THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VILLAR. JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Devastating catastrophes resulting from both natural and man-made 
causes occur almost everyday around the world. The National Disaster 
Coordinating Council reported that the Philippines was struck with 2,607 
natural and man-made disasters from 1990 to 200 1, with casualties numbering 
16,000 and damages to properties amounting to P165.2 million. 
Since the Philippines is not immune from disasters, and since 
government efforts alone is not always adequate to meet the challenge of perils 
to life and limb, this measure aims to promote and encourage the formation 
and operation of private non-profit emergency rescue units by assisting them in 
their funding, equipment &nd prescribing the mechanics for government 
assistance and support. 
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In view of the foregoin , immediate approval of this bill is strongly urged. 
I 
MANUEL B. VI LAR, JR. 
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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VILLAR, JR. 
AN ACT 
TO PROMOTE AND ENCqURAGE THE FORMATION AND OPERATION OF 
PRIVATE NONPROFIT EMERGENCY RESCUE UNITS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Good 
Samaritan Act of 2004. I' 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - In line with the profound constitutional 
concern for the value of human life it is hereby declared a policy of the State to 
promote and encourage the formation and operation of private non-profit emergency 
rescue units by assisting them 'in their funding, equipment and other primary 
requirements. 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terns. - As used in this Act, unless the context clearly 
indicates otherwise, the following are defined as follows: 
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a. 
Emergency rescue unit - a medical unit org tized primarily to detect 
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and report medical emergencies, perform resc 1 
e work, render initial 
medical assistance at the scene of emergenc and there from to a 
hospital or other hospitable environment? and t rovide transport of the 
emergency victim to definitive medical care. 
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b. 
Emergency medical services - services provided 
for 
the 
medical 
management of emergency out-patients and injured victims of accidents? 
disasters, calamities and other abnormal occurrences at, and while being 
transported from, the scene of emergency preparatory to referral or 
admission for definitive medical care. 
Department - the Department of Health 
Secretary - the Secretary of the Department of Health 
Third parties - persons other than the ones being rescued and other than 
the personnel of the emergency rescue unit. 
c. 
d. 
e. 


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b. 
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3N 4. Grants and Contracts. - The Department may make grants to, or 
ntraCts with, private non-profit emergency rescue units which meet the 
of t$e Department for - 
Assistance in meeting the cost of training programs for physicians, 
nudes, and emergency medical technicians in the techniques and 
medods of providing emergency medical services; 
Assiitance in kind in the form of medicines and medical supplies 
partj,cularly needed in rendering emergency medical services; 
Assi&tance in the use, either on nominal lease or on rent-free basis, of 
equipment specially suited for delivering emergency medical services, 
such as, but not limited to, ambulances, respirators, wheelchairs, oxygen 
tanks, and powerjacks; and 
Assistance in meeting final judgments for the payment of money for 
accidental injury or death to third parties, arising from the performance 
by personnel of an emergency rescue unit, in the course of emergency 
rescue operations, of a lawful act with due care and without fault or 
intention of causing such injury nor death: 
cd, That such assistance shall in no case exceed fifty percent (50%) of the 
Aged to be paid. 
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ON 5. Special Consideration for Rural Areas. - The Department shall give 
deration to application for grants or contracts relating to the delivery of 
edich services in the rural areas and training programs which emphasize 
tion and utilization of techniques and methods to improve the delivery of 
edical services in such areas. 
ON 6. Eligible Units. - No grant or contract may be made or entered into 
tment under this Act unless - 
The applicant is a private, non-profit organization, and 
An application therefore has been submitted to, and approved by, the 
'Department. Such application shall be in such form, submitted in such 
,manner, and contain such information, as the Secretary shall by 
;regulation prescribe to ensure that grants and contracts do not exceed 
j reasonable bounds and that monitoring will be facilitated. 
SECTION 7. Extent of Assistance; Payments; Reports. - The amount or extent of 
assistance under this Act shall be determined by the Department. Funding assistance 
may be made in advance or by way of reimbursement and at such intervals and on 
such conditions as the Department may prescribe. 


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SECTION 8. Reports. - Grantees and contractees shall make such reports 
at 
such intervals, 
and containing 
such information, as 
the 
Department 
may 
in particular, recommendations, in the 
context of the grant or contract, for improving the delivery of emergency medical units. 
require. The reports shall include, 
SECTION 9. Rules and Regulations. - Within one hundred twenty (120) days 
from the date of effectivity of this Act, the Secretary shall issue such regulations as 
may be necessary to implement its provisions and help achieve its objectives. 
SECTION 10. Appropriations. - The sum or sums needed for the grants and 
contracts under this Act shall be appropriatkd in the General Appropriations Act, 
Provided, That no less than thirty-five percent (35%) of the funds authorized to be 
appropriated for a particular fiscal year shall be used to assist in meeting the cost of 
training programs for physicians, nurses, 
and emergency medical technicians in 
emergency medicine. 
SECTION 11. Separability Clause - Should any part or provision of this Act be 
deemed unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder of the Act not otherwise affected 
thereby shall remain in force and effect. 
SECTION 12. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders, issuances, 
rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or 
modified accordingly. 
SECTION 13. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,