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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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OffiCE OF TI C" 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.NO. 184 
Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
( 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution puts emphasis on an integrated and comprehensive approach to health 
development that endeavors to make essential goods, health and other social services 
available to all the people at affordable cost. It stated that the needs of the under-
privileged, sick, elderly, disabled, women, and children should be prioritized. 
The PCSO, with its mandate to raise and provide funds for health programs, medical 
assistance and services, and charities of national character, has been stretching its 
resources particularly to purchase ambulance units. These units are intended to be 
donated to hospitals, local government units (LGUs), government agencies, non-
government organizations (NGOs) and non-government health institutions/center.! Being 
able to transport seriously sick or injured patients who are in need of immediate medical 
treatment to a medical facility, ambulances have played a vital role in the society. 
However, it has been observed that government ambulances are often misused to the 
detriment of the pUblic. With this kind of situation, the very purpose of government 
ambulances is obviously defeated. In result, sick constituents are deprived of their use as 
they are often unavailable when the need arises. 
This bill aims to prevent abuses in the use of government ambulances and to ensure that 
these emergency vehicles are available to respond to emergencies at any time without 
discrimination. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly recommended, 
I Health Commillee hears briefing by DOH,PCSo. Data retrieved at www.congress.gov.ph on 16 February 2009 
1 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S./NO. 184 
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Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
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 
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SECTION 1. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms 
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shall mean: 
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a) 
"Government ambulance" refers to a vehicle equipped with emergency 
life-saving devices and equipment and properly designated as such, used 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, therapeutic or rehabilitative treatment where, 
by the nature of the patient's sickness or injury, conveyance by ambulance is 
necessary. It may be 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. 
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SEC. 2. Joint Custody of Governmellt Ambulances Assigned or Donated to 
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Local Govemment Units. - Any government ambulance assigned or donated to local 
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government units shall be under the joint custody of the local chief executive and the 
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health officer concerned. Each shall be jointly liable for any violation of the provisions of 
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this Act committed by the other. 
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Upon the end of the local chief executive's term of office or in case he is 
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disqualified or removed from office for whatever cause, he shall turn over the custody of 
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the ambulance to the proper authority within fifteen (15) days from his last day in office. 
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In the same manner, in case the health officer of the local government unit retires, is 
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separated or disqualified from office, he shall tum over the said custody to the proper 
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authority within fifteen (15) days from his last day in office. 
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SEC. 3. Duties of Local Chief Executive. -
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a) It shall be the duty of any local chief executive having temporary 
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custody of any government ambulance, donated or otherwise, to deliver or cause 
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the delivery of the same to the intended beneficiary without unnecessary delay. 
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(b) It shall also be the duty of local chief executives assigned with any 
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government ambulance to appoint at least one (1) regular driver for each 
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ambulance and ensure that a sufficient amount for gasoline and the maintenance 
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of their ambulance is appropriated every year. 
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SEC. 4. Repealing Clause. - Prohibited Acts. - The following acts are hereby 
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prohibited: 
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a) It shall be unlawful for any public official or employee to use any 
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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 hislher 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; 
c) 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, whether or 
not for a fee; 
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 
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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; and 
t) It shall be unlawful to use deceptive measures such as sirens or printing 
the word "ambulance" on the vehicle's body of any privately-owned or 
government-owned vehicle to make it appear as an ambulance. 
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SEC. 5. Exceptions to the Prohibited Acts. 
The 
provisions 
of 
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Section 4 notwithstanding, the following use of any government ambulance in 
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nonemergency cases may be allowed: 
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a) Medical outreach missions; and 
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b) Other activities strictly and solely related to hospital operations. 
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SEC. 6. Penalty Clause. - Violations of Section 2, paragraph 2 hereof shall 
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be punished by perpetual disqualification from public service with forfeiture of 
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retirement benefits. Violations for Section 3 and any of the prohibited acts 
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enumerated in Section 4 hereof shall be penalized by suspension from office 
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without pay for thirty (30) days for the first offense; six (6) months without pay 
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for the second offense; and termination from service with forfeiture of retirement 
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benefits and perpetual disqualification from public service for the third offense. 
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If any violation of any of the prohibited acts be committed with the 
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knowledge or participation of the local chief executive and/or the responsible 
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health officer in case of local government units or the head of hospital in case of 
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government hospitals, the said officials shall also be penalized with the same 
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penalty provided in this Act for the offense. 
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SEC. 7.1mpiementing Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary of the Interior and 
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Local Government, in consultation with the secretaries of Health and Transportation and 
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Communications and concerned sectors, shall issue such guidelines, orders or rules and 
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regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. 
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SEC. 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall at any time be 
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found to be unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder thereof not affected by such 
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declaration shall remain in full force and effect. 
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SEC. 9. Repealillg Clause. - All laws, decrees, rules or regulations inconsistent 
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with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
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following its complete publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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