EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Third Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 2474
rRCe.w»
January
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid
AN ACT
REQUIRING THE PLACEMENT OF AUTOMATED EXTERNAL 
DEFIBRILLATORS (AED) IN PUBLIC SPACES AND INCREASING PUBLIC 
AWARENESS ON ITS ROLE IN SAVING LIVES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
With several heart diseases attributed as among the latest Top 20 causes of 
death in the Philippines1, paying attention to the health of our heart is a constant 
reminder from medical organizations like the Philippine Heart Association and the 
Philippine College of Cardiology2. One example of a life-threatening heart condition is 
the sudden cardiac arrest or the abrupt and unexpected failure of the heart to pump 
blood and oxygen to the brain and the rest of the body. Likened to a thief, sudden 
cardiac arrest, if not treated or responded to immediately, can lead to death. But 
survival is possible with quick and appropriate medical intervention such as the use of 
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), using a defibrillator, or even simple chest 
compressions, especially during the waiting period before emergency workers arrive.
While CPR and basic chest compressions are staples of most first-aid training, 
the availability and use of defibrillators, particularly automated external defibrillators 
(AEDs), is not common in our country. An AED is a portable, life-saving device 
designed to treat people experiencing sudden cardiac arrest, a medical condition in
1 https://psa.gov.ph/content/causes-deaths-philippines-preliminary-january-iune-202i
2 https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/09/29/21/on-worid-heart-day-doctors-give-tips-to-keep-
heart-healthy


which the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating. The AED system includes 
accessories, such as a battery and pad electrodes, that are necessary for the AED to 
detect and interpret an electrocardiogram and deliver an electrical shock. In the United 
States where community access to AEDs is already legislated3, the US Food and Drug 
Administration (US FDA) declared that "the combination of CPR and early defibrillation 
is effective in saving lives when used in the first few minutes following collapse from 
sudden cardiac arrest"4.
This proposed measure aims to mandate the placement of AED units in public 
spaces, i.e. in government buildings like offices, courts, schools, public parks, markets, 
airports, seaports, train station, other transports terminals, etc. and in private places 
like hotels, resorts, casinos, malls, condominiums, sports venues, factories, and similar 
places. The bill also provides guidelines such as FDA approval and periodic inspection 
of AED units, strategic placement and number of AED units, safety and security 
measures against weather, theft, tampering, and unauthorized use, among others. 
Furthermore, prior to placement, a training program for emergency responders and 
first-aid teams shall be administered by the Department of Health (DOH) on the proper 
use and maintenance of these devices, including CPR. Public awareness campaigns on 
the installation of AED units and their importance in savings lives will also be 
undertaken.
Indeed, making AEDs available for use in times of sudden cardiac arrests will 
increase the chances of survival of the people afflicted by this dreaded condition. By 
revitalizing their hearts, we are giving them a new lease on life.
In view of this, early passage of this bill is sought.
“ LITO" M. LAPID
Senator
3 Community Access to Emergency Defibrillation Act of 2002. Available at:
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-107publl88/html/PLAW-107publl88.htm
4 https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/cardiovascular-devices/automated-extemal-
defibriilators-aeds


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Third Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No.
2474
Jo’ E-FILED \ 
ui 
T6January 5’2022 —
I00 
T>MP01:20 pm
Introduced by Senator Manuel "LIto" M. Lapid
AN ACT
REQUIRING THE PLACEMENT OF AUTOMATED EXTERNAL 
DEFIBRILLATORS (AED) IN PUBLIC SPACES AND INCREASING PUBUC 
AWARENESS ON ITS ROLE IN SAVING LIVES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:
1
2
3
4
5
6 
7 
S
9
10 
n 
12
13
14
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as "Automated External 
Defibrillators (AED) in Public Spaces Act."
Section 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the declared policy of the State to 
protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness 
among the citizenry. Towards this end, the government shall ensure that life-saving 
devices and equipment are readily accessible to the public and that adequate 
personnel are trained in their use and operation.
Section 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms 
shall mean:
a) Automated External Defibrillator (AED) refers to a portable, life-saving 
device designed to treat people experiencing sudden cardiac arrest, a 
medical condition in which the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops


1 
beating. The AED system includes accessories, such as a battery and
2 
pad electrodes, that are necessary for the AED to detect and interpret
3 
an electrocardiogram and deliver an electrical shock;
4 
b) Government building refers to a building or a portion of a building
5 
owned, leased, or otherwise used by the government of the Republic of
6 
the Philippines, its agencies, instrumentalities, 
and local government
7 
units; and
8 
c) Private places refer to privately-owned establishments, businesses and
9 
premises;
10
1! 
Section 4. AED Placement. - (A) All government buildings, including but not
12 
limited to offices, courts, schools, public parks, markets, airports, seaports, train
13 
stations, and other transport terminals, shall be required to place AEDs in their
14 
premises, subject to the following guidelines:
15 
a) The AEDs to be provided shall be approved and periodically inspected
16 
by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA);
17 
b) The placement shall come with visible signs or labels, and shall be
18 
selected to afford accessibility and reasonable response times in case of
19 
emergencies;
20 
c) The number of AEDs per structure, building or space shall be sufficiently
21 
in proportion to the usual volume of people occupying the same;
22 
d) Safety and security measures shall be implemented to protect the AEDs
23 
from the elements, tampering, pilferage, theft, unauthorized use, or
24 
other special circumstances like electricity-related hazards, extreme
25 
temperatures, flooding, etc.; and
26 
e) Such other guidelines as the Department of Health (DOH) may
27 
subsequently impose.
28
29 
(B) The placement of AEDs shall likewise be required in private places with a
30 
high volume of people, either as occupants, workers or visitors thereon, such as
31 
hotels, resorts, casinos, malls, condominiums, sports and entertainment venues,
32 
amusement parks, factories, and similar places. The guidelines stated in subsection A


1 
above shall equally apply to these private places, along with other additional
2 
requirements that the DOH may reasonably impose.
3
4 
Section 5. Training. - The DOH shall establish a training program on the
5 
proper use and maintenance of AED units, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation
6 
(CPR). Completion of such training program by the emergency response or first-aid
7 
teams or other appropriate personnel assigned in the covered institutions and
8 
establishments is a pre-requisite prior to the placement of the AED units.
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Section 6. A wareness Campaign. - Covered institutions and establishments 
shall provide information to all employees and personnel regarding AED units installed 
in the premises. The public shall also be made aware of these AED units and their 
locations through signage, posters, brochures, floor plans, and various media.
The DOH shall likewise implement a public education and awareness campaign 
through various communication channels on the importance of AEDs in saving lives.
Section 7. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation 
of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations for the year following 
its enactment into law and thereafter.
Section 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days 
from the effectivity of this Act, the DOH and FDA, in coordination with other relevant 
government agencies, shall issue the necessary rules and regulations to implement 
the provisions of this Act.
Section 9. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive 
orders, proclamations, rules and regulations, or any part thereof, which are 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly.


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
Section 10. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act, or the 
application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held unconstitutional or invalid, 
the remainder of this Act shall not be affected thereby.
Section 11. Effectivity Clause.—Vr\\s Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
from its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation.
Approved,