NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S. No.
SENATE
679
of t\n # -'t
72 JUL 18 A 9:40
RECEIVED BY;
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
CREATING THE PHILIPPINE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND 
PREVENTION, DEFINING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article II, Section 15 of the Philippine Constitution provides that, "The State 
shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and Instill health 
consciousness among them."
Communicable and non-communicable diseases continue to pose serious 
threat to the health and lives of our people. The cure for these diseases and the 
continuous research on how to prevent them have been in the priority of the 
government but the synchronization and coordination of efforts of various 
government entities should be given an equally Important attention.
In a study of the World Health Organization and the United Nations 
Development Programme in 2019 entitled, "Prevention and control of 
noncommunicabie diseases in the Philippines: The case for investment", the 
following key findings were presented:
• Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for 68% of all deaths in the 
Philippines, and the probability of dying between the ages of 30 and 70 years 
from one of the four main NCDs is 29% in the Philippines.


The economic cost of NCDs to the Philippine economy Is PHP 756.5 billion per 
year, which is equivalent to 4.8% of the country's annual gross domestic 
product.
NCDs in the Philippines are causing a surge in health-care costs and social 
care and welfare support needs and are contributing to reduced productivity. 
Actions to prevent NCDs in the Philippines are relatively cheap and cost- 
effective.
The economic modelling for the return on investment analysis suggests that 
the intervention with highest economic benefit in Philippines is the package of 
salt-reduction interventions,- followed by reducing tobacco consumption and 
increasing physical activity in the population.
A national multisectoral NCD coordination mechanism needs to be established 
that can bring together and strengthen existing cross-agency initiatives on 
NCDs.
In terms of communicable diseases, the study entitled "infectious disease 
crisis in the Philippines" published by The Lancet Infectious Diseases in December 
2019 stated that, "T.his year the country has reported outbreaks of dengue, 
diphtheria, measles, and polio. In August, the Department of Health declared a 
national dengue epidemic. As of November 5, 371,717 dengue cases, including 
1,407 deaths, have been reported in 2019, which is 106% cases more than in 2018. 
Children aged 5-9 years have been the most affected age group for dengue 
incidence (23%) and deaths (38%). For diphtheria, the Department of Health has 
reported 197 cases with 47 deaths through October 5, an increase in cases of 47% 
compared with the same period in 2018. In 2019, health officials have also reported 
more than 42,200 measles cases up to early October. In addition, measles 
complications were responsible for 560 deaths More than eight out of ten people 
affected by the measles outbreak were children aged 4 years and younger. For polio, 
four cases caused by Infection with vaccine-derived poliovirus have been reported in 
the country, which had been polio-free for 19 years; these polio cases were due to 
low population immunity."


These data prove that there is much to be done to improve the health 
services that the government provides to the people.
On a positive note, in May 2022, the United States Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention (CDC) opened its new country office in the Philippines as part 
of its endeavors to advance increased health security in Asia. The Department of 
Health and the US Department of Health and Human Services signed a 
memorandum of understanding on increasing collaboration between the US and the 
Philippines on public health emergency and response, prevention and control of 
vaccine-preventable and communicable disease, and the prevention and control of 
non-communicable diseases.1 This development will be helpful in intensifying the 
country's efforts In this field. It does not discount, however, the need to improve 
the current health infrastructure of the country to achieve these goals.
The '"Philippine Center for Disease Contrai and Prevention (CDC) Act"seeks to 
protect the people from the impact of communicable and non-communicable 
diseases of public health importance by adopting an Integrated, comprehensive, and 
evidence-based approach within a framework that fosters a whole-of-system, whole- 
of-government and whole-of-society approach, ensuring clear delineation of tasks 
between existing agencies and maximizes current mandates. It establishes the 
Philippine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) which shall be under the 
Office of the Secretary of the DOH and will be headed by a Director General. Under 
CDC are four (4) centers that will lead and coordinate its major functions especially 
during public health emergencies and disasters. These are: 1) Center for Health 
Statistics; 2) Center for Surveillance and Epidemiology; 3) Center for Health 
Evidence; and, 4) Center for Reference Laboratories.
Under the proposed measure, several existing offices and units will be 
restructured to ensure clear delineation of functions and effective coordination. This 
Includes the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) which will be 
transferred from the Office of the Secretary of Health to the CDC.
1 us CDC opens new country office In Philippines I Philstar.com
3


Also provided under the bill Is the establishment of Philippine Health 
Laboratory System which will unify all diagnostic surveillance of public health 
importance into stand-alone laboratories across the nation. It will transition the 
identified public health laboratories that are currently housed in their existing host 
hospitals into stand-alone laboratory facilities to serve as a diagnostic surveillance 
centers separate from its hospital operations.
This measure was approved by the House of Representatives on Third 
Reading and was reported out by the Senate Committee on Health and Demography 
in the 18th Congress.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is highly 
recommended.
3INGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
S. No.
SENATE
G79
^eiuirr
c( tl)?
*22 JUL 18 A9 :40
RECEIVED BV:
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
CREATING THE PHILIPPINE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND 
PREVENTION, DEFINING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
ARTICLE I
2 
TITLE AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES
3 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the ^'Philippine Center for
4 
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Act’,
5 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to protect and
6 
promote the right to health of all Filipinos and instill health consciousness among
7 
them. Towards this end, the State shall adopt an integrated, comprehensive, and
8 
evidence-based approach that recognizes devolution of health care, consistent with
9 
the direction under Republic Act No. 11223, otherwise known as the "Universal
10 
Health Care (UHC) Act" which integrates province- and city-wide health systems. It
11 
shall also adopt a framework that fosters a whole-of-system, whole-of-government,
12 
and whole-of-society approach, ensuring clear delineation of tasks between existing
13 
agencies and maximizes current mandates. The State shall also allot the necessary
14 
support and institutional resources to provide for an effective disease control and
15 
prevention program through a high-level public institution imbued with the capacity,
16 
competence, and authority to confront global and local public health risks.


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
mean:
Sec. 3. Objectives. - The objectives of this Act are the following:
(a) Protect the Filipino people from the impact of communicable and non- 
communicable diseases of public health Importance;
(b) Develop policies, plans, and protocols to improve on all identified areas in 
the International Health Regulations (IHR) hazards;
(c) Clarify governance, decision-making, and coordination processes and 
protocols related to forecasting, preventing, controlling, and monitoring 
diseases of public health importance;
(d) Ensure swift, coordinated, and data-driven surveillance and response 
through Epidemiology and Surveillance Units (ESUs), public health 
laboratory systems, point of entries, and Disaster Risk Reduction and 
Management (DRRM) for Health system;
(e) Maintain a pool of in-house experts that shall serve as the technical 
authority who will provide evidence based guidance on standards, 
technologies, and analytics for epidemiology and disease control; and,
(f) Ensure the development and implem.entation of a shared risk and crisis 
communication plan with the Department of Health (DOH) and the Food 
and Drug Administration (FDA).
ARTICLE II
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Sec. 4. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall
(a) Communicabie diseases refer to Infectious diseases or illnesses due to 
infectious agents or their toxic products, which may be transmitted from a 
reservoir to a susceptible host, either directly from an infected person or 
animal or indirectly through the agency of an intermediate plant or animal 
host, vector, or the inanimate environment, or coming from laboratories.
(b) Disease refers to an illness due to a specific toxic substance, occupational 
exposure or Infectious agent, which affects a susceptible individual, either 
directly or indirectly, as from an infected animal or person, or indirectly 
through an intermediate host, vector, or the environment.


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
(c) Disease contra! refers to the reduction of disease incidence, prevalence, 
morbidity, or mortality to a locally acceptable level as a result of deliberate 
efforts and continued intervention measures to maintain the reduction.
(d) Emerging or re-emerging infectious diseases (EREID) refers to diseases 
that:
i. have not occurred in humans before;
il. have occurred previously but affected only small numbers of people 
in isolated areas;
iii. 
are caused by previously undetected or unknown Infectious agents;
iv. 
are due to mutant or resistant strains of a causative organism; or,
V. once were major health problems in the country, and then declined
dramatically, but are again becoming health problems for a 
significant proportion of the population.
(e) Epidemic or outbreak refers to an occurrence of more cases of disease 
normally expected within a specific piace or group of people over a given 
period of time.
(f) Epidemiologicai investigation refers to an inquiry to the Incidence, 
prevalence, extent, source, mode of transmission, causation of, and other 
information pertinent to a disease occurrence.
(g) Epidemiology refers to the study of the distribution and determinants of 
health-related states or events, including diseases, and the application of 
this study to the control of diseases and other health problems.
(h) Public health event refers to either a public health emergency or a public 
health threat due to biological, chemical, radio-nuclear, and environmental 
agents.
(i) Non-communicable diseases refer to chronic diseases or those which tend 
to be of long duration and are the result of a combination of genetic, 
physiological, environmental, and behavioral factors.
(j) Notifiable disease refers to a disease that, by legal requirements, must be 
reported to the public health authorities.
(k) Public health emergency refers to an occurrence or imminent threat of an 
illness or health condition that:


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
i. is caused by any of the following:
(1) Bioterrorism;
(2) The appearance of a novel or previously controlled or 
eradicated infectious agent or biological toxin;
(3) A natural disaster;
(4) A chemical attack or accidental release;
(5) A nuclear attack or accident; or,
(6) An attack or accidental release of radioactive materials; 
and,
in poses a high probability of any of the following:
(1) A large number of deaths in the affected population;
(2) A large number of serious injuries or long-term disabilities 
in the affected population;
(3) Widespread exposure to an infectious or toxic agent that 
poses a significant risk of substantial harm to a large 
number of people in the affected population;
(4) International exposure to an infectious or toxic agent that 
poses a significant risk to the health of citizens of other 
countries; or
(5) Trade and travel restrictions.
(l) Public health laboratories refer to laboratories which are responsible for 
providing timely and reliable diagnostic results primarily for disease 
prevention, control, surveillance, population-based interventions, and 
outbreak emergency response, and performing core public health and 
environmental activities, including reference tests for diseases of public
i II i ipvJi uCii
(m) 
Public health threat refers, to any situation or factor that may present a 
danger to the health of the people.
(n) Quarantine refers to the restriction of activities and/or separation from 
others of suspect persons who are not ill, or of suspect baggage, 
containers, conveyances, or goods. In such a manner as to prevent the 
possible spread of infection or contamination.


1 
(o) Response rsfGrs to thG implGmsntstion of spGCific activitiGS to control
2 
further spread of infection, outbreaks, or epidemics and prevent
3 
reoccurrence. 
It includes verification, contact tracing, rapid risk
4 
assessment, case measures, treatment of patients, risk communication,
5 
the conduct of prevention activities, and rehabilitation.
6 
ARTICLE III
7 
CREATION AND FUNCTIONS OF THE PHILIPPINE CENTER FOR DISEASE
8 
CONTROL AND PREVENTION
9 
Sec. 5. Creation of the Philippine Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
10 
- There is hereby established an agency to be known as the Philippine Center for
11 
Disease Control and Prevention, hereinafter referred to as "CDC". The CDC shall be
12 
an agency directly under the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Health
13 
(DOH).
14 
Sec. 6. Functions of the CDC. — The CDC shall be the technical authority on
15 
forecasting, preventing, controlling, and monitoring of communicable and non-
16 
communicable diseases whether domestic or international in origin. These functions
17 
include, but not be limited to, the following:
18 
(a) Policy and standards development;
19 
(b) Disease detection and surveillance;
20 
(c) Capacity building;
21 
(d) Data collection and analytics;
22 
(e) Public health communications; and,
23 
(f) Research and evidence synthesis.
24 
The CDC shall perform such other functions as may be mandated by law or
25 
duly delegated by relevant authorities, as week as those that may be necessary or
26 
expedient for the performance of its functions under this Act.
27 
CDC shall submit annual detailed cost work plans relating to its functions to
28 
the Secretary of Health for approval.
29 
Sec. 7. Structure of the CDC. -
30 
(a) The CDC shall have established centers that shall lead and coordinate the
31 
major functions of the CDC, especially during public health emergencies
32 
and disasters, and in this capacity, establish strategic linkages and


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
partnerships to fulfill the stated functions. In line with their functions, 
each of the following centers shall be headed by a Director:
i. 
Center for Health Statistics. The Center for Health Statistics shall 
provide the national leadership in health statistics, data analytics, 
and health information systems management and shall be the 
counterpart office of the DOH on sectoral policy and planning. The 
Center for Health Statistics shall fulfill the following functions:
(1) Obtain health data and other relevant Information from 
PhilHealth, in accordance with Section 31 of Republic Act No. 
11223;
(2) Develop policies and standards for integrated health statistics 
and data analytics;
(3) Design and develop health-related survey and surveillance 
research methodologies for national and sub-national levels;
(4) Design and collaborate with PhilHealth for interoperable 
eiectronic health information systems to collect extensive 
information at the individual level;
(5) Gene.i'ate information from the health data provided by 
PhilHealth to guide research and policy-making;
(6) Manage and ensure the quality of health data collected, 
including but not be limited to epidemiological and service 
coverage data; and,
(7) Regularly publish statistics for use by the general public and 
researchers.
ii. 
Center for Surveillance and Epidemiology. The Center for 
Surveillance and Epidemiology will lead and execute a national 
public health surveillance strategy, which shall include, but not be 
limited to, the following functions:
(1) Develop policies and procedures in the conduct of surveillance 
and epidemiology (such as information transfer, models, 
forecasts, case definitions of diseases, syndromes, events.


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
n
Zf
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
contact tracing, and other public health interventions related 
to epidemiology);
(2) Design and develop electronic health information systems to 
aid early warning and signal detection;
(3) Analyze data to determine patterns, identify risks, and areas to 
flag;
(4) Set the standards and the process for the establishment of 
ESUs, as required under Section 8 of Republic Act No. 11332, 
also known as the "Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases 
and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act", and assist 
DOH-retalned hospitals, local health facilities, and private 
hospitals and laboratories In establishing ESUs, and assess 
their performance; and,
(5) Lead the training of field epidemiologists through the 
Philippine Fields Epidemiology Training Program.
iii. Center for Health Evidence. The Center for Health Evidence shall 
be established to synthesize available evidence, conduct high- 
quality health research to provide inputs in the development and 
evaluation of public health policy and programs for the prevention 
and control of diseases, which shall include, but not be limited to, 
the following functions:
(1) Lead and coordinate the generation of health research on the 
prevention and control of diseases;
(2) Oversee the development, adoption, and utilization of clinical 
practice guidelines as part of the National Practice Guidelines 
Program;
(3) Translate research evidence to knowledge productions 
publications for public health policy and programs for the 
prevention and control of diseases;
(4) Conduct capability building and strengthening activities on 
evidence synthesis, health research and disease control and 
management;


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
'yc
Z.U
27
28
29
30
31
32
(5) Develop multhsectora! systems and processes for evidence 
synthesis and health research for the prevention and control of 
diseases;
(6) Coordinate the formulation, internal proceedings, and external 
relations of ad-hoc expert groups convened by DOH during 
public health emergencies; and,
(7) Coordinate and lead the development of policies and programs 
on the prevention and control of communicable and non- 
communicable diseases.
iv5 Center for Reference Laboratories. The Center for Reference 
Laboratories shall develop and provide the overall strategic 
direction, policies, programs, and plans in the development of the 
public health laboratories, which shall include, but not be limited to, 
the following functions:
(1) Serve as the technical authority in developing laboratory safety 
and security standards, policies, plans, and measures to 
detect, prevent, and reduce risk of any chemical, biological, 
environmental, and other threats of public health importance;
(2) Evaluate the performance of public health and clinical 
laboratories by ensuring compliance to laboratory quality 
management system and quality assurance program;
(3) Participate in the inter-agency international networks for 
laboratory response to uphold national security and prevent 
International threats;
(4) Oversee the operations and lead the development of the 
nehvvork of Public Health Laboratories to ensure appropriate 
service delivery for a responsive diagnostic surveillance under 
their catchment;
(5) Develop and implement laboratory-related training programs 
across all Public Health Laboratories;
(6) Ensure implementation of diagnostic surveillance of Public 
Health Laboratories; and.


1 
(7) Maintain an integrated laboratory information system.
2 
(b) The CDC shall have an Administrative and Finance Office, which shall
3 
report to the Director Genera!r as provided under Section 12 of this Act,
4 
and will be in charge of the following functions, among others:
5 
i. 
Human Resource Management;
6 
ii. 
Property and Logistics Management;
7 
iii. 
Property and Logistics Management;
8 
iv. 
Assets and Financial Management; and,
9 
V. 
Information and Communication Technology.
10 
(c) Additional offices may be created in accordance with the mandate of the
11 
CDC, upon the assessment and recommendation of the Director General,
12 
approval of the Secretary of Health, and the availability of funds.
13 
ARTICLE I¥
14 
OPERATIONAL STRUCTURE, MANAGEMENT, AND STAFF OF THE CENTER
15 
Sec. 8. Coordination with Centers for Health Development and the Local
16 
Government Units. -
17 
(a) General Health. As an agency directly under the Office of the Secretary,
18 
the CDC shall ensure effective surveillance and response by coordinating
19 
all efforts with established DOH Centers for Health Development (CHDs),
20 
national, regional, and province-wide Disaster Risk Reduction and
21 
Management Centers (DRRMCs), and local government units (LGUs). In
22 
addition, the CDC shall:
23 
i. Govern and build country capacity through the Disease Surveillance
24 
Officers (DSOs) and ensure the country trains sufficient
25 
epidemiologists; and,
26 
ii. Govern the National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) through the
27 
Center for Reference Laboratories while the DOH CHDs shall govern
28 
Subnational Reference Laboratories (SNLs) and 
Regional Public
29 
Health Laboratories (RPHLs).
30 
(b) State of Public Health Emergency. During state of Public Health
31 
Emergencies, all health personnel. Including DSOs, SNLs, and those
32 
employed by the LGUs, shall directly report to the CDC as necessary.


1 
For purposes of this Act, "disease surveiiiance" shai! refer to the ongoing
2 
systematic collection, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of outcome-specific
3 
data for use in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of public health
4 
practice in terms of epidemics, emergencies, and disasters. A disease surveillance
5 
system includes the functional capacity for data analysis as well as the timely
6 
dissemination of these data to persons who can undertake effective prevention and
7 
control activities.
8 
Sec. 9. Transfer of Agencies.—
9 
(a) Restructuring of Affected Offices and Units. The following shall be
10 
restructured to ensure that the CSC and DOH shall co-exist synergisticaiiy and
11 
facilitate full operations of the CSC within a two-year transition plan.
12 
i. The Epidemiology Bureau of the DOH shall be abolished, and Its
13 
functions shall be shared between the Centers for Health Statistics
14 
and Epidemiology and Surveillance.
15 
il. The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) shall be
16 
transferred to the CDC.
17 
(l)The RITM shall retain its research, training, development, and
18 
reference laboratory functions, with its hospital strengthened
19 
to be a specialized premier facility to support and sustain its
20 
mandates;
21 
(2) The RITM Biologicals Manufacturing Division shall likewise be
22 
transferred with RITM to fulfill 
Its training and research
23 
functions on Biologicals, as well 
as its manufacturing and
24 
vaccine storage function.
25 
iii. The Office for Health Laboratories (OHL) of the DOH, including the
25 
following public health laboratories, shall also be transferred to the
27 
CDC:
28 
(1) All NRLs currently housed in RITM;
29 
(2) NRL for Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) and SNL for
30 
EREID, currently housed in San Lazaro Hospital;
10


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
(3) NRL for environmental and occupational health, toxicology, 
micronutrient assay, and chemical emergencies currently 
housed in East Avenue Medical Center;
(4) NRL for heart diseases, and Anatomical Pathology for Cardiac 
disease currently housed in Philippine Heart Center;
(5) NRL for Hematology, Microscopy, and Anatomical Pathology 
for Renal and other unassigned organs, currently housed in 
National Kidney and Transplant Institute;
(6) NRL for Chemistry and Anatomic Pathology for Respiratory 
disease and SNL for EREID, currently housed in the Lung 
Center of the Philippines; and,
(7) Other designated SNL and RPHLs.
iv. The technical units of the Disease Prevention and Control Bureau of 
the DOH shall be abolished and Its functions shall be absorbed in 
the Centers for Health Evidence, and the remaining shall be 
restructured into Public Health Strategy and Management Bureau.
V. The Comimunications Management Unit (CMU) of the DOH to be 
institutionalized as shared sen/ice Among DOH, FDA, and CDC with 
the following functions:
(1) Develop corporate risk and crisis communication plans;
(2) Manage and Implement risk communication activities and 
initiatives, such as, but not limited to development and 
issuance of information and education communication (lEC) 
materials, events, stakeholder meetings, and other media 
engagement activities;
(3) Manage and activate crisis communication protocol for health 
risks and hazards, and institutional reputational risks;
(4) Develop and implement corresponding capacity building 
activities in relation to corporate risk and crisis 
communications;
(5) Perform internal communication functions within the 
institution;
11


1 
(6) Develop and facilitate the approval of communication materials
2 
and policies as aligned with the approved communication
3 
plans;
4 
(7) Manage different platforms of the Institution for release of
5 
communication materials; and,
6 
(8) Foster, maintain, and continuously build external partnership
7 
and communication networks with public and private health
8 
institutions.
9 
Vi. Knowledge Management and Information Technology Service
10 
(KMIT5) of the DOH shall restructure and rationalize its functions to
11 
eliminate or minimize overlaps and duplication with the standards
12 
and sectoral policy function of the Center for Health Statistics.
13 
(b) Transfer of Material. The offices affected by the transfer of agencies shall
14 
also transfer applicable funds and appropriations, records, equipment, and
15 
property to the CDC subject to a two-year transition plan.
16 
(c) Personnel.
17 
I. As a result of the reorganization under this Act, the DOH and the
18 
CDC shall absorb qualified employees, as needed, without
19 
diminution of their salaries and benefits: Provided, That those
20 
whose employment contracts are terminated may re-apply and
21 
must comply with the qualification standards under this Act.
22 
il. Employees who may be separated from service within six (6)
23 
months from the effectivity of this Act shall receive separation
24 
benefits to which they may be entitled under Republic Act No.
25 
6656: Providedf further,. That those who are qualified to retire
26 
under existing retirement laws shall be allowed to retire and receive
27 
retirement benefits to which they may be entitled under applicable
28 
laws and issuances.
29 
iil. All technical positions in CDC shall be considered as part of the
30 
scientific career position.
31 
Sec. 10. Structure and Staffing Pattern. - Subject to the review and approval
32 
of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the Secretary of Health shall
12


1 
determine the organizational structure and staffing pattern of 
the CDC, in
2 
accordance with existing Civil Service laws, rules and regulations.
3 
Sec. 11. Expansion of Functions. - In cases of biological, chemical, and toxic
4 
events, the Health Emergency and Management Bureau (HEMB) of 
the DOH and
5 
Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Centers (RDRRMCs) shall directly
6 
coordinate with CDC and expand their functions to include preparation and
7 
response. The Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) of the DOH is also tasked with border
8 
control and border surveillance and shall directly coordinate with CDC.
9 
Sec .12. Director Generai and Deputy Director Genera is. -
10 
(a) Appointment of the Director Genera!.: The CDC shall be headed by a Director
11 
General, with the rank of Undersecretary, who shall be appointed by the
12 
President, upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Health, based on
13 
technical expertise, academic background, and appropriate experience.
14 
(b) Appointment of the Deputy Director General. The Director Genera! shall be
15 
assisted by one (1) Deputy Director General, with the ranks of Assistant
16 
Secretary, who shaii oversee the functions of the Administrative and Finance
17 
Office, and any additional offices created in accordance with Section 7 (c) of
18 
this Act. The Deputy Director Genera! shall likewise be appointed by the
19 
President, upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Health, based on
20 
technical expertise, academic background, and appropriate experience.
21 
(c) Eligibility. The Director General shall be a public health professional,
22 
preferably a Medical Doctor, with at least fifteen (15) years of post-graduate
23 
qualification experience in relevant fields of medicine, 
public health, and in
24 
managerial positions.
25 
(d) Powers and Functions. The Director General shall perform the following
26 
powers and functions:
27 
i. Provide leadership, policy guidance, coordination, technical
28 
expertise, and services to promote the development and
29 
implementation of CDCs national programs;
30 
ii. Certify to the Secretary of Health the occurrence of a Public Health
31 
Emergency. The Secretary of Health, upon consultation with public
13


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
III.
IV.
V.
health officials, may signal the Initiation of a public health 
emergency response including, but not be limited to:
(1) Immediate hiring, transfer, and deployment of health 
personnel;
(2) Implementation of inter-agency public health emergency 
preparedness and response in cooperation with the NDRRMC, 
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and 
LGUs; and,
(3) Strict enforcement and augmentation of border control and 
surveillance in coordination with the Department of Foreign 
Affairs (DFA) and DOH BOQ;
Certify the termination of a Public Health Emergency which may 
serve as basis for the de-escalation and eventual termination of 
response;
Recommend to the President, through the Secretary of Health, the 
exercise of special powers In the case of an epidemic;
Develop policies with provisions on penalties for local 
implementation and enforcement:
(1) The Director General, upon consultation with the Secretary of 
Health and through the DOH HEMB, is authorized to establish 
and prescribe the corresponding rules and regulations, as well 
as penalties, for local implementation and enforcement that 
are necessary to control and prevent diseases within the 
country and to prevent the introduction, transmission, or 
spread of communicable diseases from other countries into the 
Philippines or from one domestic seaport / airport to another; 
and,
(2) For purposes of Implementing these regulations, the Director 
General, upon consultation with the Secretary of Health and 
through the DOH HEMB, may provide public health preventive 
measures and intervention strategies such as health education 
and advisories, apprehensions, detention, isolation,
14


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
quarantine, inspections, fumigation, disinfection, 
disinfestation, pest extermination, vaccination for international 
travel, medical examination of aliens / foreigners, and 
destruction of animals or articles found to be infected or 
contaminated as to be sources of infection to human beings in 
coordination with other concerned quarantine agencies such 
as veterinary quarantine, plant quarantine, and other 
measures as may be necessary;
vl. Establish or create containment for inland contagion or community 
transmission of public health threats and shall coordinate these with 
the Secretary of Health. During public health emergencies, DOH 
HEMB shall also expand and coordinate with DOH BOQ on 
controlling, directing, and managing all quarantine stations, 
grounds, and anchorages, and in designing their boundaries in 
accordance with Section 6 of Republic Act No. 9271 or also known 
as the Quarantine Act of 2004;
vii. Provide or obtain technical assistance for regional and local health 
departm.ents and private agencies before, during, and after an 
epidemic;
vlii. Develop a shared risk communication plan in coordination with the 
DOH and the FDA;
ix. Coordinate international health activities, through the Bureau of 
International Health Cooperation, relating to disease elimination, 
prevention, and control;
X. Liaise with other government agencies, non-government 
organizations (NGOs), international organizations, including the 
World Health Organization (WHO, learning and academic 
institutions, and other pertinent groups or entities in the conduct of 
activities relating to disease prevention and control;
xi. Coordinate with appropriate DOH offices regarding administrative 
and program matters;
15


1 
xii. Appoint eligible employees of CDC in accordance with Civil Service
2 
Law, rules and regulations and this Act;
3 
xiii. Delegate the powers vested under this Act to the Deputy Director
4 
General; and,
5 
xlv. Perform such other functions as may be mandated by law, or as
6 
may be delegated by the Secretary of Health and/or the President.
7 
(e) Security of Tenure and Grounds for Removal. To ensure and uphold the
8 
independence of CDC, the Director General and Deputy Director General shall
9 
have the security of tenure and shall not be removed from office, except
10 
when any of the following grounds is present, the President of the Philippines
11 
may remove the Director General and Deputy Director General:
12 
i. Inefficiency and incompetence in the performance of official duties:
13 
Provided, That the performance of the Director General and/or the
14 
Deputy Director General shall be evaluated by a panel formed by
15 
the Department of Health for that purpose, which shall be
16 
composed of the Chairperson of the Civil Service Commission and
17 
public health experts; and,
IS 
ii. Inability to discharge the dub/ of the office, VA/hether arising from
19 
the infirmity of the mind or body, grave misconduct, or in the public
20 
interests, upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Health and
21 
the Civil Service Commission.
22 
ARTICLE V
23 
SUPPLEMENTAL FUNCTIONS AND POWERS OF THE CDC
24 
Sec. 13. Public Health Surveillance Program. -
25 
(a) The Director General shall identify priority health problems for prevention and
26 
control;
27 
(b)The Director General, as deemed necessary, may institute public health
28 
surveillance programs or undertake epidemiological investigations or surveys
29 
of people, animals, or vectors In order to determine the existence, prevalence,
30 
or incidence, or to determine the likelihood of a possible outbreak of:
31 
i. any infectious disease; or.
16


1 
ii. any other disease which the CDC or the Secretary of Health, by
2 
notification in the official website of the CDC and the DOH, declares
3 
to be a disease which this section applies.
4 
(c) For the purpose of any public health surveillance program, epidemiological
5 
investigation, or survey under this Act, the Director General may issue an
6 
order requiring any person to furnish CDC, within the period stated herein,
7 
with:
8 
i. 
such information as he or she may require; and,
9 
ii. 
any sample of any substance or matter in the possession of that
10 
person or control of that person, whether taken pursuant to this Act
11 
or otherwise, as he or she may consider necessary or appropriate;
12 
(d)The Director General should link the different disease-related programs of the
13 
DOH for both communicable and non-communicable diseases with the public
14 
health laboratories in relation to laboratory diagnostic surveillance and
15 
outbreak investigation.
16 
Sec. 14. Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Public Health
17 
Events. ~
18 
(a) Transfer of Functions.
19 
i. CDC shall perform the functions and obligations of the Epidemiology
20 
Bureau and the DOH under Section 5 and 6 of Republic Act No.
21 
11332.
22 
il. CDC shall perform the functions and obligations of DOH under
23 
Section 31 (b) of Republic Act No. 11223, also known as Universal
24 
Health Care Act.
25 
(b) Mandatory Reporting. AH public and private hospitals, clinics, health facilities,
26 
laboratories, institutions, workplaces, schools, prisons, ports, airports,
27 
establishments, communities, other government agencies, and non-
28 
government organizations (NGOs) are required to accurately and immediately
29 
report notifiable disease and public health events to CDC.
30 
(c) Mandatory Submission of Service Coverage. All public and private hospitals,
31 
clinics, health facilities, and laboratories shall be required to submit health
32 
and health-related data, which shall Include, but not be limited to.
17


1 
administrative, public health, medical, pharmaceutical, and financing data to
2 
CDC.
3 
Sec. 15. Laboratories in the Philippine Health Laboratory System (PHLS). -
4 
(a) Establishment There shall be an established Philippine Health Laboratory
5 
System by unifying all diagnostic surveillance of public health importance into
6 
stand-alone laboratories across the nation, The CDC shall:
7 
i. Identify public health laboratories and designate NRLs, SNLs, and
8 
RPHLs;
9 
ii. Transition the identified public health laboratories that are currently
10 
housed in their existing host hospitals into stand-alone laboratory
11 
facilities to serve as diagnostic surveillance centers separate from
12 
its hospital operations within three (3) years from the effectivity of
13 
this Act; and,
14 
ill. Establish an integrated laboratory information system accessible to
15 
all public health laboratories and surveillance units.
16 
(b) Public Health Laboratories. The PHLS shall be composed of Public Health
17 
Laboratories following the Philippine Health Facility Development Plan in
18 
determining the roles, functions, investments, a.nd services delivered within
19 
their determined catchment areas. Public Health Laboratories are authorized
20 
to solicit, receive donations and grants, and accrue or accept service-related
21 
fees and reimbursement they provide, which may include but not be limited
22 
to diagnostic testing, training, roll-out of National External Quality Assessment
23 
Scheme (NEQAS), and in vitro diagnostic depository bank and used to
24 
augment the laboratories' capital outlay requirements and maintenance and
25 
other operating expenses (MOOE). The State shall also provide and upgrade
26 
equipment, employ adequate human resources, provide training and
27 
development opportunities, and construct and improve infrastructure at all
28 
levels to deliver the necessary public health laboratory services through its
29 
inclusion in the General Appropriations Act, namely for:
30 
i. NRLs that will provide end-referral laboratory confirmatory services,
31 
training, 
implement external quality assurance programs, 
and
32 
perform surveillance, outbreak response, kit evaluation, research.
18


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
II.
and technical standards. They are the responsible entities for 
facilitating the NEQAS to ensure compliance to quality standards of 
all laboratories in the Philippines.
SNLs that will conduct confirmatory testing for routine surveillance 
samples and performing specialized tests, training, laboratory- 
related research, and cascading of protocols and standards set by 
the NRLs. An SNL shall be established for each of the following 
catchment areas:
(1
^ 
I I 
1
j 1 MV/I U 1 U.U/LW1 I ^
(2) National Capital Region (NCR) and Central Luzon;
(3) South Luzon;
(4) Vlsayas; and
(5) Mindanao.
iii. RPHLs that will perform diagnostic tests both for diseases of public 
health importance, and laboratory-related research. RPHLs shall be 
established and/or designated in all regions.
(c) Oversight and Governance. The CDC shall exercise supervisory and oversight 
functions over the development of all Public Health Laboratories in the PHLS, 
and oversee their functions and performance through the Center for 
Reference Laboratories
Sec. 16. Intergovernmental Information Sharing. ~ The Secretary of Foreign 
Affairs and the Secretary of Health are jointly mandated to review and recommend 
to the CDC multilateral and bilateral agreements which the country may adopt to 
strengthen its information-sharing mechanisms with other countries, in accordance 
with Republic Act No. 10183, otherwise known as the "Data Privacy Act of 2012".
Sec. 17. Penalties. -
(a) Violation by Individuals. Any person who violates any regulation prescribed or 
order issued pursuant to this Act, or who enters or departs from the limit of 
any quarantine station, ground, or anchorage in disregard of quarantine rules 
and regulations or without permission of the quarantine officer-in-charge shall 
be punished by a fine of not more than Five million pesos (P5,000,000.00) or
19


1 
by imprisonment for not more than two (2) years, or both at the discretion of
2 
the court.
3 
(b) Violation by LGUs and Health Care Providers
4 
i. Violation of Data Privacy. Any LGU which violates Republic Act No,
5 
10173, also known as the Data Privacy Act of 2012, 
shall be
6 
penalized in accordance with Chapter VIII of the said Act.
7 
ii. Violation of Data Submission Guidelines. LGUs, through the CHDs,
8 
must provide the CDC with available health and technical data
9 
relevant to the prevention and control of diseases, in a timely
10 
manner. The penalties stipulated under Section 10 of Republic Act
11 
No. 11332 will apply for non-submission of data.
12 
ARTICLE VI
13 
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
14 
Sec. 18. Progressive Realization. - The CDC, in coordination with the DOH
15 
and LGUs, shall craft a multi-year plan to ensure the timely implementation and
16 
progressive realization of this Act. Towards this end, the multi-year plan shall
17 
Include, but not be limited to: (A) requiring that every province and city-wide health
18 
system have full-time DSOs, without prejudice to the need for DSOs in
19 
municipalities, as may be deemed necessary; (b) establishing SNLs in North Luzon,
20 
NCR and Central Luzon, South Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao under Section 15 (b) (ii);
21 
and (c) establishing RPHLs in designated regions under Section 15 (b) (ill).
22 
The DOH, upon coordination with CDC, shall submit the funding requirements
23 
with corresponding annual targets for the implementation of the multi-year plan to
24 
the DBM and concerned agencies, for the determination of appropriate national
25 
budget allocation: Provided, That for local budget allocation, the LGUs shall also
26 
appropriate the necessary funds to ensure the proper Implementation of this Act, in
27 
relation to their devolved functions under the UHC Act and other existing laws.
28 
Sec. 19. Annual Report ~ The CDC shall submit to Congress an annua! report
29 
containing evaluation of the current and emerging threats to health in the country
30 
and progress to IHR commitments, initiatives undertaken to address these and
31 
recommend legislative measures as may be necessary.
20


1 
Sec. 20. Appropriations. - The amount needed for the initial implementation
2 
of this Act shall be taken from the current fiscal year's appropriation of the offices
3 
and agencies herein absorbed by the CDC. Thereafter, the amount needed for the
4 
operation and maintenance of the CDC shall be included in the Annual General
5 
Appropriations Act.
6 
Sec. 21. Impiementing Ruies and Reguiations. - The DOH shall promulgate
7 
the necessary rules and regulations within ninety (90) working days from the
8 
effectivity of this Act.
9 
Sec. 22. Separabiiity Ciause. — If any provision or part hereof is held invalid
10 
or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision or part not otherwise
11 
affected shall remain valid and subsisting.
12 
Sec. 23. Repeaiing Ciause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
13 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation
14 
contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed,
15 
modified, or amended accordingly.
16 
Sec. 24. Effectivity. - This Act shaii take effect fifteen (15) days after its
17 
publication in the Offidai Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved/
21