NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 1324
of till' ri rtili^i
*22 SEP 19 P3 :09
RiiCEi1.. J 3\.
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid
AN ACT
REQUIRING THE PLACEMENT OF AUTOMATED EXTERNAL 
DEFIBRILLATORS (AED) IN PUBLIC SPACES AND INCREASING PUBLIC 
AWARENESS ON ITS ROLE IN SAVING LIVES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Philippine Statistics Authority reported that heart disease remains to be the 
top cause of death in the Philippines, even with the outbreak of the COVID-19. The 
Philippine Heart Association and Philippine Coilege of Cardiology, during the 
ceiebration of the Worid Heart Day, reminded everyone to give sufficient attention to 
the heaith of our heart.
One example of a life-threatening heart condition is the sudden cardiac arrest 
or the abrupt and unexpected faiiure of the heart to pump blood and oxygen to the 
brain and the rest of the body. However, in cases like this, survival is possible with 
quick and appropriate medical intervention, such as the use of cardiopulmonary 
resuscitation (CPR), using a defibrillator, or even simple chest compressions, especially 
during the waiting period before emergency workers arrive.
An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) refers to a portable, life-saving 
device designed to treat people experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. In the United 
States where community access to AEDs is already legislated, the US Food and Drug 
Administration (US FDA) declared that "the combination of CPR and early defibrillation 
is effective in saving lives when used in the first few minutes following collapse from 
sudden cardiac arrest". Indeed, making AEDs available for use in times of sudden


cardiac arrests will increase the chances of survival of the people afflicted by this 
dreaded condition.
Thus, this bill seeks to mandate the placement of AED units in public spaces, 
such as in government buildings, and in private places, such as hotels, resorts, malls, 
condominiums, and similar places.
This bill likewise provides guidelines such as FDA approval and periodic 
inspection of AED units, strategic placement and number of AED units, safety and 
security measures against weather, theft, tampering, and unauthorized use, among 
others. Furthermore, a training program for emergency responders and first-aid teams 
shall be administered by the Department of Health (DOH) on the proper use and 
maintenance of these devices, including CPR. Public awareness campaigns on the 
installation of AED units and their importance in savings lives will also be undertaken.
In view of this, early passage of this bill is sought.
Senator


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 1324
•22 SEP 19 P3:09
RITEIV'ED b'..
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid
1 
AN ACT
2 
REQUIRING THE PLACEMENT OF AUTOMATED EXTERNAL
3 
DEFIBRILLATORS (AED) IN PUBLIC SPACES AND INCREASING PUBLIC
4 
AWARENESS ON ITS ROLE IN SAVING LIVES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
5 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as "Automated External
6 
Defibrillators (AED) in Public Spaces Act."
7 
Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the declared policy of the State to protect
8 
and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among
9 
the citizenry. Towards this end, the government shall ensure that life-saving devices
10 
and equipment are readily accessible to the public and that adequate personnel are
11 
trained in their use and operation.
12 
Section 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall
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mean:
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15
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a) Automated External Defibrillator (AED) refers to a portable, life-saving 
device designed to treat people experiencing sudden cardiac arrest, a 
medical condition in which the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops 
beating. The AED system includes accessories, such as a battery and 
pad electrodes, that are necessary for the AED to detect and interpret 
an electrocardiogram and deliver an electrical shock;
b) Government building refers to a building or a portion of a building


1 
owned, leased, or otherwise used by the government of the Republic of
2 
the Philippines, its agencies, instrumentalities, and local government
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units; and
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c) Private places refer to privately-owned establishments, businesses and
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premises;
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Section 4. AED Placement - (A) All government buildings, including but not
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limited to offices, courts, schools, public parks, markets, airports, seaports, train
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stations, and other transport terminals, shall be required to place AEDs in their
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premises where medical supplies and/or equipment for first aid are stored, subject to
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the following guidelines:
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a) The AEDs to be provided shall be approved and periodically inspected
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by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA);
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b) The placement shall come with visible signs or labels, and shall be
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selected to afford accessibility and reasonable response times in case of
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emergencies;
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c) The number of AEDs per structure, building or space shall be sufficiently
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in proportion to the usual volume of people occupying the same;
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d) Safety and security measures shall be implemented to protect the AEDs
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from the elements, tampering, pilferage, theft, unauthorized use, or
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other special circumstances like electricity-related hazards, extreme
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temperatures, flooding, etc.; and
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e) Such other guidelines as the Department of Health (DOH) may
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subsequently impose.
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(B) The placement of AEDs shall likewise be required in private places with a
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high volume of people, either as occupants, workers or visitors thereon, such as
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hotels, resorts, casinos, malls, condominiums, sports and entertainment venues,
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amusement parks, factories, and similar places. The guidelines stated in subsection A
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above shall equally apply to these private places, along with other additional
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requirements that the DOH may reasonably impose.


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Section 5. Training. - The DOH shall establish a training program on the proper
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use and maintenance of AED units, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
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Completion of such training program by the emergency response or first-aid teams or
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other appropriate personnel assigned in the covered institutions and establishments
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is a pre-requisite prior to the placement of the AED units.
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Section 6. Awareness Campaign. - Covered institutions and establishments
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shall provide information to all employees and personnel regarding AED units installed
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in the premises. The public shall also be made aware of these AED units and their
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locations through signage, posters, brochures, floor plans, and various media.
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The DOH shall likewise implement a public education and awareness campaign
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through various communication channels on the importance of AEDs in saving lives.
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Section 7. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of
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this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations for the year following
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its enactment into law and thereafter.
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Section 8. Impiementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from
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the effectivity of this Act, the DOH and FDA, in coordination with other relevant
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government agencies, shall issue the necessary rules and regulations to implement
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the provisions of this Act.
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Section 9. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
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proclamations, rules and regulations, or any part thereof, which are inconsistent with
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the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
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Section 10. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act, or the
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application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held unconstitutional or invalid,
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the remainder of this Act shall not be affected thereby.
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Section 11. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
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from its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
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circulation.
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Approved,