Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila
EIGHTEm`rrll C ONGRES S
First Regular Scssiori
HousEBILLNof7&3,I
Introduced by: HON. CA-RL 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 plievent or correct an arrhythmia, a heartbeat that is uneven or
that is too slow or tco fast. Defibrillators can also restore the heart's beating if the heart suddenly
stops. Different types of defibrillators work in different ways. Automated External Defibrillators
(AED), which are in many public spaces, were developed to save the lives of people experiencing
suddencardiacarrest.Evenuntrainedbystanderscanusethesedevicesinanemergency.
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  anest
around  two  thirds  of victims  have  rhythms  amenable  to  defibrillation,  but  this  percentage
decreases rapidly with time.  Obviously, 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 which 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 neurolngic dysfunction.  By  requiring  establishments to have  Put)lic Access
Defibrillators(PADs)andatleastone(I)individualcapableorknowledgeableofusingAEDsand
or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), we can save lives.
Respecrfully submitted.
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RepublicofthePhilippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila
EIGIITEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL
Introduced by: HON. CARL NICOLAS C. CARI
DEFIBRILLATORS IN PUBLIC PLACES
ACT
Be it enacted by the Senate an~d House o.i liep.r?se.ntatives Of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:
SECTION  1. Sfto# 7lj*Je  - This Act shall be refened to as the `` Ilefibrillators in Public Places
Act".
SECTION  2.  Def#de.o#   a/  rermsi   -  As  used   in  this  Act.  the  following  terms  shall
mean:
I.    `Automated  External  Defibrillator (AED) device  refers to  an electrical  device used to
counteract fibrillation of the heat muscle  and restore normal heartbeat by applying a
brief electric shock;
2.    'Public Access Defibrillator GAD) device refers to (a) which are placed in government
buildings, private places, and other private places as defined in this section;
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SECTION 3.  G#I.de/i.ne^5 on j]Jaceme#f.  -The following requirements shall be followed in all
public places:
a.    Public places defined under this Act shall supply and maintain an AED dcvicc as defincd
in  this  Act on-site  in  each  establishment open to the  public.  The AED  device  shall  be
maintaincd in an accessible location within the building and shall  bc made   available at
all times.
b.   The     PAD     should     come     with     visible      signagc     and     maintained     in     an
acccssiblc      location     within      the     govcmmcnt     building,      private     places,     or
other private places;
c.    The  Secretary  of Health  shall  establish  guidelines  with  liespect  to  placing  automated
external defibrillator devices in public places
d.   The Secretary of Health, together with the  Head of the public places shall draft training
courses  and on-site training to select emi)loyees/or the use of such devices and ensulie
cascading  of training  to  other  employees.  The  training  and  instruction  shall  include
programs  which  have  been  developed  by  the  Philippine  Heart  Association  (PHA)  or
Philippine  National   Red   Cross   (PNRC)  using  nationally-recoghizcd,  evidence-based
guidelines  for  emergency  cardiovascular  care,  and  psychomotor  training.  As  far  as
practicable, AED training  shall be as 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 appliopriated out of any funds in the National  Treasury not otherwise appropriatcd,
provided that the corresponding amount needed to implement this Act in subscqucnt years shall
bc included in the Armual General Appropriations Act for the Department of Health.
SECTION   5.   Separability   Clause.   -   If  any   provision   or   part   hciicof   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 oliders, 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  afar  its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general ciroulation.
APPROVED,