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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
i 
SENATE 
S. No 
Introduced by Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution puts emphasis on an integrated and comprehensive approach to health 
development that endeavors to make essential goods, health and other social services available to 
all the people at affordable cost. It stated that the needs of the under-privileged, sick, elderly, 
dissbled, w o m q  and &itdm &mid be priwcitizd. 
The PCSO, with its mandate to raise and provide funds for heaIth programs, medical assistance 
and services, and charities of national character, has been stretching its resources particularly to 
purchase arnbulam units. T h e  units are intended to bz &mated to hospitals, lml gavmnmettt 
units (LGUs), government agencies, non-government organizations (NGOs) and non- 
government health institutions/center’. Being able to transport seriously sick or injured patients 
who are in need of immediate medical treatment to a medical facility, ambulances have played a 
vital role in the society 
However, it has been observed that government ambulances are often misused to the detriment 
of the public. With this kind of situation, the very purpose of government ambulances is 
obviously defeated. In result, sick constituents are deprived of their use as they are often 
unavailable when the need arises. 
This bill aims to prevent abuses in the use of government amhulances and to ensure that these 
emergency vehicles are avaiIabIe to respond to emergencies at any time wthout discrimination. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly recommended. 
Senator 
Health Committee hears brie$ng by DOH,PCSO.Data retrieved at wuw.conmess.gov.uld on 16 February 2009 
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,,,.. , 
5JZ*tb.,,, 
, 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPFXNES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
SENATE 
Introduced by Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV 
AN A€T 
REGULATING THE USE OF GOVERNMENT AMBULANCES, PROVIDING 
PENALTIES THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER FURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assem bled: 
SECTION 1. Definition of Term. -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, used 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, therapeutic or rehabilitative treatment where, by the nature 
of the patient’s sickness or injury, conveyance by ambulance is necessary. It may be 
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. 2. Joint Custody of Government Ambulances Assigned or Donated to Local 
Government Units. - Any government ambulance assigned or donated to local government units 
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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 
in office. 
SEC. 3 . Duties of Local Chief Executive. - 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 (1) regular driver for each ambulance and ensure that a sufficient amount for 
gasoline and the maintenance of their ambulance is appropriated every year. 
SEC. 4. ProhibitedActs. -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 
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injury, though not life threatening, makes necessary hisiher 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, whether or not for a 
fee; 
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; 
and; 
f) It shall be unlawful to use deceptive measures such as sirens or printing the word 
“ambulance” on the vehicle’s body of any privately-owned or government-owned 
vehicle to make it appear as an ambulance. 
SEC. 5. Exceptions to the Prohibited Acts. - The provisions of Section 4 
notwithstanding, the following use of any government ambulance in nonemergency cases may be 
allowed: 
a) Medical outreach missions; and 
b) Other activities strictly and solely related to hospital operations. 
SEC. 6. Penalty Clnuse. - Violations of Section 2, paragraph 2 hereof shall be punished 
by perpetual disqualification from public service with forfeiture of 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 (30) days for the first offense; six (6) 
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months without pay for the second offense; and termination from service with forfeiture of 
retirement benefits and perpetual disqualification from public service for the third offense. 
If any 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 for the offense. 
SEC. 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. 
SEC. 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall at any time be found to 
be unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder thereof not affected by such declaration shall 
remain in full force and effect. 
SEC. 9 .  Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, rules or regulations inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 10. Effeivity CZause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following 
its complete publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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