Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session PEOCTR TION UNIT

3529 | pais 20 nor x sravice

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by: Hon. Angelina “Helen” D.L. Tan, M.D.

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

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This measure seeks to institutionalize a Pre-hospital Emergency Medical Care System (EMS)
in the country through the creation of National Pre-hospital Care Council (NPCC).

‘The NPCC shall be in charge with the formulation of policies governing the field of pre-
hospital emergency medical services and related institutions; the development of high standards of
operation for pre-hospital emergency care support service providers; and the engagement in research
on pre-hospital care, technology, education and training; and the formulation of curricula and
evaluation of existing courses, assessment and examination procedures. Likewise, it seeks to create
one national emergency number to enable the public to access emergency medical services.

Pre-Hospital Emergency medicine is relatively a new field of medical practice in the country
but it is continuing to grow and the linkages among its practitioners/providers have become
established. It has provided relevant life support services to patients with injuries and illness, or
those in critical condition.

Its growing practice and relevance in the country's healthcare therefore calls for the need to
professionalize and regulate the practice. The increase in the number of highly qualified Emergency

ical Technicians and Paramedics is also sought in this measure through the creation of plantilla
positions for Emergency Medical Technicians in all government hospitals.

In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly sought.

ANGELINA lt D.L. TAN, M.D.
4th District, Quezon


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS,
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3 529

Introduced by: Hon. Angelina “Helen” D.L. Tan, M.D.

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 of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
CHAPTER I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Pre-hospital Emergency Care Act",

SEC. 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 (EMTs) 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 has the following objectives:
(a) To create a 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;

(@) To supervise, control and regulate the practice of pre-hospital care professionals;

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

(f) To prescribe certification, registration and recertification requirements of pre-hospital
care professionals;

(g) To establish standards for design, manufacture, accreditation and regulation of
emergency medical vehi

(h) To adopt and implement a National Universal Emergency Telephone Number; and
(i) To establish and provide support services to pre-hospital emergency medical serviges.

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


(a) Pre-hospital emergency medical service:

(1) Pre-hospital emergency care shalll 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 (NPC), hereinafter referred to as the Council,
created under this Act.

) Pre-hospital 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 cardiae 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.

(c) Pre-hospital care professionals:

(2) 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
(TESDA), 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 eare 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.

(e) 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.

(© Ambulance/Emergency medical vehicle 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 patients injury or iless. 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
aining 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 supervision of EMS
and the implementation of approved emergency medical treatment protocols set by the Council.

CHAPTER II
NATIONAL PRE-HOSPITAL CARE COUNCIL

SEC. 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.

SEC. 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
s to 9 include, among others, the skills, abilities and knowledge required of a pre- hospital eare

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

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

(f) To establish and maintain a roster of certified EMTs;

(g) To develop standards and protocols for the design, construction, outfitting and operations
of emergeney 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.

SEC. 7. Membership of the Council. - The members of the Council shall be composed of the

following:


(a) Ex officio members:

(a) The Secretary of the DOH as Chairperson of the Council;

(2) The Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Govenunent (DILG);
(3) The Director General 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:

(4) One (4) 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 (a) 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;

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

(8) One (1) representative from a recognized national organization of private hospitals;
(9) One (1) representative from a DOH hospital; and

(10) One (1) representative from the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC).

SEC. 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.

SEC. 9. Powers and Functions. - To carry 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 nongovermnent medical institutions/agencies for the
effective implementation of its programs and activities;

() 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;

Gj) 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.

SEC. 10. The Secretariat. - The Council shall organize a Secretariat to be headed by an
Executive Director coming from anyone 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 imembers
of the Secretariat.

In establishing the Secretariat, the Council shall consider the following areas:
(a) Education and Standards Development;

(b) National Examination/As: sionals;

‘ssment System for Pre-hospital Care Profe

(Research;
(A) Supervision and Regulation;
(e) Policy, Planning and Research;

(0) Administration;


(g) Finane
(h) Programs of the following areas:
(1) Human Resource Development;

ind

(2) Emergency Medical Vehick
(3) Emergency Communications.

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 final ffed, adopt and immediately cause to be implemented, in
coordination with medical and related agencies, a short-range program in support of relevant
ing 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.

SEC. 13. Accreditation. - The Council shalll issue certifications and licenses for the following:
(a) Accreditation of training institutions for EMTs and related personnel; and
(b) Accreditation of emergency medical vehicle providers.

CHAPTER IIT
EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS

SEC. 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) EMTs 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.

SEC. 15. Scope of the Practice of Emergency Medical Care. - The emergency medical care
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, inter-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.

SEC. 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 (HEJ) 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.



SEC. 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 period of three (3) years. The
TESDA and the PRC shall recertity EMTs upon submission of a competency-based assessment
statement from a recognized EMS Medical Director.

SEC. 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 certification that no charges against
one’s person involving moral turpitude have been med or are pending in any court in the Philippines.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 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.

SEC.1. 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.

SEC. 22. Issuance of the Certificate of Registration and EMT Identification Card. - A
Certificate of Registration shall be issued to the examinees who passed the national EMT
examinations given by the 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 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

SEC. 23. Disqualification. - The TESDA, the PRC and the Council shall not accept the
application for competency requirement nor issue a national certificate to al
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 inv
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. '
for the refusal shall be set forth in writing.

SEC. 24. Revocation or Suspension of the Certificate of Registration, EMT Identification
Card 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.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 26. Continuing Education. - The Council shall develop a program for the continuing
education of EMTs as a condition for EMTs to maintain their license and accreditation.



SEC. 27. Roster of Certified EMTs. - The Council, in coordination with the TESDA, the CRED,
the PRC and the accredited professional organizations representing the profession of EMT within the
country, shall prepare, update and maintain a roster of certified EMTs and REMTs-P.

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

SEC. 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 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 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:

(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 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.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 32. Code of Ethies 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 their colleagues in 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 casily 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

(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

SEC. 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 (NTC) 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.

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 to be adopted pursuant to this Act.

SEC. 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 (c) 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 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.



(©) 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 less 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

SEC. 37. Service Requirement. - The Council shall develop policies regarding mandatory
requirement for all pre-hospital emergency care providers as a condition for maintaining
license and accreditation.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 39. Other Prohibited 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 TESDA, the CHED or
the PRC in obtaining any of the foregoing documents;

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

(6) 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.

SEC. 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 (P100,000.00), or both, at the discretion of the court.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 42. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Except as otherwise provided, the Council,
in coordination with the NTC, the TESDA, the CRED, 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.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 45. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in a
newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,