FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
1 
7 
JUI. -? 
" i 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
S E N A T E  
I 
Senate Bill No. 4 f 8 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY 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 health and other social services available to all the people at affordable 
cost. 
The bill provides for the use of mobile units, in order to render effective 
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 type of medical care. 
The immediate passage of this bill is earnestly solicited. 
ESTRADA 
Senator 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
1 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
TO PROVIDE FOR THE USE OF MOBILE UNITS SERVING MEDICAL, 
DIAGNOSTIC, AND TREATMENT SERVICES, IN ORDER TO ENSURE THE 
AVAILABILITY OF QUALITY HEALTH CARE SERVICES FOR PATIENTS 
WHO RECEIVE CARE IN REMOTE OR RURAL AREAS AND FOR PATIENTS 
WHO NEED SPECIALIZED TYPE OF MEDICAL CARE PROVIDED IN A 
COST-EFFECTIVE WAY. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Mobile Health Care 
Services Act. ” 
SEC 2. Declaration of Policy. - 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. 
SEC 3. Definition of Terms. - 
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 clinic; 
B. Approved by the Department pursuant to this Act as a service of a 
licensed clinic; 
C. Licensed pursuant to the requirements prescribed by the 
Department as a clinic; 
D. 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. 
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. 
SEC 4. Operation of the Mobile Unit - 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. 
SEC 5. The Department Shall Charge Applicants a Licensure Fee as 
Follows: 
A) 
Pursuant to the rule 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) 
SEC 6. Requirements Prior to Licensure. - 
A. 
The mobile unit shall comply with the applicable requirements of 
the Vehicle Code as provided by the Department, shall have a 
vehicle identification number; 
The mobile unit shall bear an insignia issued by the Department. 
B. 
SEC 7. Obtaining A License. - 
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 Department. 
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 


SEC 8. Application. - 
a) Any applicant under this Act shall file with the Department an 
application. The application shall be on forms 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; 
b) 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) 
The type and the manufacturer of the mobile unit 
The proposed service to be provided. 
The expected hours and days of operation 
contemplated. 
4) 
The proposed area or areas where the mobile unit will be 
providing services. 
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. 
SEC 9. Qualifications. - 
A. 
To qualify for a license under this Act, an applicant shall 
satisfy all the applicable regulations as required by the 
Department. 
8. 
The applicarlt shall file a completed application for the 
Department. 
C. 
Clinics licensed as mobile units shall be subject to the same 
requirements and regulations as any other clinic, except that, 
instead of complyitlg with the physical plant requirements 
applicable to the clinic, the mobile unit shall comply with the mobile 
unit requirements contained in this Act. 
SEC I O .  Periodical lnspection . - 
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. 
B. 
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 prevent 
violation of this Act. 
Demonstration of a mock emergency drill shall be observed 
by Department staff in the mobile unit on a site where patient 
mobility is limited. 
C. 
SEC 1 1. Specifications of Mobile Unit. - 
A. 
The mobile unit shall be sufficient size and shall be 
in a manner that is appropriate for the provision of 
arranged 
those health services that is licensed to provide; 
B. Th e 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 mbile units 
that require utility hookups with general acute care hospitals; 
C. The mobile unit shall be maintain in good repair and in a clean 
and sanitary manner; 
D. 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. 
SEC. 12. Responsibilities of the Licensed Clinic. - 
A. Th e 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. 
B. Th e mobile unit shall be situated for safe and comfortable 
The mobile unit shall comply with all local 
patient access. 
parking ordinances. 
C. The clinic shall ensure that there is sufficient lighting around the 
perimeter of the site from which the mobile unit provides any 
services. 


SEC 13 , 
Mobile Services by Licensee. -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; 
E. Have w ritten policies regarding patient selection criteria; 
C. Develop and implement the written policies and procedures for the 
Mobile unit in consultation with other appropriate health care 
professionals; 
D. Ensure that the written policies and procedures are consistent with the 
policies and procedures of the parent facility, if any; 
E. Ensure that the policies and written procedures shall be approved by 
the governing body, administration, and medical staff of the licensee, 
where appropriate; 
F. Ensure that the written policies and procedures include, but are not 
limited to, all of the following: 
1) 
Scope of Services; 
2) Procedures for the performance of the services provided; 
3) Quality assurance; 
4) Infection control; 
5) Medical record documentation of services provided, as 
appropriate; 
6) Transport of patients, including but not limited to, method, 
special equipment, necessary personnel, and protection from 
inclement weather. 
7) 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; 
H. 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). 
I. 
A licensee using mobile services pursuant to this Act shall maintain 
written transfer agreements that shal include, but 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; 
K. Maintain a mobile unit services log that shall include, but shall not be 
limited to, all of the following: 
1) Patient chart or Identification Number; 
2) Name, age and sex of patient; 
3) Site, date, time and as appropriate, duration of procedure. 
SEC 14. The Mobile Unit Shall Comply with the Following: 
A. 
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 evidcence 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. 
B. 
C. 
E. 
F. 
SEC 15. Implementing Rule and Regulations. - Within six (6) months 
after the enactment of this Act, the Department shall formulate and issue the 
appropriate rules and regulations necessary to carry out the implemenTATlON 
OF THIS Act and to enable the Department to exercise the powers and perform 
the duties conferred upon it by this Act. 
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. 


SEC 16. Separability 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. 
SEC. 17. Repealing Clause. -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. 
SEC. 18. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,