THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
} 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
S E N A T E  
Introduced by Senator S. R. Osmeiia 111 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Situated as it is in the typhoon belt, the Philippines is periodically subject 
to devastating natural calamities. In addition, the continuing problems of peace 
and order and the high incidence of man-made disasters create a strong demand 
for emergency rescue services in the Philippines. 
This bill empowers the Department of Health to enter into contracts with 
private non-profit enterprises for the provision of emergency rescue services. In 
particular, the bill provides that the Department of Health 
I) 
shall give special consideration to applications for grants or contracts 
relative to the delivery of emergency medical services in the rural areas 
and training programs which emphasize the identification and use of 
techniques and methods to improve the delivery of emergency medical 
services to such areas; and 
2) shall determine the amount or extent of assistance to be given to non-profit 
emergency rescue units. Funding assistance may be made in advance or 
by way of reimbursement for services at such intervals and on such 
conditions as the Department may prescribe. 
A well-accepted rule in governance states that the government’s primary 
role is that of enabling the success of private sector businesses. This bill paves 
the way for the development of private markets in medical rescue services - an 
area where efficient, innovative service is urgently and direly needed. 
In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is earnestly requested. 
SERGIO OSMENA 111 
Senator 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE EPUBLIC 
} 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
E N A T E  
S. Nd. 
introduced by Senator S. R. Osmefia 111 
AN ACT 
TO PROMOTE AND ENCOURAGE 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: 
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SECTION 1. Title, - This Act shall be known and may be cited as the 
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - In line with the profound constitutional 
"Good Samaritan Act of 2004." 
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concern for the value of human life, it is hereby declared a policy of the State to 
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promote and encourage the formation and operation of private non-profit 
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emergency rescue units by assisting them in their funding, equipment and other 
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primary requirements. 
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SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, unless the context 
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clearly indicates otherwise, the term - 
a) Emergency rescue units means a medical unit organized primarily to 
detect and report medical emergencies, perform rescue work, render initial 
medical assistance at the scene of emergency and therefrom to a hospital or 
other hospitable environment, and provide transport of the emergency victims to 
definitive medical care. 
b) Emergency Medical Services means 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. 
c) Department means the Department of Health 


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d) Secretary means the Secretary of the Department of Health. 
e) Third parties means persons other than the ones being rescued and 
other than the personnel of the emergency rescue unit. 
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SEC. 4. Grants and Contracts. - The Department may make grants to, 
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or enter into contracts with, private non-profit emergency rescue units which 
meet the requirements of the Department for - 
a) assistance in meeting the cost of training programs for physicians, 
nurses, and emergency medical technicians in the techniques and methods of 
providing emergency medical services; 
b) assistance in kind in the form of medicines and medical supplies 
peculiarly needed in rendering emergency medical services; 
c) assistance in the lease, 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 
power jacks; and 
d) assistance in meeting final judgements for the payment of money for 
accidental injury or death to third parties, arising from the performance by 
personnel of an emergency rescue units, in the course of emergency rescue 
operations, of a lawful act with due care and without fault or intention of causing 
such injury or death: Provided, That such assistance shall in no case exceed fifty 
percent (50%) of the amount adjudged to be paid. 
SEC. 5. Special Consideration for Rural Areas. - The Department shall 
give special consideration to applications for grants or contract relating to the 
delivery of emergency medical services in the rural areas and training programs 
which emphasize the identification and utilization of techniques and methods to 
improve the delivery of emergency medical services in such areas. 
SEC. 6. Eligible Units. - No grant or contract may be made or entered 
into by the Department under this Act unless - 
a) the applicant is a private non-profit organization; and 
b) an applicant therefore has been submitted to, and approved by, the 
Department such application shall be in such form, submitted in such manner, 


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and contain such information, as the Secretary shall be regulation prescribe to 
ensure that grants and contracts do not exceed reasonable bounds and that 
monitoring will be facilitated. 
Sec. 7. Extent of Assistance; Payment; 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. 
Sec. 8. Reports. - Grantees contracts shall make such reports at such 
intervals, and containing such information, as the Department may require. The 
reports shall include, in particular, recommendations, in the context of the grant 
or contract, for improving the delivery of emergency medical units. 
Sec. 9. Rules and Regulations. - Within one hundred twenty (12) 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 objecve. 
SEC. I O .  Authorization of Appropriations. - The sum or sums needed for 
the grants to be appropriated 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. 
SEC. 1 I. 
Separability Clause, - Should any part or provision of this Act 
be deemed unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder of this Act not otherwise 
affected thereby shall remain in force and effect. 
SEC. 12. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, or administrative 
rules and' regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions 
of this Act shall be repealed, amended, or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 13. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation whichever comes earlier. 
Approved,