1 
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _________ 
_______________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Representative CIRIACO B. GATO, JR., MD., FPSO-HNS 
_______________________________________________________________________ 
 AN ACT INSTITUTING 
THE HEALTH EMERGENCY AUXILIARY REINFORCEMENT TEAM (HEART)
UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH 
 EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, the country already faced a serious shortage of 
around 290,000 health workers. This deficit placed a heavy strain on our healthcare system and 
significantly hampered its ability to respond effectively during the unprecedented surge in 
cases. 
During the pandemic, our healthcare frontliners served heroically under extreme 
conditions—exhausted, overburdened, and at high risk of infection and death. Many were 
pushed to the brink, and at one point, even called for a timeout to allow the government to 
recalibrate its COVID-19 response plan. 
While volunteers and temporary measures helped bridge some of the gaps, these 
stopgap solutions revealed a painful truth: we lacked a sustainable, institutional mechanism to 
rapidly mobilize health personnel in times of emergency. 
It is precisely for this reason that we persist in pushing for the passage of this bill—
because the vulnerabilities in our healthcare system have not disappeared with the pandemic’s 
decline. On the contrary, they remain a glaring risk in the face of new public health threats, 
natural disasters, and other large-scale emergencies. 
This bill proposes the creation of the Health Emergency Auxiliary Reinforcement Team 
(HEART)—a national network of local HEART units that can be readily mobilized to augment 
existing healthcare capacity during public health emergencies. These units will serve as a 
crucial support system for both the national and local governments, enabling a more 
coordinated, faster, and more effective response. 
The refiling of this bill in 2025 is not only timely—it is necessary. We cannot wait for 
the next crisis to expose the same weaknesses. By acting now, we affirm our commitment to 
building a more resilient, responsive, and prepared health system. 
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July 24, 2025
4:28 pm




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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _________ 
_______________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Representative CIRIACO B. GATO, JR., MD., FPSO-HNS 
_______________________________________________________________________ 
       AN ACT INSTITUTING 
THE HEALTH EMERGENCY AUXILIARY REINFORCEMENT TEAM (HEART)  
UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH 
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 "Health Emergency 
Auxiliary Reinforcement Team (HEART)” Act. 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – 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 calls on the State to 
ensure healthy lives and promote the well-being of Filipinos at all ages.  
The State recognizes the need for a reserve force of highly skilled and health-oriented 
professionals and volunteers who can be mobilized to maintain the capacity to meet surges in 
the demand for additional manpower the country's healthcare system and provide assistance as 
needed in times of health crises.  
Pursuant to this, it is the policy of the State to: 
a.
Prioritize the health of its citizens whether in the country or overseas by maintaining a
strong and resilient healthcare system at all times that will immediately, efficiently, and
effectively address all potential and actual public health emergencies; and
b. Promote the spirit of “Bayanihan” and enhance the capacity of the nation to expand its
human health resources in times of disasters, public health emergencies and health
threats of both national and local scale through the mobilization of the Health
Emergency Auxiliary Reinforcement Team.
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. -  As used in this Act:
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a. 
Allied health professionals refer to professions who are involved with the delivery of 
health or related services such as the identification, evaluation and prevention of 
diseases and disorders, dietary and nutrition services, and rehabilitation and health 
systems management. Allied health professionals, shall include, among others, dental 
hygienists, diagnostic medical sonographers, dietitians, medical technologists, 
occupational therapists, physical therapists, radiographers, respiratory therapists, and 
speech language pathologists;  
 
b. Bayanihan refers to the value of communal unity through helping others to achieve a 
certain goal without expecting anything in return;  
 
c. 
Deployment refers to the actual movement of workforce to the assigned area within a 
prescribed period; 
 
d. Health Emergency Auxiliary Reinforcement Team refers to a group of individual 
volunteers who are in the field of medicine, nursing, medical technology, and other 
allied health-related fields who are ready to be deployed to complement the health 
workforce in the event of a public health emergency and health threat; 
 
e. 
Health threat refers to a condition, agent, or incident that greatly impacts the health that 
leads to disease, accident, injury, and loss of life; 
 
f. 
Mobilization refers to the process and procedures for activating, assembling, and 
transporting the needed health workforce to respond, public health emergency and 
health threat; 
 
g. Mobilization Center refers to the establishment where the Health Emergency Auxiliary 
Reinforcement Team shall report upon receipt of the order for mobilization, coordinate 
their mission order and mobilization-related issues and concerns, and submit their 
report upon receipt of the order for demobilization; 
 
h. Public Health Emergency refers to an occurrence that poses an imminent threat of an 
illness or health condition as defined in Republic Act No. 11332, otherwise known as 
Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health 
Concern Act, 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  
 


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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 disabilities in the affected 
population;  
 
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; or  
 
v. 
Trade and travel restrictions  
 
i. Volunteers refer to those who freely register to be members of the HEART. 
 
 
SEC. 4. Scope. – This Act provides for the organization of the Health Emergency 
Auxiliary Reinforcement Team, hereinafter referred to as the HEART, the development of 
policies, plans, guidelines, and the implementation of actions pertaining to the mobilization, 
services, and protection of the HEART during public health emergencies and health threats.  
 
SEC. 5. Health Emergency Auxiliary Reinforcement Team. – There is hereby 
established a HEART under the Department of Health (DOH) to augment the health workforce 
in times of public health emergencies and health threats. The HEART shall be composed of the 
following individuals who shall voluntarily register with the DOH:  
  
a. Licensed professionals in the fields of medicine, nursing, medical technology, and other 
allied health fields including those who are retired and those who are no longer 
practicing their professions in a health facility setting. All health and allied health 
professional organizations may be tapped for the engagement of professionals who are 
not affiliated in any healthcare facility;  
 
b. Graduates of medicine and allied health courses and medical students who have 
completed a one-year medical internship and who have not yet been issued licenses to 
practice their respective professions, but due to the need for their services may be 
issued a limited and special authorization to render medical services during public 
health emergencies or health threats pursuant to Republic Act No. 2382, otherwise 
known as the Medical Act of 1959 or as may be amended hereafter; and  
 
c. Other health support workforce, including barangay health workers, whose services are 
necessary during public health emergencies and health threats. 
 
 
SEC. 6. Creation of the HEART Board. - A HEART Board, hereinafter referred to as 
Board, is hereby created to ensure efficient and effective mobilization of the HEART. It shall 
be chaired by the Department of Health (DOH) and composed of representatives of the 
following, as members: 
  
a. Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG); 
 


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b. Department of National Defense (DND);  
 
c. Commission on Higher Education (CHED); 
 
d. Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC);  
 
e. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP);  
 
f. Office of Civil Defense (OCD); and 
 
g. One representative from a non-governmental health professional organization. 
  
The members of the Board shall designate a representative, with a rank not lower than 
Assistant Secretary or its equivalent, to represent their respective offices in the Board: 
Provided, That the representative must be fully authorized to decide on behalf of the member-
agency.  
 
The AFP shall designate a representative from the Office of the Surgeon General with a 
rank not lower than Colonel as its Board representative.   
 
The representative from a non-governmental health professional organization shall have 
a two (2) -year term of office. The Board shall select the representative base on the guidelines 
it shall promulgate: Provided, That, the non-governmental health organization is national in 
scope and has a good track record in providing emergency health services.  
 
The Board shall establish close coordination with the National Disaster Risk Reduction 
and Management Council and the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency. 
It may call upon any government office or instrumentality, including government owned or 
controlled corporations and local government units (LGUs), as necessary. The Board may 
likewise closely coordinate and collaborate with non-governmental health organizations and 
the private sector, especially those with actual programs in the delivery of emergency health 
services. 
 
SEC. 7. Powers and Functions of the Board. – The Board shall have the following 
powers and functions: 
  
a) Define and develop the organization, management, mobilization, demobilization, and 
reporting mechanisms, policies, and guidelines for the HEART;  
 
b) Oversee the effective and efficient functioning of the HEART in responding to public 
health emergencies and health threats; 
 
c) Coordinate with concerned national government agencies and other stakeholders in 
responding to public health emergencies and health threats; 
 
d) Conduct regular meetings every quarter or as often as may be necessary during public 
health emergencies or occurrence of health threats; 
 
SEC. 8. Creation of a HEART Unit. – A HEART Unit shall be created by the DOH 
which shall serve as the secretariat of the Board. It shall oversee program implementation, 
including the maintenance of the database or information system of the HEART.  


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The DOH shall determine the organizational structure and staffing pattern of the 
HEART unit subject to the evaluation and approval of the Department of Budget and 
Management (DBM) and in accordance with the civil service laws, rules and regulations. 
 
All LGUs shall ensure that a HEART Unit shall be operationalized under their 
respective Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office which shall act as 
mobilization centers during public health emergencies or health threats.  
 
SEC. 9. Registration and Training. – The Board shall prescribe a comprehensive 
guideline for the recruitment and selection of a HEART volunteer.  
  
The Board shall also prescribe a training program through written, practical, and 
simulation activities on various aspects of health emergency management and response in 
different health emergency scenarios. To this end, all volunteers must undergo:  
  
(a) Basic training on disaster and health emergency response; and  
  
(b) Skill enhancement activities with relevant agencies in the both public and private 
sector.  
  
Completion of the basic training or acceptable substitute or equivalent certification 
shall be a requisite for admission to the HEART. 
 
SEC. 10. Registry and Accounting of Members. – HEART Volunteers shall be issued 
with individual registration numbers which shall serve as their identification during 
deployment.  
  
A registry or database that contains the names of the volunteers, their registration 
numbers, address, contact details and other personal information as may be necessary, shall be 
maintained and regularly updated in accordance with Republic Act No. 10173, otherwise 
known as the Data Privacy Act.   
  
The HEART registry or database shall be integrated or linked to existing registries such 
as the National Health Workforce Registry pursuant to Republic Act No. 11223, otherwise 
known as Universal Health Care Act, Section 25 (c).  
  
All volunteers covered under this Act are required to update their addresses and contact 
details on file through the registry system or database as necessary.  
 
SEC. 11. Mobilization. – The Board shall approve the prompt mobilization of the 
HEART upon receipt of a request from municipal and city mayors and provincial governors in 
connection with a public health emergency, threats to public health, or a disaster, whether of 
local or national scale. The HEART may be mobilized partially or in full, as may be necessary.  
 
The Board shall promulgate a mechanism that shall ensure efficient implementation of 
deployment, assignment areas, deployment periods, how deployment orders are communicated 
to each volunteer, and to which mobilization center the volunteers will report in accordance 
with Section 13 on “Accreditation, Mobilization, and Protection of Disaster Volunteers and 
National Service Reserve Corps, CSOs and the Private Sector” of Republic Act No. 10121, 
otherwise known as the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 


8 
 
 
SEC. 12. Deployment Order. – The President of the Philippines, upon the 
recommendation of the HEART Board through a resolution, may order the nationwide 
mobilization of the HEART to augment the health workforce in case of a declaration of a state 
of public health emergency, state of calamity, and other threats to public health.  
 
Orders of deployment sent to the volunteers’ addresses and through the contact details 
on file in the registry system or database shall be sufficient notice for purposes of deployment. 
 
SEC. 13. Mobilization Centers - Mobilization Centers shall be established in each 
province as needed where volunteers shall report to once deployment is ordered.  
  
A mobilization center may be any establishment that can adequately house the 
volunteers, their equipment and supplies during the period of deployment, including a multi-
purpose hall, gymnasium, and other similar structures.   
  
The Board shall, in consultation with the local executives, prescribe the location of the 
mobilization centers. The concerned municipal and city mayors and provincial governors shall 
disseminate information on the location of mobilization centers to the widest extent possible.  
  
SEC. 14. Essential Emergency Commodities. - The Board shall ensure that the 
minimum essential individual and organizational commodities and medical equipment and 
supplies shall be procured, stored, and managed to enhance the rapid transition to readiness 
required for deployment of HEART teams in the shortest possible time.  
  
The Board shall ensure and maintain its capacity to scale up the procurement of these 
equipment and supplies as needed during the period of deployment. 
 
SEC. 15. Incentives. - In recognition and appreciation of the HEART volunteers’ 
service rendered during the period of actual mobilization, implementing agencies may provide  
volunteers an allowance as may be determined by the Department of Health (DOH), in 
coordination with Department of Budget and Management, subject to availability of funds, and 
other existing civil service, budgeting, accounting and auditing rules and regulations. 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Act, shall be construed as creating an employer-
employee relationship between the government and HEART volunteers. 
 
SEC. 16. Legal Liability and Malpractice Insurance. - No volunteer shall be held 
liable for the death 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.  
  
The Insurance Commission is mandated to develop a specific public health emergency 
malpractice insurance policy or modify existing policies that would protect HEART volunteers 
from any legal liability as provided for by this Section to allow them to effectively respond in 
good faith during public health emergencies.  
  
This Section shall not preclude liability for civil damages because of gross negligence, 
recklessness, or willful misconduct. 
 
SEC. 17. Termination of Deployment or Demobilization. - Upon the declaration of the 
President, or as determined by the Board that the need for the HEART is no longer necessary, 


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or upon the expiration of the deployment or end of mission there being no approved extension 
thereof, volunteers who are deployed pursuant to a public health emergency or health threat 
shall be discharged from the performance of HEART duties.   
  
Upon order of the demobilization of the HEART, the deployed volunteers shall be 
reverted to inactive status. Mobilization Centers shall ensure reports on the mission are duly 
submitted and the certificate of services rendered pertaining to the deployment are promptly 
issued.  
 
SEC. 18. Annual Report. - The HEART Unit shall prepare and submit an annual report 
to the Office of the President, through the DOH Secretary, containing the list of 
accomplishments, status of the operations and program implementation of the HEART. 
 
SEC. 19. Appropriations. - The funds necessary for the initial implementation of this 
Act shall be charged against the available funds of the implementing agencies comprising the 
HEART Board. Thereafter, the funding shall be included in the budget of the DOH under the 
annual General Appropriations Act. 
 
SEC. 20. Implementing Rules and Regulations.. - Within ninety (90) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, the HEART Board SHALL, in consultation with other stakeholders, 
promulgate the necessary guidelines for the effective implementation of this Act. 
 
SEC. 21. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional 
or invalid, the validity of other provisions shall not be affected thereby. 
 
SEC. 22. Repealing Clause. - All 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. 23. 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,