Ambulances
4. The four municipal vehicles labeled “Ambulance” were not licensed by the
Department of Health (DOH) to operate as ambulances; instead, they functioned as
patient transport vehicles. Consequently, they were improperly marked, contrary to
DOH AO No. 2018-001 dated January 28, 2018, thereby endangering the safety of
both patients and personnel on board.
4.1. On January 28, 2018, the DOH issued Administrative Order (AO) No. 2018-0001 to
establish rules and regulations that outline the updated minimum standards and
requirements for the licensure of land ambulances and ambulance service providers
to protect the public and ensure the safety of both patients and personnel.
4.2. Item IV.10 of the aforementioned AO defines a land ambulance as a vehicle
specifically designed and equipped with Basic Life Support (BLS) or Advanced Life
Support (ALS) to transport patients to, from, and between treatment locations by
land. Additionally, a patient transport vehicle (PTV) refers to any type of land vehicle
intended for transporting patients whose condition is non-life-threatening, as
specified in Item IV.13 of the AO. PTVs do not have BLS or ALS capabilities.
4.3. Anent thereto, Item V.3 of the DOH AO expressly states:
“3. No land vehicle of any kind shall bear on its body the label or marking
of the word “AMBULANCE" unless it has been duly licensed and
categorized as a land ambulance by the Department of Health.”
4.4. As of December 31, 2024, the Municipality owned four vehicles designated as
ambulances for transporting patients with medical emergencies or life-threatening
conditions requiring immediate intervention by competent personnel or referral to
hospitals. These are as follows:
Unit Date of Acquisition
Particulars
No. Purchase Cost
Medical Ambulance – Toyota Hiace
1 06/20/2024 ₱3,445,000.00
Commuter Deluxe
2 04/29/2019 Ambulance - Nissan NV350 Urvan 2.5 Van 2,590,000.00
3 12/29/2016 Ambulance – Mitsubishi L300 FB Deluxe 1,399,500.00
4 12/16/2016 Ambulance – Toyota Hiace Commuter 1,995,800.00
4.5. On February 26, 2025, the Audit Team conducted an ocular inspection of the vehicles
purchased by the Municipality in CY 2024, including the ambulance acquired in the
same year. It was observed that its body displayed the "AMBULANCE" marking.
Additionally, we have obtained photos for Units 2-4 from the OIC-Municipal Health
Officer and noted that these were also labeled “AMBULANCE.”
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