Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HousE pitt No,__ 1489

Introduced by HONORABLE LANI MERCADO-REVILLA.

EXPLANATORY NOTE,

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 (15" ed, 1978.
Encyclopedia Brittanica, Chicago, Encyclopedia Brittanica Inc.

At present, this type of service is already in place in our society. Ambulance service, as it
is more commonly known here in the country, is summoned by the public through coordination
with agencies, such as the PCSO, the local government, the health department, or through the
hospital facility itself,

However, we must take into account that through the years, our country has seen the rise
of emergency cases resulting from natural and man-made disasters, sicknesses and diseases.
Thus, there emerges a need to professionalize and regulate this practice

This bill seeks to institute a National Pre-Hospital Care Council (NPHCC) which shall
facilitate the institutionalization of EMS. Among other things, the NPHCC shall train and
accredit Emergency Medical Technicians who will practice the profession. The bill also provides
for the adoption of a National Universal Emergency Telephone Number for easy access to the
public.

The past congress has seen the passage of this same bill in this House. Further, it has also
been certified by no less than the President of the Philippines as an urgent measure.

We recognize the need to provide emergency medical service to our fellow Filipino.
Along with this, it is imperative to professionalize this profession.

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

REP. LANI MERCADO-REVILLA.

2" District, Cavite



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1489

Introduced by HONORABLE LANI MERCADO-REVILLA

AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING A PRE-HOSPITAL EMERGENCY 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 of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

CHAPTER 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 1, Short Title, This Act shall be known as the “Pre-Hospital Emergency Care
Act of 2013.”

See, 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the State to protect
and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them.
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 (EMT) 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 provides for and shall govern:
a) ‘The creation of the National Pre-Hospital Care Couneil (the Council or NPHCC);

b) The development and institutionalization of pre-hospital emergency service

system at the national and local level;


©) The establishment of national standards for the provision of pre-hospital

emergency medical services by duly certified/registered pre-hospital care
professionals;
d) The supervision, control and regulation of the practice of pre-hospital care

professionals;

e) The program standardization for the training of pre-h ssionals;

spital care pro

f) The certification/registration and re-certification/re-registration requirements of
pre-hospital care professionals;

g) The standards for design, manufacture, accreditation and regulation of Emergency
Medical Vehicles:

h) The adoption and implementation of a National Universal Emergency Telephone
Number; and

i) The establishment and provision of support services to pre-hospital emergency

medical services,

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

(a) Pre-Hospital Emergency Medical Services

Pre-Hospital Emergency Care ~ Independent delivery of pre-hospital emergency
medical services by appropriately trained and certified Emergency medical
‘Technicians (EMTs), usually in a mobile or community setting, In full accordance
with National Pre-Hospital Emergency Medical Treatment Protocols established

by the Council.

Pre-Hospital Advance Life Support ~ Advanced pre-hospital standards for the
care of serious illness or injury 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 Medical Treatment Protocols ~ 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
i, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) — A pre-hospital emergency care provider

who has fulfilled the requirements and continues to hold the qualifi



(d)

()

1)

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 Commi
ii, Ambulance Dispatch Officer (ADO) ~ A person duly trained and certified in the

jon (PRC), among others.

administration, arrangement and operation of the ambulance dispatch and
communication system, who has fulfilled the requirements and continues to hold

the qualifications established by the Council in coordination with Technical

Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Commission on
Higher Education (CHED) and the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC),
among others.

iii, Ambulance Assistants — Personnel who, having gained the “minimum”
certification as a Medical First responder (Advanced First Aider), 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 Emergency Medical Technician / Paramedic.

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

Competency-based assessment ~ 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 standards and guidelines established
by the Council in coordination with TESDA in the case of technical non-degree
Certified Emergency Medical Technician courses falling under TESDA jurisdiction;

or in coordination with CHED and PRC in the case of Registered Emergency Medical

‘Technician ~ Paramedic (REMT-P) degree courses requiring the issuance of a

professional license.

Accredited Training Institutions ~ 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
TESDA, CHED and DOH among others, and are duly recognized by TESDA or
CHED, as applicable, and duly registered in good standing with the Council.

Ambulance / Emergency Medical Vehicle ~ An ambulance or other vehicle for
emergency medical care and transportation which provides, at minimum, (a) a
driver's compartment; (b) a patient compartment to accommodate an emergency

tioned that s

medical technician (EMT) and a patient so posi id patient can be given

intensive life-support during transit; (c) equipment and supplies for emergency care at


the scene as well as during transport; (d) two-way radio, telephone or electronic
communication with the Ambulance Dispatch Officer; and (e) 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 avoid 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 Medical Director — A licensed physician with training
in Emergency Medicine who has at least five (5) years of experience in emergency
medical care and approved by the Council or local medical authority charged with the
supervision of emergency medical services and the implementation of approved
emergency medical treatment protocols set by the Council to govern the practice of

EMTs.

CHAPTER IL
NATIONAL PRE-HOSPITAL CARE COUNCIL

5. Creation of the National Pre-Hospital Care Council — A body to be known as
the National Pre-Hospital Care Council (NPHCC), hereinafter referred to as the Council, is

hereby created to

a) Formulate policies governing the field of pre-hospital emergency medical services and
related institutions;

b) Implement these policies in coordination with affiliated medical and educational
institutions

©) 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 appropriate:

d) Promulgate a Code of Ethics for Emergency Medical Techni
e) Develop standards of operation for pre-hospital emergency care support services
providers to support best practices by pre-hospital care practitioners;

f) Establish and maintain a roster of certified emergency medical technicians;


g) Develop standards and protocols for the design, construction, outfitting and operations of

emergency medical vehicles;
h) Engage in research into pre-hospital care, including emerging technology, education and
training, the formulation of curricula, and the evaluation of existing courses and

assessment and examination procedures.

Sec. 6. Membership of the Council — The members of the Council shall initially be

composed of the following:

L. Ex-Officio Membe
a. The Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH) as chair of the Council;

b. The Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG);

c. The Chair of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
(TESDA); and

d. The Chair of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

Il, Members to be appointed by the Secretary of the Department of Health upon nomination
by their respective associations:

a, One (1) nominee of a national organization duly registered with the Securities and
Exchange Commission and recognized by the Secretary of the Department of
Health as being representative of the profession of Emergency Medical
Technician within Republic of the Philippines;

b, Four (4) nominees of local health boards, one each from NCR, Luzon, Visayas
and Mindanao;

c. Two (2) registered emergency medical practitioners, representing recognized
Professional-based organizations with interest on emergency medicine;

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

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

£ One (1) representative from an educational or training institution providing EMT
programs, which have been duly approved by TESDA/CHED as applicable

g. One (1) representative from a recognized national professional association of

medical practitioners;


h, One (1) representative from a recognized national organization of private
hospitals; and

i, One (1) representative from a DOH hospital.

Sec. 7. Term of Office. No member of the Council shall serve for more than three (3)

consecutive terms of two (2) years each

Sec, 8. Powers and Functions. To carry out its mandate, the Council shall exercise the

following powers and funetions:

a) Encourage and facilitate the organization of a network of pre-hospital care professionals,

to ensure the provision of emergency medical services 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 with and among all existing government

health agencies and local government units for the

fective implementation of programs
and activities;

£) Call upon and coordinate with other government and non-government medical and other
institutions and agencies for assistance in any form;

g) Generate resources, both from the Government and private sectors, local, national and
international, for its operation;

h) Receive and accept donations and other conveyances including funds, materials, and
services, by gratuitous tide, provided, that not more than thirty per cent (30%) shall be
used for administrative expenses;

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

j) Advise the President on matters pertaining to pre-hospital emergency medical services;

k) Regulate activities inimical to the delivery of emergency medical services;


1) Review membership of the Council in line with status changes of concerned national
organizations duly recognized as involved in Emergency Medical Care as required by this
Act; and

m) Promulgate rules, regulations and undertake any and all measures as may be necessary to

implement this Act.

Sec 9. The Secretariat. The Council shall organize a Secretariat headed by an Executive
Director, who shall be a person of probity and shall have at least five (5) years experience in
emergency medical services or a related field. The Council shall fix its staffing pattern,
determine the duties, qualifications, responsibilities and shall fix its staffing pattem, determine
the duties, qualifications, responsibilities and functions as well as the compensation scheme for
the positions to be created upon the recommendation of the Executive Director, The staffing
pattern shall be approved and prescribed by the Council within one hundred twenty (120) days

from the approval of this Act.

In establishing the Secretariat, the Council shall consider the need to address, among

others, the following areas: (a) Education and Standards Development; (b) National

Examination/Assessment System for Pre-hospital Care Professionals; (c) Research; (d)
Supervision and Regulation; (e) Policy, Planning and Research; (f) Administration; (g) Finance;
and (h) Programs, including (i) Human Resource Development; (ii) Emergency Medical

Vehicles and (iii) Emergency Communications.

See. 10. Accreditation, The Council shall issue certification and licenses for the:

a. Accreditation of training institutions for emergency medical technicians and
related personnel; and

b. Accreditation of emergency medical vehicle providers.

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 mid 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.

CHAPTER IL

EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS

¢. 13, Creation of Plantilla Positions for Emergency Medical Technicians — There
shall be created a minimum number of plantilla positions for Emergency Medical Technicians in

the following government agencies within the next five (5) years upon approval of this Act:

Specialized Hospitals ~ Five (5) Emergency Medical Technicians

se

Regional Hospitals ~ Five (5) Emergency Medical Technicians

Provincial Hospitals ~ Three (3) Emergency Medical Technici

d. Local Government Units ~ Three (3) Emergency Medical Technicians

€. Other agencies ~ as may be deemed necessary by the Council.

‘The annual financial requirements needed to pay for the salaries of emergency Medical

Technicians shall be included in the annual general appropriations of the respective hospitals,

agencies and local government units.

Sec. 14. Scope of the Practice of the Emergency Medical Technician, ~ The practice
of Emergency Medical Technician involves services performed in responding to the perceived
needs of an individual for immediate medical care in order to prevent loss of life inter-hospital
and hospital emergency care setting. For this purpose the Council shall develop the scope of

work of EI

ergency Medical Technicians based on internally-accepted standards; as adapted to

the Philippine setting.

See. 15. Authorized Training Institution. Training programs, courses, and continuing
education for an Emergency Medical Technician shall be conducted by an institution that has
been granted a Certificate of Program Registration (COPR) by TESDA, in the case of technical
non-degree courses falling under TESDA jurisdiction, or a Certificate of Accreditation as a
Higher Education Institution (HEI) as well as Program Accreditation by CHED, in the case of
degree programs falling under 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. 16. Certification, Registration and Re-certification, Registration and re-
certification of EMTs in the Philippines shall be governed by the Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority (TESDA) for non-degree courses, and by the Professional Regulation

Commission (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. TESDA and PRC shall re-certify Emergency Medical Technicians upon
submission of a competency-based assessment statement from a recognized Emergency Medical

Services Medical Director.

Sec. 17. Qualifications, All applicants for registration as an Emergency Medical

Technician (EMT) must be a citizen of the Philippines, at lease twenty-one (21) years of age, of

good moral character, and must produce before the NPHCC satisfactory evidence of good moral
character, and that no charges against him involving moral turpitude have been filed or are

pending in any court in the Philippines.

He or she must have successfully completed a non-degree course leading to an EMT
basic certification, EMT intermediate certification, or EMT-advanced certification, conferred by

an authorized training institution as defined in Sec. 15 of this Act. Schools and institutions

accredited to offer education and training programs for EMT shall be given the responsibility to

certify their graduates as mandated by the Council.

See. 18. Examination Required. All applicants for registration as an Emergency
Medical Technician 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
‘Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for non-degree courses, and by

the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) for degree courses.

Sec. 19. Schedule of Examinat
Medical Technicians in the Philippines shall be given by TESDA and/or PRC at least twice

in, National written examinations for Emergency

every year.


Sec. 20. Release of the Results of Examination. The results of the Examination shall be
released by TESDA within twenty (20) working days or by the PRC within two (2) months from

the date of the examination.

See. 21, Issuance of the Certificate of Registration and EMT Identification Card. A
Certification of Registration shall be issued to examinees who pass the National EMT
examinations given by 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, expiry date, duly signed by TESDA
Director-General or PRC Chairman shall likewise be issued to every registrant upon payment of
the required fees. The EMT Identification Card shall be renewed every three (3) years upon

satisfactory compliance with the requirements of TESDA or PRC as prescribed by the Council

See. 22, Disqualification. TESDA, PRC and the Couneil shall not accept an applicant
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 dishonourable conduct after
investigation and due process, or has been declared to be of unsound mind by competent
authority, or for other grounds a may be determined by the Council in the implementing rules

and regulations. The reason for the refusal shall be set forth in writing.

Sec. 23. Revocation or Suspension of the Certificate of Registration, EMT
Identifi

tion Card or Cancellation of Temporary/Special Permit. The Council, upon

recommenda

ion of TESDA or PRC in accordance with the prescribed procedures and due

process, may revoke or suspend the national certificate or EMT Identification Card.

Sec. 24. Reinstatement, re-issuance or Replacement of Certificate of Registration
and EMT Identification Card. The TESDA or PRC, upon the recommendation of Council, in
accordance with the rules and regulations may, after two (2) years from the date of revocation of
Certificate of Registration reinstate any revoked Certificate of Registration and re-issue a
suspended EMT Identification Card after compliance by the applicant with the requirements for

reinstatement.


See. 25. Continuing Education. The Council shall develop a program for continuing
education of emergency medical technicians as a condition for EMTs to maintain their license

and accreditation,

Sec. 26. Roster of Certified Emergency Me
coordination with TESDA, CHED, PRC, and the accredited professional organization

al Technician. The Council, in

representing the profession of Emergency Medical Technician within the Republic of the
Philippines, shall prepare, update and maintain a roster of certified Emergency Medical

Technicians / Paramedics.

See. 27, Issuance of Special or Temporary Permit. Upon application and payment of
the necessary fees, and subject to the requirements specified by the Council, TESDA or PRC
may issue special or temporary permits to Emergency Medical Services personnel from foreign
countries whose services are urgently needed in the absence or inadequacy of local Emergency

Medical Technicians that can provide pre-hospital emergency care in the Philippines.

Sec. 28, Prohibition against the Unauthorized Practice of Pre-Hospital Emergency
Care. No person shall practice or offer to practice pre-hospital emergency care services in the

Philippines or offer himself/herself as Emergency Medical Technician as defined in this Act, or

use the title, word, letter, figure, or any sign tending to convey the impression that one is an
Emergency Medical Technician as defined in this Act, or use the title, word, letter, figure, or any
sign tending to convey the impression that one is an Emergency Medical Technician, or advertise
or indicate in any manner whatsoever that one is qualified to practice pre-hospital emergency
care unless he/she has satisfactorily demonstrated the prescribed competency standards, in full
accordance with the requirements of the Couneil, and is a holder of a National Certificate in
Emergency Medical Services or a special/temporary permit duly valid issued to him/her by

Council.

See, 29, Registration without Examination for Emergency Medical Technicians, All
practicing Emergency Medical Technicians at the time this Act is passed shall be deemed
qualified for registration as a EMT is, 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 Emergency Medical Technicians. All
practicing Emergency Medical Technicians 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
procedure:

a. All applicants 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 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.

b, Once approved by the Council as qualified for examination, the candidate will be
referred to an approved TESDA or PRC EMT assessment center for qualifying

examinations for EMT registration.

Sec. 31. Accredited Prot

ssional Organization. All certified Emergency Medical
Technicians shall have 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 TESDA or PRC shall automatically become a member of the accredited professional

organization of Emergency Medical Technician and shall receive the benefits and privileges

appurtenant thereto.

Sec. 32. Code of Ethics of Emergency Medical Technicians. The Council, in

tions, shall adopt and promulgate the Code

coordination with the accredited professional organi
of Ethics and Code of Technical Standards for Emergency Medical Technicians to include
among others, duties of Emergency Medical Technicians to Pre-Hospital Emergency Care

patients, to the community, to their colleagues and to the profession, and to allied professionals.

CHAPTER IV
EMERGENCY MEDICAL VEHICLES

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 Emergency Medical Technicians (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

c. ‘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

See. 34, Adoption of a National Universal Emergency Telephone Number. There
s emergency medical
n (NTC) shall develop:

a program for the adoption of a national emergency number. It shall consult and cooperate with

shall only be one national emergency number to enable the public to ac

services. Towards this end, the National Telecommunications Commi:

national and local institutions and officials responsible for emergency services 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 and 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.


Sec 36. Prohibited Acts.

‘Any person who makes a telephone calll 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 (3) 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 offens:
Upon commission of the offense for the third time, the offender shall be liable on
conviction to a fine not exceeding P1,000, Upon commission of the offense for the
fourth and succeeding times, the offender shall be liable on convietion to a fine not
exceeding P5,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or both.

2. 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 other comment, request, suggestion, proposal or other communication or
sound which is obscene, lewd, lascivious, filthy or indecent, shall be guilty of an
offense and, subject to subsection (3) 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 be liable on conviction to a fine not
exceeding the offender P1,000. Upon commission of the offense for the fourth and
succeeding times, the offender shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding
5,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or both.

3. 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 be liable on conviction to a fine not execeding P5,000 and payment of

damages. Upon commission of the offense for the fourth and succeeding times, the

offender shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding P10,000 or to

imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or both, and payment of damages.


Sec. 37. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Council, in coordination with the

NTC and other concemed agencies, shall issue and promulgate the rules and regulations to

implement the provisions of this Chapter within one hundred (120) days upon constitution of the

Council.

CHAPTER VI
OTHER PROVISIONS

Sec, 38, Service Requirement, The Council shall develop policies regarding mandatory
service requirement for all pre-hospital emergeney care providers as a condition for maintaining

their license and accreditation,

Sec. 39, Role of the LGUs. Local government units are hereby mandated to develop and
institutionalize @ 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, 40, Prohibit
under this Act:

fed Acts. The following acts shall constitute an offense punishable

1, Practicing or offering to practice pre-hospital emergency care services in the
Philippines or offering himself/herself 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 he/she 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 to him/her by the
Council;

2. Providing pre-emergency hospital care within the meaning of this Act without a
valid Certificate of Registration and a Professional Identification Card belonging to

another;

Presenting or using as his or her own a Certificate of Registration or Professional

Identification Card belonging to another;


4. Giving any false or forged evidence of any kind to the Council or TESDA or CHED

or PRC in obtaining any of the foregoing documents;

Falsely impersonating any registrant with like or different name;

6. Abetting or a:

isting by any registered and licensed emergency hospital technician
of the illegal practice of a person who is not lawfully qualified to provide pre-
emergency hospital care within the meaning of this Act;

7. Attempting to use a revoked or suspended Certificate of Registration or any invalid
or expired EMT Identification Card or a cancelled special permit;

8. Operating an Emergency Medical Services training institution without proper

Accreditation; and

9, Unauthorized use of ambulance/emergency medical vehicle, such as but not limited

to transporting illegal drugs and transporting passengers and personnel which are not

valid emergency cases.

See. 41. Penalties. The commission of any of the prohibited acts stated under Section 40
shall be penalized with a fine of not less than Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00) nor more than
One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00) or by imprisonment of not less than one (1) year

nor more than five (5) years, or both, at the discretion of the court.

Sec, 42. Enforcement. The Council shall implement the provisions of this Act, enforce
its implementing rules and regulations, and investigate complaints against violators of this Act,
its rules and regulations and other policies of the Council, the Council shall call upon or request
any department, instrumentality, office, bureau, or agency of the government including local
government units to render such assistance as it may require in order to carry out, enforce or

implement the provisions of this Act.

See. 43, Appropriations, The amount of Thirty Million Pesos (P30,000,000) is hereby
appropriated for the creation of the Council to enable its initial operations and to implement the
provisions of this Act. Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary for the continued

implementation of this Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act.

Sec. 44. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Except as otherwise provided, the
Council 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.


See. 45. Reparability 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. 46. Repealing Clause. Any provision of laws, orders, agreements, rules or
regulations contrary to an inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended or modified

accordingly.

See. 47. Effectivit
in the Official Gazette,

This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication

Approved,