EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
S E N A T E
S. No. 646
O il ;»• J  lljc fefcrrtarp
■ 9 
I I I  22 
P I 5 2
In tro d u ce d  by SENATOR RAMON BONG RE VILLA, JR.
AN ACT
IN STITU TIO N ALIZIN G  A 
PRE-HOSPITAL EMERGENCY CARE SYSTEM, 
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT, SUPERVISION AND REGULATION 
OF THE PRE-HOSPITAL EMERGENCY CARE PROFESSION, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Emergency Medical Service (EMS) is a type of service which aims to provide 
first-aid treatment and/or transport to definitive care to patients with illnesses and 
injuries which the patient, or the medical practitioner, believes constitutes a medical 
emergency1.
At present, this type of service is already in place in our society. Ambulance 
service, as it is more commonly known here in the country, is summoned by the 
public through coordination with agencies, such as the PCSO, the local government, 
the health department, or through the hospital facility itself.
However, we must take into account that through the years, our country has 
seen the rise of emergency cases resulting from natural and man-made disasters, 
sicknesses and diseases. Thus, there emerges a need to professionalize and regulate 
this practice.
This bill seeks to institute a National Pre-Hospital Care Council (NPHCC) which 
shall facilitate the institutionalization of EMS. Among other things, the NPHCC shall
1 (1978) is"’ ed. Encyclopedia Brittanica. Chicago. Encyclopedia Brittanica Inc.


and among us, Filipinos. This will help drive the path towards a just, culturally 
sensitive, fair, and lasting peace and development in the country.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
R A M ^  BONG REVILLA, JR.


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S E N A T E  
S. No. 646
IK 'iv. 
;:.v I 
..
of tl)c dc*:- rtjrp
’19 
JUL22 PI 52
In tro d u ce d  by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
RECtu .-. -
AN ACT
IN STITU TIO N ALIZIN G  
A 
PRE-HOSPITAL 
EMERGENCY 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 House o f Representatives o f the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
CHAPTER 1
2 
GENERAL PROVISIONS
3 
Section 1. Short Title. -  This Act shall be known as the "Pre-Hospital Emergency
4 
Care Act."
5 
Sec. 2. Declaration o f Policy. -  It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
6 
protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness
7 
among them. Pursuant to this national policy, the government shall set up a climate
8 
conducive to the practice of pre-hospital emergency care and maximize the capability
9 
and potential of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) and other pre-hospital care
10 
professionals and institute a standard system of pre-hospital emergency medical
11 
services in the country.
12 
Sec. 3. Objectives. -  This Act provides for and shall govern;
13 
a) The creation of the National Pre-Hospital Care Council (the Council or
14 
NPHCC);
15 
b) The development and institutionalization of pre-hospital emergency
16 
service system at the national and local level;


1 
c) The establishment of national standards for the provision of pre-hospital
2 
emergency medical sen/ices by duly certified/registered pre-hospital
3 
care professionals;
4 
d) The supervision, control and regulation of the practice of pre-hospital
5 
care professionals;
6 
e) The program standardization for the training of pre-hospital care
7 
professionals;
8 
0  The 
certification/registration 
and 
re-certification/re-registration
9 
requirements of pre-hospital care professionals;
10 
g) The standards for design, manufacture, accreditation and regulation of
11 
Emergency Medical Vehicles;
12 
h) The adoption and implementation of a National Universal Emergency
13 
Telephone Number; and
14 
i) The establishment and provision of support services to pre-hospital
15 
emergency medical services.
16 
Sec. 4. Definition o f Terms. -  For purposes of this Act, the following terms are
17 
hereby defined:
18 
(a) Pre-Hospital Emergency Medical Services
19 
i. Pre-Hospital Emergency Care -  Independent delivery of pre-
20 
hospital emergency medical services by appropriately trained
21 
and certified Emergency medical Technicians (EMTs), usually
22 
in a mobile or community setting. In full accordance with
23 
National Pre-Hospital Emergency Medical Treatment Protocols
24 
established by the Council.
25 
ii. Pre-Hospital Advance Life Support -  Advanced pre-hospital
26 
standards for the care of serious illness or injury by
27 
appropriately trained and certified EMTs, as established by the
28 
Council. These pre-hospital standards may include advanced
29 
pre-hospital trauma care, advanced pre-hospital cardiac life
30 
support and the care of high dependency patients for inter-
31 
hospital transfer, among others.


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(b) National Pre-Hospital Medical Treatment Protocols -  Emergency medical 
procedures outlining approved clinical practices and therapies to be 
observed by pre-hospital care professionals, as established by the Council.
(c) Pre-hospital Care Professionals
i. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) -  A pre-hospital 
emergency care provider who has fulfilled the requirements 
and continues to hold the qualifications established by the 
Council in coordination with the Technical Education and Skills 
Development Authority (TESDA), the Commission on Higher 
Education 
(CHED) 
and 
the 
Professional 
Regulation 
Commission (PRC), among others.
ii. Ambulance Dispatch Officer (ADO)- A person duly trained and 
certified in the administration, arrangement and operation of 
the ambulance dispatch and communication system, who has 
fulfilled 
the 
requirements and 
continues to 
hold the 
qualifications established by the Council in coordination with 
Technical 
Education 
and 
Skills 
Development 
Authority 
(TESDA), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and 
the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), among others.
iii. Ambulance Assistants -  Personnel who, having gained the 
"minimum" certification 
as 
a 
Medical 
First 
responder 
(Advanced First Aider), charged with the operation and 
general care of emergency medical vehicles (ambulance 
driver), in addition to providing basic medical care for patients 
under the direct supervision of an Emergency Medical 
Technician / Paramedic.
iv. Other pre-hospital care professionals providing other support 
services for the provision of pre-hospital emergency care.
(d) Competency-based assessment -  Evidence gathering and judgment by an 
authorized assessor who evaluates the technical and practical skills, abilities 
and knowledge of a pre-hospital care professional in accordance with 
standards and guidelines established by the Council in coordination with


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TESDA in the case of technical non-degree Certified Emergency Medical 
Technician courses falling under TESDA jurisdiction; or in coordination with 
CHED and PRC in the case of Registered Emergency Medical Technician -  
Paramedic (REMT-P) degree courses requiring the issuance of a professional 
license.
(e) Accredited Training Institutions -  Training institutions offering training 
programs, courses and continuing education in emergency medical services 
for pre-hospital care professionals that meet the standards established by 
the Council, in coordination with TESDA, CHED and DOH among others, and 
are duly recognized by TESDA or CHED, as applicable, and duly registered 
in good standing with the Council.
(f) Ambulance /  Emergency Medical Vehicle -  An ambulance or other vehicle 
for emergency medical care and transportation which provides, at minimum, 
(a) a driver's compartment; (b) a patient compartment to accommodate an 
emergency medical technician (EMT) and a patient so positioned that said 
patient can be given intensive life-support during transit; (c) equipment and 
supplies for emergency care at the scene as well as during transport; (d) 
two-way radio, telephone or electronic communication with the Ambulance 
Dispatch 
Officer; 
and 
(e) 
when 
necessary, 
equipment 
for 
light 
rescue/extrication procedures. The emergency medical vehicle shall be so 
designed and constructed to provide the patient with safety and comfort, 
and avoid aggravation of the patient's injury or illness. The designated 
vehicle marking of "Ambulance" is hereby restricted for use by Emergency 
Medical Vehicles only.
(g) Emergency Medical Services Medical Director -  A licensed physician with 
training in Emergency Medicine who has at least five (5) years of experience 
in emergency medical care and approved by the Council or local medical 
authority charged with the supervision of emergency medical services and 
the implementation of approved emergency medical treatment protocols set 
by the Council to govern the practice of EMTs.


1 
CHAPTER I I
2 
NATIONAL PRE-HOSPITAL CARE COUNCIL
3
4 
Sec. 5. Creation o f the National Pre-Hospital Care Council. -  A body to be known
5 
as the National Pre-Hospital Care Council (NPHCC), hereinafter referred to as the
6 
Council, is hereby created to:
7 
a) Formulate policies governing the field of pre-hospital emergency medical
8 
services and related institutions;
9 
b) Implement these policies in coordination with affiliated medical and educational
10 
institutions
11 
c) Develop national standards for the provision of pre-hospital emergency medical
12 
services to include, among others, the skills, abilities and knowledge required
13 
of a pre-hospital care professional, and the development of mandatory national
14 
medical treatment protocols to be observed by pre-hospital care professionals
15 
and such other entities as it may consider appropriate;
16 
d) Promulgate a Code of Ethics for Emergency Medical Technicians;
17 
e) Develop standards of operation for pre-hospital emergency care support
18 
services providers to support best practices by pre-hospital care practitioners;
19 
f) Establish and maintain a roster of certified emergency medical technicians;
20 
g) Develop standards and protocols for the design, construction, outfitting and
21 
operations of emergency medical vehicles;
22 
h) Engage in research into pre-hospital care, including emerging technology,
23 
education and training, the formulation of curricula, and the evaluation of
24 
existing courses and assessment and examination procedures.
25 
Sec. 6. Membership o f the Council. -  The members of the Council shall initially
26 
be composed of the following:
27 
I. 
Ex-Officio Members:
28 
a. The Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH) as chair of the Council;
29 
b. The Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government
30 
(DILG);
31 
c. The Chair of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
32 
(TESDA); and


1 
d. The Chair of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
2 
II. 
Members to be appointed by the Secretary o f the Department o f Health
3 
upon nomination by their respective associations:
4 
a. One (1) nominee of a national organization duly registered with the
5 
Securities and Exchange Commission and recognized by the Secretary
6 
of the Department of Health as being representative of the profession of
7 
Emergency Medical Technician within Republic of the Philippines;
8 
b. Four (4) nominees of local health boards, one each from NCR, Luzon,
9 
Visayas and Mindanao;
10 
c. Two 
(2) registered emergency medical practitioners, representing
11 
recognized Professional-based organizations with interest on emergency
12 
medicine;
13 
d. One 
(1) registered medical practitioner representing a recognized
14 
professional-based organization on cardiology;
15 
e. One (1) registered nurse holding a qualification in emergency room
16 
nursing representing a recognized professional-based organization of
17 
emergency care nurses;
18 
f. One 
(1) representative from an educational or training institution
19 
providing 
EMT programs, 
which 
have been duly approved 
by
20 
TESDA/CHED as applicable.
21 
g. One 
(1) 
representative from a recognized national professional
22 
association of medical practitioners;
23 
h. One (1) representative from a recognized national organization of
24 
private hospitals; and
25 
i. 
One (1) representative from a DOH hospital.
26
27 
Sec. 7. Term o f Office. No member of the Council shall serve for more than
28 
three (3) consecutive terms of two (2) years each.
29 
Sec. 8. Powers and Functions. To carry out its mandate, the Council shall
30 
exercise the following powers and functions:
31


1 
a) Encourage and facilitate the organization of a network of pre-hospital care
2 
professionals, to ensure the provision of emergency medical sen/ices to the
3 
general public on a national basis;
4 
b) Maintain a roster of qualified pre-hospital care professionals and providers, and
5 
training institutions, and oversee their licensing and accreditation;
6 
c) Establish a secretariat under an Executive Director for the administrative and
7 
day-to-day operations of the Council;
8 
d) Create committees and other mechanisms to help expedite the implementation
9 
of plans and strategies;
10 
e) Set up a system of networking and coordination with and among all existing
11 
government health agencies and local government units for the effective
12 
implementation of programs and activities;
13 
f) Call upon and coordinate with other government and non-government medical
14 
and other institutions and agencies for assistance in any form;
15 
g) Generate resources, both from the Government and private sectors, local,
16 
national and international, for its operation;
17 
h) Receive and accept donations and other conveyances including funds,
18 
materials, and services, by gratuitous tide, provided, that not more than thirty
19 
per cent (30%) shall be used for administrative expenses;
20 
i) Prepare an annual budget of the Council and submit the same to the President
21 
for inclusion in the annual General Appropriations Act;
22 
j) Advise the President on matters pertaining to pre-hospital emergency medical
23 
services;
24 
k) Regulate activities inimical to the delivery of emergency medical services;
25 
I) Review membership of the Council in line with status changes of concerned
26 
national organizations duly recognized as involved in Emergency Medical Care
27 
as required by this Act; and
28 
m) Promulgate rules, regulations and undertake any and all measures as may be
29 
necessary to implement this Act.
30 
Sec 9. The Secretariat. -  The Council shall organize a Secretariat headed by an
31 
Executive Director, who shall be a person of probity and shall have at least five (5)
32 
years experience in emergency medical services or a related field. The Council shall


1 
fix its staffing pattern, determine the duties, qualifications, responsibilities and shall
2 
fix its staffing pattern, determine the duties, qualifications, responsibilities and
3 
functions as well as the compensation scheme for the positions to be created upon
4 
the recommendation of the Executive Director. The staffing pattern shall be approved
5 
and prescribed by the Council within one hundred twenty (120) days from the approval
6 
of this Act.
7 
In establishing the Secretariat, the Council shall consider the need to address,
8 
among others, the following areas: (a) Education and Standards Development; (b)
9 
National Examination/Assessment System for Pre-hospital Care Professionals; (c)
10 
Research; (d) Supervision and Regulation; (e) Policy, Planning and Research; (f)
11 
Administration; (g) Finance; and (h) Programs, including (i) Human Resource
12 
Development; (ii) Emergency Medical Vehicles and (iii) Emergency Communications.
13 
Sec. 10. Accreditation. -  The Council shall issue certification and licenses for
14 
the:
15 
a. Accreditation of training institutions for emergency medical technicians and
16 
related personnel; and
17 
b. Accreditation of emergency medical vehicle providers.
18
19 
Sec. 11. Meetings. -  The Council shall meet at least once every quarter.
20 
Sec. 12. Program Plans. -  The Council shall, within six (6) months after having
21 
been officially constituted and finally staffed, adopt and immediately cause to be
22 
implemented in coordination with medical and related agencies, a short-range
23 
program in support of relevant existing projects mid activities; and within one (1) year,
24 
a long-range five (5) year development program. This development program shall be
25 
developed and subjected to annual review and revision by the Council in coordination
26 
with relevant public and private medical agencies and organizations.
27
28 
CHAPTER I I I
29 
EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS
30 
Sec. 13. Creation o f PiantiHa Positions for Emergency Medical Technicians -
31 
There shall be created a minimum number of plantilla positions for Emergency Medical


1 
Technicians in the following government agencies within the next five (5) years upon
2 
approval of this Act:
3 
a. Specialized Hospitals -  Five (5) Emergency Medical Technicians
4 
b. Regional Hospitals -  Five (5) Emergency Medical Technicians
5 
c. Provincial Hospitals -  Three (3) Emergency Medical Technicians
6 
d. Local Government Units -  Three (3) Emergency Medical Technicians
7 
e. Other agencies -  as may be deemed necessary by the Council.
8 
The annual financial requirements needed to pay for the salaries of emergency
9 
Medical Technicians shall be included in the annual general appropriations of the
10 
respective hospitals, agencies and local government units.
11 
Sec. 14. Scope o f the Practice o f the Emergency Medical Technician. -  The
12 
practice of Emergency Medical Technician involves services performed in responding
13 
to the perceived needs of an individual for immediate medical care in order to prevent
14 
loss of life inter-hospital and hospital emergency care setting. For this purpose the
15 
Council shall develop the scope of work of Emergency Medical Technicians based on
16 
internally-accepted standards; as adapted to the Philippine setting.
17 
Sec. 15. Authorized Training Institution. -  Training programs, courses, and
18 
continuing education for an Emergency Medical Technician shall be conducted by an
19 
institution that has been granted a Certificate of Program Registration (COPR) by
20 
TESDA, in the case of technical non-degree courses falling under TESDA jurisdiction,
21 
or a Certificate of Accreditation as a Higher Education Institution (HEI) as well as
22 
Program Accreditation by CHED, in the case of degree programs falling under CHED
23 
jurisdiction. The requirements prescribed by the Council shall serve as the minimum
24 
requirement for program registration. The DOH can provide training programs for
25 
EMTs; provided that these shall be in accordance with the standards set by the
26 
Council.
27 
Sec. 16. Certification, Registration and Re-certification. -  Registration and re-
28 
certification of EMTs in the Philippines shall be governed by the Technical Education
29 
and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for non-degree courses, and by the
30 
Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) for degree courses, in accordance with PRC
31 
rules and regulations and without prejudice to the enactment of a licensure law for
32 
EMTs. A certification is valid for a period of three (3) years. TESDA and PRC shall re-


1 
certify Emergency Medical Technicians upon submission of a competency-based
2 
assessment statement from a recognized Emergency Medical Services Medical
3 
Director.
4 
Sec. 17. Qualifications. -  All applicants for registration as an Emergency Medical
5 
Technician (EMIO must be a citizen of the Philippines, at lease twenty-one (21) years
6 
of age, of good moral character, and must produce before the NPHCC satisfactory
7 
evidence of good moral character, and that no charges against him involving moral
8 
turpitude have been filed or are pending in any court in the Philippines.
9 
He or she must have successfully completed a non-degree course leading to an
10 
EMT basic certification, EMT intermediate certification, or EMT-advanced certification,
11 
conferred by an authorized training institution as defined in Sec. 15 of this Act. Schools
12 
and institutions accredited to offer education and training programs for EMT shall be
13 
given the responsibility to certify their graduates as mandated by the Council.
14 
Sec. 18. Examination Required. -  All applicants for registration as an
15 
Emergency Medical Technician shall be required to undergo a nationally based
16 
assessment test or licensure examination, respectively, to be given in such places and
17 
dates as may be designated, by the Technical Education and Skills Development
18 
Authority (TESDA) for non-degree courses, and by the Professional Regulation
19 
Commission (PRC) for degree courses.
20 
Sec. 19. Schedule o f Examination. -  National written examinations for
21 
Emergency Medical Technicians in the Philippines shall be given by TESDA and/or PRC
22 
at least twice every year.
23 
Sec. 20. Release o f the Results o f Examination. -  The results of the Examination
24 
shall be released by TESDA within twenty (20) working days or by the PRC within two
25 
(2) months from the date of the examination.
26 
Sec. 21. Issuance o f the Certificate o f Registration and EMT Identification Card.
27 
-  A Certification of Registration shall be issued to examinees who pass the National
28 
EMT examinations given by TESDA or the PRC. The Certificate of Registration shall
29 
remain in full force and effect until revoked or suspended in accordance with this Act.
30 
An EMT Identification Card, bearing the registration number, date of issuance, expiry
31 
date, duly signed by TESDA Director-General or PRC Chairman shall likewise be issued
32 
to every registrant upon payment of the required fees. The EMT Identification Card
10


1 
shall be renewed every three (3) years upon satisfactory compliance with the
2 
requirements of TESDA or PRC as prescribed by the Council.
3 
Sec. 22. Disqualification. -  TESDA, PRC and the Council shall not accept an
4 
applicant for competency requirement nor issue a national certificate to any person
5 
who has been convicted by final judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction of any
6 
criminal offense involving moral turpitude, or has been found guilty of immoral or
7 
dishonourable conduct after investigation and due process, or has been declared to
8 
be of unsound mind by competent authority, or for other grounds a may be
9 
determined by the Council in the implementing rules and regulations. The reason for
10 
the refusal shall be set forth in writing.
11 
Sec. 23. Revocation or Suspension o f the Certificate o f Registration, EMT
12 
Identification Card or Cancellation o f Temporary/Specia! Permit. -  The Council, upon
13 
recommendation of TESDA or PRC in accordance with the prescribed procedures and
14 
due process, may revoke or suspend the national certificate or EMT Identification Card.
15 
Sec. 24. 
Reinstatement, re-issuance or Replacement o f Certificate o f
16 
Registration and EMT Identification Card. -  The TESDA or PRC, upon the
17 
recommendation of Council, in accordance with the rules and regulations may, after
18 
two (2) years from the date of revocation of Certificate of Registration reinstate any
19 
revoked Certificate of Registration and re-issue a suspended EMT Identification Card
20 
after compliance by the applicant with the requirements for reinstatement.
21 
Sec. 25. Continuing Education. -  The Council shall develop a program for
22 
continuing education of emergency medical technicians as a condition for EMTs to
23 
maintain their license and accreditation.
24 
Sec. 26. Roster o f Certified Emergency Medical Technician. -  The Council, in
25 
coordination with TESDA, CHED, PRC, and the accredited professional organization
26 
representing the profession of Emergency Medical Technician within the Republic of
27 
the Philippines, shall prepare, update and maintain a roster of certified Emergency
28 
Medical Technicians / Paramedics.
29 
Sec. 27. Issuance o f Special or Temporary Permit. -  Upon application and
30 
payment of the necessary fees, and subject to the requirements specified by the
31 
Council, TESDA or PRC may issue special or temporary permits to Emergency Medical
32 
Services personnel from foreign countries whose services are urgently needed in the
11


1 
absence or inadequacy of local Emergency Medical Technicians that can provide pre-
2 
hospital emergency care in the Philippines.
3 
Sec. 28. Prohibition against the Unauthorized Practice o f Pre-Hospital
4 
Emergency Care. -  No person shall practice or offer to practice pre-hospital emergency
5 
care services in the Philippines or offer himself/herself as Emergency Medical
6 
Technician as defined in this Act, or use the title, word, letter, figure, or any sign
7 
tending to convey the impression that one is an Emergency Medical Technician as
8 
defined in this Act, or use the title, word, letter, figure, or any sign tending to convey
9 
the impression that one is an Emergency Medical Technician, or advertise or indicate
10 
in any manner whatsoever that one is qualified to practice pre-hospital emergency
11 
care unless he/she has satisfactorily demonstrated the prescribed competency
12 
standards, in full accordance with the requirements of the Council, and is a holder of
13 
a National Certificate in Emergency Medical Services or a special/temporary permit
14 
duly valid issued to him/her by Council.
15 
Sec. 29. Registration without Examination for Emergency Medical Technicians.
16 
-  All practicing Emergency Medical Technicians at the time this Act is passed shall be
17 
deemed qualified for registration as a EMT is, in accordance with the rules and
18 
regulations of the Council, they have performed work within the scope of the practices
19 
of an EMT as defined in this Act, for such period of time as may be required by the
20 
Council and have been certified by an EMS medical director to have performed full
21 
EMT functions in a pre-hospital and inter-hospital care setting.
22 
Sec. 30. Registration with Examination for Emergency Medical Technicians. -
23 
All practicing Emergency Medical Technicians who are not graduates of an EMT
24 
program from a TESDA or CHED-accredited public or private educational/training
25 
institution at the time this Act is passed shall be deemed qualified for registration
26 
through examination using the following procedure:
27 
a. All applicants must provide a full record of initial training completed as an EMT.
28 
This record must include details of the training establishment, a full syllabus of
29 
training and proof of having worked as an EMT in any local or international
30 
organization for at least one (1) year and has been certified by an EMS medical
31 
director to have performed full EMT functions in a pre-hospital and inter-
32 
hospital care setting.
12


1 
b. Once approved by the Council as qualified for examination, the candidate will
2 
be referred to an approved TESDA or PRC EMT assessment center for
3 
qualifying examinations for EMT registration.
4 
Sec. 31. Accredited Professional Organization. -  All certified Emergency Medical
5 
Technicians shall have one (1) national organization, which shall be recognized by the
6 
Council as the one and only accredited EMT organization in the country. A certified
7 
EMT duly registered with TESDA or PRC shall automatically become a member of the
8 
accredited professional organization of Emergency Medical Technician and shall
9 
receive the benefits and privileges appurtenant thereto.
10 
Sec. 32. Code o f Ethics o f Emergency Medical Technicians. -  The Council, in
11 
coordination with the accredited professional organizations, shall adopt and
12 
promulgate the Code of Ethics and Code of Technical Standards for Emergency Medical
13 
Technicians to include among others, duties of Emergency Medical Technicians to Pre-
14 
Hospital Emergency Care patients, to the community, to their colleagues and to the
15 
profession, and to allied professionals.
16
17 
CHAPTER IV
18 
EMERGENCY MEDICAL VEHICLES
19 
Sec. 33. Emergency Medical Vehicles. -  The Council shall develop minimum
20 
requirements for the design, construction, performance, equipment, testing and
21 
appearance of emergency medical vehicles. As such, only Emergency Medical Vehicles
22 
shall be allowed to display the word "Ambulance" and the universally-accepted "Star
23 
of Life" symbol. It shall also provide for the operation protocols of said vehicles. It
24 
shall also design an accreditation system to provide the public with ambulances and
25 
other emergency medical vehicles that are easily identifiable, nationally recognizable,
26 
properly constructed, easily maintained, and, when appropriately equipped, will enable
27 
Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) to safely and reliably perform their functions
28 
as basic and advanced pre-hospital life support providers.
29 
While failure of an emergency medical vehicle to conform to the Council
30 
standards may be a ground for the removal of its certification, such failure shall not
31 
bar EMTs from:
13


1 
a. Responding and providing appropriate basic or advanced life support on-site to
2 
persons reported experiencing acute injury or illness in a pre-hospital setting,
3 
and transporting them, while continuing such life support care, to an
4 
appropriate medical facility for definitive care;
5 
b. Providing inter-hospital critical transport care; or
6 
c. Transporting essential personnel and equipment to and from the site of a
7 
multiple medical emergency or a triage site and transporting appropriately
8 
triaged patients to designated medical facilities.
9
10 
CHAPTER V
11 
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
12
13 
Sec. 34. Adoption o f a National Universal Emergency Telephone Number. -
14 
There shall only be one national emergency number to enable the public to access
15 
emergency medical services. Towards this end, the National Telecommunications
16 
Commission (NTC) shall develop a program for the adoption of a national emergency
17 
number. It shall consult and cooperate with national and local institutions and officials
18 
responsible for emergency services and public safety, the telecommunications industry
19 
(specifically including the cellular and other wireless telecommunications service
20 
providers), the motor vehicle manufacturing industry, emergency medical service
21 
providers and emergency dispatch providers, transportation officials, public safety, fire
22 
service and law enforcement officials, consumer groups, and hospital emergency and
23 
trauma care personnel (including emergency physicians, trauma surgeons, and
24 
nurses).
25 
Sec. 35. Compliance. -  It shall be the duty of every voice service provider to
26 
provide its subscribers with access to the national universal emergency number in
27 
accordance with the implementing rules and regulations.
28 
Sec 36. Prohibited Acts.
29 
1. Any person who makes a telephone call to an emergency telephone number
30 
with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any person who answers the
31 
telephone call shall be guilty of an offense and, subject to subsection (3) of
32 
this Section, shall be given a warning for the first offense, and shall be
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1 
compelled to attend a seminar on the proper use of the national emergency
2 
telephone number on the second offense. Upon commission of the offense for
3 
the third time, the offender shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding
4 
PI,000. Upon commission of the offense for the fourth and succeeding times,
5 
the offender shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding P5,000 or
6 
imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or both.
7 
2. Any person who makes a telephone call to an emergency telephone number
8 
and, upon the call being answered, makes or solicits any comment, request,
9 
suggestion, proposal or other comment, request, suggestion, proposal or other
10 
communication or sound which is obscene, lewd, lascivious, filthy or indecent,
11 
shall be guilty of an offense and, subject to subsection (3) of this Section, shall
12 
be given a warning for the first offense, and shall be compelled to attend a
13 
seminar on the proper use of the national emergency telephone number on
14 
the second offense. Upon commission of the offense for the third time, the
15 
offender shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding the offender
16 
Pl,000. Upon commission of the offense for the fourth and succeeding times,
17 
the offender shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding P5,000 or
18 
imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or both.
19 
3. A person who gives a false report of a medical emergency or gives false
20 
information in connection with a medical emergency, or makes a false alarm
21 
of a medical emergency, knowing the report or information or alarm to be
22 
false; or makes a false request for ambulance service to an ambulance service
23 
provider, knowing the request to be false, shall be given a warning for the first
24 
offense, and shall be compelled to attend a seminar on the proper use of the
25 
national emergency telephone number on the second offense. Upon
26 
commission of the offense for the third time, the offender shall be liable on
27 
conviction to a fine not exceeding P5,000 and payment of damages. Upon
28 
commission of the offense for the fourth and succeeding times, the offender
29 
shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding P10,000 or to imprisonment
30 
for a term not exceeding 3 years or both, and payment of damages.
31
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Sec. 37. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -  The Council, in coordination
2 
with the NTC and other concerned agencies, shall issue and promulgate the rules and
3 
regulations to implement the provisions of this Chapter within one hundred (120) days
4 
upon constitution of the Council.
5
6 
CHAPTER V I
7 
OTHER PROVISIONS
8
9 
Sec. 38. Service Requirement -  The Council shall develop policies regarding
10 
mandatory service requirement for all pre-hospital emergency care providers as a
11 
condition for maintaining their license and accreditation.
12 
Sec. 39. Role o f the LGUs. -  Local government units are hereby mandated to
13 
develop and institutionalize a pre-hospital emergency care system within their area of
14 
jurisdiction. The Council shall include in its programs, activities that will support and
15 
enable the LGUs to accomplish such task.
16 
Sec. 40. Prohibited Acts. -  The following acts shall constitute an offense
17 
punishable under this Act:
18 
1. Practicing or offering to practice pre-hospital emergency care services in the
19 
Philippines or offering himself/herself as an EMT, or using the title, word letter,
20 
figure or any sign tending to convey the impression that one is a registered and
21 
licensed EMT, or advertising or indicating in any manner whatsoever that one
22 
is qualified to practice pre-hospital emergency care unless he/she has
23 
satisfactorily demonstrated the prescribed competency standards, in full
24 
accordance with the requirements of the Council and is a holder of a National
25 
Certificate in Emergency Medical Services or a temporary/special permit duly
26 
issued to him/her by the Council;
27 
2. Providing pre-emergency hospital care within the meaning of this Act without
28 
a valid Certificate of Registration and a Professional Identification Card
29 
belonging to another;
30 
3. Presenting or using as his or her own a Certificate of Registration or Professional
31 
Identification Card belonging to another;
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1 
4. Giving any false or forged evidence of any kind to the Council or TESDA or
2 
CHED or PRC in obtaining any of the foregoing documents;
3 
5. Falsely impersonating any registrant with like or different name;
4 
6. Abetting or assisting by any registered and licensed emergency hospital
5 
technician of the illegal practice of a person who is not lawfully qualified to
6 
provide pre-emergency hospital care within the meaning of this Act;
7 
7. Attempting to use a revoked or suspended Certificate of Registration or any
8 
invalid or expired EMT Identification Card or a cancelled special permit;
9 
8. Operating an Emergency Medical Services training institution without proper
10 
Accreditation; and
11 
9. Unauthorized use of ambulance/emergency medical vehicle, such as but not
12 
limited to transporting illegal drugs and transporting passengers and personnel
13 
which are not valid emergency cases.
14 
Sec. 41. Penalties. -  The commission of any of the prohibited acts stated under
15 
Section 40 shall be penalized with a fine of not less than Fifty Thousand Pesos
16 
(P50,000.00) nor more than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (PlOO,000.00) or by
17 
imprisonment of not less than one (1) year nor more than five (5) years, or both, at
18 
the discretion of the court.
19 
Sec. 42. Enforcement. -  The Council shall implement the provisions of this Act,
20 
enforce its implementing rules and regulations, and investigate complaints against
21 
violators of this Act, its rules and regulations and other policies of the Council, the
22 
Council shall call upon or request any department, instrumentality, office, bureau, or
23 
agency of the government including local government units to render such assistance
24 
as it may require in order to carry out, enforce or implement the provisions of this Act.
25 
Sec. 43. Appropriations. — The amount of Thirty Million Pesos (P30,000,000) is
26 
hereby appropriated for the creation of the Council to enable its initial operations and
27 
to implement the provisions of this Act. Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary
28 
for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the General
29 
Appropriations Act.
30 
Sec. 44. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Except as otherwise provided,
31 
the Council shall issue and promulgate the rules and regulations to implement the
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3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
1
2
provisions of this Act within one hundred twenty (120) days upon constitution of the 
Council.
Sec. 45. Separability Clause. -  If for any reason any section or provision of this 
Act is declared unconstitutional, other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby 
shall continue to be in full force and effect.
Sec. 46. Repealing Clause. -  All laws, orders, rules and regulations or parts 
thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Sec. 47. Effectivity. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,
18