Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS:
First Regular Session

6032
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative Ferdinand L. Hernandez

AN ACT
REQURING THE PLACEMENT OF DEFIBRILLATORS IN PUBLIC SPACES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Deaths caused by cardiovascular problems can be reduced through the use of
cardiopulmonary resuscitation and Automated External Defibrillators (AED).

Defibrillators reset the electrical activity of the heart in the hope that the natural
pacemaker cells can then regain control of the rhythm. Together with cardiopulmonary
resuscitation, they can help reduce deaths caused by cardiovascular diseases.
Unfortunately, they are only available in medical facilities. Cardiac arrests can occur
anywhere, and the availability of defibrillators in public places removes the need to bring
a patient to a medical facility in order to be resuscitated.

This bill will require the installment and maintenance of public access defibrillator
(PAD) devices, which shall be available in government buildings and private
establishments open to the public. The bill also provides training for personnel who are
tasked to operate and maintain such devices.

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



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regutar Session

HOUSE BILL NO. Guise

Introduced by Representative Ferdinand L. Hernandez

AN ACT
REQURING THE PLACEMENT OF DEFIBRILLATORS IN PUBLIC SPACES

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

Section 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Defibrillators in Public
Piaces Act of 2019.”

Sec. 2. Definition of Terms. — For purposes of this Act, the following terms are
defined as follows:

a. Automated Extemal Defibrillator (AED) device — refers to an electronic device
used to counteract fibrillation of the heart muscle and restore normal
heartbeat by applying a brief electric shock;

b. Public Access Defibrillator (PAD) device ~ refers to an AED device which is
placed in government buildings, private places, and other private places as
defined in this Section;

c. Government building — refers to a building or portion of a building owned,
leased, or otherwise used by the national government of the Republic of the
Philippines or local government units;


d. Private places — refer to privately-owned establishments, including but are not
limited to resorts, hotels, casinos, malls, condominiums, and sports venues;
and

e. Other private places — refer to places with a high volume of people, including
but are not limited to schools, public or wet markets, and churches or places
of worship,

Sec. 3. Guidelines on Placement. — The following guidelines in the placement of
AEDs and PADs shail be followed:

a. Each government building shall procure and maintain an AED device on-site
in each establishment open to the public. The AED device shall be
maintained in an accessible location within the building and shall be made
available;

b. The PAD shall come with visible signage and maintained in an accessibie
jocation within the government building, private piaces, or other private
places.

The Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH) shall establish guidelines with
respect to placing AED devices in government buildings. Such guidelines shall take into
account the extent to which such devices may be used by lay persons, the typical
number of employees and visitors in the buildings, the extent of the need for security
measures regarding the buildings, buildings or portions of buildings in which there are
‘special circumstances such as high electrical voltage or extreme heat or cold, and such
other factors as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.

Sec. 4. Training. — The DOH shall establish a program for appropriate training
courses in the use and proper maintenance of AED devices, including for


cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The DOH shall ensure coordination with appropriate
licensed professionals in the oversight of training of the devices. All personnel tasked to
operate and maintain AED devices shail undergo such trainings.

Sec. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DOH shall issue the
implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of this Act within ninety (90) days after the
approval of this Act.

Sec. 6. Appropriation. - The amounts necessary to implement the provisions of
this Act is hereby appropriated out of any funds in the National Treasury not otherwise
appropriated; Provided, that the corresponding amount needed to implement this Act in
subsequent years shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act for the
Department of Health. ‘

Sec. 7. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
otherwise unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the
other provisions hereof.

Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, issuances or portions
thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

Sec. 9. Effectivity. — This Act shail take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,