Speaker Dy backs PH version of integrated 911-style emergency medical system

“Marami nang Pilipino ang pamilyar sa 911. Pero ang mas mahalagang tanong ay: kapag may tumawag sa 911, may maaasahan ba siyang mabilis, maayos, at de-kalidad na pagtugon? Iyan ang nais tiyakin ng panukalang ito. Hindi lamang hotline ang binubuo natin kundi isang integrated emergency medical services system na makapagliligtas ng maraming buhay.”

This was the statement of House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III on Tuesday following the committee-level approval of a consolidated measure that seeks to establish a nationwide Integrated Emergency Medical Services System (EMSS), creating a more coordinated and standardized emergency response network across the country.

The House Committee on Health approved on Monday, subject to style and amendments, nine bills proposing the institutionalization of an EMSS and moved for their consolidation.

The measure consolidates House Bills Nos. 673, 2672, 3145, 3973, 4139, 5456, 5643, 7925, and 8417, which seek to develop and institutionalize an emergency medical services system at the national, regional, and local levels while establishing national standards for emergency medical services, accreditation of institutions, training of personnel, emergency dispatch systems, and the regulation of emergency medical vehicles.

Dy said the measure would help address long-standing gaps in the country’s emergency response capabilities and ensure that Filipinos receive timely medical assistance regardless of where they live.

“Kapag may aksidente, biglaang atake sa puso, stroke, o anumang medical emergency, bawat minuto ay mahalaga. Ang buhay ng isang tao ay hindi dapat nakasalalay sa lokasyon ng kanyang tirahan o kung gaano kabilis makakontak ng ambulansya. Mahalagang magkaroon tayo ng isang maayos, integrated, at standardized emergency medical services system sa buong bansa,” Dy said.

Committee Chair and Batanes Rep. Ciriaco Gato Jr. noted that despite the launch of a national emergency hotline a decade ago, the Philippines still lacks a unified and standardized emergency medical services system.

According to Gato, the fragmented nature of emergency medical services has contributed to slower response times, inconsistent quality of care, and preventable deaths.

Under the proposed measure, emergency response systems across the country would be guided by common national standards and improved coordination among emergency responders, healthcare facilities, local governments, and national agencies.

The proposal seeks to ensure that emergency calls are backed by an organized system capable of dispatching trained responders, providing emergency transport, coordinating referrals, and delivering timely care.

The Department of Health expressed support for the measure.

Health Undersecretary and spokesperson Dr. Albert Francis Domingo said the department recognizes the importance of institutionalizing a comprehensive, integrated, and standardized emergency medical services system to strengthen pre-hospital emergency care, emergency transport dispatch systems, and inter-facility referral systems.

“Naniniwala po ang DOH na mahalagang mapalakas ang pre-hospital emergency care, emergency transport dispatch systems at inter-facility referral systems upang mapabuti ang patient outcomes, mabawasan at maiwasan ang kamatayan at matiyak ang agarang access sa life-saving interventions lalo na doon sa ating unserved and underserved areas,” Domingo said.

He also stressed the need to establish national standards so that emergency medical services become available not only in a handful of highly capable local governments but across all communities nationwide.

The DOH likewise expressed support for strengthening the national emergency hotline system and ensuring that emergency response mechanisms are fully integrated with existing healthcare provider referral systems under the Universal Health Care Act.

For his part, Dy emphasized that strengthening emergency medical services is ultimately about ensuring that every Filipino has a fighting chance during life-threatening situations.

“Sa oras ng sakuna o medical emergency, kailangan natin ng malinaw na mga hakbang, iisang pamantayan, mabilis na koordinasyon, at agarang pagtugon upang mapanatag ang kalooban ng ating mga kababayan at mas maraming buhay ang mailigtas. Ito ang layunin ng panukalang batas na ito,” Dy said.

Akbayan Rep. Percival Cendaña, one of the authors of the measure, noted that emergency medical services are currently delivered by a mix of local governments, hospitals, private ambulance providers, volunteer organizations, and non-government institutions. While these groups provide invaluable services, he said the absence of a unified national framework has resulted in inconsistent standards, uneven responder training, inadequate coordination, and unequal access to emergency medical care across the country.

The consolidated measure now advances for further consideration in the House of Representatives. (RM)