Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

8520

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative John Marvin “Yul Servo” C. Nieto

Explanatory Note

As a manifestation of support to this timely piece of legislation, this
representation respectfully refiles this measure, which has constantly been
receiving support from the past and present Congress.

This measure seeks to ensure a better and more efficient emergency medical
response in the country, and prevent abuses of government property and funds
by establishing the responsibility on the LGUs for the ambulance/s in their
Possession. Government ambulances donated to or acquired by an LGU shall
henceforth be under the joint custody of the local chief executive and the health
office concerned. It shall be the duty of the local chief executive to ensure the
delivery of the vehicle to the intended beneficiary without delay, to assign a
regular driver for each ambulance and to include its gas allocation and
maintenance expenses in the LGU’s budget. The failure to do these duties, the
use of ambulance for purposes other than emergency medical response, and
any other acts contrary to this law would thus be met with corresponding
penalties.

In view of the foregoing reasons, immediate approval of this measure is
earnestly sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session
8520

House No.

Introduced by Representative John Marvin “Yul Servo” C.

AN ACT REGULATING THE USE OF GOVERNMENT AMBULANCES,
PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFORE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines
in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Ambulansya ng
Bayan Act of
2018"

Section 2. Declaration of Policies. - 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.

Section 3. Definition of Terms. - For the purposes of this Act, the words and
phrases shall be defined as follows:

(a) “Government ambulance” refers to a vehicle equipped with emergency
life-saving devices and equipment and properly designated as such,
used to carry and 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
public use, regardless of source.

(b) “Emergency” refers to a condition or state of a patient wherein based
on the objective findings of a prudent medical officer, there is
immediate danger on the life of the patient where delay in initial
support and treatment may cause loss of life, permanent disability, or
other serious harm to the patient.

Section 4. Joint Custody of Government Ambulances Assigned or
Donated to Local Government Units. - Any government ambulance assigned


or donated to Local Government Units (LGUs) 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 (15) 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 (15) days from his
last day of office.

Section 5. Duties of Local Chief Executives. - The local chief executive shall
have the following duties:

(a) The local chief executive who has temporary custody of any
government ambulance shall deliver or cause the delivery of the same
to the intended beneficiary without necessary delay.

(b) The local chief executive shall assign at least one (1) regular driver for
each ambulance and ensure that a sufficient amount for gasoline and
other expenses for the maintenance of the vehicle is appropriated
every year.

Section 6. 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 an office service vehicle, for recreation
Purposes or personal use, or for any other purpose whatsoever
inconsistent with the purposes of a government ambulance as defined
under Section 1 of this Act;

(b) It shall be unlawful for any public official or employee to allow the use
of any government ambulance by individuals or entities for private

use;

(c) It shall be unlawful for any public office or employee to refuse the of
any government ambulance by any patient entitled to use the same as
provided in this Act due to the patient's inability to pay any fee for its
use or to 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.

(d) It shall be unlawful for any public officer or employee to refurbish any
government ambulance for purposes other than those provided under
Section 1 of this Act.

Section 7. 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


Section 8. Penalty Clause. - Any violation of Sections 5 or any of the
Prohibited acts under Section 6 hereof shall be penalized by suspension from
Office for thirty (30) days for the first offense; suspension for six (6) months for
the second offense; and suspension for one (1) year 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 office
in case of local government units or the head of a hospital in case of
government hospitals, the said official shall also be penalized with the same
penalty provided in this Section.

Section 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of
Interior and Local Government, in consultation with the Department of
Transportation and the Department of Health shall, within sixty (60) days of its
effectivity, formulate the rules and regulations for its effective implementation

Section 10. 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.

Section 11. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act is held
unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall
remain in full force and effect.

Section 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,