Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4080

House Bill No.

Introduced by Rep. ANGELO MARCOS BARBA
2" District, Ilocos Norte

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Emergency medical transportation is a critical component of our
nation's healthcare and disaster response systems. Despite their indispensable
role as frontline responders, ambulance and patient transport drivers are
often undertrained and overlooked.

This proposed legislation seeks to professionalize the role of medical
transport drivers by establishing a standardized national training,
certification, and licensing program. The measure would also provide for
hazard pay, access to training grants, and other support mechanisms to
maintain a high level of competency and professionalism.

The passage of this important legislation would demonstrate a strong,
commitment to public health and safety, while recognizing the vital
contributions of those who provide crucial emergency care behind the wheel.

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

ANGE! .COS BARBA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4080

House Bill No.

Introduced by Rep. ANGELO MARCOS BARBA.
2™ District, Ilocos Norte

AN ACT
PROFESSIONALIZING DRIVERS OF AMBULANCE, PATIENT
TRANSPORT VEHICLES, AND SIMILAR EMERGENCY
TRANSPORT SERVICES, PROVIDING FOR THEIR
TRAINING, CERTIFICATION, REGISTRATION,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the
“ambulance and Patient Transport Drivers Professionalization
Act.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of State Policy. - It is a declared policy of
the State to protect and promote the right to health and safety of every
Filipino. In this pursuit, the State shall ensure that drivers of ambulances and
patient transport vehicles are properly trained, equipped, and professionalized
to competently respond to medical transport needs and emergencies.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. — For purposes of this Act:

(a) Ambulance Driver refers to any person authorized to operate a vehicle,
primarily used for emergency medical transport, equipped with
life-saving equipment;

(b) Patient Transport Vehicle Driver refers to any person who operates
non-emergency medical transport services for patients requiring
medical support or monitoring during transit; and

(c) Professionalization refers to the process of standardizing
qualifications, training, and licensing of drivers under this Act to
ensure high-quality, ethical, and competent service delivery.


SECTION 4. Mandatory Certification and Training. -

a. All drivers of ambulances and patient transport vehicles shall undergo
mandatory training on:

i, Basic Life Support (BLS);

ii, Defensive and emergency driving techniques;

Emergency Medical Response protocols;

iv, Patient care and handling during transport; and

v. Traffic laws and ethical standards specific to emergency response.

b. The Land Transportation Office (LTO), in coordination with the
Department of Health (DOH) and Technical Education and Skills
Development Training (TESDA), shall develop and implement a
National Training and Certification Program for such drivers within
one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act.

SECTION 5. Licensing and Registry. -

a. Only individuals who have completed the National Training and
Certification Program shall be eligible to apply for a Special
Professional Driver's License (SPDL) for ambulance and patient
transport operations.

b. The LTO shall maintain a Registry of Certified Medical Transport
Drivers, accessible to hospitals, local government units (LGUs), and
emergency response institutions.

SECTION 6. Employment Requirement. - All hospitals, both public

and private, LGUs, emergency response agencies, and ambulance service
providers shall hire only those drivers who possess valid certification and
licensing under this Act.

SECTION 7. Continuing Education and Re-Certification. -

Certified ambulance and patient transport vehicle drivers shall undergo
mandatory re-certification every three (3) years, which includes:

a. Refresher courses;

b. Updates on new protocols and standards; and
c. Physical and psychological fitness evaluations.
SECTION 8. Incentives and Support. -

a. Certified drivers shall be entitled to:


i. Hazard pay for emergency response assignments;
ii. Access to government training grants; and

iii. Priority inclusion in national emergency response drills and
programs.

b. LGUs and hospitals may offer additional local incentives to certified
personnel.

SECTION 9. Penalties. - Any entity found employing uncertified
drivers for ambulance or patient transport operations shall be fined not less
than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) per violation and may face
suspension of transport operation licenses.

SECTION 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). -
Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the LTO, DOH, TESDA,
and other concerned agencies shall promulgate the necessary implementing
rules and regulations.

SECTION 11. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is
declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby
shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 12. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, rules,
and regulations inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 13. Kffectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen
(a5) days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the
Philippines.

Approved,