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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS ) TK oe
OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) bi

First Regular Session ) - =
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

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House Bill No.__‘* ~~

Introduced by Representative Susan A, Yap

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to set up a climate conducive to the practice of the pre-hospital
emergency care and maximize the capability and potential of emergency medical technicians
and other pre-hospital care professionals and institute a standard system of pre-hospital
‘emergency medical services in the country.

Emergency medical service is crucial in a sense that it helps avert possible
complications when hospital service is not readily available. In recognitign of its significance,
this bill proposes the creation of the National Pre-Hospital Care Council (NPHCC), which
shall ensure the development, of pre-hospital emergency service system at the national and
local level. It shall be tasked to formulate and implement policies, develop national standards
and protocols, engage in research, including emerging technology, emergency education and
training, formulation of curricula, and the evaluation of existing €ourses and assessment and
examination procedures. It shall likewise develop the scope of work of Emergency Medical
Technicians based on internationally accepted standards, subjecting them to a nationally based
licensure examination. The bill also ensures that emergency medical vehicles will abide by
minimum requirements set by the NPHCC, which if not followed, will serve as a ground for
removal of its certification. Furthermore, the proposed measure seeks the adoption of a
national emergency number to enable the public to access emergency medical services, which
shall be under the purview of the National Telecommunications Council.

Because the country is prone to risks and emergency cases brought by natural and
man-made calamities, we need a more responsive and organized pre-hospital and emergency
em to help us a coping mechanism and reduce casualties arising from such instances.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.



SIXTEENTH CONGRESS )
OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
32

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative Susan A. Yap

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

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

:NERAL PROVISIONS
Act shall be known as the “Pre-hospital Emergency

ION 1. Short Title.
¢ Act of 2013”,

SECTION 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 nd
other pre-hospital care professionals and institute a standard system of pre-hosp
medical services in the country.

PION 3. Objectives. ~ This Act has the following objectives:
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 cate professionals;

(©) To provide a program standardization for the training of pre-hospital care
professionals;

(© 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;

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

() To establish and provide support services to pre-hospital emergency medical services.

CTION 4. Definition of Terms. — For purposes of this Act, the following terms are
hereby defined:

(a) Pre-hospital emergency medical services:

(1) Pre-bospital 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 (NPCC),
hereinafter referred to as the Council, created under this Act.



(2) Pre-bospital 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. ‘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.

(b) 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-bospital 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 (ESDA), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the
Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), among others.

(2) 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 fulfill the requirements
set by the Council.

(3), 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.

(4) 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 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.

(@) 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
nondegree 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.

(©) 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.

(Q) Ambulance/ Emergency medical webicle 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.

(g) Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Medical Director shall refer to a licensed physician
with training in emergency medicine and with at least five (5) years experience in emergency
medical care as approved by the Council or the local medical authority charged with the

2


supervision of EMS and the implementation of approved emergency medical treatment
protocols set by the Council

CHAPTER II
NATIONAL PRE-HOSPITAL CARE COUNCIL

SECTION 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.

SECTION 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;

(b) To implement policies in coordination with affiliated medical and educational
institutions;

(©) To develop national standards for the provision 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
appropriates

(d) To promulgate a Code of Ethics for EMTs;

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

(8 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

(h) 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.

ION 7. Membership of the Council. ~ The members of the Council shall be
composed of the following:

(a) Ex officio members:

(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 Gencral 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
Council in accordance with its rules and regulations;

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

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

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(9) One (1) representative from a DOH hospital; and
(10) One (1) representative from the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC)

SECTION 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.

SECTION 9. Powers and Functions. — Yo carey 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;

(©) Set up a system of networking and coordination among all existing government
health agencies, local government units (LGUs) and nongovernment medical
institutions /agencies for the effective implementation of its programs and activitie:

(8 Generate resources from local, national and international organizations/agencies,
whether government or private sector, for its operation;

(g) 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;

() 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;

() 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.

SECTION 10. The Secre/ariat. — The Council shall organize a Secretariat to be headed
by an Executive Director coming from any one 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;

(@) Supervision and Regulation;

(©) Policy, Planning and Research;

(© Administration;

(@ Finance; and

(b) Programs of the following areas:

(1) Human Resource Development;

(2) Emergency Medical Vehicles; and

(3) Emergency Communications.

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


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SECTION 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.

SECTION 13. Accreditation. - The Council shall issue certifications and licenses for the
following:

(@) Accreditation of training institutions for EMTs and related personnel; and

(b) Accreditation of emergency medical vehicle providers.

CHAPTER III
EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS

SECTION 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) EMT's 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.

SECTION 15. Scope of the Practice of Emergency Medical Care. ~ The emergency medical
cate 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, intet-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,

ION 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 nondegree
courses falling under the TESDA jurisdiction, or a Certificate of Accreditation as a Higher
Education Institution (HED) 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.

SECTION 17. Certification, Registration and Recertification. — Certification, registration and
recertification of EMTs in the Philippines shall be governed by the TESDA for nondegree
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
petiod 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.

SECTION 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
cettification that no charges against one’s person involving moral turpitude have been filed or
are pending in any court in the Philippines.


SECTION 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
nondegree courses, and by the PRC, for those who hold degree courses.

SECTION 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.

SECTION 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.

Issuance of the Certificate of Registration and EMT Identification Card. ~ A
ation shall be issued to the examinees who passed the national EMT
examinations given by the TESDA or the PRC. The Certificate of Re,
full force and effect until revoked or suspended in accordance with this Act.
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.

SECTION 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.

SECTION 24. Revocation or Suspension of the Certificate of Registration, EMT Identification
Gard 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.

SECTION 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.

PION 26. Continuing Education. ~ ‘he Council shall develop a program for the
continuing education of EMTs as a condition for EMTs to maintain their license and
accreditation,

STION 27. Roster of Certified EMTs. ~ The Council, in coordination with the
the CHED, the PRC and the accredited professional organizations representing the pro
of EMT within the country, shall prepare, update and maintain a roster of certified EM
REMTs-P.

PION 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 ot
, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI) may issue
temporary/special permits to EMS personnel from foreign countries whose services ate
urgently needed in the absence or inadequate supply of local EMTs in the Philippines.



SECTION 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 tequited 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.

TION 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:

@) All applicants must provide a full record of initial training completed as an EMT.
‘This record must include details of the taining establishment, a full syllabus of training
completed, a record 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

(b) 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.

TION 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.

SECTION 32. Code of Euthies 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 theit colleagues in the profession and
to allied professionals.

CHAPTER IV

EMERGEN' EDICAL VEHICLES

SECTION 33. Emergency Medical Vebieles. — 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.

CHAPTER V
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS


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SECTION 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 (NIC) 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).

SECTION 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

SECTION 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 (¢) 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 (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.

(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
mote than six (6) months or a fine of not less than Two thousand pesos (P2,000.00) but not
mote than Five thousand pesos (5,000.00), or both, at the discretion of the court.

(c) A person 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
ess than Two thousand pesos (P2,000.00) 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 (P5,000.00) but not more than Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) and payment
‘of damages, or both, at the discretion of the court.

CHAPTER VI
OTHER PROVISIONS


SECTION 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.

SECTION 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.

SECTION 39. Osher Probibited 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 sign
tending 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;

(b) 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
CHED or the PRC in obtaining any of the foregoing documents;

(©) Falsely impersonating any registrant with like or different name;

(Q 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;

(g) 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 proper accreditation; and

() 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.

SDA, the

SECTION 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 (P50,000.00) but not more
than One hundred thousand pesos (100,000.00), or both, at the discretion of the court.

SECTION 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.

SECTION 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

SECTION 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.

SECTION 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.


1 SECTION 45. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
2 publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,

10