hospital emergency medical services and

related institutions;

To implement policies in coordination with affiliated medical and educational

institutions;

©) To develop national standards for the provisionn of pre-hospital emergency medical
services to include, among others, the skills, abilities and knowledge required of a pre-
hospital care professional, and the development of mandatory national medical treatment
protocols to be observed by pre-hospital care professionals and such other entities as it
may consider appropriate;

d) To promulgate a Code of Ethics for EMTs;

e) To develop high standards of operation for pre-hospital emergency care support service
providers;

f) To establish and maintain: a roster of certified EMTs;

g) To develop standards and protocols for the design, construction, outfitting and operations

‘of emergency medical vehicles; and

To engage in research on pre-hospital care, technology, education and training, the

formulation of curricula and the evaluation of existing courses, assessment and the

examination procedures.

SEC. 7. Membership of the Council. — The members of the Council shall be composed of the
following:

a) Exofficio members:

b)

h)

1) The Secretary of the DOH as Chairperson of the Council;
2) The Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG);
3) The Director General of the TESDA; and

4) The Chairperson of the CHED; and

b) Members to be appointed by the Secretary of the DOH upon nomination by their respective
associations:

1) _ One (1) nominee of a national organization duly registered with the Securities and
Exchange Commission and recognized by the DOH as being representative of the
profession of EMT within the Republic of the Philippines Provided. That upon the
organization of the national accredited professional organization of EMTs, mandated
under Section 31 of this Act, its nominee shall hold this seat in the Council;

2) Four (4) nominees of local health boards, one (1) each from the National Capital
Region Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao;

3) One (1) registered emergency medical practitioner representing a recognized
professional-based organization with interest on emergency medicine;

4) One (1) registered medical practitioner representing a recognized professional-based
organization on cardiology;

5) One (1) registered nurse holding a qualification in emergency room nursing,
representing a recognized professional-based organization of emergency care
nurses;


6) One (1) representative from an educational or training institution providing EMT
programs, which has been duly accredited by the TESDA or the CHED and recognized
by the Counail in accordance with its rules and regulations;

7) One (1) representative from a recognized national professional association of
medical practitioners;

8) One (1) representative from a recognized national organization of private hospitals;

9) One (1) representative from a DOH hospital; and

10) One (1) representative from the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC).

SEC. 8, Term of Office. — Each member of the Council shall not serve for more than three (3)
consecutive terms, A term shall be for a period of two (2) years.

SEC. 9. Powers and Functions. - To carry out its mandate, the Council shall exercise the
following powers and functions:

a) Encourage and facilitate the organization of a network of pre-hospital care professionals
to ensure the provision of EMS to the general public on a national basis;

b) Maintain a roster of qualified pre-hospital care professionals and providers and training
institutions, and oversee their licensing and accreditation;

©) Establish a Secretariat under an Executive Director for the administrative and day-to-day
operations of the Council;

d) Create committees and other mechanisms to help expedite the implementation of plans
and strategies;

e) Set up a system of networking and coordination among all existing government health
agencies, local government units (LGUs) and non-government medical
institutions/agencies for the effective implementation of its programs and activities;

f) Generate resources from local, national and international organizations/agencies, whether

government or private sector, for its operation;

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;

h) Prepare an annual budget of the Council and submit the same to the President for inclusion
in the annual General Appropriations Act;

i) Advise the President on matters pertaining to pre-hospital EMS;

J) Review membership of the Council in line with changes in the status of concerned national
organizations duly recognized as involved in emergency medical care/pre-hospital
emergency medical care, as required by this Act;

k) Investigate complaints against violators of this Act, its rules and regulations and
policies of the Council;

1) Request any department, instrumentality, office, bureau or agency of the government,
including LGUs, to render such assistance as it may require in order to carry out, enforce
or implement the provisions of this Act; and

m) Promulgate rules and regulations and policies of the Council, and enforce the provisions
of this Act.

9


SEC. 10. The Secretariat. - The Council shall organize a Secretariat to be headed by an
Executive Director coming from anyone of the Undersecretaries or Assistant Secretaries from the
DOH acting in a concurrent capacity. The Secretaries of the DOH and the DILG and the
Chairpersons of the TESDA and the CHED shall designate their respective staff to serve as
members of the Secretariat.

In establishing the Secretariat, the Council shall consider the following areas:

a) Education and Standards Development;

b) National Examination/Assessment System for Pre-hospital Care Professionals;
©). Research;

d) Supervision and Regulation;

e) Policy, Planning and Research;

f) Administration;

9) Finance; and

h) Programs of the following areas:

1) Human Resource Development;
2) Emergency Medical Vehicles; and
3) Emergency Communications.

SEC, 11. Meetings. - The Council shall meet at least once every quarter.

SEC, 12. Program Plans. - The Council shall, within six (6) months after having been officially
constituted and finally staffed, adopt and immediately cause to be implemented, in coordination
with medical and related agencies, a short-range program in support of relevant existing projects
and activities and, within one (1) year, a long-range five (5)-year development program. This
development program shall be developed and subjected to annual review and revision by the
Council, in coordination with relevant public and private medical agencies and organizations.

‘SEC. 13. Accreditation. — The Council shall issue certifications and licenses for the following:

CHAPTER III
EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS

SEC. 14, Creation of Plantilla Positions for Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). —
There shall be created a minimum number of plantilla positions for EMTs in the following
government hospitals/health facilities within the next five (5) years upon approval of this Act:

a) Level 3 and 4 Hospitals - Five (5) EMTs and at least one (1) Ambulance Assistant;

b) Level 1 and 2 Hospitals - Three (3) EMTs and at least one (1) Ambulance Assistant; and

©) Other Health Facilities - as may be deemed necessary by the Council. The annual financial
requirements needed to pay for the salaries of EMTs shall be included in the annual
general appropriations of the respective hospitals, health facilities and LGUs.

SEC. 15. Scope of the Practice of Emergency Medical Care, — The emergency medical care
practice involves services performed in responding to the perceived needs of an individual for


immediate medical care in order to prevent loss of life or aggravation of physiological or
psychological illness or injury delivered in a pre-hospital, inter-hospital and hospital emergency
care setting. For this purpose, the Council shall develop the scope of work of EMTs based on
internationally-accepted standards, as adapted to the Philippine setting.

SEC. 16. Authorized Training Institution. - Training programs, courses and continuing
education for an EMT shall be conducted by an institution that has been granted a Certificate of
Program Registration (COPR) by the TESDA, in case of technical non-degree courses falling under
the TESDA jurisdiction, or a Certificate of Accreditation as a Higher Education Institution (HEI) as
well as Program Accreditation by the CHED, in the case of degree programs falling under the
CHED jurisdiction. The requirements prescribed by the Council shall serve as the minimum
requirement for program registration. The DOH can provide training programs for EMTs:
Provided, that these shall be in accordance with the standards set by the Council.

SEC. 17. Certification, Registration and Recertification. — Certification, registration and
recertification of EMTs in the Philippines shall be governed by the TESDA for non-degree courses
and by the PRC for degree courses in accordance with PRC rules and regulations and without
prejudice to the enactment of a licensure law for EMTs. A certification is valid for a period of three
(3) years, The TESDA and the PRC shall recertify EMTs upon submission of a competency-based
assessment statement from a recognized EMS Medical Director.

SEC. 18. Qualifications. — All applicants for registration as an EMT must be a citizen of the
Philippines, at least twenty-one (21) years of age, of good moral character and must produce
before the NPCC satisfactory evidence of good moral character and a certification that no charges
against one’s person involving moral turpitude have been filed or are pending in any court in the
Philippines.

SEC, 19. Examination Required. — All applicants for registration as an EMT shall be required
to undergo a nationally-based assessment test or licensure examination, respectively, to be given
in such places and dates as may be designated by the TESDA, for those who hold non-degree
courses, and by the PRC, for those who hold degree courses.

SEC. 20. Schedule of Examination. — National written examinations for EMTs in the Philippines
shall be given by the TESDA and the PRC at least twice every year.

SEC. 21. Release of the Results of Examination. - The results of the examination shall be
released by the TESDA within twenty (20) working days and by the PRC within two (2) months
from the date of the examination.

SEC. 22, Issuance of the Certificate of Registration and EMT Identification Card. - A
Certificate of Registration shall be issued to the examinees who passed the national EMT
‘examinations given by the TESDA or the PRC. The Certificate of Registration shall remain in full
force and effect until revoked or suspended in accordance with this Act. An EMT identification
card, bearing the registration number, date of issuance and expiry date, duly signed by the TESDA
Director General or the PRC Chairperson, shall likewise be issued to every registrant upon
payment of the required fees.


The EMT examination card shall be renewed every three (3) years upon satisfactory compliance
with the requirements of the TESDA or the PRC as prescribed by the Council.

SEC. 23. Disqualification, - The TESDA, the PRC and the Council shall not accept the
application for competency requirement nor issue a national certificate to any person who has
been convicted by final judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction of any criminal offense
involving moral turpitude, or has been found guilty of immoral or dishonorable conduct after
investigation and due process, or has been declared to be of unsound mind by competent
authority, or for other grounds as may be determined by the Council in the implementing rules
and regulations. The reason for the refusal shall be set forth in writing,

SEC. 24, Revocation or Suspension of the Certificate of Registration, EMT
Identification Card or Cancellation of Temporary/Special Permit. - The Council, upon
recommendation of the TESDA or the PRC in accordance with the prescribed procedures and due
process, may revoke or suspend the national certificate or EMT identification card.

SEC. 25. Reinstatement, Reissuance or Replacement of Certificate of Registration and
EMT Identification Card. - The TESDA or the PRC, upon the recommendation of the Council
in accordance with the rules and regulations may, after two (2) years from the date of revocation
of the Certificate of Registration, reinstate any revoked Certificate of Registration and reissue a
suspended EMT identification card after compliance by the applicant with the requirements for
reinstatement.

SEC. 26, Continuing Education, — The Council shall develop a program for the continuing
education of EMTs as a condition for EMTs to maintain their license and accreditation.

SEC. 27. Roster of Certified EMTs. — The Council, in coordination with the TESDA, the CRED,
the PRC and the accredited professional organizations representing the profession of EMT within
the country, shall prepare, update and maintain a roster of certified EMTs and REMTS-P.

SEC, 28, Issuance of Temporary/Special Permit. - Upon application and payment of the
necessary fees, and subject to the requirements specified by the Council, the TESDA or the PRC,
the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI) may issue temporary/special
permits to EMS personnel from foreign countries whose services are urgently needed in the
absence or inadequate supply of local EMTs in the Philippines,

SEC. 29. Registration Without Examination for EMTs. — All practicing EMTs at the time this
Act is passed shall be deemed qualified for registration as an EMT if, in accordance with the rules
and regulations of the Council, they have performed work within the scope of the practices of an
EMT as defined in this Act, for such period of time as may be required by the Council and have
been certified by an EMS Medical Director to have performed full EMT functions in a pre-hospital
and inter-hospital care setting.

SEC. 30. Registration with Examination for EMTs. — All practicing EMTs who are not
graduates of an EMT program from a TESDA or CHED accredited public or private
educational/training institution at the time this Act is passed shall be deemed qualified for
registration through examination using the following procedures:


a) Allapplicants must provide a full record of initial training completed as.an EMT. This record
must include details of the training establishment, a full syllabus of training completed,
are cord of ongoing training and proof of having worked as an EMT in any local or
international organization for at least one (1) year and has been certified by an EMS
Medical Director to have performed full EMT functions in a pre-hospital and inter-hospital
care setting; and

Once approved by the Council as qualified for examination, the candidate will be referred
to an approved TESDA, PRC or EMT assessment center-for qualifying’ examinations for
EMT registration.

b)

SEC. 31, Accredited Professional Organizations. — All certified EMTs shall belong to one (1)
national organization which shall be recognized by the Council as the one and only accredited
EMT organization in the country. A certified EMT duly registered with the TESDA or the PRC shall
automatically become a member of the accredited professional organizations of EMTs and shall
enjoy the corresponding benefits and privileges.

SEC. 32. Code of Ethics of EMTs. - The Council, in coordination with the accredited
professional organizations, shall adopt and promulgate the Code of Ethics and the Code of
Technical Standards for EMTs to include, among others, duties of EMTs to pre-hospital emergency
care patients, to the community, to their colleagues in the profession and to allied professionals.

CHAPTER IV
EMERGENCY MEDICAL VEIDCLES

SEC. 33, Emergency Medical Vehicles. - The Council shall develop minimum requirements
for the design, construction, performance, equipment, testing and appearance of emergency
medical vehicles. As such, only emergency medical vehicles shall be allowed to display the word
"ambulance" and the universally-accepted "Star of Life" symbol. It shall also provide for the
operation protocols of said vehicles. It shall also design an accreditation system, to provide the
public with ambulances and other emergency medical vehicles that are easily identifiable,
nationally recognizable, properly constructed, easily maintained and, when appropriately
equipped, will enable EMTs to safely and reliably perform their functions as basic and advanced
pre-hospital life support providers. While failure of an emergency medical vehicle to conform to
the Council standards may be a ground for the removal of its certification, such failure shall not
bar EMTs from:

a) Responding and providing appropriate basic or advanced life support on-site to persons
reported experiencing acute injury or illness in a pre-hospital setting, and transporting
them, while continuing such life support care, to an appropriate medical facility for
definitive care;

b) Providing inter-hospital critical transport care; or

©) Transporting essential personnel and equipment to and from the site of a multiple medical
emergency or a triage site and transporting appropriately triaged patients to designated
medical facilities.


CHAPTERV
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS

SEC. 34, Adoption of a National Universal Emergency Telephone Number. - There shall
only be one (1) national emergency number to enable the public to access emergency medical
services. Towards this end, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) shall develop a
program for the adoption of a national emergency number. It shall consult and cooperate with
national and local agencies and institutions; LGUs and officials responsible for emergency
service and public safety; the telecommunications industry (specifically including the cellular and
other wireless telecommunications service providers); the motor vehicle manufacturing
industry; emergency medical service providers; emergency dispatch providers; transportation
officials; public safety, fire service and law enforcement officials; consumer groups; and
hospital emergency and trauma care personnel (including emergency physicians, trauma
surgeons and nurses).

SEC. 35. Compliance. ~ It shall be the duty of every voice service provider to provide its
subscribers with access to the national universal emergency number in accordance with the
implementing rules and regulations to be adopted pursuant to this Act.

SEC. 36. Prohibited Acts and Penalties on Emergency Communications. —

a) Any person who makes a telephone call to an emergency telephone number with intent
to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any person who answers the telephone call shall be
guilty of an offense and, subject to subsection (c) of this section, shall be given a warning
for the first offense, and shall be compelled to attend a seminar on the proper use of the
national emergency telephone number on the second offense. Upon commission of the
offense for the third time, the offender shall, upon conviction, be imposed with a fine of
not less than Five hundred pesos (P500.00) but not more than One thousand pesos
(P 1,000.00). Upon commission of the offense for the fourth and succeeding times,
the offender shall, upon conviction, be imposed with a penalty of imprisonment of not
less than one (1) month but not more than six (6) months or a fine of not less than
Two thousand pesos (P 2,000.00) but not more than Five thousand pesos
(P 5,000.00), or both, at the discretion of the court.

b) Any person who makes a telephone call to an emergency telephone number and, upon
the call being answered, makes or solicits any comment, request, suggestion, proposal or
sound which is obscene, lewd, lascivious, filthy or indecent, shall be given a warning for
the first offense, and shall be compelled to attend a seminar on the proper use of the
national emergency telephone number on the second offense. Upon commission of the
offense for the third time, the offender shall, upon conviction, be imposed with a fine of
not less than Five hundred pesos (P500.00) but not more than One thousand pesos
(P1,000.00). Upon commission of the offense for the fourth and succeeding times,
the offender shall, upon conviction, be imposed with a penalty of imprisonment of not
less than one (1) month but not more than six (6) months or a fine of not less than
‘Two thousand pesos (P2,000.00) but not more than Five thousand pesos(P5,000.00), or
both, at the discretion of the court.


©) Aperson who gives a false report of a medical emergency or gives false information in
connection with a medical emergency, or makes a false alarm of a medical emergency,
knowing the report or information or alarm to be false; or makes a false request for
ambulance service to an ambulance service provider, knowing the request to be false,
shall be given a warning for the first offense, and shall be compelled to attend a seminar
on the proper use of the national emergency telephone number on the second offense.
Upon commission of the offense for the third time, the offender shall, upon conviction, be
imposed with a fine of not less than Two thousand pesos (P 2,000.00) but not more
than Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) and payment of damages. Upon commission of
the offense for the fourth and succeeding times, the offender shall, upon conviction,
be imposed with a penalty of imprisonment of not less than one (1) year but not more
than three (3) years or a fine of not less than Five thousand pesos (P 5,000.00) but not
more than Ten thousand pesos (P 10,000.00) and payment of damages, or both, at
the discretion of the court.

CHAPTER VI
OTHER PROVISIONS

SEC. 37. Service Requirement. — The Council shall develop policies regarding mandatory
service requirement for all pre-hospital emergency care providers as a condition for maintaining
their license and accreditation.

SEC. 38, Role of the LGUs. - The LGUs are hereby mandated to develop and institutionalize a
pre-hospital emergency care system within their area of jurisdiction. The Council shall include in
its programs, activities that will support and enable the LGUs to accomplish such task.

SEC. 39. Other Prohibited Acts. — The following acts shall constitute an offense punishable
under this Act:

a) Practicing or offering to practice pre-hospital emergency care services in the Philippines

or offering oneself as an EMT, or using the title, word, letter, figure or any signtending to

convey the impression that one is a registered and licensed EMT, or advertising or

indicating in any manner whatsoever that one is qualified to practice pre-hospital

emergency care, unless one has satisfactorily demonstrated the prescribed competency

standards, in full accordance with the requirements of the Council and is a holder of a

National Certificate in Emergency Medical Services or a temporary/special permit duly

issued by the Council;

Providing pre-emergency hospital care within the meaning of this Act without a valid

Certificate of Registration and a professional identification card or a valid

temporary/special permit issued in accordance herewith;

©) Presenting or using a Certificate of Registration or a professional identification card
belonging to another person;

d) Giving any false or forged evidence of any kind to the Council, the TESDA, the CHED or
the PRC in obtaining any of the foregoing documents;

) Falsely impersonating any registrant with like or different name;

b)


f) Abetting or assisting by any registered and licensed emergency hospital technician the

illegal practice of a person who is not lawfully qualified to provide pre-emergency hospital

care within the meaning of this Act;

Attempting to use a revoked or suspended Certificate of Registration or any invalid or

expired EMT identification card or a cancelled temporary/special permit;

h) Operating an EMS training institution without praper accreditation; and

1) Using without appropriate authority an ambulance/emergency medical vehicle such as,
but not limited to, transporting illegal drugs and transporting passengers and personnel
which are not valid emergency cases.

g

SEC. 40. Penalties. - The commission of any of the prohibited acts stated under Section 39
shall be penalized with imprisonment of not less than one (1) year but not more than five (5)
years or a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (P 50,000.00) but not more than One hundred
thousand pesos (P 100,000.00), or both, at the discretion of the court.

SEC. 41. Appropriations. - The Secretaries of the Departments concerned shall include in their
programs the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be included in the annual
General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 42. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Except as otherwise provided, the Council,
in coordination with the NTC, the TESDA, the CHED, the PRC and the DOH, shall issue and
promulgate the rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act within one hundred
twenty (120) days upon constitution of the Council.

SEC. 43, Separability Clause. — If any clause, sentence, paragraph or part of this Act shall be
declared unconstitutional or invalid, such judgment shall not affect, invalidate or impact any other
part of this Act.

SEC. 44. Repealing Clause. — Any provision of laws, orders, agreements, rules or regulations
contrary to and inconsistent with this Act is hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 45. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least
two (2) national newspapers of general circulation,

Approved,