AN ACT TO REVISE AND CONSOLIDATE THE PROVISIONS OF ACT NUMBERED THREE THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED SIXTY-ONE

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Republic Act No. 1054

Duty to Provide Free Emergency Medical and Dental Treatment
- Owners, lessees, or operators of commercial, industrial, or agricultural establishments are required to furnish free emergency medical and dental attendance to their employees and laborers based on the following conditions:

• 30 to 200 employees/laborers (Section 1a):
    - Keep a stock of emergency medicines under the charge of a nurse.
    - Furnish free emergency medical and dental attendance.
    - Exemption from keeping emergency medicines if a public dispensary or pharmacy is within 1 km, except for establishments with 101-200 employees/laborers.

• 201 to 300 employees/laborers (Section 1b):
    - Keep a stock of emergency medicines under the charge of a nurse.
    - Employ the services of a permanent or retained physician and dentist.
    - Provide a properly ventilated room for emergency cases.

• More than 300 employees/laborers (Section 1c):
    - Keep a stock of emergency medicines.
    - Employ the services of a physician and dentist.
    - Maintain a dental clinic and an infirmary or emergency hospital with 1 bed per 100 employees, or reserve beds in a nearby hospital within 2 km.
    - The number of beds may be increased to 3 per 200 employees/laborers based on the nature of the establishment.

Medical and Dental Examinations (Section 2)
- Physicians and dentists shall conduct medical and dental examinations of all employees at least once a year.
- Detailed monthly and annual reports of services rendered shall be made.

Liability Exemptions (Section 3)
- Owners, lessees, or operators are not liable for:
    - Failing to provide non-emergency medical or dental treatment.
    - Failing to provide adequate treatment during epidemics, catastrophes, fires, or other disasters.
    - Any consequences of the provided medical or dental treatment, as acceptance is optional.

Coverage (Section 4)
- The computation of employees/laborers includes all those financially dependent on the establishment for work and subsistence.

Enforcement and Regulations (Section 5)
- The Chief Medical Officer of the Department of Labor shall:
    - Prescribe the kinds and quantities of medicines.
    - Set conditions for dental clinics, infirmaries, and hospitals.
    - Enforce the Act by inspecting establishments every 6 months.
    - Issue instructions and promulgate necessary rules and regulations.
    - Medicines, materials, and equipment may be purchased from the Bureau of Supply.

Penalties (Section 6)
- Willful violation of Section 1:
    - First conviction: Fine of ₱25 to ₱300.
    - Second or subsequent conviction: Possible definite closing of the establishment.
- Liability for violations by corporations, partnerships, or government entities.

Repealed Laws (Section 7)
- Act No. 3961, Commonwealth Act No. 324, Republic Act No. 46, and Republic Act No. 239 are repealed.

Effectivity (Section 8)
- The Act shall take effect 3 months after its approval on June 12, 1954.