SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session 
SEN~1fs6 
S.No. __ _ 
) 
) 
) 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
REQUIRING TI-IE PLACEMENT OF DEFIBRILLATORS IN 
PUBLIC USE AIRPORTS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
1'5 
JUL 1') 1'2 :45 
A defibrillator is a device used in the treatment of life-threatening disturbances of 
the rhythm of the heart beat which may occur as the result of a heart attack or a variety of 
serious injuries or illnesses. Its effect is to reset the electrical activity of the heart in the 
hope that the natural pacemaker cells can then regain control of the rhythm. This bill 
requires each public use airport to supply and maintain an automated external 
defibrillator on-site in each airport building open to the public. The airport is required to 
maintain the defibrillator in an accessible location within the building and ensure its 
availability during the normal operating hours of the airport, or at any other time when 
the airport facilities may be open to the general public. 
The airport must ensure that the defibrillator is tested and maintained, and is 
required to provide notification to the appropriate first aid, ambulance or rescue squad or 
other appropriate emergency medical services provider of the type and location of the 
defibrillators. The bill also requires an administrator responsible for the airport to ensure 
the presence of a staff person who is certified in the operation and use of an automated 
external defibrillator whenever the airport is open to the general public. This will ensure 
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that passengers or employees who are victims of heart attacks while they are in the 
airport will be given adequate first aid care. l 
1 This bill was originally filed in the Fourteenth Congress, Third Regular Session. 
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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session 
SENATE 
S.No. 2856 
) 
) 
) 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
I 
• 
REQUIRING THE PLACEMENT OF DEFIBRILLATORS IN 
PUBLIC USE AIRPORTS 
" 
JlIL 1 r:i 
i' 2 :45 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
1 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be referred to as the "Defibrillators in 
2 
Airports Act." 
3 
SECTION 2. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall 
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mean: 
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(a) "Defibrillator" refers to an electrical device used to counteract fibrillation of the 
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heart muscle and restore normal heartbeat by applying a brief electric shock; 
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(b) "Airport" means any area of land or water, or both designed and set aside for the 
8 
landing and taking-off of fixed wing aircraft, utilized or to be utilized by the 
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public for such purposes, publicly or privately owned, and licensed as a public use 
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airport or landing strip. This definition excludes any facility which is owned and 
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operated by the military. 
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SECTION 3. Requirements for Airports. - The following requirements shall be 
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followed in all airports: 
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(a) 
Each public use airport shall supply and maintain an automated external 
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defibrillator as defined in this Act, on-site in each airport building open to the public. 
16 
The defibrillator shall be maintained in an accessible location within the building and 
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1 
shall be made available during the normal operations of the airpoli, and any other time 
2 
when the airpoli facilities may be open to the general public. The airpoli shall ensure 
3 
that the defibrillator is tested and maintained and shall provide notification to the 
4 
appropriate first aid, ambulance or rescue squad or other appropriate emergency medical 
5 
services provider of the type and location of the defibrillators; 
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(b) 
Each public use airport shall arrange for the training in cardio-pulmonary 
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resuscitation and the use of a defibrillator for airport security officers, emergency medical 
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personnel, and any other staff members designated by the airpoli. 
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(c) 
The administrator responsible for each public use airpoli shall ensure the 
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presence of a staff person who is certified in the operation and use of an automated 
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external defibrillator whenever the airport is open for operation to the general public. 
12 
SECTION 4. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other 
14 
provisions hereof. 
15 
SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, and issuances, or 
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portions thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby 
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repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
18 
SECTION 6. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
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its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
itrndp9July2015 
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