Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Constitution Hills, Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL No. _________ 
Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE LORDAN G. SUAN 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippines is used to the onslaught of natural disasters and calamities that 
wreak havoc to properties and the economy, every year. It is but proper that 
government efforts are concentrated on disaster preparedness, mitigation, and 
resiliency. However, the COVID 19 pandemic that forced countries to their knees, is one 
vulnerability that the Philippines was ill-prepared to handle. It exposed the inadequacy 
of our public health system in handling the challenges it brought. 
From the onset of COVID 19 pandemic to its peak, we witnessed the inadequacy 
of our public health system in areas of organizational preparedness, surveillance 
capacity and testing, absorption capacity of health facilities, and prompt mobilization of 
human and financial resources. The first sign of such inadequacy was the disjointed and 
reactive government response at the onset of the pandemic. As the virus surged, our 
incapacity became evident. 
Despite the weakness of our institutions and the limitations of our resources 
during the pandemic ,we, also, witnessed the compassion and patriotism of our medical 
and health frontliners. Their dedication and sacrifice were silver linings in the 
otherwise desperate and gloomy situation. Many of these frontliners lost their precious 
lives, and for that, we owe them our own. 
If there is one thing we learned from our experience, we know, we have 
untapped, readily-available, unselfish and patriotic health and non-health professionals 
who are willing and able to serve this country. We have adequate human resources to 
augment the number of health professionals who can serve at the frontline of every 
public health emergency and disaster. All that is needed is a platform where they can 
volunteer their time, talent and skills for the benefit of our people and for the sake of 
our country. A legislation is, likewise, needed to institutionalize this kind of voluntary 
service. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
HON. LORDAN G. SUAN 
      1st District 
     Cagayan de Oro City 
November 24, 2022
3:00 pm
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     Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Constitution Hills, Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL No. _________ 
Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE LORDAN G. SUAN 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
AN ACT CREATING A MEDICAL RESERVE CORPS UNDER THE 
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “Medical Reserve Corps Act.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the state to protect 
and promote the right of the people to health and instill health consciousness among 
them. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Alma-Ata Declaration of 1978 
which we are a party to, declared health as a fundamental human right. This declaration 
laid out our obligations and duties, under international law, to respect, protect and 
fulfill this right to health. Consequently, the state is mandated to adopt policies and 
regulations that will protect the general well-being of its people and endeavor to craft a 
comprehensive approach to protect them during public health emergencies.  
SECTION 3. Medical Reserve Corps (MRC). There is hereby established a Medical Reserve 
Corps under the Department of Health whose main function is to support and 
strengthen the public health system during times of public health emergencies. It shall 
be composed of two (2) sets of dedicated volunteers who will be deployed during 
disease outbreaks, disasters, terrorism attacks, medical emergencies to at-risk 
population, health education and vaccinations: 
a.
Front-line Medical and Health Professionals (Practicing, Retired or
Employed)
1. Licensed Physicians
2. Registered Nurses, and Nursing Assistants
3. Mental Health Practitioners
4. Licensed Pharmacists
5. Veterinarians
6. Toxicologists
7. Epidemiologists
8. Dentists
9. Emergency Medical Technicians
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10. Health Educators and Communicators 
11. Medical students who have completed the first four years of medical 
course, graduates of medicine and registered nurses who may be given 
limited and special authorization by the Secretary of Health to render 
medical services during epidemics or national emergencies whenever the 
services of duly registered physicians are not available. (Section 12(d), RA 
2382) 
12. Other Medical and Health Professionals 
 
b. Non-medical and Non-health Support Professionals 
1. Administrative Support Staff 
2. Supply and Logistics Professionals 
3. Drivers 
4. Chaplains 
5. Fundraising Professionals 
6. Interpreters/Translators 
7. Amateur Radio Operators 
8. Other Support Personnel 
SECTION 4. Registration and Training. The Department of Health shall formulate the 
guidelines for the recruitment, selection, training, compensation, and incentives of the 
Medical Reserve Corps volunteer members. 
All recruits shall pass through a selection process to be admitted to the Medical Reserve 
Corps. Frontline medical and health professionals shall undergo extensive and 
specialized trainings on emergency response and health procedures. Non-medical and 
non-health support personnel shall undergo basic aid skills and basic life support. They 
will participate in practical drills if their functions interface with the frontline medical 
and health professionals. Likewise, all volunteer members of the Medical Reserve Corps 
shall have a continuing periodic training on emergency management and preparedness. 
SECTION 5. Registry of Volunteer Members of MRC. The Department of Health shall 
maintain an updated registry of all volunteer members of the Medical Reserve Corps. 
Each member shall be issued a serial number and an identification card which shall be 
renewed as per guidelines by the Department of Health. 
SECTION 6. Mobilization and Deployment of the MRC. The mobilization and deployment 
of the Medical Reserve Corps shall be carried-out by the Department of Health in cases 
of health emergency situations and disasters or upon advice of the President or request 
of the national government agencies and local government units.  
The DOH shall formulate guidelines for the prompt, effective and efficient mobilization, 
and deployment of the MRC. It shall establish Mobilization Centers in areas of concern 
for the efficient reporting and facilitation of volunteer members of the MRC. 
The Department of Health may call upon other national government agencies for the 
deployment and mobilization of the MRC. 
SECTION 7. Compensation and Benefits. The Department of Health shall formulate a 
compensation and incentives package for all volunteer members of the MRC deployed 
and mobilized during public health emergencies and disasters. The compensation and 
incentive package shall include but should not be limited to pay, allowances, 
hospitalization, medical care and insurance.  


All employed volunteer members of the MRC called to render service shall continue to 
receive the full benefits of their regular employment. 
SECTION 8. Protection and Liabilities. All volunteer members of the MRC who rendered 
service during public health emergencies and disasters shall be protected by relevant 
legislations. 
No MRC volunteer member shall be held liable for the death of, or injury to any person 
or for the loss of, or damage to, the property of any person where such death, injury, 
loss, or damage was proximately caused by the circumstance of an actual public health 
emergency, or subsequent conditions, or the circumstances of the formal exercise or 
training, if such formal exercise or training simulates conditions of an actual emergency. 
SECTION 9. Failure to Respond to Deployment. Any volunteer member of the MRC who 
fails to respond upon call or notice for mobilization without justifiable reason shall be 
immediately dropped from the roll of members and shall be required to pay the 
government all expenses incurred during training. 
SECTION 10. Annual Reports. The Department of Health shall publish an annual report 
on the accomplishments of the MRC which must include the updated profile the of its 
volunteer members, status of operations and the audit report of its appropriated funds.  
SECTION 11. Appropriations. The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act 
shall be taken from the current budget of the Department of Health. Thereafter, the 
amount necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the 
Annual General Appropriations Act. 
SECTION 12. Rules and Regulations. The Department of Health shall formulate the 
necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act, within 
thirty (30) days from the date of its effectivity. 
Section 13. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or 
unconstitutional, the provisions not hereby affected shall remain in full force and effect. 
Section 14. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or parts 
thereof, inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are repealed, 
amended or modified, accordingly. 
Section 15. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from the date of its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,