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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
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SENATE 
SENATE BILL NO. 1378
R E C E iviU ttr;
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO
AN ACT
REGULATING THE USE OF GOVERNMENT AMBULANCES, 
PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
An ambulance is a vehicle basically intended to transport seriously sick 
or injured patients requiring immediate meilical 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 tiying 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, to the detriment of tlie 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 
otlier 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. Acre 
deplorable, the denial of their use by patients requiring immediate medico; 
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.
In view thereof, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
l-l lilt ,V’ ' . i f l . u j j
*17 MAR-8 P6:21
SENATE
SENATE BILL NO. 1378
R E C E l V i U b r
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO
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AN ACT
REGULATING THE USE OF GOVERNMENT AMBULANCES, 
PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the I louse of Repieseiitntive'y of the Philippunes in 
Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy.- It is liereby 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, 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 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.


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SEC 3. Joint Custody of Governmnit Anihulmices 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 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 (15) days from 
his Fast 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 (15) days from his 
last day in office.
SEC 4. Duties of Local Chief Executives. -
a) It shall be the duty of any kx:al 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 appropriateil 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 elefined in Scxition 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 liis /  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;


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(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, 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. Exccptiotis to the Prohibiteii 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. Pennlti/ 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 PO) days for the 
first offen.se; suspension for six (6) 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 ht^spitals, the said officials sliall also be penalized with the same 
penalty provided in this Act.
SEC 8. /uipleiiieiitiii^ Rules atul 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.


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SEC 9. Sepnmhilihj Chui^e, - 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. Repcnling 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. - Tliis Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
following the completion of its publication in the Official Gazette, or in a 
newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines.
Approved,