Bill seeks stiff penalties vs LGU execs for ambulance misuse

MANILA, Philippines - Public officials and employees who use government ambulances for recreational or personal purposes may soon face a six-month suspension or even termination from government service. This, as the House of Representatives passed on third and final reading House Bill No. 1305, authored by Cebu Rep. Nerissa Corazon Soon-Ruiz, which seeks to regulate the use of government ambulances. An article posted on the Lower House website on Wednesday said the bill seeks to hold both the local chief executive and health officer liable for any violation as they have the joint responsibility on the custody of government ambulances assigned or donated to LGUs. The bill proposes a minimum penalty of suspension from office without pay for thirty days to six months, and a maximum penalty not only of termination from the service but also the forfeiture of retirement benefits and perpetual disqualification from public service for violators. Soon-Ruiz said the public has been frustrated with the personal use of government ambulances by government officials. Some ambulances are even seen parked in recreation areas and being "used for purposes other than those intended for their acquisition." "Worse, people have complained that fees were collected from their use and other were refused for political consideration," Soon-Ruiz said. Soon-Ruiz said government ambulances were acquired to play a vital role in saving lives during emergencies. "Despite financial constraints, the government is trying to provide a sufficient number of ambulances because of their life saving role of transporting seriously sick or injured patients requiring immediate treatment," the lawmaker said. Soon-Ruiz said the measure aims to prevent abuses on the use of government ambulances and ensure that the emergency vehicles are available to respond to emergency calls at any time and without discrimination. "Denial of their usage by patients requiring immediate medical attention for whatever reason is much more deplorable, runs contrary to law and public policy and hence must be penalized," Soon-Ruiz said. The lawmaker said the use of government ambulances other than for its intended purpose may be allowed under her proposed measure for non-emergency cases such as medical outreach missions and other related hospital operations. Other prime initiators of the measure are Reps. Arthur Pingoy (2nd District, South Cotabato), Reynaldo S. Uy (1st District, Western Samar), Rolando A. Uy (1st District, Cagayan de Oro), Victor J. Yu (1st District, Zamboanga del Sur), and Nur D. Jaafar (Lone District, Tawi-Tawi). - Amita Legaspi, GMANews.TV