Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL No. 2043 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by: HON. CARL NICOLAS C. CARI 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Defibrillators are devices that restore a normal heartbeat by sending an electric pulse or shock 
to the heart. They are used to prevent or correct an arrhythmia, a heartbeat that is uneven or that is 
too slow or too fast. Defibrillators can also restore the heart’s beating if the heart suddenly 
stops. Different types of defibrillators work in various ways. Automated External Defibrillators 
(AEDs), which are in many public spaces, were developed to save the lives of people experiencing 
sudden cardiac arrest. Even untrained bystanders can use these devices in an emergency. 
Nearly half of all deaths from cardiovascular disease are sudden and unexpected. Most 
sudden cardiac deaths occur before hospital admission. The delay from cardiopulmonary arrest to 
defibrillation is a significant independent predictor of survival. Two minutes after the arrest, around 
two-thirds of victims have rhythms amenable to defibrillation, but this percentage decreases rapidly 
with time. It is imperative to minimize the delay from calling the emergency medical service to their 
arrival at the arrest scene. However, some delay is inevitable. Therefore, interest has grown in 
complementary strategies whereby defibrillation can be administered while waiting for the 
emergency medical service to arrive. 
There is growing interest in developing strategies that will enable defibrillation to be 
administered while waiting for the emergency medical service to arrive. This Act is one of the 
strategies. 
This bill seeks to equip both public and private places for a swift response during times of 
emergency. Immediate attention and intervention in such cases can double the victim’s chances of 
survival and lessen neurologic dysfunction. By requiring establishments to have Public Access 
Defibrillators (PADs) and at least one (1) individual capable of or knowledgeable of using AEDs 
and or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), we can save lives. 
This proposed measure was filed in the 19th Congress by the undersigned and approved by 
the House Committee on Health on 05-08-2023 in consolidation with other House bills of the same. 
Respectfully submitted. 
CARL NICOLAS C. CARI 
Representative          
5th District, Leyte    
July 16, 2025
5:44 pm


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL No. 2043 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by: HON. CARL NICOLAS C. CARI 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
DEFIBRILLATORS IN PUBLIC PLACES 
ACT 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be referred to as the “Defibrillators in Public 
Places Act”. 
SECTION 2. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall 
mean: 
1.
‘Automated External Defibrillator’ (AED) device refers to an electrical device used to
counteract fibrillation of the heart muscle and restore a normal heartbeat by applying a
brief electric shock; 
2.
'Public Access Defibrillator’ (PAD) device refers to those that are placed in government
buildings, private places, and other public places as defined in this section; 
3.
Public places mean all places, fixed or mobile, that are accessible or open to the public or
places for collective use, regardless of ownership or right to access, including but not
limited to schools, workplaces, government facilities establishments that provide food and
drinks, accommodation, merchandise, professional services, entertainment, or other
services. It also includes outdoor spaces where facilities are available for the public or
where a crowd of people would gather, such as, but not limited to, playgrounds, sports
grounds or centers, church grounds, health/hospital compounds, transportation terminals,
markets, parks, resorts, walkways/sidewalks, entranceways, waiting areas, and the like.
SECTION 3. Guidelines on Placement. - The following requirements shall be followed in all 
public places: 
a.
Public places defined under this Act shall supply and maintain an AED device, as defined
in this Act, on-site in each establishment open to the public. The AED device shall be
placed in an accessible location within the building and shall be made available at all times.
b. The 
PAD 
should 
come 
with 
visible 
signage 
and 
be 
maintained 
in 
an
accessible 
location 
within 
the 
government 
building, 
private 
places, 
or
other private places; 
c.
The Secretary of Health shall establish guidelines with respect to placing automated
external defibrillator devices in public places 
d. The Secretary of Health, together with the  Head of the public places, shall develop and
implement training courses and on-site training to select employees for the use of such
devices and ensure cascading of training to other employees. The training and instruction
shall include programs that have been developed by the Philippine Heart Association
(PHA) or the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) using nationally recognized and
evidence-based guidelines for emergency cardiovascular care and psychomotor training.
As far as practicable, AED training shall be part of the employees’ orientation program. 


 
 
 
 
 
 
Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
 
 
SECTION 4. Appropriation. - The amount 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. 
 
SECTION 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is declared 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected shall remain in full force 
and effect. 
 
SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules, and 
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, 
amended, or modified accordingly. 
 
SECTION 7. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
  
 
 
 APPROVED,