... i 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 1405 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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The provIsion of Emergency Medical Service is important 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 earnestly sought. 
Senator 


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' r 
SIXTEENTH CONGftESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No, 1405 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
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AUG 29 
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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 I 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
SECTION 1. Short Title . • This Act shall be known as the "Pre-Hospital 
Emergency Care Act of 2013", 
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; 


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f) 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 -
(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 
(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. 
(iii) 
Ambulance Assistants - Personnel who, having gained the 
"minimum" certification as a Medical First Responder (Advanced 
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f 
' t 
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. 
(d) 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 anal PRC in the case f 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) Ambulanoe I 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. 
(g) 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 Councilor local medical 
authority oharged 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; 
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b) Implement these policies in coordination with affiliated medical and educational 
institutions; 
c) 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 national 
medical treatment protocols to be observed by pre-hospital care professionals 
and such other entities as it may consider appropriate; 
d) Promulgate a Code of Ethics for Emergency Medical Technicians; 
e) Develop standards of operation for pre-hospital emergency care support services 
providers to support best practices by pre-hospital care practitioners; 
f) Establish and maintain a roster of certified emergency medical technicians; 
g) Develop standards and protocols for the design, construction, outfitting and 
operations of emergency medical vehicles; 
h) 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: 
I. Ex-Officio Members: 
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); 
c) The Chair of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA); 
and 
d) The Chair of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). 
II. 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 MindanaC!l; 
(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; 
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(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 I 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) 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; 
(b) Maintain a roster of qualified pre-hospital care professionals and providers, and 
training institutions, and oversee their licensing and accreditation; 
(c) 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; 
(e) Set up a system of networking and coordination with and among all existing 
government health agencies and local govemment units for the effective 
implementation of programs and activities; 
(f) Call upon and coordinate with other govemment and non-govemment medical and 
other institutions and agencies for assistance in any form; 
(g) Generate resources, both from the Government and private sectors, local, national 
and international, for its operation; 
(h) 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; 
, 
(i) Prepare an annwal 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; 
(k) Regulate activities inimical to the delivery of emergency medical services; 
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(I) Review membership of the Council in line with status changes of concerned national 
organizations duly recognized as involved in Emergency Medical Care IPre-Hospital 
Emergency Medical Care as required by this Act; and 
(m)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 Examinationl 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 persormel; 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 and finally staffed, 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 subj!3cted to annual review and revision by the Council in coordination 
with relevant public and private medical agencies and organizations. 
CHAPTER III 
EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS 
SEC. 
13. 
Creation of Plantitla 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; 
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b) Regional HoslI>itals - 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 the 
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 pre-
hospital, 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 (HEI) 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 accordance with the standards set by the Council. 
SEC. 16. Certification, Registration and Re-certification. - Registration and 
recertification of EMITs 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 re-
certify Emergency Medical Technicians upon submission of a competency-based 
assessment assesment 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, of good moral character, and must produce before the NPHCC 
satisfactory evidence of good moral character, 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. 
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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 
Council. 
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 shall 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. Issflance of the Certificate of Registration and EMT Identification 
Card. - A 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 and 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. RelYocation 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. Roinstatement, 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. 
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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 urgency needed in the 
absence of inadequacy of local Emergency Medical Technicians that can provide pre-
hospital 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 himself/herself 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: 
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, 
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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. Coc(e of Ethics of Emergency Medical Technicians. - The Council/ 
in coordination witlil 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 shaU 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 
EMTsfrom: 
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 
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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 guilty of an offense and, subject to 
subsection (3) of this Section, shall be given a warning for the fl.tst 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 IiClbie 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 0 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. 
(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 alarTn 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 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,OOO.OO) 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,OOO.OO) or to imprisonment for a term not 
exceeding 3 years or to both, and payment of damages. 
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SEC. 37. Implementing Rules and Regulations. " The NTC, in coordination 
with the Council and other concerned 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. Sen/ice 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 temporary/special permit duly issued to him/her by the 
Council; 
(b) Providing pre-el\'<\ergency hospital care within the meaning of this Act without a valid 
Certificate of RElgistration and a Professional Identification Card or a valid special 
permit issued in accordance herewith; 
(c) Presenting or using as his or her own a Certificate of Registration or Professional 
Identification Card belonging to another; 
(d) Giving any false or forged evidence of any kind to the Councilor TESDA or CHED 
or PRC in obtain'ing any of the foregoing documents; 
(e) Falsely impersonating any registrant with like or different name; 
(f) 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 prEi-
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 special permit; 
(h) Operating an Emergency Medical Services training institution without proper 
accreditation; and 
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, 
(i) 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 !ess than one (1) year nor more than five (5) years, or both, at the 
discretion of the court. 
. SEC. 42. Enfarcement. - 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 amoul'\t 
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. 
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. E~ctivity. - 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, 
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