RECEIVED
patel 4 JUL 2016
Bry

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TINE:
BY:

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1605

REST MTION UNIT
AND AN SERVICE

BILLS

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by REP. TEDDY BRAWNER BAGUILAT

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 12, Article Il of the 1987 Constitution provides that the State shall protect and
promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. Toward
this end, this Bill seeks to institutionalize a pre-hospital medical care system recognizing the
vital role of Emergency Medical Service in the protection promotion and of the right to health of
people thru the conduct of basic and advanced life support services to patients with illness or
injuries in critical condition.

This bill seeks to establish the National Pre-Hospital Care Council which shall be tasked
to formulate and implement policies on pre-hospital emergency medical services and related
institutions, in coordination with affiliated medical and educational institutions. The Council shall
be composed of the heads of the Department of Health, Department of Interior and Local
Government, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the Commission on
Higher Education as ex-officio members. Representatives from a national health organization,
local health boards, registered emergency medical practitioners, registered medical
practitioners, shall be appointed as members of the Council

To address the need to professionalize and regulate this sector as well as to enhance
the delivery of Emergency Medical Service in the country, there is a need to increase the
number of highly qualified Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics. Thus, plantilla
positions for Emergency Medical Technicians shall be created in government hospitals,
specialized hospitals, regional: hospitals, provincial hospitals and local government units.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is eamestly sought.

TEDDY BRAWNER BAGUILAT
Represepfative, Lone District of itugao

HOUSE OF REPHZSENTATIVES



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1605

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by REP. TEDDY BRAWNER BAGUILAT

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!
GENERAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 1. Short Title, - This Act shall be known as the "Pre-Hospital Emergency
Care Act of 2016." .

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 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 ("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 provides for and shall govern: a) The creation of the
National Pre-Hospital Care Council (the Councilor "NPHCC"); b) The development and
institutionalization of pre-hospital emergency service system at the national and local level; c)
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-hospital care professionals; 1) 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.

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


(a) Pre-Hospital Emergency Medical Services — It includes:

(i) 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

(ii) 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

(c) Pre-hospital Care Professionals — It includes.

(i) Emergency Medical Technician ("EMT") - A pre-hospital emergency
care provider who has fulfilled the requirements 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.

(ii) Ambulance Dispatch Officer (ADO) - A person duly trained and
certified in the administration, management 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.

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.

(a) 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.

(e) 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

(f) 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 medical technician (EM1) and a patient so positioned that said
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

(a) 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 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 (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 nationat medical treatment protocols to be


4)

e)

h)

observed by pre-hospital care professionals and such other entities as
it may consider appropriate;

Promulgate a Code of Ethics for Emergency Medical Technicians;

Develop standards of operation for pre-hospital emergency care
support services providers to support best practices by pre-hospital
care practitioners;

Establish and maintain a roster of certified emergency medical
technicians;

Develop standards and protocols for the design, construction, outfitting
and operations of emergency medical vehicles;

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

Ex-Officio Members: a f

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);

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

4d) The Chair of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED)

Members to be appointed by the Secretary if 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 the 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;


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

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

(f) One (1) representative from an educational or training institution
providing EMT programs, which have been duly approved by TESDA or
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 functions

(a)

(b)

(c)

(a)

(e)

f)

(9)

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;

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,

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 effective 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;

Receive and accept donations and other conveyances including
funds, materials, and services, by gratuitous tide, Provided, that not
more than thirty percent (30%). 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;

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

@ Regulate activities inimical to the delivery of emergency medical

services;
) Review membership of the Council in line with status changes of

concerned national organizations duly recognized as involved in
Emergency Medical Care/Pre-Hospital Emergency Medical Care as
required by this Act; and

) 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 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

SEC. 10. Accreditation. - The Council shall issue certifications 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, 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 Ill
EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS.

SEC. 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:

a) Specialized Hospitals - Five (5) Emergency Medical Technicians;
b) Regional Hospitals - Five (5) Emergency Medical Technicians;

c) Provincial Hospitals - Three (3) Emergency Medical Technicians;

d) Local Government Units - Three (3) Emergency Medical Technicians;
e) 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 tne
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 or aggravation of physiological or psychological illness or injury delivered in a
prehospital, inter-hospital and hospital emergency care setting. For this purpose, the
Council shall develop the scope of work of Emergency Medical Technicians based on
internationally- accepted standards, as adapted to the Philippine setting

SEC. 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 (HE!) 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 accordarice with the standards set by the Council

SEC. 16. Certification, Registration and Re-certification. - Registration and
recertification 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
recertify Emergency Medical Technicians upon submission of a competency-based
assessment 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 least twenty-one (21)
years of age, 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, or
a degree course leading to an EMT-paramedic certification, conferred by 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
Couneil

SEC. 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 Examination. - National written examinations for
Emergency Medical Technicians in the Philippines stall be given by TESDA and/or PRC
at least twice 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,

SEC. 21. Issuance of the Certificate of Registration and EMT Identification
Card, - 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

SEC. 22. Disqualification. - TESDA, PRC dnd the Council 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 dishonorable
‘conduct after investigation and 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. The reason for the refusal shall be set forth in
writing

SEC. 23. Revocation or Suspension of the Certificate of Registration, EMT
Identification Card or Cancellation of Temporary/Special Permit. - The Council,
upon recommendation 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.

SEC, 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 Medical Technician. - The Council, in
coordination with TESDA, CHED, PRC, and the accredited professional organization
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.

SEC. 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 of inadequacy of local Emergency Medical Technicians that can provide
prehospital 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 himselfiherself as Emergency Medical
Technician as defined in this Act, or use the tide, 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 Council, 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.

SEC. 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 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 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:

10


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 on-going 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 a 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 Professional 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 coordination with the accredited professional organizations, shall adopt and
promulgate the Code 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

un


°) 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 national emergency number to enable the public to access
emergency medical services, Towards this end, the National Telecommunications
Council (NTC) shall develop a program for the adoption of a national emergency
number. It shall consult and cooperate with 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 - (1) 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 guilly of an offense and, subject to
‘subsection (3) of this Section. The offender 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 One Thousand
Pesos (P1, 000.00). Upon commission of the offense for the fourth and succeeding
times, the offender shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding Five Thousand
Pesos (P5, 000.00) or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six (6) months or to 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 One
Thousand Pesos (P1, 000.00). Upon commission of the offense for the fourth and
succeeding times, the offender shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding Five
Thousand Pesos (PS, 000,00) or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six (6) months
or to 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

2


request to be false, shall be liable 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 Five Thousand
Pesos (P5, 000.00) 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 Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00 or to imprisonment for a term not
exceeding 3 years or to both, and payment of damages.

SEC. 37. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The NTC, in coordination
with the Council and other concemed agencies, shall issue and promulgate the rules
and regulations to implement the provisions of this Chapter within One hundred twenty
(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 emergency 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 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. 40, 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 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 temporaryispecial permit duly
issued to him/her 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 special permit issued in accordance
herewith;

(©) Presenting or using as his or her own a Certificate of Registration or
Professional Identification Card belonging to another,

) Giving any false or forged evidence of any kind to the Councilor
TESDA or CHED or PRC in obtaining any of the foregoing
documents;

13


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

O) Abetting or assisting 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;

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

() Operating an Emergency Medical Services training institution without
proper accreditation; and

0) 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.

SEC. 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 (100,000.00) 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

SEC. 43. Appropriations. - The amount of. Thirty Million Pesos (Php30, 000,
000.00) 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,

SEC. 45. 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.

14


SEC. 46. Repealing Clause. - Any provision of laws, orders, agreements, rules
or regulations contrary to and inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended
or modified accordingly

SEC. 47. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a major newspaper of general circulation in the
Philippines,

Approved,