Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City
TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 3225
Introduced by REP. EMILIO BERNARDINO L. YULO
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The recent public health crises have exposed the critical need for an agile,
responsive, and well-coordinated healthcare workforce that can respond swiftly to
emergencies and health threats across the country. While the Department of Health (DOH)
and our local government units (LGUs) have continuously worked to strengthen our
health system, the reality remains: our existing human resources for health are often
overstretched and under-supported during periods of heightened demand. The burden
falls disproportionately on frontline workers, risking burnout and diminishing the overall
efficiency of emergency health response efforts.
This bill seeks to institutionalize a proactive, scalable mechanism for augmenting
the health workforce in times of disasters, public health emergencies, and other health-
related crises. Drawing from lessons of past health emergencies and in line with our
constitutional duty under Article II, Section 15 and Article XIII, Section 11 of the 1987
Constitution, this proposed measure endeavors to promote the right to health of the
Filipino people by creating a reserve pool of highly skilled and trained volunteers
composed of medical professionals, allied health workers, and community health support
personnel.
Under this measure, the HEART shall be organized under the Department of
Health and will serve as a dedicated corps of volunteers who may be mobilized, partially
or in full, whenever the national or local health situation so demands. These volunteers
may include licensed but retired or non-practicing professionals, new graduates of health-
related courses, and other support health workers who are committed to serve during
emergencies. The bill likewise provides mechanisms for their registration, training,
mobilization, legal protection, and even insurance coverage, thus ensuring both readiness
and accountability during deployment.
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August 6, 2025
1:01 pm


The enactment of this proposed legislation will institutionalize a well-coordinated,
rapidly deployable auxiliary health workforce, thereby enhancing national health
resilience and safeguarding the well-being of Filipinos during times of crises.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
REP. EMILIO BERNARDINO L. YULO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City
TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 3225
Introduced by REP. EMILIO BERNARDINO L. YULO
AN ACT
CREATING THE HEALTH EMERGENCY AUXILIARY REINFORCEMENT
TEAM UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFORE
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 II, 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 11 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 of 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:
a.
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;
b.
Bayanihan refers to the value of communal unity through helping others to
achieve a certain goal without expecting anything in return;
c.
Deployment refers to the actual movement of workforce to the assigned area
within a prescribed period;
d.
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;
e.
Health threat refers to a condition, agent, or incident that greatly impacts the
health that leads to disease, accident, injury, and loss of life;
f.
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;
g.
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;
h. 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 Concern 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;
v.
A nuclear attack or accident; or
vi.
An attack or accidental release of radioactive materials; and
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 serious injuries or long-term disabilities in the
affected population;
iii.
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
i. 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
c.
Other health support workforce, including barangay health workers, whose
services are necessary in times of disasters, public health emergencies and health
threats.
SEC. 6. The Health Emergency Auxiliary Reinforcement Team Promotion Program. –
There is hereby established the Health Emergency Auxiliary Reinforcement Team
Promotion Program, which shall refer to the comprehensive set of objectives, targets,
strategies and activities for the promotion, recruitment and selection of reserve force of
highly skilled and health-oriented professionals and volunteers.
It shall include, but not be limited to, the following areas of concern: the provision of
initiatives that shall underscore the importance of volunteerism to improve the health and
safety of communities; the utilization of medical reserves pool who want to donate their
time and expertise to prepare for and respond to emergencies and to support ongoing
preparedness initiatives; and the building of partnerships and ensuring the sustainability
of the HEART with the end goal of maintaining its capacity to meet surges in the demand
for healthcare system and provide assistance in times of public emergencies.
SEC. 7. Creation of the HEART Board. - A HEART Board, hereinafter referred
to as Board, is hereby created to ensure 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);
c.
Commission on Higher Education (CHED);
d. Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC);
e.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP);
f.
Office of Civil Defense (OCD); and


g. 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. 8. Powers and Functions of the Board. – The Board shall have the
following powers and functions:
a) 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;
c) Coordinate with concerned national government agencies and other stakeholders
in responding to public health emergencies and health threats; and
d) Conduct regular meetings every quarter or as often as may be necessary in times
of disasters, during public health emergencies or in the occurrence of health
threats.
SEC. 9. Creation of a HEART Unit. – A HEART Unit shall be created by the
DOH which shall 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.
10.
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 activities on various aspects of health emergency management and response in
different health emergency scenarios. To this end, all volunteers 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. 11. Registry and Accounting of Members. – HEART Volunteers shall be
issued with individual registration numbers which shall serve as their identification
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. 12. 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
taking
into
consideration
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.
SEC. 13. 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. 14. 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 concerned municipal and city mayors and provincial
governors shall disseminate information on the location of mobilization centers to the
widest extent possible.
SEC. 15. 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. 16. 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. 17. Legal Liability. - 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.
This Section shall not preclude liability for civil damages because of gross
negligence, recklessness, or willful misconduct.
SEC. 18. Public Health Emergency Insurance. - The DOH is mandated to
secure an insurance policy that would insure HEART volunteers from injury, death,
damage to, or loss of property, and for any legal liability asserted against or incurred by
the volunteer arising from the lawful performance of his duty.
SEC. 19. 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 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. 20. 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. 21. 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. 22. 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. 23. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, the validity of other provisions shall not be affected thereby.
SEC. 24. 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. 25. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,