FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
..I 
Senate Bill No. 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANNY VILLAR 
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. 
MANNY V LLAR 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
., ' 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 982 
~ 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANNY VILLAR 
AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE USE OF MOBILE UNITS SERVING MEDICAL, 
DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT 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 
SPECIALIZED TYPES OF MEDICAL CARE PROVIDED IN A COST-EFFECTIVE WAY 
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. 
SECTION 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. 


(6) 
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 independently 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 independent 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 11. 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 specify 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. 


(9) 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) Any 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 after 
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,