Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

610

H. B. No.

Introduced by HONORABLE JUAN EDGARDO “SONNY” M. ANGARA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘An ambulance is a vehicle basically intended to transport seriously sick or injured
patients requiring immediate medical treatment to a medical facility or from a medical facility to
another and is sufficiently equipped for this purpose and designated as such. In emergency
cases, this vehicle plays a vital role in saving lives.

Owing to its importance, the government has been trying very hard to provide enough
number of ambulances despite its chronic budgetary constraints and other pressing problems
requiring prompt action and response.

However, it is observed that government ambulances are often misused, fo the
detriment of the public. The sight of government ambulances in recreation areas and other
places where they are not supposed to be is becoming usual and tolerated. Worse, there are
instances where fees are collected for their use, or their use is refused for political
considerations or other reasons that defeat the
very purpose of their acquisition.

By devoting government ambulances to other purpose, sick constituents are deprived of
their use as they are often unavailable when needs arise. More deplorable, the denial of their
use by patients requiring immediate medical attention for whatever reason is contrary to law and
public policy, hence, must be penalized. It is on these premises that the importance of this
measure is underscored. This not only aims to prevent abuses in the use of government
ambulances but also to ensure that these emergency vehicles are available to respond to
emergencies at any time without discrimination.

Approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

COP ee
JUAN EDGARDO “SONNY” M. ANGARA

Representative
Lone District, Province of Aurora



FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

H.B.No.__ 610

Introduced by Honorable JUAN EDGARDO “SONNY” M. ANGARA

AN ACT
REGULATING THE USE OF GOVERNMENT
AMBULANCES, PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State that the
right of the people to health shall be protected and promoted. In this regard, the State shall
extend such assistance in the most expeditious manner where there is immediate danger on the
life of the people.

SEC. 2. Definition of Terms. As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean:

(a) "Government ambulance" refers to a vehicle equipped with emergency life-saving
devices and equipment and properly designated as such, use to carry or transport
seriously sick or injured persons or patients in emergency situations requiring immediate
medical treatment to a medical facility or from one medical facility to another; or for
diagnostic or therapeutic treatment where, by the nature of the patient's sickness or
injury, conveyance by ambulance is necessary. These vehicles are acquired using
government funds or donated for government use, regardless of source.

(b) "Emergency " refers to a condition or state of patient wherein based on the objective
findings of a prudent medical officer on duty for the day, there is immediate danger on
the life of the patient where delay in initial support and treatment may cause loss of life
or permanent disability to the patient.

SEC. 3. Joint custody of government ambulances assigned or donated to local
government units. Any government ambulance assigned or donated to local government units
shall be under the joint custody of the local chief executive and the health officer concerned.
Each shall be jointly liable for any violation of the provisions of this Act committed by the other.

Upon the end of the local chief executive's term of office or in case he is disqualified or
removed from office for whatever cause, he shall turn over the custody of the ambulance to the


proper authority within fifteen days from his last day in office. In the same manner, in case the
health officer of the local government unit retires, is separated or disqualified from office, he
shall turn over the said custody to the proper authority within fifteen days from his last day in
office.

SEC. 4. Duties of local chief executives.

a) It shall be the duty of any local chief executive having temporary custody of any
government ambulance, donated or otherwise, to deliver or cause the delivery of the
same to the intended beneficiary without unnecessary delay.

b) It shall also be the duty of local chief executives assigned with any government
ambulance to appoint at least one regular driver for each ambulance and ensure that
a sufficient amount for gasoline and the maintenance of their ambulance is
appropriated every year.

SEC. 5. Prohibited Acts. The following acts are hereby prohibited:

a) It shall be unlawful for any public official or employee to use any government
ambulance as office service vehicle, for recreation or for personal use or for any
other purpose whatsoever inconsistent with the purposes of a government
ambulance as defined in Section 1 of this Act;

b) It shall be unlawful for any public official or employee to use any government
ambulance in the transportation of patients not in emergency situation unless
another ambulance is available to respond to any emergency; or when no other
means of transportation is available which non-availability is jointly certified under
oath by the patient or any of his/her relatives or guardians and the responsible officer
in charge of the ambulance other than the driver; or when the nature of the patient's
sickness or injury, though not life threatening, makes necessary his/her
transportation by ambulance;

©) It shall be unlawful for any public officer or employee to allow the use of any
government ambulance by individuals or entities for private use, for a fee or not;

d) It shall be unlawful for any public officer or employee to refuse the use of any
government ambulance by any patient entitled to the use of the same as provided in
this Act due to the patient's inability to pay any fee collected for its use; or
discriminate in its use on account of religious beliefs, gender, economic status,
Political affiliations or whatever cause contrary to law, public policy or good customs;


e) It shall be unlawful for any public officer or employee to paint over or allow the
painting over of any government ambulance to circumvent the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 6. Exceptions to the Prohibited Acts. The provisions of Section 5
notwithstanding, the following use of any government ambulance in non-emergency cases may
be allowed:

a) Medical outreach missions; and
b) Other related hospital operations.

SEC.7. Penalty Clause. Violations of second paragraph of Section 3 hereof shall be
Punished by perpetual disqualification from public service with forfeiture of retirement benefits.

Violations of Section 4 and any of the prohibited acts enumerated in Section 5 hereof
shall be penalized by suspension from office for thirty days for the first offense; suspension for
six months for the second offense; and termination from service with forfeiture of retirement
benefits and perpetual disqualification from public service for the third offense.

If the violation of any of the prohibited acts be committed with the knowledge or
Participation of the local chief executive and/or the responsible health officer in case of local
government units or the head of hospital in case of government hospitals, the said officials shall
also be penalized with the same penalty provided in this Act

SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations, The Secretary of the Department of
the Interior and Local Government, in consultation with the Secretaries of the Department of
Health and the Department of Transportation and Communications and concerned sectors shall
issue such guidelines, orders or rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the
provisions of this Act.

SEC. 9, Separability Clause. if any provision of this Act or the application of such
Provision to any person or circumstance is declared unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act
or the application of such provision to other Persons or circumstances shall not be affected by
‘such declaration.

SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. All laws, orders, decrees, proclamations, rules and
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

SEC. 11. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect after fifteen days following the
completion of its publication in the Official Gazette, or in a newspaper of general circulation in
the Philippines.

Approved,