Medical Reserve Corps Act

Senate Office of the Societary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 DEC 15 P1:15 First Regular Session RECEIVED BY: SENATE Senate Bill No. 1610 Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA INSTITUTING THE MEDICAL RESERVE CORPS AND DIAC RESERVE APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE The COVID-19 pandemic laid bare the vulnerabilities of our healthcare system - from the shortage of medical personnel and overwhelmed hospitals to the absence of a rapid-response mechanism during health emergencies. These challenges underscore the urgent need to institutionalize a standby force of trained individuals ready to augment our health workforce in times of crisis. This bill seeks to establish the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) under the Department of Health, composed of medical professionals, scientists, medical reservists from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and trained civilian volunteers. The MRC will serve as a strategic reserve force that can be mobilized during public health emergencies, pandemics, disasters, or similar threats to national health security. Through regular training, proper organization, and adequate support, the MRC will enhance the country's capacity to respond swiftly and effectively to surges in healthcare demand. The measure also ensures the protection, compensation, and rights of MRC members during mobilization, and provides mechanisms for coordination with the AFP, local government units, and other agencies. By institutionalizing the MRC, we take a proactive step in safeguarding public health and strengthening our national resilience against future emergencies.

In line with the State's duty under the Constitution to protect the people's right to health, and in pursuit of Sustainable Development Goal 3 on good health and well- being, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought. JOEL/VILLANUEVA

Senate Office of the sorcertary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES DEC 15 P1:15 First Regular Session ) SENATE RECEIVED BY Senate Bill No. 1610 Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA AN ACT INSTITUTING THE MEDICAL RESERVE CORPS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Medical Reserve

2 Corps Act."

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - Article 11, Section 15 of the 1987

4 Constitution enjoins the State to protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. Article XII, Section 11 also provides for the adoption of an integrated and comprehensive approach to health 7 development. The State further reiterates its commitment to the attainment of 8 the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3, which calls on 9 states to ensure healthy lives and promote the well-being of people of all ages. The State also recognizes the need for a reserve force of highly skilled and medically trained professionals and volunteers who can be mobilized to maintain the capacity to meet surges in the demand for the country's healthcare system 13 and provide assistance as may be needed in times of health crises. Pursuant to this, it is hereby declared the policy of the State to maintain a strong, proactive, and responsive healthcare system at all times, the workforce complement of which can be expanded rapidly by a well-trained and well-equipped

1 Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) in times of public health emergency and health threats. Towards this end, the State shall enhance the capacity of the nation to 3 produce and call on the needed manpower and expand its human resources for 4 health in times of disasters and public health emergencies of both national and 5 local scale through the mobilization of the MRC.

SEC. 3. Medical Reserve Corps Service. - The MRC shall be composed

7 of medical experts, scientists, licensed medical practitioners, members of the 8 Reserve Force of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the medical service, 9 and non-medical volunteers trained for health emergencies and other necessary 10 skills, with a primary mission of supporting the public health system during periods of disasters and other health emergencies. The MRC shall be organized, trained, 12 developed, and maintained to ensure their readiness to immediately respond to 13 the call to service.

SEC. 4. Organization. - The Department of Health (DOH) shall create the

MRC under its Health Emergency Management Bureau (HEMB). The organization, structure, and manning of the MRC shall be set up in such a manner that is necessary to make it effective, efficient, and responsive to local and national disasters and other health emergencies, under such rules and regulations as the Secretary of Health may prescribe.

SEC. 5. Registration and Training. - The DOH shall draft guidelines for

21 the recruitment, selection, compensation, other incentives for joining and continued membership, and length of service of the MRC members. The DOH shall also prescribe a continuing training program for the MRC recruits and members, through written, practical, and simulation activities on various aspects of health emergency management and response, and on the different health emergency situations and scenarios, such as natural and man- made disasters, epidemics, pandemics, and other threats to public health. To this end, all recruits must undergo: a) Compulsory basic training for a period to be set by the DOH where all recruits shall undergo training on disaster and health emergency response, the organization and structure of the MRC, and such other areas as may be prescribed by the DOH. Volunteers without any health specializations shall be

trained in basic health and medical skills, and/or such other skills deemed necessary to respond to health emergencies. In all cases, recruits shall be given compensation for their time during compulsory basic training; and b) Continuing training, in coordination with relevant and qualified agencies in the public and private sector, including but not limited to the AFP and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), to provide the training and other activities that will improve and reinforce their skills. All registered members shall undergo continuing training on a regular basis to upgrade their proficiency. Successful completion of compulsory basic training shall be a requisite for admission into the MRC. Successful completion of activities in the continuing training program shall be a requisite for promotion within the MRC.

SEC. 6. Registry and Accounting of Members of the MRC. - Registered

members of the MRC shall be issued individual serial numbers which shall serve as their identification in case of deployment. An MRC identification card that describes the certification information of members, as well as other necessary identifying information, as may be determined by the DOH, shall also be issued. The DOH shall maintain and update a registry containing the names of MRC members, their serial numbers, addresses, contact details, and such other information as may be determined by the DOH, in accordance with the applicable privacy laws.

SEC. 7. MRC Mobilization. - The prompt mobilization of the MRC shall be

carried out by authority of the Secretary of Health, upon the recommendation of the Director of the HEMB or upon the request of national government agencies or local government units (LGUs) in order to meet the needs of the populace in times of public health emergencies, whether of local or national scale, and for such other purposes in response to threats to public health. The MRC may be mobilized partially or in full as may be necessary. The DOH shall promulgate the mechanism by which deployment is efficiently implemented, including the organization of the corps to be deployed, their territorial assignments, the manner of communicating deployment orders to each member, and to which mobilization center they will report.

For the purposes of this Act, "public health emergencies" shall have the same 2 meaning as defined in Republic Act No. 11332, otherwise known as the "Mandatory 3 Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act."

SEC. 8. Deployment Order. - The President of the Philippines, upon

recommendation of the Secretary of Health, may order the nationwide mobilization 6 of the MRC to complement the AFP Medical Corps in case of a declaration of a 7 state of war, state of lawless violence, or state of calamity.

SEC. 9. Mobilization Centers. - There shall be established in each

province as many mobilization centers as needed to which members of the MRC 10 shall report when mobilization is ordered. Mobilization centers may be any establishment or facility that can adequately house the MRC members, and their equipment and supplies during the period of deployment, including, but not limited, to multi-purpose halls, gymnasiums, and other similar structures, and based on other requirements that the DOH shall prescribe. The DOH, in consultation with the local executives, shall likewise prescribe the location of the mobilization centers. • SEC. 10. Mobilization Stock. - The minimum essential medical equipment and supplies for individuals and organizations shall be procured, stored, and maintained to enhance rapid transition to readiness the required for deployment in the shortest possible time. The DOH shall maintain the necessary capacity to scale up the procurement of equipment and supplies as may be needed during the period of mobilization.

SEC. 11. Enlistment of the AFP. - The Secretary of Health may enlist the

AFP to provide expertise on the organization and structure of the MRC for efficient, effective, and swift deployment, as well as for training of the MRC recruits on disaster and emergency response. The Secretary of Health may also recommend to the President the enlistment of the AFP to supplement the mobilized MRC for the purpose of providing logistics and manpower for large-scale operations in times of public health emergency, contact tracing and monitoring of suspected cases, enforcing quarantine measures in specific areas or facilitating the transport of emerging infectious disease patients, and for such other related purposes.

SEC. 12. Protection of MRC Members. - All MRC members shall be

accorded protection as provided by existing labor laws and relevant occupational 3 safety and health standards. Discrimination based on their status as MRC members 4 shall also be strictly prohibited.

SEC. 13. Compensation and Benefits. - Members of the MRC who have

rendered service shall receive compensation, allowances, medical and 7 hospitalization benefits, and other privileges and benefits during the mobilization period, to be determined by the DOH, in accordance with relevant laws, executive 9 orders, rules and regulations, and other issuances.

SEC. 14. Demobilization. - When the threat or emergency for which

11 mobilization had been ordered has passed, the Secretary of Health shall order the 12 demobilization of the MRC, and the mobilized members shall be reverted to inactive status.

SEC. 15. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within thirty (30)

days from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Health, in consultation with the AFP and other relevant stakeholders, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to effectively implement the provisions of this Act. Failure of the relevant government agencies to promulgate the IRR within the specified period shall subject the heads of these government agencies to administrative penalties under applicable civil service laws. Should the IRR contain provisions that are contrary to this Act, the heads of the government agencies responsible for such provision, when done in bad faith or with gross negligence, shall be held administratively liable.

SEC. 16. Appropriations. - The funds necessary for the initial

implementation of this Act shall be charged against the appropriations of the DOH as needed. Thereafter, funding shall be included in the budget of the DOH under the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 17. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is

declared unconstitutional, the remainder hereof or any provisions not affected 30 thereby shall remain in force and effect.

SEC. 18. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,

executive order, letter of instruction, rule, or regulation inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 19. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

5 complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general 6 circulation. Approved,