NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
of tiH' &rn pt«rj>
23 JAN 11 P4 58
SENATE
S. No. 1 R 4 7
RECEIVED 8\:
Introduced by Senator Loren B. Legarda
AN ACT
INSTITUTING THE MEDICAL RESERVE CORPS AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Section 15 of Article II of the 1987 Constitution states, "The State shall protect 
and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among 
them."
Further, Section 11, Article XDI of the 1987 Constitution provides, in part, that 
The State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health 
development, which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health, and other social 
services available to all the people at an affordable cost. There shall be a priority for 
the needs of the underprivileged sick, elderly, disabled, women, and children."
Numerous circumstances have highhghted the flaws of the healthcare system. 
First, during the early years of the COVID-19 pandemic, both private and pubhc 
hospitals, as well as our healthcare workers, were overwhelmed by the influx of 
COVID-19 patients in need of medical care. The Department of Health had to request 
additional volimteer medical professionals, including nurses.


Second, the Philippines is located within the Pacific Ring of Fire, which 
encompasses a horseshoe-shaped area of 40 thousand kilometers, and its Pacific 
Ocean basin is prone to numerous earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Aside from 
earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, flooding caused by the southwest monsoon and 
low-pressure area affects the region, causing damage to many livelihoods.1 The 7.0- 
magnitude earthquake that struck the mountainous province of Abra on July 27,2022, 
resulting m four fatalities, 131 injured people, over 1,800 evacuated people (of which 
567 across 21 evacuation centers), and a total of 12,945 affected people across Hocos 
and Cordillera administrative regions, has highlighted issues that need to be 
improved and addressed in times of emergency.2 The recent 6.4-magnitude 
earthquake that shook the provinces of Northern Luzon on October 25, 2022, affected 
almost 40,000 families or 132,208 individuals. 2,052 houses were damaged, 2,043 of 
which were partially damaged and nine were totally destroyed. Damage to 
mfrastructure was estimated at P57.7 million in Uocos Region, Cagayan Valley and 
Cordillera regions.3
The third issue is the county's lack of healthcare professionals. According to the 
World Health Organization, the Philippines has only six (6) doctors for every ten 
thousand (10,000) Fihpinos. The doctor-to-population ratio is less than the 
recommended ten (10) doctors for every ten thousand (10,000) people. According to 
the National Health Human Resource Master Plan, an estimated 25% of all barangays 
in the Philippines do not have any health workers.
Finally, in remote locations, access to medical care may be limited. In the event 
of an emergency, receiving immediate treatment may take some time.
1 Natural disasters in the Philippines - statistics & facts; Retrieved from
https://www.statista.com/topics/5845/natural-disasters-in-the-philiDDines-at-a- 
^nce/#topicHeader wrapper:~:text=The%20Philippines%20sits.trillion%20Philinpine%20Desos.
Philippines - Earthquake, update (GDACS, USGS, NDRRMC, PAG ASA).
https://reliefweb.int/report/philippines/philippines-earthquake-update-gdacs-usgs-ndrrmc-pagasa-echo-
daily-flash-28-july-2022 
6
Atienza, K.A.T. (October 26,2022). Oct. 25 earthquake injuries up to 44, infra damage estimated at 
P58MBusiness World; Retrieved from https://www.bworldonline.com/the-nation/2022/10/27/483468/oct-25- 
earthquake-injuries-up-to-44-infra-damage-estimated-at-p58m/


All of the aforementioned circumstances justify the need to respond to these 
challenges and devise a long-term solution and strategy to aid our coimtry during 
natural disasters, pandemics, states of war, or any other circumstances that may arise.
This biU proposes to create a Medical Reserve Corps, a volunteer organization 
of trained and equipped medical healthcare professionals and all persons who have 
degrees in medicine, nursing, medical technology, and other health-related fields but 
have yet to obtain their respective licenses to practice, to assist in meeting medical 
needs during disasters or public health crises. The MRC does not take the place of 
existing personnel.
Furthermore, this bill aims to strengthen the coimtry's healthcare system, 
improve emergency response capabiHties, and foster commimity resihence. The MRC 
can be quickly called upon and mobilized to assist the national government and local 
government units during disasters and pubhc health emergencies. This measure 
enables our hospitals and medical personnel to meet the high demand for patient care 
during natural disasters and health emergencies.
In view of the foregoing considerations, the immediate passage of this measure 
is sought.
LOREN LEGARDA


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NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBOC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. NqL647
ol tl)c df trrtnrj*
23 JAM 11 P4S8
mscEivQoir:
Introduced by Senator Loren B. Legarda
AN ACT
INSTITUTING THE MEDICAL RESERVE CORPS AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the ^Medical Reserve Corps
Act.
Sec. 2. Declaration of Principle - Article II, Section 15, of the Constitution enjoins 
the State to protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health 
consciousness among them. Article XIII, Section 11, also provides for the adoption of 
an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development. The State further 
reiterates its commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly 
SDG 3, which calk on the State to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all 
at all ages.
The State recognizes the need for a reserve force of highly skilled and medically 
trained professionak and volunteers who can be mobilized to maintain the capacity 
to meet surges in the demand for the country's healthcare system and provide 
assistance as may be needed in times of health crises.
Pursuant to thk, it is the policy of the State to maintain a strong, proactive and 
responsive healthcare system at all times, the workforce complemenfc of which can 
be expanded rapidly by a well-trained and well-equipped Medical Reserve Corps 
(MRC) in times of public health emergency and health threats. Towards this end, the 
State shall enhance the capacity of the nation to produce and call on the needed


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manpower and expand its human health resources in times of disasters and pubHc 
health emergencies of both national and local scale through the mobihzation of the 
MRC.
Sec. 3. Medical Reserve Corps Service. There is hereby established an MRC whose 
primary mission is to support the coimtiy's health system in times of pubhc health 
emergencies or health threats and which shall be composed of the following:
a. Licensed physicians including those who are retired and those who are no 
longer practicing in the hospital setting. The Department of Health (DOH) 
may coordinate and collaborate with the accredited integrated professional 
orgamzation or accredited professional organization of physicians for the 
engagement of private practitioners;
b. Medical students who have completed four (4) years of medical course, 
graduates of medicine, and registered nurses who may be issued by the 
Secretary of Health with a hmited and special authorization to render 
medical service pursuant to Republic Act No. 2382, otherwise known as the 
Medical Act of 1959; and
c. 
Licensed allied health professionals.
The MRC shall be organized, tiained, developed, and maintained so as to 
ensure their readiness to immediately respond to the call to service.
Sec. 4. Organization. - The MRC shall be under the control and supervision of 
the Health Emergency Management Bureau (HEMB) of the DOH.
The DOH shall develop an effective and efficient MRC organization and 
structure that is responsive to national and local disasters and other pubhc health 
emergencies, under such rules and regulations as the Secretary of Health may 
prescribe.
Sec. 5. Registration and Training. - The DOH shall draft guidelines for 
recruitment selection, compensation, provision of incentives for joining and continued 
membership, and length of service of the MRC members.
The DOH shall also prescribe a continuing training program for the MRC 
recruits and members, through written, practical, and simulation activities, on various 
aspects of health emergency management and response and on the different health 
emergency situations and scenarios, such as natural and man-made disasters.


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epidemics, pandemics, and other threats to public health. To this end, all recruits must 
undergo:
a. Compulsory basic training for a period to be set by the DOH on disaster 
and health emergency response, the organization and structure of the MRC, 
and such other areas as may be prescribed by the DOH. Recruits shall be 
given compensation for their attendance thereto; and
b. Continuing training and other activities are to be conducted in coordination 
with relevant and qualified agencies in the private and pubhc sectors, 
including the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the National 
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, to improve and 
reinforce skills. All registered members shall undergo continuous training 
on a regular basis to upgrade their proficiency.
Successful completion of the mandatory basic training shall be a 
requisite for admission into the MRC. Successful completion of activities in 
the continuing training program shall be a requisite for promotion within 
the MRC.
Sec. 6. Registry and Accounting of Members of the MRC. - Registered members of 
the MRC shall be issued individual serial numbers, which will serve as their 
identification in case of deployment.
The DOH shall maintain and update a registry or database containing the 
names of the members of the Corps, their serial numbers, addresses, contact details, 
and such other information as the DOH may determine, in accordance with applicable 
privacy laws. For this purpose, all pubUc and private colleges, universities, and 
learning institutions shall transmit annually their records of the graduates covered 
imder this Act to the DOH.
An MRC Identification Card that describes the certification information of 
Corps members, as well as other necessary identifying information that may be 
determined by the DOH, shall also be issued.
All graduates covered under this Act are required to update their addresses 
and contact details on file with the DOH as often as necessary. Orders of deployment 
sent to the addresses and/or through the contact details on file with the DOH shall be 
sufficient notice for purposes of deployment.


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In cases where a graduate has changed address immediately prior to 
deployment, the LGU shall immediately exert efforts to locate his known closest 
resident kin, who are then mandated to exert similar efforts. The use of digital 
commumcations and social media shall be encouraged in locating such graduates.
Sec. 7. Medical Reserve Corps Mobilization. - The prompt mobilization of the MRC 
shall be carried out by the authority of the Secretary of Health, upon the 
recommendation of the Director of the HEMB, or upon the request of national 
government agencies or local government units (LGUs), in order to meet the needs of 
the populace in times of public health emergencies, whether of local or national scale 
and for such other purposes in response to threats to public health.
The MRC may be mobilized partially or in full as may be necessary. The DOH 
shall promulgate the mechanisms by which deployment is efficiently implemented, 
including the orgamzation of the Corps to be deployed, their territorial assignments, 
how deployment orders are communicated to each member of the Corps, and to 
which mobilization center they will report.
As defined in Republic Act No. 11332, otherwise known as the "Mandatory 
Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act," 
pubhc health emergency refers to the occurrence or imminent threat of an illness or 
health condition that:
(1) Is caused by any of the following:
(i) Bio terrorism;
(ii) Appearance of a novel or previously controlled or eradicated
infectious agent or biological toxin;
(iii) A natural disaster;
(iv) A chemical attack or accidental release;
(v) A nuclear attack or accident; or
(vi) An attack or accidental release of radioactive materials; and
(2) Poses a high probability of any of the following:
(i) A large number of deaths in the affected population;
(ii) A large number of serious injuries or long-term disabihties in the
affected population;


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(iii) Widespread exposure to an infectious or toxic agent that poses a 
significant risk of substantial harm to a large number of people in the 
affected population;
(iv) International exposure to an infectious or toxic agent that poses a 
significant risk to the health of citizens of other countries; or
(v) Trade and travel restrictions.
Sec. 8. Deployment Order. - The President of the Philippines, upon 
recommendation of the DOH, may order the nationwide mobihzation of the MRC to 
complement the AFP Medical Corps in case of a declaration of a state of war, state of 
lawless violence or state of calamity.
Sec. 9. Mobilization Centers. - There shall be established in each province as 
many mobilization centers as needed, to which members of the MRC shall report to 
when mobilization is ordered.
Mobihzation centers may be any estabhshment or facihty that can adequately 
house the MRC members and their equipment and supphes during the period of 
deployment, including multi-purpose halls, gymnasiums, and other similar 
structm-es, based on other requirements that the DOH shall prescribe. The DOH shall, 
in consultation with the local executives, prescribe the location of the mobihzation 
centers. The local executives shall disseminate to the widest extent possible 
information to the pubhc on the location of these centers.
Sec. 10. Mobilization Stock. - The minimum essential individual and 
organizational and medical equipment and supphes shall be procured, stored, and 
maintained to enhance the rapid transition to readiness required for employment in 
the shortest possible time.
The DOH shah ensure and maintain the necessary capacity to scale up the 
procurement of these equipment and supphes as needed during the period of 
mobihzation.
Sec. 11. Enlistment of the AFP. - The Secretary of Health may enlist the AFP to 
provide expertise on the organization and structure of the MRC for efficient, effective, 
and swift deployment, as well as for training the MRC recruits on disaster and 
emergency response.


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The Secretary of Health may also recommend to the President the enlistment 
of the AFP to supplement the mobilized MRC for the purpose of providing logistics 
and manpower for large-scale operations in times of public health emergency, contact 
tracing and monitoring of suspected cases, enforcing-quarantine measures in specific 
areas or facilitating the transport of emerging infectious diseases patients, and for such 
other related purposes.
Sec. 12. Protection to MRC Members. - All MRC members shall be accorded 
protection as provided by existing labor laws and standards and other relevant 
occupations, safety, environmental, and social legislation.
Sec. 13. Compensation and Benefits. - Members of the MRC who render service 
shall receive all the pay and allowances, medical care, hospitalization, and other 
privileges and benefits during the period of mobilization as prescribed by law or 
regulation. They shall also continue to receive all pay, allowances, and other privileges 
and benefits from their regular employment during the mobihzation period in 
accordance with the law.
Sec. 14. Legal Liabilih/ and Malpractice Insurance. - No MRC member shall be held 
liable for the death of or injury to any person or for the loss of or damage to, the 
property of any person where such death, injury, loss, or damage was proximately 
caused by the circumstance of an actual public health emergency or its subsequent 
conditions, or the circumstances of the formal exercise or training if such formal 
exercise or training simulates the conditions of an actual emergency.
The Insurance Commission is mandated to develop public health emergency- 
specific malpractice insurance policy or modify existing policies that would protect 
MRC professionals' efforts from any legal liability as provided for by this Section to 
allow them to respond in good faith during public health emergencies.
This Section shall not preclude liability for civil damages as a result of gross 
negligence, recklessness, or willful misconduct.
Sec. 15. Termination of Deployment. - Upon the expiration of the period of 
deployment, without an extension having been requested and approved by the DOH, 
members of the MRC who are deployed pursuant to a public health emergency shall 
be discharged from the performance of their duties. The deployment may also be 
terminated earlier upon a determination by the DOH, in consultation with the


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requesting national government agency or LGU, that such deployment is no longer 
required in accordance with this Act.
Sec. 16. Annual Reports. - The DOH shall regularly publish an annual report 
containing a list of the accomplishments, the status of the operations, a demographic 
profile of the membership of the MRC, an assessment of readiness for mobilization, 
and the incidence and details of each mobilization for the year concerned. The annual 
report shall also include the results of the audit investigation on the spending of funds 
appropriated, collected, or advanced for the implementation of the provisions of this 
Act.
Sec. 17. Failure to Respond to Deployment. - Any member of the MRC who fails to 
respond to the order of deployment without any justifiable reason despite due notice 
shall be required to reimburse the total expenses incurred by the government in the 
member's recruitment, selection, training, and compensation, as may be determined 
by the DOH.
Sec. 18. Appropriations. - The Secretary of Health shall immediately include in 
the Department's Program the implementation of this Act, the funding for which shall 
be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
Sec. 19. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within thirty (30) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, the DOH shall promulgate the necessary guidelines for the 
effective implementation of this Act.
Sec. 20. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, the validity of the other provisions shall not be 
affected thereby.
Sec. 21. Repealing Clause. - AU laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, other 
issuances, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly.
Sec. 22. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,