NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 1961
of tl:u' ,'s ■ . rt' ri!
23 mar-6 P5:51
RECtiVLD 6V.
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING AN EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES SYSTEM 
(EMSS), CREATING FOR THE PURPOSE THE NATIONAL EMSS COUNCIL, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article XIII, Section 11 of the 1987 Constitution mandates that "the State shall 
adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall 
endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services available to all the 
people at affordable cost."
The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes that "Emergency Medical 
Services (EMS) systems form an integral part of any public health care system." EMS 
are vital for saving lives and reducing disability in emergencies such as accidents, 
heart attacks, or disasters. It acts as the first point of contact with the health system. 
Supporting its standard development and ensuring accessibility is a pillar to public 
health.
In the country, the current EMS system is seen as inefficient and fragmented 
with the absence of clear standards and lack of enforcement. Even with the existing 
directives, there remain challenges that hinder achieving a fully functional EMS 
system.
At present, the Department of Interior and Local Government operates the 911 
Emergency Service Operation Center, which serves as a quick response mechanism 
primarily for public order concerns including fire alarms, among others. And at the 
forefront of developing EMS standards is the UP-PGH Department of Emergency
1


Medical Services, which focuses on training "competent, compassionate and ethical 
emergency medicine professionals responsive to the EMS needs." A functional EMS is 
a well-coordinated service responsive to the emergency from the nearest and most 
appropriate medical facilities.
In response, this measure seeks to institutionalize the emergency medical 
services system by professionalizing the sector and strengthening EMS delivery.
This measure proposes the establishment of the National Emergency Medical 
Services System Council which shall formulate policies and develop standards for the 
consistent provision of EMS, including vehicles, equipment and support services. 
Further, the bill mandates the adoption and use of 911 as the National Emergency 
Hotline Number.
In view of advancing EMS delivery mechanisms in the country, the passage of 
this measure is earnestly sought.
RAMQN/BONG REVILLA, JR.n


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
s. No. 19 6 j
(©ft'lCf’ of tilf frfCift.'ifP
23 mar-6 P5S1
RECEIVED BV,
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING AN EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES SYSTEM 
(EMSS), CREATING FOR THE PURPOSE THE NATIONAL EMSS COUNCIL, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
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 known as the "Emergency Medical
2 
Services System (EMSS) Act of2023'.
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
4 
protect and promote the right to health of the people. Pursuant to this policy, the
5 
government shall institutionalize a standard, comprehensive, accessible, and
6 
integrated system of Emergency Medical Services System and provide an environment
7 
that will maximize the capability and potential of Emergency Medical Services
8 
Personnel.
9 
Sec. 3. Objectives. - This Act shall have the following objectives:
10 
a. To develop and institutionalize an Emergency Medical Services System at the
11 
national and local levels;
12 
b. To establish a national Emergency Medical Services System Council;
13 
c. To encourage and promote the active participation of the private sector in the
14 
provision of Emergency Medical Services (EMS);
15 
d. To institute the national standard for the provision of EMS;
16 
e. To provide a program of standardization for the training of EMS institutions and
17 
personnel;


1 
f. To establish standards for design, accreditation, and regulation of emergency
2 
medical vehicles;
3 
g. To mandate the adoption and use of 911 as the National Emergency Hotline
4 
Number;
5 
h. To establish and provide support services to the EMSS; and
6 
i. To promote public safety and make EMS accessible to the people especially
7 
those in need of emergency medical assistance.
8 
Sec. 4. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall
9 
be defined:
10 
a. "'Accredited Training Institutions" refer to any accredited government or
11 
nongovernment organization, authorized by the government to conduct EMS
12 
trainings and programs, such as the Philippine Red Cross, which meet the
13 
standards established by the Emergency Medical Services System Council
14 
(EMSSC), hereinafter referred to as the Council, created under Section 5 of this
15 
Act, in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH);
16 
b. "Advanced Life Support refers to a set of life-saving protocols and skills that
17 
extend and further, open airway, adequate ventilation and support circulation.
18 
It may include Interventions used to treat and stabilize adult victims of life-
19 
threatening cardio-respiratory emergencies and to resuscitate victims of cardiac
20 
arrest. The interventions may include Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation, basic
21 
and advanced airway management, tracheal intubation, medications, electrical
22 
therapy and intravenous (IV) access. It may also refer to a protocol of
23 
managing trauma victims that are designed to maximize management in the
24 
first hour after trauma for optimal long-term outcome. These interventions may
25 
include Basic Life Support, immobilization, venous cannula insertion, surgical
26 
airway, chest decompression, and administration 
of medications, 
among
27 
others;
28 
c. "'Ambuiancd' refers to an emergency medical vehicle designed and equipped
29 
for transporting sick or injured patients to, from, and between places of
30 
treatment by land, water or air, affording safety and comfort and preventing
31 
further illness or injury;


1 
d. "Basic Life Support (BLS)' refers to actions and interventions used to
2 
resuscitate and stabilize victims of cardiac and respiratory arrests which include
3 
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), relief of foreign-body airway obstruction,
4 
control of bleeding, immobilization, dressing of wounds, administration of
5 
oxygen, taking vital signs including level of blood sugar, assisting a normal
6 
delivery, in pediatric, adults and elderly patients including pregnant women,
7 
among others;
8 
e. "Emergency Medical Dispatch' refers to the immediate identification and
9 
prioritization of medical emergency situations, the timely dispatch of
10 
appropriate resources, providing essential pre-arrival first-aid instructions and
11 
full endorsement to the receiving hospital. Dispatch encompasses all aspects of
12 
communication including request processing, coordination and support,
13 
documentation and monitoring;
14 
f. "Emergency Medical Services (EMSJ' refers to a network of pre-hospital or pre-
15 
health care facility services coordinated to provide aid and medical assistance
16 
from the place of incident to the nearest appropriate hospital or health care
17 
facility, delivered by an EMS personnel. It may include basic and advanced life
18 
support;
19 
g. "Emergency Card' refers to the independent delivery of emergency medical
20 
services by appropriately trained and certified EMS personnel, usually in a
21 
mobile or community setting, in full accordance with the Emergency Medical
22 
Services Treatment Protocols the Council created under this Act;
23 
h. "Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Personnel' refers to a person trained and
24 
certified in rendering Emergency Care by any accredited government or
25 
nongovernmental organization, authorized by the government to conduct EMS
26 
training, such as the Philippine Red Cross;
27 
i. " Emergency Medical Services Standard' refers to the standardization of the EMS
28 
Procedures outlining the approved clinical practices and therapies to be
29 
observed by the EMS personnel, as established by the Council, in coordination
30 
with the DOH and the Department of Interior and Local Government 
(DILG)
31 
which shall include interventions for BLS and ALS;


1 
j. "Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systerri' refers to the arrangement of
2 
personnel, facilities, and equipment for the effective and coordinated delivery
3 
of EMS required in the prevention, mitigation and management of incidents
4 
which occur either as a result of a medical emergency or accident;
5 
k. "Emergency Response and Card' refers to the arrival of resources at the scene
6 
and the timely initiation and provision of appropriate interventions;
7 
I. "Emergency Transport refers to the transportation in an adequate means of
8 
medical transportation, of a patient to the nearest appropriate hospital or health
9 
care facility with continued provision of care and appropriate interventions en
10 
route;
11 
m. "Inter-Agency Referral and Transport refers to the transport of a patient with
12 
an EMS personnel, if necessary, from one referring facility or agency to another
13 
receiving facility or agency for definitive care, as may be deemed necessary, in
14 
instances where the services are not available in the referring facility.
15 
Sec. 5. Creation of the National Emergency Medical Services Systems Council.
16 
- There is hereby created the "National Emergency Medical Services Systems Council
17 
(EMSSC)", hereinafter referred to as the "Council", which shall be composed of the
18 
following members:
19 
1. Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH) as Chairperson;
20 
2. Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) as Co-
21 
Chairperson;
22 
3. Director General of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
23 
(TESDA);
24 
4. Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED);
25 
5. Secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOTr)
26 
6. Secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology
27 
(DICT)
28 
7. President of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth);
29 
8. Chairperson of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC); and
30 
9. Chairperson of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC);
31 
Sec. 6. Meetings of the Councii. - A majority of the Council shall constitute a
32 
quorum to conduct day-to-day business. A member of the Council may appoint a duly


1 
authorized representative to attend and vote on behalf of the member: Provided, that
2 
it shaii be in writing, duiy signed by the member, and fiied before the scheduled
3 
meeting: Provided further, that such authority may only be valid for such meeting.
4 
Regular meetings shall be conducted by the Board at least once a month.
5 
Notice, in writing, must be given three (3) days before the scheduled meeting.
6 
Members of the Council are entitled to receive commensurate and reasonable per
7 
diems subject to pertinent accounting and auditing rules and regulations.
8 
Sec. 7. Powers and Functions of the Councii. - The Council shall perform the
9 
following functions:
10 
a. To formulate policies on the EMSS;
11 
b. To develop standards in the provision of EMS to include, among others, the
12 
skills and competencies required for EMS personnel and the mandatory
13 
observation of such standards by all EMS personnel and such other entities;
14 
c. To formulate a Code of Ethics for EMS personnel;
15 
d. To develop and regulate reasonable standards for EMS personnel;
16 
e. To develop standards and protocols for the design, construction, equipment
17 
and operations of ambulances;
18 
f. To promote trainings and programs of Basic Life Support in the curriculum of
19 
all public and private tertiary education institutions;
20 
g. To ensure coordination of all concerned institutions 
for the effective
21 
implementation of this Act;
22 
h. To monitor the compliance of all Local Government Units (LGUs), health
23 
facilities, and EMS personnel of the standards and requirements set out in this
24 
Act;
25 
i. To generate resources 
from 
local, 
national 
and international
26 
organizations/agencies, whether government or private sector;
27 
j. To receive and accept donations and other conveyances including funds,
28 
materials and services by gratuitous title: Provided, that not more than thirty
29 
percent (30%) of said funds shall be used for administrative expenses;
30 
k. To prepare an annual budget of the Council and submit the same to the
31 
President for inclusion in the annual General Appropriations Act;
32 
I. To advise the President on matters pertaining to EMS;


1 
m. To request any department, instrumentality, office, bureau or agency of the
2 
government, including LGUs, to render such assistance as it may require to
3 
carry out, enforce, or implement the provisions of this Act;
4 
n. To promote the conduct of studies, researches, and international cooperation
5 
among the DOH, training institutions, and other related organizations;
6 
0. To create the mechanisms for continuous education and re-certification and re-
7 
accreditation of EMS personnel;
8 
p. To create a mechanism for investigation and evaluation of professional claims,
9 
in case of breach, against EMS personnel, and the possible suspension or
10 
removal of their certification and accreditation; and
11 
q. To promulgate other rules and regulations, as may be deemed necessary.
12 
Sec. 8. Accredited Training Institutions. - Training programs, courses, and
13 
continuing education for EMS personnel shall only be conducted by an Accredited
14 
Training Institution, as provided in Section 4(a) of this Act: Provided, That EMS
15 
Personnel may only be certified by an Accredited Training Institution: Provided,
16 
further. That certifications issued to EMS Personnel shall be valid for two (2) years 1
17 
which may be renewable, subject to the guidelines which may be determined by the
18 
Council: Provided, finally. That following the accreditation of the EMS Personnel, there
19 
should be a permit by the Medical Director, or its equivalent, of the organization,
20 
where the EMS person practices emergency care, providing her/him with the power
21 
to perform ALS procedures.
22 
Sec. 9. Ambulances. - The Council shall develop the standard and requirements
23 
for the design and specifications of ambulances which shall include a system that
24 
provides geolocation and time information to a receiver through the use of satellite
25 
systems and other necessary and adequate medical equipment. The Council shall also
26 
formulate protocols for the operations of ambulances.
27 
Sec. 10. Inter-agency Referral and Transport. - The Council shall establish the
28 
prescribed guidelines on inter-agency referral and transport in accordance with Section
29 
4 (m) of this Act.
30 
Sec. 11. Adoption of a Nationwide Emergency Hotline Number. - There shall
31 
only be one (1) nationwide emergency hotline number to enable the public to
32 
efficiently access EMS. The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) shall


1 
develop a program for the adoption of the nationwide emergency hotline number. NTC
2 
shall consult and cooperate with national and local agencies and institutions, such as
3 
the Philippine Red Cross; LCDs and officials responsible for emergency services and
4 
public safety; the telecommunications industry (including cellular and other wireless
5 
telecommunications service providers); the motor vehicle manufacturing industry;
6 
EMS providers; emergency dispatch providers; transportation officials; public safety,
7 
fire service, and law enforcement officials; consumer groups; hospital emergency and
8 
trauma care personnel, including emergency physicians, trauma surgeons and nurses:
9 
Provided, That the nationwide emergency hotline number shall operate twenty-four
10 
(24) hours a day and three hundred sixty-five (365) days a year.
11 
Sec. 12. Compliance of Telecommunications Industry. - It shall be the duty of
12 
every telecommunications industry to provide its subscribers with free access to the
13 
national emergency hotline number, in accordance with the implementing rules and
14 
regulations to be adopted pursuant to this Act.
15 
Sec. 13. Harmonization with Existing 911 Emergency Operation Center. - The
16 
implementation of this Act shaii be harmonized with the existing 911 Emergency
17 
Operation Center created under Executive Order 56, series of 2018.
18 
Sec. 14. Prohibited Acts. - In addition to acts and omissions prescribed by the
19 
Constitution and existing laws, the following shall constitute prohibited acts and are
20 
hereby declared unlawful:
21 
a. Any person who makes a call to the nationwide emergency hotline number, or
22 
performs any other means of communication, with intent to annoy, abuse,
23 
threaten, or harass the call taker, dispatcher, or any person who answers the
24 
call;
25 
b. Any person who makes a call to the nationwide emergency hotline number and,
26 
upon being answered, makes or solicits any comment, request, suggestion,
27 
proposal, or sound which is obscene, lewd, lascivious, immoral, or indecent;
28 
and
29 
c. Any person who gives a false report or false information in connection with a
30 
medical emergency, knowing the report or information to be false. For purposes
31 
of this Act, a call taker shall be defined as any person who handles the calls
32 
received through the nationwide emergency hotline number and transmits it to


1 
the dispatcher who shall plan and monitor the appropriate emergency medical
2 
response. The plan involves dispatching EMS personnel, ambulances, and other
3 
vehicles, if necessary; tracking ambulance positions; liaising with other
4 
emergency services (such as fire, law enforcement authorities); maintaining
5 
contact with all units on assignment; and monitoring progress of the response.
6 
Call takers and dispatchers operate a variety of communications equipment
7 
including radio consoles, telephones, and computer systems, among others:
8 
Provided, that call takers and dispatchers shall be required to undergo training,
9 
as may be determined by the DOH, in coordination with the Department of
10 
Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
11 
Sec. 15. Penalties. - Any person who shall commit any violation, as provided in
12 
Section 12 of this Act, shall be punished with the following:
13 
a. First Offense. - The offender shall be compelled to attend a seminar on the
14 
proper use of the nationwide emergency hotline number and a fine of Five
15 
Thousand Pesos (P5,000.00).
16 
b. Second Offense. - The offender shall be imposed with a fine of not less than
17 
Eight Thousand Pesos (P8,000.00) but not more than Fifteen Thousand Pesos
18 
(P15,000.00) or imprisonment of one (1) day to one (1) month, or both, at the
19 
discretion of the court.
20 
c. Third and Succeeding Offenses. - The offender shall be imposed with a fine of
21 
not less than Twenty Thousand Pesos (P20,000.00) but not more than One
22 
Hundred Thousand Pesos (P 100,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than one
23 
(1) month to six (6) months, or both, at the discretion of the court.
24 
Sec. 16. Roles of the Local Government Units. - The LCDs are hereby mandated
25 
to develop and institutionalize an EMSS within their jurisdiction, including
26 
appropriations, programs, and activities that will ensure the implementation of this
27 
Act.
28 
Sec. 17. Appropriations. - The Department of Health and the Department of
29 
Interior and Local Government shall include in their annual General Appropriations Act
30 
the amount needed for the full implementation of this Act.


1 
Sec. 18. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - The DOH and DILG, in
2 
coordination with the concerned departments, agencies, and institutions shall
3 
promulgate the IRR within ninety (90) days upon the effectivity of this Act.
4 
Sec. 19. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
5 
regulations or other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this
6 
Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
7 
Sec. 20. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
8 
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected
9 
thereby shall remain in force and effect.
10 
Sec. 21. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
11 
publication either in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation
12 
in the Philippines.
Approved,