THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
FIRST REGULAR SESSION 
1 
S E N A T E  
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S.B. NO. 
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Introduced by Senator LUISA “LOI” P. EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution provides that the State shall adopt an integrated 
and comprehensive approach to health development, and shall endeavor 
to make essential good health, and other social services available to all 
the people at affordable cost. 
This bill provides for the use of mobile units, in .order to render 
effectively medical, diagnostic, and treatment services to the public. It 
will ensure the availability of quality health care services for patients who 
live in remote or rural areas, and for patients who need specialized types 
of medical care. 
The immediate passage of this bill is earnestly solicited 
L 
A 
Senator 
. 
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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
i‘” JlI:\i 30 i”i2:3 
I 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Jj4 
FIRST REGULAR SESSION 
1 
a? 
~~~~~~~~~~~ 
S E N A T E  
p 
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L 
S.B. NO. 
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Introduced by Senator LUISA ”LOI” P. WERCITO ESTRADA 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
Title. - This Act may be cited as the “Mofjile‘ 
Health Care Services Act.” 
Section 2. Declaratio 
, - One of the objectives of the 
State is to ensure the availability of quality health care services in a cost- 
effective way. To attain this objective, the State recognizes the use of 
mobile units serving medical, diagnostic and treatment services to 
provide medical services particularly in remote or rural areas. 
Section 3. 
On 
For purposes of this Act, 
the following terms shall mean: 
1. 
“Department” means the Department of Health; 


2. 
“Mobile Service Unit” or “Mobile Unit” means a public or 
private vehicle, that provides health services, and meets any 
of the following criteria: 
A) 
Approved pursuant to this Act by the Department of 
Health as a service of a licensed health facility; 
Approved by the Department pursuant to this Act as a 
service of a licensed clinic; 
B) 
C) 
Licensed pursuant to the requirements prescribed by 
the Department as a clinic; 
Licensed pursuant to this Act as an “other“ type of 
approved mobile unit by the Department. 
“Other“ 
types of approved mobile units shall be limited to 
mobile units performing services within new health 
facility or clinic licensure categories created after the 
effectivity of this Act. 
D) 
3) 
“Mobile Service Unit” or “Mobile Unit” does not mean a 
modular, relocatable, or transportable unit that is designed 
to be placed on a foundation when it reaches its destination, 
nor does it mean any entity that is exempt from licensure as 
provided by the Department. 
Section 4. 0 
. - A Mobile Unit may 
operate as an adjunct to a licensed health facility or to a licensed clinic 
or an “other* type of approved mobile unit. 
plicants 


A) 
Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Department 
that creates a new health facility or clinic licensure category. 
No additional licensure fee will be imposed solely because a 
service is to be provided in a mobile unit. 
B) 
Section 6. 
- 
A) 
The mobile unit shall comply with the applicable 
requirements of the Vehicle Code as provided by the 
Department, and shall have a vehicle identification number; 
B) 
The mobile unit 
shall bear an insignia issued by the 
Department 
Section 7. 
a) 
Except as provided in subsection (b), no person, 
political subdivision of the state, or governmental 
agency shall operate a mobile service unit without first 
obtaining a license in addition to existing licensure as 
provided in this Act unless exempted from licensure as 
provided By the Depmment; 
b) 
Any person, political subdivision of the state,. or 
governmental agency that has been operating a mobile 
unit as of January 1, 1997, may continue to operate 
the mobile unit only under the following conditions: 
1) 
The person, political subdivision of the state, or 
governmental agency shall 
apply to 
the 
Department for a mobile unit license, or an 
addition to existing licensure, via a request for 
licensure under this Act. 


2) 
The person, political subdivision of the state, or 
governmental agency shall cease operating the 
mobile unit upon a final decision of' the 
Department 
denying 
the 
application 
for 
licensure or addition to licensure under this Act. 
.
.
 . 
Section 8. Applicatio 
a) 
Any applicant under this Act shall file with the 
Department an application. The application shall be on 
forrns prescribed and furnished by the Department 
that shall contain any information as may be required 
by the Department for the proper administration and 
enforcement of this Act; 
An applicant health facility or clinic pursuant to this 
Act shall submit an application to the Licensing and 
Certification Department stating specifically all of the 
following: 
1) 
2) 
3) 
b) 
The proposed service to be provided. 
The expected hours and days of operation. 
The type and the manufacturer of the mobile 
unit contemplated. 
The proposed area or areas where the mobile 
unit will be providing services. 
4) 
.
.
 . 
c) 
An applicant for licensure as an Independently 
licensed clinic under this Act shall submit a verified 
application to the Department on the appropriate 
forms for the type of clinic for which it wishes to 
obtain licensure; 


d) 
Prior to granting approval to an applicant parent 
facility for operation of a mobile unit under the parent 
facility’s existing licensure pursuant to this Act, or 
prior to granting license for an independent mobile 
unit, the Department shall conduct an onsite 
inspection, including, but not limited to, a review of 
policies and procedures. 
.. . 
, 
Section 9. 
uallfications, - 
4 
To qualify for a license under this Act, an applicant shall 
satisfy all the 
Department. 
The applicant shall file a completed application with the 
applicable regulations as required by the 
b) 
Department. 
Clinics licensed as mobile units shall be subject to the same 
c) 
requirements and regulations as any other clinic, except 
that, instead of 
complying with the physical plant 
requirements applicable to the clinic, the mobile unit shall 
comply with the mobile unit requirements contained in this 
Act. 
- 
a) 
A licensee using mobile services pursuant to this Act shall, 
at the Department’s option, be periodically inspected by a 
duly authorized representative of the Department. Reports 
of each inspection shall be prepared by the representative 
.
.
 
conducting it upon forms prepared and furnished by the 
Department and filed with the Office of the Department of 


Health. The inspection shall be for the purpose of ensuring 
that this Act and the rules and regulations of the 
Department adopted under this Act are being followed. 
Any officer, employee, or agent of the Department may enter 
and inspect any building, premises, or vehicle and may have 
access to and inspect any document, file, or other record, of 
a mobile unit or of a parent facility operating a mobile unit, 
at any reasonable time to assure compliance with, or to 
b) 
prevent violation of, this Act. 
. .  , 
c) 
Demonstration of a mock emergency drill shall be observed 
by Department staff in the mobile unit on a site where 
patient mobility is limited. 
Section 1 1. Specification 
a) 
The mobile unit shall be sufficient size and shall be arranged 
in a manner that is appropriate for the provision of those 
health services that is licensed to provide; 
The mobile unit shall be equipped with appropriate utilities 
for the comfort and safety of patients. The Department shall 
review and approve hospital-provided utility connections for 
mobile units that require utility hookups with general acute 
care hospitals; 
The mobile unit shall be maintained in good repair and in a 
clean and sanitary manner; 
All proposed modifications to previously approved services, 
procedures, and sites shall be reviewed and approved by the 
Department 
before they are implemented. Site changes 
shall also be reported by the licensee to local authorities. . 
, 
b) 
e) 
d) 


Section 12. 
onsibil 
a) 
The licensed clinic shall be responsible for obtaining 
approvals for the site or sites of the mobile unit from the 
local planning, zoning, and fire authorities, as required. 
The mobile unit shall be situated for safe and comfortable 
patient access. The mobile unit shall comply with all local 
parking ordinances. 
b) 
c) 
The clinic shall ensure that there is sufficient lighting 
around the perimeter of the site from which the mobile unit 
provides any services. 
.
.
 . 
Section 13. Mobile 
. - Any licensee using 
mobile services pursuant to this Act shall comply with the 
following: 
a) 
Have written policies established by the governing body of 
the licensee, to govern the services that the mobile unit 
provides. The policies shall include, but shall not be limited 
to, policies related to patient care, personnel training and 
orientation, personnel supervision, and evaluation of 
services provided by the mobile unit; 
Have written policies regarding patient selection criteria; 
Develop and implement the written policies and procedures 
for the Mobile unit in consultation with other appropriate 
health care professionals; 
b) 
c) 
d) 
Ensure that the written policies and procedures are 
consistent with the policies and procedures of the parent 
facility, if any; 
' I  . 
, 


e) 
Ensure that the policies and written procedures shall be 
approved by the governing body, adminsitration, and 
medical staff of the licensee, where appropriate. 
Ensure that the written policies and procedures include, but 
are not limited to, all of the following: 
f )  
Scope of Services; 
Procedures for the performance of the services 
provided; 
Quality assurance: 
Infection control; 
Medical record documentation of services provided, as 
appropriate; 
Transport of patients, including but not limited to, 
method, special equipment, necessary personnel, and 
protection from inclement weather. 
Emergency services and evacuation plan for the mobile 
unit. 
.
.
 . 
g) 
A licensee using mobile services pursuant to this Act shall 
specify in writing policies and procedures for emergencies 
including fire, natural disaster, and medical emergencies. In 
its policies and procedures, the mobile unit shall address 
the emergency plan required of the parent facility and state 
how the plans shall be coordinated; 
A licensee using mobile services pursuant to this Act shall 
familiarize its employees and each patient with the policies 
and procedures adopted pursuant to subparagraph (a) 
A licensee using mobile services pursuant to this Act shall 
Maintain written transfer agreements that shall include, but 
h) 
i) 


shall not be limited to, provisions for communication with, 
and transportation to, one or more nearby hospitals and 
other health 
facilities as needed to 
meet medical 
emergencies. The mobile unit shall develop procedures that 
include personnel needed to assist in the transfer, as well as 
provisions for meeting medical needs to accommodate the 
emergency transfer; 
1) 
Location; 
2) 
Schedule of mobile unit services. 
j) 
Maintain clinical records on each patient, in accordance with 
regulations; 
Maintain a mobile unit services log that shall include, but 
shall not be limited to, all of the following: 
1) 
2) 
k) 
Patient chart Or identification number; 
Name, age and sex of patient; 
3) 
Site, date, time and as appropriate, duration of 
procedure. 
. I  . 
, 
Section 14. The Mobile Unit 
with the Poll 
It shall have supplies and equipment to meet the needs of 
the patients served; 
Any mobile unit X-ray equipment shall be in compliance with 
the requirements issued by the Department; 
The mobile unit shall have fire safety equipment as specified 
by the fire authority having jurisdiction, including but not 
limited to, at least two fire extinguishers; 


d) 
Documented .evidence of preventive maintenance. and, 
calibration procedures of mobile unit equipment shall 
conform to the manufacturer’s specifications; 
Use of the equipment in mobile units shall conform to the 
manufacturer’s specifications; 
The mobile unit shall have a telecommunications device. 
e) 
fl 
Section 15. Implementing 
Within six (6) months after the enactment of this Act, the 
Department shall formulate and issue the appropriate rules and 
regualtions necessary to carry out the implementation of this Act and to 
enable the Department to exercise the powers and perform the duties 
conferred upon it by this Act. 
ules and a 
Until the Department adopts regulations relating to provision of 
services by a chronic hemodialysis clinic, a surgery clinic, or a 
rehabilitation clinic, mobile units licensed or seeking licensure, in these 
categories shall comply with Department’s certification standards for end 
stage renal disease clinics, ambulatory surgery clinics, or comprehensive 
outpatient rehabilitation facilities, as applicable. 
‘
.
 ~ 
Clause. - If any provision, or part hereof, 
is held invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the 
provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting. 
Section 17. 
. - Any Law, presidential decree or 
issuance, executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule 
or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with, the provisions of this Act is 
hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 


Section 18. 
. - This Act shall take effect fifteen 
(15) days after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
'. . 
circulation. 
Approved, 
GVL/tmd/tmd4 bills filed 2002/ 12 IO 
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