Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No.2993

Introduced by Representative ANTOLIN “LENLEN” A. ORETA III

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The COVID-19 pandemic exposed critical gaps in the Philippines’ ability to respond to public
health emergencies. As cases surged across the country during the pandemic, hospitals and health
centers were overwhelmed by the volume of patients seeking care. The pandemic underscored
the urgent need for a reserve force of health-oriented professionals and volunteers who can be
mobilized during surges in demand for healthcare services.

This bill seeks to establish a Health Emergency Auxiliary Reinforcement Team or HEART under
the Department of Health. HEART will be made up of licensed and trained health professionals,
graduates of medicine and allied health courses, and other willing volunteers. These individuals
will undergo training. be registered, and made ready to support the health system during
disasters, public health emergencies, or other health threats.

‘Through HEART, the government can ensure the availability of sufficient manpower during
disasters and public emergencies of both national and local scale by mobilizing a trained medical
reserve force.

This bill was approved by the House of Representatives in the 19" Congress and was duly
transmitted to the Senate

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is eamestly sought.

Joh Whe

ANTOLIN “LENLEN” A. ORETA IIL
Lone District of Malabon City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.2993

Introduced by Representative ANTOLIN “LENLEN” A. ORETA III

AN ACT
CREATING THE HEALTH EMERGENCY AUXILIARY REINFORCEMENT TEAM
UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR

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 "Health Emergency Auxiliary
Reinforcement Team (HEART)” Act.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ Article Il, Section 15 of the Constitution enjoins the State to
protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among
them. Article XIII, Section | also provides for the adoption of an integrated and comprehensive
approach to health development. The State further reiterates its commitment to the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3, which calls on the State to ensure healthy lives
and promote the well-being of Filipinos at all ages.

‘The State recognizes the need for a reserve force of highly skilled and health-oriented
professionals and volunteers who can be mobilized to maintain the capacity to meet surges in
the demand for additional manpower in the country's healthcare system and provide assistance
as needed in times of health crises.

Pursuant to this, it is the policy of the State to:

a. Prioritize the health of its citizens whether in the country or overseas by maintaining a
strong and resilient healthcare system at all times that will immediately, efficiently, and
effectively address all potential and actual public health emergencies; and

b. Promote the spirit of “Bayanihan” and enhance the capacity of the nation to expand its
human health resources in times of disasters, public health emergencies and health threats
fof both national and local scale through the mobilization of the Health Emergency
Auxiliary Reinforcement Team.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:


=

Allied health professionals refer to professions who are involved with the delivery of
health or related services such as the identification, evaluation and prevention of diseases
and disorders, dietary and nutrition services, and rehabilitation and health systems
‘management. Allied health professionals, shall include, among others, dental hygienists,
diagnostic medical sonographers, dietitians, medical technologists, occupational
therapists, physical therapists, radiographers, respiratory therapists, and speech language
pathologists;

Bayanthan refers to the value of communal unity through helping others to achieve a
certain goal without expecting anything in return;

Deployment refers to the actual movement of workforce to the assigned area withit
prescribed period;

Health Emergency Auxiliary Reinforcement Team refers to a group of individual
volunteers who are in the field of medicine, nursing, medical technology, and other allied
health-related fields who are ready to be deployed to complement the health workforce
in the event of a public health emergency and health threat;

Health threat vefers to & condition, agent, or incident that greatly impacts the health that
leads to disease, accident, injury, and loss of life;

Mobilization refers to the process and procedures for activating, assembling, and
transporting the needed health workforce to respond to a public health emergency and
health threat;

Mobilization center refers to the establishment where the Health Emergency Auxiliary
Reinforcement Team shall report upon receipt of the order for mobilization, coordinate
their mission order and mobilization-related issues and concerns, and submit their report
upon receipt of the order for demobilization;

Public health emergency refers to an occurrence that poses an imminent threat of an
illness or health condition as defined in Republic Act No. 11332, otherwise known as
Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concem
Act, that:
1. Is caused by any of the following:

i. Bio terrorism;

ii, Appearance of a novel or previously controlled or eradicated infectious agent
or biological toxin;

iii, A natural disaster;
iv. A chemical attack or accidental release;

y. A nuclear attack or accident; or

vi. Anattack or accidental release of radioactive material


2. Poses a high probability of any of the following:
i. A large number of deaths in the affected population;

ii, A large number of scrious injuries or long-term disabilities in the affected
population;

Widespread exposure to an infectious or toxic agent that poses a significant
risk of substantial harm to a large number of people in the affected
population;

iv. International exposure to an infectious or toxic agent that poses a significant
risk to the health of citizens; or

v. Trade and travel restrictions

. Volunteers refer to those who freely register to be members of the HEART.

SEC. 4. Scope. ~ This Act provides for the organization of the Health Emergency Auxiliary
Reinforcement Team, hereinafter referred to as the HEART, the development of policies, plans,
guidelines, and the implementation of actions pertaining to the mobilization, services, and
protection of the HEART in times of disasters, public health emergencies and health threats.

SEC. 5. Health Emergency Auxiliary Reinforcement Team. — There is hereby established a
HEART under the Department of Health (DOH) to augment the health workforce in times of
disasters, public health emergencies and health threats. The HEART shall be composed of the
following individuals who shall voluntarily register with the DOH:

a. Licensed professionals in the fields of medicine, nursing, medical technology, and other
allied health fields including those who are retired and those who are no longer practicing
their professions in a health facility setting. All health and allied health professional
organizations may be tapped for the engagement of professionals who are not affiliated
in any healthcare facility;

b. Graduates of medicine and allied health courses and medical students who have
completed a one-year medical internship and who have not yet been issued licenses to
practice their respective professions, but due to the need for their services may be issued
a limited and special authorization to render medical services during public health
emergencies or health threats pursuant to Republic Act No. 2382, otherwise known as
the Medical Act of 1959 or as may be amended hereafter; and

¢. Other health support workforce, including barangay health workers, whose services are
necessary in times of disasters, public health emergencies and health threats.

SEC. 6. Creation of the HEART Board. - A HEART Board, hereinafter referred to as Board, is
hereby created to phon efficient and effective mobilization of the HEART. It shall be chaired
by the Department of Health (DOH) and composed of representatives of the following, as
members:

‘a. Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG);


b. Department of National Defense (DND);

¢. Commission on Higher Education (CHED);

4. Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC);

e. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP);

£ Office of Civil Defense (OCD); and

8. One representative from a non-governmental health professional organization.

The members of the Board shall designate a representative, with a rank not lower than Assistant
Secretary or its equivalent, to represent their respective offices in the Board: Provided, That the
representative must be fully authorized to decide on behalf of the member-agency.

‘The AFP shall designate a representative from the Office of the Surgeon General with a rank not
lower than Colonel as its Board representative.

The representative from a non-governmental health professional organization shall have a two
(2) -year term of office. The Board shall select the representative base on the guidelines it shall
promulgate: Provided, That, the non-governmental health organization is national in scope and
has a good track record in providing emergency health services.

The Board shall establish close coordination with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Council and the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency. It
may call upon any government office or instrumentality. including government owned or
controlled corporations and local government units (LGUs), as necessary. The Board may
likewise closely coordinate and collaborate with non-governmental health organizations and the
private sector, especially those with actual programs in the delivery of emergency health
services.

SEC. 7. Powers and Functions of the Board, ~The Board shall have the following powers and
functions:

8) Define and develop the organization, management, mobilization, demobilization, and
reporting mechanisms, policies, and guidelines for the HEART;

b) Oversee the effective and efficient functioning of the HEART in responding to public
health emergencies and health threats;

¢) Coordinate with concerned national government agencies and other stakeholders in
responding to public health emergencies and health threats;

. . :
4) Conduct regular meetings every quarter or as often as may be necessary in times o!
, Geasters, daring public health emergencies or in the occurrence of health threats;

it i DOH which shall
SEC. 8. Creation of a HEART Unit. A HEART Unit shall be created by the DOH whic!
serve as the secretariat of the Board. It shall oversee program implementation, including the
maintenance of the database or information system of the HEART.


The DOH shall determine the organizational structure and staffing pattern of the HEART unit
subject to the evaluation and approval of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM)
and in accordance with the civil service laws, rules and regulations.

The regional counterparts of the HEART Unit shall likewise be allocated additional staff and
personnel to ensure the grassroots implementation of this Act.

All LGUs shall ensure that a HEART Unit shall be operationalized under their respective Local
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office which shall act as mobilization centers in times.
of disasters, public health emergencies or health threats.

SEC. 9. Registration and Training. — The Board shall prescribe a comprehensive guideline for
the recruitment and selection of a HEART volunteer.

The Board shall also prescribe a training program through written, practical, and simulation
ities on various aspects of health emergency management and response in different health
emergency scenarios. To this end, all voluntecrs must undergo:

(a)Basic training on disaster and health emergency response; and
(b)Skill enhancement activities with relevant agencies in the both public and private sector.

Completion of the basic training or acceptable substitute or equivalent certification shall be a
requisite for admission to the HEART.

SEC. 10. Registry and Accounting of Members. - HEART Volunteers shall be issued with
individual registration numbers which shall serve as tification during deployment.

A registry or database that contains the names of the volunteers, their registration numbers,
address, contact details and other personal information as may be necessary, shall be maintained
and regularly updated in accordance with Republic Act No. 10173, otherwise known as the Data
Privacy Act.

‘The HEART registry or database shall be integrated or linked to existing registries such as the
National Health Workforce Registry pursuant to Republic Act No. 11223, otherwise known as
Universal Health Care Act, Section 25 (c).

All volunteers covered under this Act are required to update their addresses and contact details
on file through the registry system or database as necessary.

SEC. 11. Mobilization. - The Board shall approve the prompt mobilization of the HEART ‘upon
receipt of a request from municipal and city mayors and provincial governors in connection with
‘a public health emergency, threats to public health, or a disaster, whether of local or national
scale. The HEART may be mobilized partially or in full, as may be necessary.

The Board shall promulgate a mechanism that shall ensure efficient implementation of
deployment, assignment areas, deployment periods, how deployment orders are communicated
to each volunteer, and to which mobilization center the volunteers will report in accordance with
Section 13 on “Accreditation, Mobilization, and Protection of Disaster Volunteers and ‘National
Service Reserve Corps, CSOs and the Private Sector” of Republic Act No. 10121, otherwise
known as the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010.

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SEC. 12. Deployment Order. ~ The President of the Philippines, upon the recommendation of
the HEART Board through a resolution, may order the nationwide mobilization of the HEART
to augment the health workforce in case of a declaration of a state of public health emergency,
state of calamity, and other threats to public health.

Orders of deployment sent to the volunteers’ addresses and through the contact details on file in
the registry system or database shall be sufficient notice for purposes of deployment.

SEC. 13. Mobilization Centers - Mobilization Centers shall be established in each province as
needed where volunteers shall report to once deployment is ordered.

A mobilization center may be any establishment that can adequately house the volunteers, their
equipment and supplies during the period of deployment, including a multi-purpose hall,
gymnasium, and other similar structures.

The Board shall, in consultation with the local executives, prescribe the location of the
mobilization centers. The concemed municipal and city mayors and provincial governors shall
disseminate information on the location of mobilization centers to the widest extent possible.

SEC. 14. Essential Emergency Commodities. - The Board shall ensure that the minimum
essential individual and organizational commodities and medical equipment and supplies shall
be procured, stored, and managed to enhance the rapid transition to readiness required for
deployment of HEART teams in the shortest possible time.

The Board shall ensure and maintain its capacity to scale up the procurement of these equipment
and supplies as needed during the period of deployment.

SEC. 15. Incentives. - In recognition and appreciation of the HEART volunteers’ service
rendered during the period of actual mobilization, implementing agencies may provide
volunteers with an allowance as may be determined by the Department of Health (DOH), in
coordination with Department of Budget and Management, subject to availability of funds, and
other existing civil service, budgeting, accounting and auditing rules and regulations.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Act, shall be construed as creating an employer-
employee relationship between the government and HEART volunteers.

SEC. 16. Legal Liability and Malpractice Insurance. - No volunteer shall be held liable for the
death or injury to any person or for the loss of, or damage to the property of any person where
such death, injury, loss, or damage was proximately caused by the circumstance of an actual
public health emergency or its subsequent conditions.

‘The Insurance Commission is mandated to develop a specific public health emergency
malpractice insurance policy or modify existing policies that would protect HEART volunteers
from any legal liability as provided for by this Section to allow them to effectively respond in
‘good faith during public health emergencies.

This Section shall not preclude liability for civil damages because of gross negligence,
recklessness, or willful misconduct.

SEC. 17. Termination of Deployment or Demobilization. - Upon the declaration of the
President, or as determined by the Board that the need for the HEART is no longer necessary, or

7


upon the expiration of the deployment or end of mission there being no approved extension
thereof, volunteers who are deployed pursuant to the declaration of a public calamity, a public
health emergency or health threat shall be discharged from the performance of HEART duties.

Upon order of the demobilization of the HEART, the deployed volunteers shall be reverted to
inactive status. Mobilization Centers shall ensure reports on the mission are duly submitted and
the certificate of services rendered pertaining to the deployment are promptly issued.

SEC. 18, Annual Report, - The HEART Unit shall prepare and submit an annual report to the
Office of the President, through the DOH Secretary, containing the list of accomplishments,
status of the operations and program implementation of the HEART.

SEC. 19. Appropriations, - The funds necessary for the initial implementation of this Act shall
be charged against the available funds of the implementing agencies comprising the HEART
Board. Thereafter, the funding shall be included in the budget of the DOH under the annual
General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 20. Implementing Rules and Regulations.. - Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity
of this Act, the HEART Board shall, in consultation with other stakeholders, promulgate the
necessary guidelines for the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 21. Separability Clause. - \f any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or
invalid, the validity of other provisions shall not be affected thereby.

SEC. 22. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, other issuances,
or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

SEC. 23. Effectivity Clause. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazeuee or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,