14'h Congress of the Republic ) 
of the Philippines 
) 
1st Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S B M  
Introduced by Senator Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr. 
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, to 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. 
Owing to its importance, pr 
recommended. 


14'h Congress of the Republic ) 
of the Philippines 
) 
1st Regular Session 
) 
~ 
- 
Introduced by Senator Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr. 
AN 
ACT 
REGULATING 
THE 
USE OF GOVERNMENT 
AMBULANCES, PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES 
Be if enacted by the Senafe and fhe House of Representatives 
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 hidher 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, 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. I O .  
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.