Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 10) — Lawmakers on Tuesday approved a measure that would protect volunteers from liability for their harmful actions during emergencies under a few conditions.
The House of Representatives approved on third and final reading House Bill 6091 or the “Emergency Volunteer Protection Act”, which seeks to promote volunteerism among Filipino citizens.
The measure won 248 votes. None of the members present voted against the bill or abstained.
The bill defends that a volunteer should not be faulted for their actions if he or she was responding to an emergency situation, if he or she is properly authorized to deal with emergencies and the harm was not caused by misconduct or negligence.
However, it provided some exceptions. Volunteers will still be held liable if they committed a crime that violates the Revised Penal Code. If the volunteer was under the influence of liquor or dangerous drugs during the emergency he or she will also be penalized appropriately.
A Senate version of the bill will need to be passed before being submitted to President Rodrigo Duterte for his signature.
