THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
s. No. 
634 
1 
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INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VILLAE2, JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution provides that the State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive 
approach to health development, and shall endeavor to make essential goods, health, and other 
social services available to all the people at affordable cost. 
This bill provides for the use of mobile units, in order to render effectively medical, 
diagnostic, and treatment services to the public. It will ensure the availability of quality health 
care services for patients who live in remote or rural areas, and for patients who need 
specialized types of medical care. 
n 
MANUEL B. V LLAR, JR. 
t 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
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SENATE 
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INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VELAR JR. 
AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE USE OF MOBILE UNITS SERVING MEDICAL, 
DIAGNOSTIC AND TRIZATMENT SERVICES, IN ORDER TO ENSURE THE 
AVAILABILITY OF QUALITY HEALTH CARE SERVICES FOR PATIENTS WHO 
RECEIVE CARE IN REMOTE OR RURAL AREAS AND FOR PATIENTS WHO NEED 
WAY 
SPECIALIZED TYPES OF MEDICAL CARE PROVIDED IN A COST-EFFECTIVE 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title - This Act may be cited as the “Mobile Health Care Services 
Act.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy - One of the objectives of the State is to ensure the 
availability of quality health care services in a cost-effective way. To attain this objective, the 
State recognizes the use of mobile units serving medical, diagnostic and treatment services to 
provide medical services particularly in remote or rural areas. 
SECTIOY 3. Definition of Terms - For purpose of this Act the term: 
1. “ Department” means the Department of Health 
2. “ Mobile service unit” or “mobile unit” means in a public or private vehicle, 
that provides health services, and meets any of the following criteria: 
(A)Approved pursuant to this Act by the Department of Health as a 
service of a licensed health facility. 
(B) Approved by the Department pursuant to this Act as a service of a 
licensed clinic. 
(C) Licensed pursuant to the requirements by the Department as clinic. 


(D) Licensed pursuant to this Act as an “other” type of approved mobile 
unit by the Department. “Other” types of approved mobile units shall 
be limited to mobile units performing services within new health 
facility or clinic licensure categories created after the effective date of 
this Act. 
3. “Mobile service unit” or “mobile unit” does not mean a modular, relocatable, 
or transportable unit that is designated to be placed on a foundation when it 
reaches its destination, nor does it mean any entity that is exempt from 
licensure as provided by the Department. 
SECTION 4. Operation of the Mobile Unit - A Mobile Unit may operate as an adjunct to 
a licensed health facility or to a licensed clinic or an “other” type of approved mobile unit. 
SECTION 5. The Department shall charge applicants a licensure fee as follows: 
(A) 
Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Department that creates a new 
health facility or clinic licensure category. 
No additional licensure fee will be imposed solely because a service is to 
be provided in a mobile unit. 
(B) 
SECTION 6. Requirements prior to licensure: 
(a) 
The mobile unit shall comply with the applicable requirements of the 
Vehicle Code as provided by the Department, and shall have a vehicle 
identification number. 
The mobile unit shall bear as insignia issued by the Department 
(b) 
SECTION 7. Obtaining A License. 
(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), no person, political subdivision of the 
state, or governmental agency shall operate a mobile service unit without first 
obtaining a license or an addition to existing licensure under this Act unless 
exempt from licensure as provided by the Department 


(b) Any person, political subdivision of the state, or governmental agency, that 
was operating a mobile unit as of January 1, 1997, may continue to operate the 
mobile unit only under the following conditions: 
(1) The person, political subdivision of the state, or governmental 
agency shall apply to the Department for a mobile unit license, 
or an addition to existing licensure, via a request for licensure 
under this Act. 
(2) The person, political subdivision of the state, or governmental 
agency shall cease operating the mobile unit upon a final 
decision of the Department denying the application for 
licensure or addition to licensure under this Act. 
SECTION 8. Application 
(a) Any applicant under this Act shall file with the Department an application. 
The application shall be on forms prescribed and furnished by the Department 
that shall contain any information as may be required by the Department for 
the proper administration and enforcement of this Act. 
(b) An applicant health facility or clinic pursuant to this Act shall submit an 
application to the licensing and certification Department stating with specified 
all of the following: 
(1) The proposed service to be provided 
(2) The expected hours and days of operation. 
(3) The type and the manufacturer of the mobile unit contemplated. 
(4) The proposed area or areas where the mobile unit will be providing 
services. 
(c) An applicant for licensure as an indepently licensed under this Act shall 
submit a verified application to the Department on the appropriate forms for 
the type of clinic for which it wishes to obtain licensure. 


(d) Prior to granting approval to an applicant parent facility for operation of a 
mobile unit under the parent facility’s existing licensure pursuant to this Act, 
or prior to granting license for an indepently mobile unit, the Department shall 
conduct an onsite inspection, including, but not limited to, a review of policies 
and procedures. 
SECTION 9. Qualifications 
(a) To qualify for a license under this Act, an applicant shall satisfy all the 
applicable regulations as required by the Department. 
(b) The applicant shall file a completed application with the Department. 
(c) Clinics licensed as mobile units shall be subject to the same requirements and 
regulations as any other clinic, except that, instead of complying with the 
physical plant requirements applicable to the clinic the mobile unit shall 
comply with the mobile unit requirements contained in this Act. 
SECTION 10. Periodical Inspection. 
(a) A license using mobile services pursuant to this Act shall, at the Department’s 
option, be periodically inspected by a duly authorized representative of the 
Department. Report of each inspection shall be prepared by the representative 
conducting it upon forms prepared and furnished by the Department and filed 
with the office of the Department of Health. The inspection shall be for the 
purpose of ensuring that this Act and the rules and regulations of the 
Department adopted this Act are being followed. 
(b) Any officer, employee, or agent of the Department may enter and inspect any 
building premises, or vehicle and may be access to and access to and inspect 
any document, file, or other record, of a mobile unit or of a parent facility 
operating mobile unit, at any reasonable time to assure compliance with, or to 
prevent violation of, this Act 
(c) Demonstration of a mock emergency drill shall be observed by Department 
staff in the mobile unit on a site where patient mobility is limited, 


SECTION 1 1. Specifications of Mobile Unit 
(a) The mobile unit shall be of sufficiently size and shall be arranged in a manner 
that is appropriate for the provision of those health care services that it is 
licensed to provide. 
(b) The mobile unit shall equipped with appropriate utilities for the comfort and 
safety of patients. The Department shall review and approve hospital-provided 
utility connections for mobile units that require utility hookups with general 
acute care hospitals. 
(c) The mobile unit shall be maintained in good repair and in a clean and sanitary 
manner. 
(d) All proposed modifications to previously approved services, procedures, and 
sites shall be reviewed and approved by the Department before they are 
implemented. Site changes shall also be reported by the licensee to local 
authorities. 
SECTION 12. Responsibilities of the Licensed Clinic 
(a) The licensed clinic shall be responsible for obtaining approvals for the site or 
sites of the mobile unit from the local planning, zoning, and fire authorities, as 
required. 
(b) The mobile unit shall be situated for safe and comfortable patient access. The 
mobile unit shall comply with all local parking ordinances. 
(c) The clinic shall ensure that there is sufficiently lighting around the perimeter 
of the site from which the mobile unit provides any services. 
SECTION 13. Any licensee using mobile services pursuant to this Act shall comply with 
the following: 
(a) Have written policies established by the governing body of the licensee, to 
govern the services that the mobile unit provides. The policies shall include, 
but shall not be limited to, policies related to patient care, personnel training 


and orientation, personnel supervision, and evaluation of services provided by 
the mobile unit. 
(b) Have written policies regarding patient selection criteria. 
(c) Develop and implement the written policies and procedures for the mobile 
unit in consultation with other appropriate health care professionals. 
(d) Ensure that the written policies and procedures are consistent with the policies 
and procedures of the parent facility, if any. 
(e) Ensure that the policies and written procedures shall be approved by the 
governing body, administration, and medical staff of the licensee, where 
appropriate. 
(f) Ensure that the written policies and procedures include, but are not limited to, 
all of the following: 
(1) Scope of services 
(2) Procedures for the performance of the services provided. 
(3) Quality assurance. 
(4) Infection control. 
(5) Medical record documentation of services provided, as appropriate 
(6) Transport of patients, including but not limited to, method, special 
equipment, necessary personnel, and protection from inclement 
. 
weather. 
(7) Emergency services and evacuation plan for the mobile unit. 
(A)A licensee using mobile services pursuant to this Act shall 
specifL in writing policies and procedures for emergencies 
including fire, natural disaster, and medical emergencies. In 
its policies and procedures, the mobile unit shall address the 
emergency plan required of thee parent facility and state how 
the plans shall be coordinated. 


(B) A licensee using mobile services pursuant to this Act shall 
familiarize its employees and each patient with the policies 
and procedures adopted pursuant to subparagraph (A). 
(C) A licensee using mobile services pursuant to this Act shall 
maintain written transfer agreements that shall include, but 
shall not be limited to, provision for communication with, 
and transportation to, one or more nearby hospitals and other 
health facilities as needed to meet medical emergencies. The 
mobile unit shall develop procedures that include personnel 
needed to assist in the transfer, as well as provisions for 
meeting medical needs to accommodate emergency transfer . 
(8) Location. 
(9) Schedule of mobile unit services. 
(g) Maintain clinical records on each patient, in accordance with regulations. 
(h) Maintain a mobile unit services log that shall include, but shall not be limited 
to, all of the following: 
(1) Patient chart or identification number. 
(2) Name, age, and sex of patient. 
(3) Site, date, time, and as appropriate, duration of procedure. 
SECTION 14. The mobile unit shall comply with the following: 
(a) It shall have supplies and equipment to meet the needs of the patients served. 
(b) Ariy mobile unit x-ray equipment shall be in compliance with the requirements 
issued by the Department. 
(c) The mobile unit shall have fire safety equipment as specified by the fire 
authority having jurisdiction, including but not limited to, at least two fire 
extinguishers. 


(d) Documented evidence of preventative maintenance and calibration procedures 
of mobile unit equipment shall conform to the manufacturer’s specifications. 
(e) Use of the equipment in mobile units shall conform to the manufacturer’s 
specifications. 
(9 The mobile unit shall have a telecommunications device. 
SECTION 15. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within six(6) months afier the 
enactment of this Act, the Department shall formulate and issue he appropriate rules and 
regulations necessary to carry out the implementation of this Act and to enable the Department 
to exercise the powers and perform the duties conferred upon it by this Act. 
Until the Department adopts regulations relating to provisions of services by a chronic 
hemodialysis clinic, a surgery clinic, or a rehabilitation clinic, mobile units licensed or seeking 
licensure, in these categories shall comply with Department’s certification standards for ‘end 
stage renal disease clinics, ambulatory surgery clinics, or comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation 
facilities, as applicable. 
SECTION 16. Separability Clause. - If any provision, or part hereof, is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 17. Repealing Clause - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction , administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
with, the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 18. Effectivity Clause.- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,