. , 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPliJBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.NO. 1150 
'13 
JIJL 29 lJ5 :16 
Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Emergency medicine is relatively a new field of medical practice in the country. Despite, the 
provision of emergency medical service in the country is continuing to grow and the linkages among 
practitioners/providers have become established. It has provided relevant life support services to 
injuries with illness or those in critical condition. Its growing practice and relevance in the country's 
healthcare therefore calls for the need to professionalize and regulate the practice. 
This bill seeks to institutionalize a Pre·Hospital Emergency Medical Care System (EMS) in the 
country through the creation of National Pre·Hospital Care Council (NPCC). The Council shall be in 
charge with the formulation of policies governing the field of pre.hospital emergency medical 
services and related institutions; the development of high standards of operation for pre.hospital 
emergency care support service providers; and the engagemeot in research on pre·hospital care, 
technology, education and training; and the formulation of curricula and evaluation of existing 
courses, assessment and examination procedures. This bill also seeks to create one national 
emergency number to enable the public to access emergency medical services. 
The increase in the number of highly qualified Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics is 
also sought in' this measure through the creation of plantilla positions for Emergency Medical 
Technicians in all govemment hospitals. 
This measure was passed on Third Reading in the House of Representatives and was transmitted to 
the Senate during the 15th Congress. 
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this measure is earnestly recommended . 
. T ILLANES IV 
Senator 
I 
/ 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.NO. 1150 
'13 
jUl 29 PI):\ 6 
Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
AN ACT 
''; 
INSTITUTIONALIZING A PRE-HOSPITAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE SYSTEM, PROVIDING FOR 
THE ESTABLISHMENT, SUPERVISION AND REGULATION OF THE PRE-HOSPITAL EMERGENCY 
CARE 
PROFESSION 
AND 
FOR 
OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
1 
2 
3 
CHAPTER I 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
4 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Pre-hospital Emergency 
5 
Care Act of2012". 
6 
7 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to protect 
8 
and promote the right to health of the people. Pursuant to this national policy, the government 
9 
shall set up a climate conducive to the practice of pre-hospital emergency care and maximize the 
10 
capability and potential of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and other pre-hospital care 
11 
professionals and institnte a standard system of pre-hospital emergency medical services in the 
12 
country. 
13 
14 
15 
SEC. 3. Objectives. - This Act has the following objectives: 
16 
(a) To create a National Pre-hospital Care Council; 
17 
(b) To develop and institutionalize a pre-hospital emergency medical service system at 
18 
the national and local levels; 
19 
(c) To establish a national standard for the provision of pre-hospital emergency medical 
20 
services by duly certified/registered pre-hospital care professionals; 
21 
(d) To supervise, control and regulate the practice of pre-hospital care professionals; 
I 


1 
(e) To provide a program standardization for the training of pre-hospital care 
2 
professionals; 
3 
(f) To prescribe certification, registration and recertification requirements of pre-hospital 
4 
care professionals; 
5 
(g) To establish standards for design, manufacture, accreditation and regnlation of 
6 
emergency medical vehicles; 
7 
(h) To adopt and implement a National Universal Emergency Telephone Number; and 
8 
(i) To establish and provide support services to pre-hospital emergency medical services. 
9 
10 
SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms are hereby 
11 
defined: 
12 
(a) Pre-hospital emergency medical services: 
13 
(1) Pre-hospital emergency care shall refer to independent delivery of pre-hospital 
14 
emergency medical services by appropriately trained and certified EMTs, usually in a mobile or 
15 
community setting, in full accordance with the National Pre-hospital Emergency Medical 
16 
Treatment Protocols established by the National Pre-hospital Care Council (NPCC), hereinafter 
17 
referred to as the Council, created under this Act. 
18 
19 
(2) Pre-hospital advance life support shall refer to advanced pre-hospital standards for 
20 
the care of seriously ill or injured patient by appropriately trained and certified EMTs, as 
21 
established by the Council. 
22 
23 
These pre-hospital standards may include advanced pre-hospital trauma care, advanced 
24 
pre-hospital cardiac life support and the care of high dependency patients for inter-hospital 
25 
transfer, among others. 
26 
27 
(b) National Pre-hospital Emergency Medical Treatment Protocols shall refer to 
28 
emergency medical procedures outlining approved clinical practices and therapies to be observed 
29 
by pre-hospital care professionals, as established by the Council. 
30 
31 
32 
(b) Pre-hospital care professionals: 
33 
(1) Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) shall refer to a pre-hospital emergency care 
34 
provider who has fulfilled the requirements of and continues to hold the qualifications 
35 
established by the Council, in coordination with the Technical Education and Skills 
36 
Development Authority (TESDA), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the 
37 
Professional Regnlation Commission (PRC), among others. 
38 
2 


1 
(2) Registered Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic (REMT-P) shall refer to a pre-
2 
hospital emergency care provider who is capable of perfonning extensive pre-hospital care 
3 
services 
such 
as 
administering medications 
orally and 
intravenously, 
interpreting 
4 
electrocardiograms (ECGs) tracings, perfonning endotracheal intubations, and using monitors 
5 
and other complex equipment. A REMT -P is required to maintain the qualifications and fulfill 
6 
the requirements set by the Council. 
7 
(3) Ambulance Dispatch Officer (ADO) shall refer to a person duly trained and certified 
8 
in the administration, management and operation of the ambulance dispatch and communication 
9 
system and who has fulfilled the requirements and who continues to hold the qualifications 
10 
established by the Council, in coordination with the TESDA, the CHED and the PRC, among 
11 
others. 
12 
(4) Ambulance Assistant shall refer to a person who, having gained the minimum 
13 
certification as a Medical First Responder (Advanced First Aider), is charged with the operation 
14 
and general care of emergency medical vehicles (ambulance driver), in addition to providing 
15 
basic medical care for patients under the direct supervision of an EMT or REMT-P. 
16 
(5) Other pre-hospital care professionals providing other support services for the 
17 
provision of pre-hospital emergency medical care. 
18 
(d) Competency-based assessment shall refer to evidence gathering and judgment by an 
19 
authorized assessor who evaluates the technical and practical skills, abilities and knowledge of a 
20 
pre-hospital care professional in accordance with the standards and guidelines established by the 
21 
Council, in coordination with the TESDA, in the case of one who holds a technical nondegree 
22 
Certified Emergency Medical Technician course falling under the TESDA jurisdiction; or in 
23 
coordination with the CHED and the PRC in the case of one who holds a REMT -P degree course 
24 
requiring the issuance of a professional license. 
25 
( e) Accredited training institutions shall refer to training institutions offering training 
26 
programs, courses and continuing education in emergency medical services for pre-hospital care 
27 
professionals that meet the stand~ds esta1)lished by the COuncil, in coordination with the_ 
28 
TESDA, the CHED and the Department of Health (DOH), among others, and are dilly 
29 
recognized by the TESDA or the CHED, as applicable, and duly registered in good standing with 
30 
the Council. 
31 
(f) Ambulance/Emergency medical vehiCle shall refer to an ambulance or other vehicle for 
32 
emergency medical care and transportation which provides, at a minimum: (1) a driver's 
33 
compartment; (2) a patient compartment with sufficient space to safely and comfortably 
34 
accommodate an EMT and a patient who can be given intensive life-support during transit; (3) 
35 
equipment and supplies for emergency care at the scene as well as during transport; (4) two-way 
36 
radio, telephone or electronic communication with the ADO; and (5) when necessary, equipment 
37 
for light rescue/extrication procedures. The emergency medical vehicle shall be so designed and 
38 
constructed to provide the patient with safety and comfort, and to prevent aggravation of the 
3 


1 
patient's injury or illness. The designated vehicle marking of "Ambulance" is hereby restricted 
2 
for use by emergency medical vehicles only. 
3 
(g) Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Medical Director shall refer to a licensed· 
4 
physician with training in emergency medicine and with at least five (5) years experience in 
5 
emergency medical care as approved by the Council or the local medical authority charged with 
6 
the supervision of EMS and the implementation of approved emergency medical treatment 
7 
protocols set by the Council. 
8 
9 
CHAPTER II 
10 
NATIONAL PRE-HOSPITAL CARE COUNCIL 
11 
12 
SEC. 5. Creation of the National Pre-hospital Care Council. - A body to be known as 
13 
the "National Pre-hospital Care Council (NPCC)" is hereby created under the DOH. 
14 
15 
SEC. 6. Functions of the NPCC. - The Council shall perform the following functions: 
16 
(a) To formulate policies governing the field of pre-hospital emergency medical services 
17 
and related institutions; 
18 
(b) To implement policies in coordination with affiliated medical and educational 
19 
institutions; 
20 
(c) To develop national standards for the provision of pre-hospital emergency medical 
21 
services to include, among others, the skills, abilities and knowledge required of a pre-hospital 
22 
care professional, and the development of mandatory national medical treatment protocols to be 
23 
observed by pre-hospital care professionals and such other entities as it may consider 
24 
appropriate; 
25 
(d) To promulgate a Code of Ethics for EMTs; 
26 
27 
(e) To develop high standards of operation for pre-hospital emergency care support 
28 
service providers; 
29 
(f) To establish and maintain· a roster of certified EMTs; 
30 
(g) To develop standards and protocols for the design, construction, outfitting and 
31 
operations of emergency medical vehicles; and 
32 
(h) To engage in research on pre-hospital care, technology, education and training, the 
33 
formulation of curricula and the evaluation of existing courses, assessment and the examination 
34 
procedures. 
35 
36 
SEC. 7. Membership of the Council. - The members of the Council shall be composed 
37 
of the following: 
38 
4 


1 
(a) Ex officio members: 
2 
(1) The Secretary of the DOH as Chairperson of the Council; 
3 
(2) The Secretary ofthe Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG); 
4 
(3) The Director General of the TESDA; and 
5 
(4) The Chairperson of the CHED; and 
6 
7 
(b) Members to be appointed by the Secretary of the DOH upon nomination by their 
8 
respective associations: 
9 
(1) One (1) nominee of a national organization duly registered with the Securities and 
10 
Exchange Commission and recognized by the DOH as being representative of the profession of 
11 
EMT within the Republic of the Philippines: 
12 
Provided. That upon the organization of the national accredited professional organization 
13 
of EMTs, mandated under Section 31 of this Act, its nominee shall hold this seat in the Council; 
14 
(2) Four (4) nominees of local health boards, one (1) each p-om the National Capital Region .. 
15 
Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao; (3) One (1) registered emergency medical practitioner 
16 
representing a recognized professional-based organization with interest on emergency medicine; 
17 
18 
(4) One (1) registered medical praCtitioner representing a recognized professional-based 
19 
organization on cardiology; 
20 
21 
(5) One (1) registered nurse holding a qualification in emergency room nursing, 
22 
representing a recognized professional-based organization of 
23 
emergency care nurses; 
24 
25 
(6) One (1) representative from an educational or training institution providing EMT 
26 
programs, which has been duly accredited by the TESDA or the CHED and recognized by the 
27 
Council in accordance with its rules and regulations; 
28 
29 
(7) One (l) representative from a recognized national professional association of medical 
30 
practitioners; 
31 
32 
(8) One (1) representative from a recognized national organization of private hospitals; 
33 
34 
(9) One (l) representative from a DOH hospital; and 
35 
36 
37 
(10) One (1) representative from the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC). 
5 


1 
SEC. 8. Term of Office. - Each member of the Council shall not serve for more than 
2 
three (3) consecutive terms. A term shall be for a period of two (2) years. 
3 
4 
SEC. 9. Powers and Functions. - To carry out its mandate, the Council shall exercise 
5 
the following powers and functions: 
6 
7 
(a) Encourage and facilitate the organization of a network of pre-hospital care 
8 
professionals to ensure the provision of EMS to the general public on a national basis; 
9 
10 
(b) Maintain a roster of qualified pre-hospital care professionals and providers and 
11 
training institutions, and oversee their licensing and accreditation; 
12 
13 
(c) Establish a Secretariat under an Executive Director for the administrative and day-to-
14 
day operations of the Council; 
15 
16 
(d) Create committees and other mechanisms to help expedite the implementation of 
17 
plans and strategies; 
18 
19 
( e) Set up a system of networking and coordination among all existing government health 
20 
agencies, local government units (LGUs) and nongovernment medical institutions/agencies for 
21 
the effective implementation of its programs and activities; 
22 
23 
(f) Generate resources from local, national and international organizations/agencies, 
24 
whether government or private sector, for its operation; 
25 
26 
(g) Receive and accept donations and other conveyances including funds, materials and 
27 
services by gratuitous title: Provided, That not more than thirty percent (30%) of said funds shall 
28 
be used for administrative expenses; 
29 
30 
(h) Prepare an annual budget of the Council and submit the same to the President for 
31 
inclusion in the annual General Appropriations Act; 
32 
33 
34 
(i) Advise the President on matters pertaining to pre-hospital EMS; 
35 
G) Review membership of the Council in line with changes in the status of concerned 
36 
national organizations duly recognized as involved in emergency medical care/pre-hospital 
37 
emergency medical care, as required by this Act; 
38 
6 


1 
(k) Investigate complaints against violators of this Act, its rules and regulations and 
2 
policies of the Council; 
3 
4 
(1) Request any department, instrumentality, office, bureau or agency of the government, 
5 
including LGUs, to render such assistance as it may require in order to carry out, enforce or 
6 
implement the provisions of this Act; and 
7 
8 
(m) Promulgate rules and regulations and policies of the Council, and enforce the 
9 
provisions ofthis Act. 
10 
11 
SEC. 10. The Secretariat. - The Council shall organize a Secretariat to be headed by an 
12 
Executive Director coming from anyone of the Undersecretaries or Assistant Secretaries from 
13 
the DOH acting in a concurrent capacity. The Secretaries of the DOH and the DILG and the 
14 
Chairpersons of the TESDA and the CHED shall designate their respective staff to serve as 
15 
members of the Secretariat. 
16 
17 
In establishing the Secretariat, the Council shall consider the following areas: 
18 
(a) Education and Standards Development; 
19 
20 
(b) National Examination/Assessment System for Pre-hospital Care 
21 
Professionals; 
22 
23 
(c) Research; 
24 
25 
26 
(d) Supervision and Regulation; 
27 
(e) Policy, Planning and Research; 
28 
29 
(f) Administration; 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
35 
36 
37 
38 
(g) Finance; and 
(h) Programs of the following areas: 
(1) Human Resource Development; 
(2) Emergency Medical Vehicles; and 
7 


1 
2 
3 
4 
(3) Emergency Communications. 
SEC. 11. Meetings. - The Council shall meet at least once every quarter. 
5 
SEC. 12. Program Plans. - The Council shall, within six (6) months after having been 
6 
officially constituted and finally staffed, adopt and immediately cause to be implemented, in 
7 
coordination with medical and related agencies, a short-range program in support of relevant 
8 
existing projects and activities and, within one (1) year, a long-range five (5)-year development 
9 
program. This development program shall be developed and subjected to annual review and 
10 
revision by the Council, in coordination with relevant public and private medical agencies and 
11 
organizations. 
12 
13 
SEC. 13. Accreditation. - The Council shall issue certifications and licenses for the 
14 
following: 
15 
16 
(a) Accreditation of training institutions for EMTs and related personnel; and 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
(b) Accreditation of emergency medical vehicle providers. 
CHAPTER III 
EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS 
23 
SEC. 14. Creation of Plantilla Positions for Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). 
24 
- There shall be created a minimum number of plantilla positions for EMTs in the following 
25 
govemment hospitals/health facilities within the next five (5) years upon approval of this Act: 
26 
27 
28 
(a) Level 3 and 4 Hospitals - Five (5) EMTs and at least one (1) Ambulance Assistant; 
29 
(b) Levelland 2 Hospitals - Three (3) EMTs and at least one (1) Ambulance Assistant; 
30 
and 
31 
(c) Other Health Facilities - as may be deemed necessary by the Council. The annual 
32 
financial requirements needed to pay for the salaries of EMTs shall be included in the annual 
33 
general appropriations ofthe respective hospitals, health facilities and LGUs. 
34 
35 
SEC. 15. Scope of the Practice of Emergency Medical Care. - The emergency medical 
36 
care practice involves services performed in responding to the perceived needs of an individual 
37 
for immediate medical care in order to prevent loss of life or aggravation of physiological or 
38 
psychological illness or injury delivered in a pre-hospital, inter-hospital and hospital emergency 


1 
care setting. For this purpose, the Council shall develop the scope of work of EMTs based on 
2 
internationally-accepted standards, as adapted to the Philippine setting. 
3 
4 
SEC. 16. Authorized Training Institution. - Training programs, courses and continuing 
5 
education for an EMT shall be conducted by an institution that has been granted a Certificate of 
6 
Program Registration (COPR) by the TESDA, in case of teclmical nondegree courses falling 
7 
under the TESDA jurisdiction, or a Certificate of Accreditation as a Higher Education Institution· 
8 
(HEI) as well as Program Accreditation by the CHED, in the case of degree programs falling 
9 
under the CHED jurisdiction. The requirements prescribed by the Council shall serve as the 
10 
minimum requirement for program registration. The DOH can provide training programs for 
11 
EMTs: Provided, That these shall be in accordance with the standards set by the Council. 
12 
13 
SEC. 17. Certification, Registration and Recertification. - Certification, registration and 
14 
recertification of EMTs in the Philippines shall be governed by the TESDA for nondegr~e 
15 
courses and by the PRC for degree courses in accordance with PRC rules and regulations and 
16 
without prejudice to the enactment of a licensure law for EMTs. A certification is valid for a 
17 
period of three (3) years. The TESDA and the PRC shall recertify EMTs upon submission of a 
18 
competency-based assessment statement from a recognized EMS Medical Director. 
19 
20 
SEC. 18. Qualifications. - All applicants for registration as an EMT must be a citizen of 
21 
the Philippines, at least twenty-one (21) years of age, of good moral character and must produce 
22 
before the NPCC satisfactory evidence of good moral character and a certification that no 
23 
charges against one's person involving moral turpitude have been filed or are pending in any 
24 
court in the Philippines. 
25 
26 
SEC. 19. Examination Required. - All applicants for registration as an EMT shall be 
27 
required to undergo a nationally-based assessment test or licensure examination, respectively, to 
28 
be given in such places and dates as may be designated by the TESDA, for those who hold 
29 
nondegree courses, and by the PRC, for those who hold degree courses. 
30 
31 
SEC. 20. Schedule of Examination. - National written examinations for EMTs in the 
32 
Philippines shall be given by the TESDA and the PRC at least twice every year. 
33 
34 
SEC. 21. Release of the Results of Examination. - The results of the examination shall 
35 
be released by the TESDA within twenty (20) working days and by the PRC within two (2) 
36 
months from the date of the examination. 
37 
9 


1 
SEC. 22. Issuance of the Certificate of Registration and EMT Identification Card. - A 
2 
Certificate of Registration shall be issued to the examinees who passed the national EMT 
3 
examinations given by the TESDA or the PRC. The Certificate of Registration shall remain in 
4 
full force and effect until revoked or suspended in accordance with this Act. An EMT 
5 
identification card, bearing the registration number, date of issuance and expiry date, duly signed 
6 
by the TESDA Director General or the PRC Chairperson, shall likewise be issued to every 
7 
registrant upon payment of the required fees. 
8 
9 
The EMT examination card shall be renewed every three (3) years upon satisfactory 
10 
compliance with the requirements of the TESDA or the PRC as prescribed by the Couucil. 
11 
12 
SEC. 23. Disqualification. - The TESDA, the PRC and the Council shall not accept the 
13 
application for competency requirement nor issue a national certificate to any person who has 
14 
been convicted by final judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction of any criminal offeuse 
15 
involving moral turpitude, or has been found gnilty of immoral or dishonorable conduct after 
16 
investigation and due process, or has been declared to be of unsound mind by competent 
17 
authority, or for other grounds as may be determined by the Council in the implementing rules 
18 
and regulations. The reason for the refusal shall be set forth in writing. 
19 
20 
SEC. 24. Revocation or Suspension of the Certificate of Registration, EMT 
21 
Identification Card or Cancellation of Temporary/Special Permit. -
The Council, upon 
22 
recommendation of the TESDA or the PRC in accordance with the prescribed procedures and 
23 
due process, may revoke or suspend the national certificate or EMT identification card. 
24 
25 
SEC. 25. Reinstatement, Reissuance or Replacement of Certificate of Registration and 
26 
EMT Identification Card. - The TESDA or the PRC, upon the recommendation of the Council, 
27 
in accordance with the rules and regulations may, after two (2) years from the date of revocation 
28 
of the Certificate of Registration, reinstate any revoked Certificate of Registration and reissue a 
29 
suspended EMT identification card after compliance by the applicant with the requirements for 
30 
reinstatement. 
31 
32 
SEC. 26. Continuing Education. - The Council shall develop a program for the 
33 
continuing education of EMTs as a condition for EMTs to maintain their license and 
34 
accreditation. 
35 
36 
SEC. 27. Roster of Certified EMTs. - The Council, in coordination with the TESDA, the 
37 
CRED, the PRC and the accredited professional organizations representing the profession of 
10 


1 
EMT within the country, shall prepare, update and maintain a roster of certified EMTs and 
2 
REMTs-P. 
3 
4 
SEC. 28. Issuance of Temporary/Special Permit. - Upon application and payment of the 
5 
necessary fees, and subject to the requirements specified by the Council, the TESDA or the PRC, 
6 
the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI) may issue 
7 
temporary/special permits to EMS personnel from foreign countries whose services are urgently 
8 
needed in the absence or inadequate supply oflocal EMTs in the Philippines. 
9 
10 
SEC. 29. Registration Without Examination for EMTs. - All practicing EMTs at the 
11 
time this Act is passed shall be deemed qualified for registration as an EMT if, in accordance 
12 
with the rules and regulations of the Council, they have performed work within the scope of the 
13 
practices of an EMT as defined in this Act, for such period of time as may be required by the 
14 
Council and have been certified by an EMS Medical Director to have performed full EMT 
15 
functions in a pre-hospital and inter-hospital care setting. 
16 
17 
SEC. 30. Registration with Examination for EMTs. - All practicing EMTs who are not 
18 
graduates of an EMT program from a TESDA or CHED accredited public or private 
19 
educational/training institution at the time this Act is passed shall be deemed qualified for 
20 
registration through examination using the following procedures: 
21 
22 
(a) All applicants must provide a full record of initial training completed as an EMT. This 
23 
record must include details of the training establishment, a full syllabus of training completed, a 
24 
record of ongoing training and proof of having worked as an EMT in any local or international 
25 
organization for at least one (1) year and has been certified by an EMS Medical Director to have 
26 
performed full EMT functions in a pre-hospital and inter-hospital care setting; and 
27 
28 
(b) Once approved by the Council as qualified for examination, the candidate will be 
29 
referred to an approved TESDA, PRC or EMT assessment center-for qualifying' examinations for' 
30 
EMT registration. 
31 
32 
SEC. 31. Accredited Professional Organizations. - All certified EMTs shall belong to 
33 
one (1) national organization which shall be recognized by the Council as the one and only 
34 
accredited EMT organization in the country. A certified EMT duJy registered with the TESDA or 
35 
the PRC shall automatically become a member of the accredited professional organizations of 
36 
EMTs and shall enjoy the corresponding benefits and privileges. 
11 


1 
SEC. 32. Code of Ethics of EMTs. - The Council, in coordination with the accredited 
2 
professional organizations, shall adopt and promulgate the Code of Ethics and the Code of 
3 
Technical Standards for EMTs to include, among others, duties of EMTs to pre-hospital 
4 
emergency care patients, to the community, to their colleagues in the profession and to allied 
5 
professionals. 
6 
7 
CHAPTER IV 
8 
EMERGENCY MEDICAL VEHICLES 
9 
10 
SEC. 33. Emergency Medical Vehicles. -
The Council shall develop minimum 
11 
requirements for the design, construction, performance, equipment, testing and appearance of 
12 
emergency medical vehicles. As such, only emergency medical vehicles shall be allowed to 
13 
display the word "Ambulance" and the universally-accepted "Star of Life" symbol. It shall also 
14 
provide for the operation protocols of said vehicles. It shall also .design an accreditation system, 
15 
to provide the public with ambulances and other emergency medical vehicles that are easily 
16 
identifiable, nationally recognizable, properly constructed, easily maintained and, when 
17 
appropriately equipped, will enable EMTs to safely and reliably perform their functions as basic 
18 
and advanced pre-hospital life support providers. While failure of an emergency medical vehicle 
19 
to conform to the Council standards may be a ground for the removal of its certification, such 
20 
failure shall not bar EMTs from: 
21 
22 
(a) Responding and providing appropriate basic or advanced life support on-site to 
23 
persons reported experiencing acute injury or illness in a pre-hospital setting, and transporting 
24 
them, while continuing such life support care, to an appropriate medical facility for definitive 
25 
care; 
26 
27 
28 
(b) Providing inter-hospital critical transport care; or 
29 
( c) Transporting essential personnel and equipment to and from the site of a multiple 
30 
medical emergency or a triage site and transporting appropriately triaged patients to designated 
31 
medical facilities. 
32 
33 
34 
35 
CHAPTER V 
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS 
36 
SEC. 34. Adoption of a National Universal Emergency Telephone Number. - There 
37 
shall only be one (1) national emergency number to enable the public to access emergency 
38 
medical services. Towards this end, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) shall 
12, 


1 
develop a program for the adoption of a national emergency number. It shall consult and 
2 
cooperate with national and local agencies and institutions; LOU s and officials responsible for 
3 
emergency service and public safety; the telecommunications industry (specifically including the 
4 
cellular and other wireless telecommunications service providers); the motor vehicle 
5 
manufacturing industry; emergency medical service providers; emergency dispatch providers; 
6 
transportation officials; public safety, fire service and law enforcement officials; consumer 
7 
groups; and hospital emergency and trauma care personnel (including emergency physicians, 
8 
trauma surgeons and nurses). 
9 
10 
SEC. 35. Compliance. - It shall be the duty of every voice service provider to provide its 
11 
subscribers with access to the national universal emergency number in accordance with the 
12 
implementing rules and regulations to be adopted pursuant to this Act. 
13 
14 
SEC. 36. Prohibited Acts and Penalties on Emergency Communications. -
15 
16 
(a) Any person who makes a telephone call to an emergency telephone number with 
17 
intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any person who answers the telephone call shall be 
18 
guilty of an offense and, subject to subsection (c) of this section, shall be given a warning for the 
19 
first offense, and shall be compelled to attend a seminar on the proper use of the national 
20 
emergency telephone number on the second offense. Upon commission of the offense for the 
21 
third time, the offender shall, upon conviction, be imposed with a fine of not less than Five 
22 
hundred pesos (P500.00) but not more than One thousand pesos (Pl,OOO.OO). Upon commission 
23 
of the offense for the fourth and succeeding times, the offender shall, upon conviction, be 
24 
imposed with a penalty of imprisonment of not less than one (1) month but not more than six (6) 
25 
months or a fine of not less than Two thousl;lnd pesos (P2,000.00) but not more than Five. 
26 
thousand pesos (P5,000.00), or both, at the discretion of the court. 
27 
28 
(b) Any person who makes a telephone call to an emergency telephone number and, upon 
29 
the call being answered, makes or solicits any comment, request, suggestion, proposal or sound 
30 
which is obscene, lewd, lascivious, filthy or indecent, shall be given a warning for the first 
31 
offense, and shall be compelled to attend a seminar on the proper use of the national emergency 
32 
telephone number on the second offense. Upon commission of the offense for the third time, the 
33 
offender shall, upon conviction, be imposed with a fine of not less than Five hundred pesos 
34 
(P500.00) but not more than One thousand pesos (PI,OOO.OO). Upon commission of the offense 
35 
for the fourth and succeeding times, the offender shall, upon conviction, be imposed with a 
36 
penalty of imprisonment of not less than one (I) month but not more than six (6) months or a 
37 
fine of not less than Two thousand pesos (P2,000.00) but not more than Five thousand pesos 
38 
(P5,000.00), or both, at the discretion of the court. 
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1 
( c) A person who gives a false report of a medical emergency or gives false information 
2 
in connection with a medical emergency, or makes a false alarm of a medical emergency, 
3 
knowing the report or information or alarm to be false; or makes a false request for ,ambulance 
4 
service to an ambulance service provider, knowing the request to be false, shall be given a 
5 
warning for the first offense, and shall be compelled to attend a seminar on the proper use of the 
6 
national emergency telephone number on the second offense. Upon commission of the offense 
7 
for the third time, the offender shall, upon conviction, be imposed with a fine of not less than 
8 
Two ,thousand pesos (P2,000.00) but not more than Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) and 
9 
payment of damages. Upon commission of the offense for the fourth and succeeding times, the 
10 
offender shall, upon conviction, be imposed with a penalty of imprisonment of not less than one 
11 
(1) year but not more than three (3) years or a fine of not less than Five thousand pesos 
12 
(P5,000.00) but not more than Ten thousand pesos (PlO,OOO.OO) and payment of damages, or 
13 
both, at the discretion of the court. 
14 
15 
16 
17 
CHAPTER VI 
OTHER PROVISIONS 
18 
SEC. 37. Service Requirement. -
The Council shall develop policies regarding 
19 
mandatory service requirement for all pre-hospital emergency care providers as a condition for 
20 
maintaining their license and accreditation. 
21 
22 
SEC. 38. Role of the LGUs. - The LGUs are hereby mandated to develop and 
23 
institutionalize a pre-hospital emergency care system within their area of jurisdiction. The 
24 
Council shall include in its programs, activities that will support and enable the LGUs to 
25 
accomplish such task. 
26 
27 
SEC. 39. Other Prohibited Acts. - The following acts shall constitute an offense 
28 
punishable under this Act: 
29 
30 
(a) Practicing or offering to practice pre-hospital emergency care services in the 
31 
Philippines or offering oneself as an EMT, or using the title, word, letter, figure or any sign 
32 
tending to convey the impression that one is a registered ,and licensed EMT, or madvertising or 
33 
indicating in any manner whatsoever that one is qualified to practice pre-hospital emergency 
34 
care, unless one has satisfactorily demonstrated the prescribed competency standards, in fup 
35 
accordance with the requirements of the Council and is a holder of a National Certificate in 
36 
Emergency Medical Services or a temporary/spedal permit duly issued by the Council; 
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1 
(b) Providing pre-emergency hospital care ,vithin the meaning of this Act without a valid 
2 
Certificate of Registration and a professional identification card or a valid temporary/special 
3 
permit issued in accordance herewith; 
4 
5 
(c) Presenting or using a Certificate of Registration or a professional identification card 
6 
belonging to another person; 
7 
8 
(d) Giving any false or forged evidence of any kind to the Council, the TESDA, the 
9 
CHED or the PRC in obtaining any of the foregoing documents; 
10 
11 
(e) Falsely impersonating any registrant with like or different name; 
12 
13 
(f) Abetting or assisting by any registered and licensed emergency hospital technician the 
14 
illegal practice of a person who is not lawfully qualified to provide pre-emergency hospital care 
15 
within the meaning ofthis Act; 
16 
17 
(g) Attempting to use a revoked or suspended Certificate of Registration or any invalid or 
18 
expired EMT identification card or a cancelled temporary/special pennit; 
19 
20 
(h) Operating an EMS training institution without proper accreditation; and 
21 
22 
(i) Using without appropriate authority an ambulance/emergency medical vehicle such as, 
23 
but not limited to, transporting illegal drugs and transporting passengers and personnel which are 
24 
not valid emergency cases. 
25 
26 
SEC. 40. Penalties. - The commission of any of the prohibited acts stated under Section 
27 
39 shall be penalized with imprisonment of not less than one (1) year but not more than five (5) 
28 
years or a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) but not more than One hundred 
29 
thousand pesos (PI 00,000.00), or both, at the discretion of the court. 
30 
31 
SEC. 41. Appropriations. - The Secretaries of the Departments concerned shall include 
32 
in their programs the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be included in the 
33 
annual General Appropriations Act. 
34 
35 
SEC. 42. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Except as otherwise provided, the 
36 
Council, in coordination with the NTC, the TESDA, the CHED, the PRC and the DOH, shall 
37 
issue and promulgate the rules and regulations to implement the provisions ofthis Act within one 
38 
hundred twenty (120) days upon constitution of the Council. 
15 


I 
SEC. 43. Separability Clause. - If any clause, sentence, paragraph or part of this Act 
2 
shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid, such judgment shall not affect, invalidate or impact 
3 
any other part of this Act. 
4 
5 
SEC. 44. Repealing Clause. - Any provision of laws, orders, agreements, rules or 
6 
regulations contrary to and inconsistent with this Act is hereby repealed, amended or modified 
7 
accordingly. 
8 
9 
SEC. 45. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
lOa newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved, 
16