HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
RECEIVED
DATE:

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RECISTRA TION LNT
BILLS AND WNOLX SERVIC:

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1477

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative Harlin Neil J Abayon lil

sly filed

EXPLANATORY NOTE

bill wishes to regulate the use of ambulances by politicians. This measure was

Senator Manny Villar in the 15" Congress, Passage of this Bill is earnestly

sought now in the 17" Congress.

Ze ABAYON III

ntati
Party-List AANGAT TAYO



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

77
House eit nol’!

Introduced by Representative Harlin Neil J. Abayon Ill |

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:

SECTION 1. Definition of Terms.- As used in this Act, the following term shall mean

2) “Government Ambulance” refers to a vehicle equipped with emergency life saving
devices and equipment and properly designated as such, used to cary or transport
seriously sick or injured persons or patients in emergency situations requiring
immediate medical treatment to a medical facility or from one medical faci to
another, or for diagnostic or therapeutic treatment where, by the nature of the patients
sickness or injury, conveyance by ambulance is necessary. They 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
finding of a prudent medical officer on duty for the day, there is immediate danger on
the life of the patient where delay in init
life or permanent disability to the patient.

al support and treatment may cause loss of

SECTION 2. 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

SECTION 3. Duties of local chief executives. (a) It shall be the duty af any local chief
executive having temporary custody of any government ambulance, donated or otherwise, to
deliver of cause the delivery of the same to the intended beneficiary without unnecessary delay


(b) It shall also be the duty of the local chief executive 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.

SECTION 4. 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 any use any government
ambulance in the transportation of patients not in emergency situation unless another
ambulance is available which is non-availability is jointly certified under oath by the
patient or any his/her relatives or guardians and 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 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 whatever cause contrary to law, public policy of 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

SECTION 5. Exceptions to the prohibited acts. — The provisions of Section 4
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 6. Penalty Clause. — Violations of Section 2, paragraph 2 hereof shall be
punished by perpetual disqualification from public service with forfeiture or retirement benefits

Violations for Section 3 and any of the prohibited acts enumerated in Section 4 hereof
shall be penalized by suspension from office without pay for thirty days for the first offense; six
months without pay for the second offense; and termination from the service with forfeiture ot
retirement benefits and perpetual disqualification from public service for the third offense

If any violation of any prohibited act 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 governmental hospitals, the said officials shall also be
penalized with the same penalty provided in this Act for the infraction

SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ The Secretary of the Interior and
Local Government, in consultation with the Secretaries of Health and 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.

SECTION 8. 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


plication of such provision to other persons or circumstance:

s shall not be affected by suc

- All laws, orders, decrees, proclamations, ru!

s and

lations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed o}
ccording
CTION 10. Effectivity Clause. -This Act shall take effect after fifteen days following

Official Gazette, or in

pers of general circulation in