CITY ORDINANCE NO. 2011-015 (DPS Ambulance fees)

Republic of the Philippines

Province of Ilocos Norte

CITY OF LAOAG

OFFICE OF THE SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD

EXCERPT FROM THE MINUTES OF THE 54^th regular SESSION OF THE 8^th SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD OF LAOAG HELD AT the session hall ON AUGUST 3, 2011.

Whereas, by virtue of R.A. 7160, Local Government Units are given the power to create their own sources of revenue and to levy taxes, fees, and other charges subject to provisions therein, consistent with the basic policy of local autonomy;

Whereas, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) has in its possession several Ambulances necessary for the discharge of its function;

Whereas, it is necessary to exact fees for the use of these ambulances for maintenance and sustainability of its operations;

Wherefore, upon motion of Hon. Francis Manolito B. Dacuycuy, MD, duly seconded by Hon. Mariolito J. Carag, the Body with members present;

Resolved as it is hereby Resolved to ENACT,

CITY ORDINANCE NO. 2011-015

Series of 2011

ORDINANCE SETTING FEES FOR THE USE OF THE AMBULANCES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND OTHER ALLIED SERVICES

Be It Enacted That:

CHAPTER I

ARTICLE I. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1. Short Title. The Ordinance shall be known as the “DPS Ambulance Revenue Code of Laoag City”.

Section 2. Scope. The provisions herein shall govern the exercise by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of its taxing power and other revenue raising power within the territorial jurisdiction of Laoag City.

ARTICLE II. DEFINITION OF TERMS

Section 3. Definitions.  When used in this Code

Charges- refers to pecuniary liability, as fees against persons, business entities  both in government or in the private sector such as private health care providers, insurance companies, hospitals/clinics, and other private entities.

Fee- a charge fixed by law or ordinance relevant to the use of the DPS ambulance and its medical equipments included therein.

Services- the duties, work or functions performed, discharges by the DPS personnel and other medical/paramedical professionals.

Revenue- includes fees and charges that a state or its political subdivision collect and receives into the treasury for public purposes.

Pay patients- a category of patients determined and classified by virtue of their capacity to pay ambulance fees and services.

Service patients- a category of patients determined and classified by virtue of their capacity to pay ambulance fees and services. It also means charity patients as determined by the DSWD.

Health Care Provider- a business entity that offers health care benefits to its clients.

CHAPTER II

ARTICLE 1.  RULE ON THE USE OF THE DPS AMBULANCE

Section 4. The City Government of Laoag, represented by the City Chief Executive shall execute a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with private hospitals operating in the City of Laoag for the use of the DPS ambulances stating therein the conditionalities, scope, limitations and charges for the use of the said ambulances.

Section 5. In non-emergency situations (patient transfer/conduction), the DPS upon request by individuals, health care providers, hospitals and other entities both in government or from other private entities and upon presentation of receipt payment of charges by the latter from the Treasury Department, shall provide full ambulance services inclusive of paramedical and driver personnel.

Section 6. In emergency situations, the DPS shall provide immediate ambulance services inclusive of paramedical and driver personnel to individuals, hospitals, clinics and other entities.  No fees shall be charged to individuals for these situations provided the patient is conducted within the City of Laoag and the Province of Ilocos Norte.

Section 7. The provision of an accompanying Physician in the conduction of patients shall be the responsibility of the patient’s relatives or the requesting entity.

Section 8. Other than the patient and DPS personnel involved in the conduction of patients, there shall be only a maximum of two (2) accompanying relatives in the ambulance.

Section 9. Termination of Contract  The City Government of Laoag shall have the power to terminate such contract entered into between the City Government of Laoag and any health care provider, hospital if there are gross violations of the said contract by the latter.

Section 10. The City Government of Laoag shall not be liable for the loss of the life of the patient if death occur during conduction of the patient. Furthermore, the City Government of Laoag shall not be liable for deaths of riding individual as a result of vehicular accidents during conduction of patients.

CHAPTER III

ARTICLE I. SCHEDULE OF FEES

Section 11. The following rates shall include only petrol and toll fees. Other miscellaneous fees such as use of medical equipment shall be billed separately based on prescribed rates. Professional Fees of accompanying Physician, nurses for duty outside of the City are negotiated with patients’ relatives or health care provider, hospitals and other private entities.

LAOAG TO MANILA                                PhP   7,500.00

LAOAG TO BAGUIO                                          4,000.00

LAOAG TO SAN FERNANDO, L.U.                            3,500.00

LAOAG TO VIGAN                                             1,250.00

LAOAG TO BATAC                                               500.00

Within LAOAG CITY                                             250.00

LAOAG TO CLAVERIA, CAGAYAN                            2,000.00

LAOAG TO TUGUEGARRAO CITY                   6,000.00

OTHER AREAS                                                   20.00/kilometer

Section 12. Rates of allied medical services.

12.1 Use of Oxygen Gas                                        PhP   50.00/hr

Section  13. Special Discounts:

13.1 All employees of the City Government of Laoag, Barangay Officials, BHW, BSPO, BNS, Tanods, Lupon officials, Day Care Workers and their dependents shall be accorded twenty (20%) percent discount on ambulance fees.

13.2 All Senior Citizens, PWD’s, Veterans shall be accorded Twenty (20%) percent discount on ambulance services if used outside of the Province of locos Norte. Ambulance service fees shall be waived if ambulance is used within the City of Laoag and the Province of Ilocos Norte.

13.3 For qualified service (indigent) patients, ambulance services shall be waived of fees excluding the fee of the accompanying  Physician.

Section 14. This Ordinance partakes the nature of a tax measure and shall be subject to the mandated requirements of posting, public hearing, and, after approval, publication on local newspaper.

Section 15. All Ordinances, Resolutions, motions, or parts thereof not consistent herewith are hereby repealed, amended or superseded accordingly.

Section 16. This Ordinance shall take effect upon approval.

Carried

Those in favor: Nicolas, Siazon, Ong Sin, Lao, Tamayo, Dacuycuy, Carag, Chua, Frez, Fariñas, Maulit.

Nays:  N o n e

Abstentions:  N o n e

I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true, correct, and faithful excerpt from the minutes of the 54^th Regular Session of the 8th Sangguniang Panlungsod held at the Session Hall on August 3, 2011.

(SGD) ENRICO A. AURELIO

Secretary to the Sanggunian

Attested:

(Sgd) EDWARD P. DOMINGO

City Vice Mayor

Approved: August 24, 2011

(SGD) MICHAEL V. FARIÑAS

City Mayor