Garcia to hospitals: Ambulances are free

CEBU, Philippines (Updated 4:51 p.m.) —  Patients do not need to pay for ambulances.

This was the reminder of Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia to provincial and district hospitals here as she issued a memorandum that the ambulances will remain in the hospitals “provided they are used solely for emergency purposes.”

She said hospitals cannot charge patients or accept donations of any kind for the use of ambulances.

"Kinahanglan, dili pwede modawat og bayad o donation or any kind of payment. Ilibre na na ang ambulance basta mag dala og pasyente (You should not charge or accept any donations or kind of payment. As long as it is transporting patients, the ambulance is free of charge)," Garcia said.

The governor said patients who experience otherwise can report the hospital directly to her. Complainants must indicate their names and the date of the incident so that the provincial government can verify the complaint properly.

Garcia also reminded hospitals cannot be used for other means like during hospital staff outings.

"Please be informed that ambulances which are directly assigned under Memorandum Receipt to district and provincial hospitals may remain with the said hospitals provided they are used solely for emergency purposes," reads her memorandum dated July 5, 2019. – JMO (FREEMAN)