Sellate Office of the Beretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session 26 MAR -4 P4:51 SENATE 1929 RECEIVED BY: S. No. Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid AN ACT MANDATING THE INSTALLATION OF EPINEPHRINE AUTO-INJECTORS (EPIPENS) IN ALL COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT AND PASSENGER VESSELS REGISTERED IN THE PHILIPPINES, PROVIDING FOR THE TRAINING OF CREW ON ITS ADMINISTRATION, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE The Philippines, as an archipelago of over 7,641 islands, relies on maritime and air transport as the fundamental arteries of national movement. For millions of Filipinos, these modes of transport are not merely conveniences but lifelines. However, whether at an altitude of 30,000 feet or navigating the open seas, passengers exist in a state of temporary isolation, often hours away from the nearest tertiary medical facility. In these environments, a medical emergency can rapidly escalate into a fatality if life-saving tools are not immediately accessible. Article II, Section 15 of the 1987 Constitution mandates that the State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. This duty is paramount in the public transport sector, where the traveling public entrusts their safety and well-being to transport operators. Global medical data indicates that allergic reactions account for approximately 2% to 4% of all in-flight medical emergencies. While the statistical incidence is estimated at 0.7 events per million passengers, the stakes are absolute: a severe allergic reaction, or anaphylaxis, can lead to airway constriction and cardiac arrest within minutes. The 2016 death of teenager Natasha Ednan-Laperouse on an international flight served as a global catalyst for reform. She succumbed to a severe reaction because life-saving medication was not administered in time. While Philippine carriers and
vessel operators maintain a commendable safety record, the State must not wait for a localized tragedy to occur before enacting preventative safeguards. On passenger vessels-such as RoRo ships and fast crafts-medical evacuation is exceptionally complex, often requiring helicopter extraction or ship-to-ship transfers that are dictated by weather and sea conditions. In cases of anaphylaxis, the "Golden Hour" of medical intervention is reduced to mere minutes. The tragedy of such deaths is that they are entirely preventable with Epinephrine. Current standard medical kits often contain epinephrine in glass ampoules, which require a syringe, precise dosage calculation, and medical training to administer. In the midst of flight turbulence or rough seas, this process is fraught with risk. In contrast, an Epinephrine Auto-Injector (EAI) is designed for safe, rapid, and foolproof administration by laypersons. This bill mandates the inclusion of Epinephrine Auto-Injectors in the emergency medical kits of all commercial aircraft and passenger vessels operating within Philippine jurisdiction. By requiring these devices, we bridge the gap between the onset of an emergency and the arrival at a hospital, ensuring that no Filipino life is lost to a treatable condition simply because of geography. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
Sellate Office of the setretarp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session ) 26 MAR -4 P4:51 SENATE 1929 RECEIVED BY: S. No. - Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid AN ACT MANDATING THE INSTALLATION OF EPINEPHRINE AUTO-INJECTORS (EPIPENS) IN ALL COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT AND PASSENGER VESSELS REGISTERED IN THE PHILIPPINES, PROVIDING FOR THE TRAINING OF CREW ON ITS ADMINISTRATION, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 8 Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Ligtas Biyahe sa
10 Himpapawid at Karagatan Act."
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby the policy of the State, in
accordance with Article II, Section 15 of the 1987 Constitution, to protect and promote 13 the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. The State recognizes the unique vulnerability of passengers during air and sea travel, where access to tertiary medical care is restricted or delayed. Therefore, it is mandated that all public conveyance serve as safe zones equipped with essential life- saving devices that are accessible and easy to use in emergencies.
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act:
(a) "Anaphylaxis" refers to a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that can occur within seconds or minutes of exposure to an allergen.
(b) "Commercial Aircraft" refers to any aircraft registered in the Philippines 2 engaged in the transport of passengers for hire or compensation. (c) "Passenger Vessel" refers to any ship, boat, craft, or water conveyance registered in the Philippines and authorized by the Maritime Industry Authority 5 (MARINA) to carry more than twelve (12) passengers. (d) "Epinephrine Auto-Injector" or "EpiPen" refers to a medical device for 7 injecting a measured dose or doses of epinephrine (adrenaline) by means of autoinjector technology.
SECTION 4. Mandatory Installation of EpiPens. - All Commercial Aircraft and
Passenger Vessels are hereby mandated to carry at least two (2) units of adult-dosage Epinephrine Auto-injectors and two (2) units of pediatric-dosage Epinephrine Auto- injectors, or their equivalent, in their on-board Emergency Medical Kits (EMK). For Passenger Vessels with a capacity exceeding five hundred (500) passengers, the number of required units shall be doubled. These devices must be stored in a secure but accessible location known to all crew members.
SECTION 5. Replacement and Maintenance. - The airline or shipping operator
shall be responsible for: (a) Ensuring that the EpiPens are not expired and are replaced immediately upon use or expiration; and (b) Conducting regular inspections of the devices as part of the pre-flight or pre-departure safety check.
SECTION 6. Crew Training. - The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines
(CAAP) for aircraft, and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) for vessels, in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH), shall mandate that all cabin crew and sea marshals/medical officers undergo training on: (a) Identifying the symptoms of anaphylaxis; and
(b) The proper administration of an Epinephrine Auto-injector. This training shall be a prerequisite for the issuance or renewal of the crew 3 member's license, Seafarer's Identification and Record Book (SIRB), or certification.
SECTION 7. Liability Protection. - Any crew member or volunteer passenger
5 who, in good faith and without gross negligence, administers an Epinephrine Auto- 6 injector to a passenger appearing to suffer from anaphylaxis shall be immune from civil liability for any injury resulting from the administration of the drug.
SECTION 8. Penalties. - Any airline or shipping operator found violating
9 Section 4 or Section 5 of this Act shall be punished with a fine of not less than One 10 Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00) but not more than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000.00) per violation.
SECTION 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days
from the effectivity of this Act, the CAAP, MARINA, and the DOH shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.
SECTION 10. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder thereof not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 11. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive
orders, proclamations, or administrative regulations that are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.
SECTION 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,