TWENTIETH CONGRESS   
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session  
 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and 
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr. 
House Bill No.  _____ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill was approved by the House of Representatives during the 19th Congress. 
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the weaknesses of the country’s health system 
and the bureaucracy involved in making decisions to address health scares and pandemics. 
The Philippines is considered to be prone to pandemics and is high risk for 
communicable diseases. We have a tropical location, a very large population, high rates of 
urbanization and over-crowding, a highly mobile and transborder population. We are also a 
top tourist destination and we are experiencing an increase in the number of foreign workers. 
For 2019, the Department of Health declared a polio outbreak and a dengue outbreak. 
In the same year, the Philippines was ranked as the country with the fastest growing number 
of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) cases in the world by the Joint United Nations 
Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS). 
The Philippines is the country with the third-highest prevalence of tuberculosis. 
We have always been reactive and very bureaucratic. The country's units devoted to 
communicable disease prevention and control - The Infectious Diseases Control and 
Prevention Division of the Disease Prevention and Control Bureau (DPCB) of the Department 
of Health, The Infectious Diseases for Elimination Division of the DPCB, and the Research 
Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), - are mere sub-units under the Department of Health. 
They do not possess the policymaking latitude to decisively, quickly, and effectively respond 
to serious public health emergencies caused by infectious diseases. 
Thus, the need for a Center for Disease Control and Prevention which is a specialized 
agency tasked to tackle communicable disease prevention and control. 
This bill would make the country proactive and better prepared for health emergencies 
and pandemics. 
In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly requested. 
RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ 
  MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR. 
July 3, 2025
1:25 pm
1241


TWENTIETH CONGRESS   
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session  
 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and 
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr. 
House Bill No.  _____ 
AN ACT 
CREATING THE PHILIPPINE CENTERS FOR DISEASE PREVENTION AND CONTROL, 
DEFINING THEIR POWERS AND FUNCTIONS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
ARTICLE I 
TITLE AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Centers for Disease 
Prevention and Control (CDC) Act”. 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the policy of the State to protect and promote the right to 
health of all Filipinos and instill health consciousness among them. To this end, the State shall 
adopt an integrated, comprehensive, and evidence-informed approach consistent with the 
direction enunciated under Republic Act (RA) No. 11223, or the Universal Health Care (UHC) 
Act, and adopt a framework that shall foster a whole-of-system, whole-of-government, and 
whole-of-society approach, ensuring clear delineation of tasks between existing agencies and 
maximizing current mandates. The State shall also allot the necessary support and institutional 
resources to provide for effective disease prevention and control through a high-level public 
institution imbued with the capacity, competence, and authority to confront global and local 
public health risks. 
SEC. 3. Objectives. – The objectives of this Act are the following: 
a) Protect the Filipino people from the impact of all 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, communication, and coordination processes and
protocols related to identifying, diagnosing, forecasting, preventing, controlling,
eliminating and eradicating, and monitoring diseases of public health importance;
d) Ensure swift, coordinated, and data-driven surveillance and response through the
Department of Health (DOH), Epidemiology and Surveillance Units (ESUs), public
health laboratory systems, points of entry, and Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management (DRRM) system;
e) Provide the overall national framework and strategic direction for the establishment of
a health laboratory system;
f)
Maintain a pool of in-house experts that shall serve as the technical authority who shall
provide evidence-informed guidance on standards, technologies, and analytics for
epidemiology, disease control, prevention, elimination, eradication, health emergency
preparedness and response; and
1241


g) Ensure the development and implementation of a shared risk and crisis communication
plan with the DOH and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
ARTICLE II 
DEFINITION OF TERMS 
SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act: 
a) Commodities for public health emergencies refer to health products necessary for the
public health emergency response. It may include vaccines, therapeutics, medical
devices, and ancillary supplies;
b) Disease refers to pathologic acute or rapidly developing and chronic or long-standing
conditions that cause harmful deviations from normal structure or function and may be
due to
c) 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 intentionally or unintentionally, or may be the
result of a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental, and behavioral
factors;
d) Disease control 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;
e) Disease surveillance refers to the ongoing systematic collection, analysis,
interpretation, and dissemination of outcome-specific data for use in the planning,
implementation, and evaluation of public health practice in terms of epidemics,
emergencies, and disasters. A disease surveillance system includes the functional
capacity for data analysis as well as the timely dissemination of these data to persons
who can undertake effective prevention and control activities;
f)
Emerging or re-emerging infectious diseases refer to diseases that are characterized
by the following traits:
a. have not occurred in humans before;
b. have occurred previously but affected only small numbers of people in isolated
areas;
c.
are caused by previously undetected or unknown infectious agents;
d. are due to mutant or resistant strains of a causative organism; or
e. were once major health problems in the country, and then declined
dramatically, but are again becoming health problems for a significant
proportion of the population.
g) Epidemiological investigation refers to an inquiry to the incidence, prevalence, extent,
source, mode of transmission, causation of, and other information pertinent to a
disease occurrence;
h) Health research refers to research or research-related activities that seek to provide
timely
i)
and quality evidence to address knowledge gaps on areas related to identifying,
diagnosing, forecasting, preventing, controlling, eliminating and eradicating, and
monitoring diseases of public health importance;
j)
International health regulations (IHR) refer to an international agreement managed by
the
k) World Health Organization (WHO) and focused on addressing serious public health
threats that have the potential to spread beyond a country’s borders to other parts of
the world and define the standards that countries must meet to be able to prevent,
detect, and respond to public health threats;
l)
Notifiable disease refers to a disease that, by legal requirements, must be reported to
the public health authorities;


 
m) Public health emergency refers to an occurrence or imminent threat of an illness or 
health condition that: 
a. Is caused by any of the following: 
i. Bioterrorism; 
ii. Appearance of a novel or previously controlled or eradicated infectious 
agent or biological toxin; 
iii. Natural disaster; 
iv. Chemical attack or accidental release; 
v. Nuclear attack or accident; or 
vi. Attack that uses or is caused by an accidental release of radioactive 
materials; and 
b. Poses a high probability of any of the following: 
i. Large number of deaths in the affected population; 
ii. Large number of serious injuries or long-term disabilities in the affected 
population; 
iii. 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; 
iv. International exposure to an infectious or toxic agent that poses a 
significant risk to the health of citizens of other countries; or 
v. Trade and travel restrictions. 
n) Public health event refers to either a public health emergency or a public health threat 
due to biological, chemical, radio-nuclear, and environmental agents; 
o) Public health laboratories refer to facilities responsible for providing timely and reliable 
diagnostic results primarily for improvement of patient outcomes, disease prevention, 
control, 
p) surveillance, population-based interventions, and outbreak emergency response. 
They shall perform core public health and environmental activities, including reference 
tests for diseases 
q) of public health importance; 
r) Public health threat refers to any situation or factor that may present a danger to the 
health of the people; 
s) Quarantine refers to the restriction of activities or separation from others of suspect 
persons 
t) who are not ill, or of suspect baggage, containers, conveyances, or goods, in such a 
manner 
u) as to prevent the possible spread of infection or contamination; 
v) Response refers to the implementation of specific activities to control the further spread 
of 
w) infection, outbreaks, or epidemics and prevent reoccurrence. It includes verification, 
contact tracing, rapid risk assessment, case measures, treatment of patients, risk 
communication, the 
x) conduct of prevention activities, and rehabilitation. 
 
ARTICLE III 
CREATION AND FUNCTIONS OF THE PHILIPPINE CENTERS FOR DISEASE 
PREVENTION AND CONTROL 
 
SEC. 5. Creation of the Philippine Centers for Disease Prevention and Control. – There is 
hereby established an agency to be known as the Philippine Centers for Disease Prevention 
and Control, hereinafter referred to as "CDC." The CDC shall be an agency directly under the 
Office of the Secretary of the DOH. 
 
SEC. 6. Functions of the CDC. – The CDC shall be the technical authority on forecasting, 
analysis, strategy, and standards development for the prevention and control of all diseases 


 
of public health importance and health security events, whether domestic or international in 
origin. 
The CDC shall coordinate with global CDCs and act as the national focal point of the 
Philippines for IHR concerns. 
The functions of the CDC include the following: 
(a) Develop strategies, standards, and policies for disease prevention and control; 
(b) Implement disease surveillance and field epidemiology activities; 
(c) Perform data collection and analytics; 
(d) Establish and strengthen public health laboratories; 
(e) Set standards and policies for private laboratories; 
(f) Recommend actions for public health threats to appropriate national government 
bodies; 
(g) Lead public health and risk communications; 
(h) Conduct and manage health research and evidence synthesis; 
(i) Build local capacity for surveillance and health research; 
(j) Promote scientific integrity by ensuring that all its products are technically accurate, 
(k) scientifically and ethically sound, and useful to the government and the intended 
population 
(l) through the institutionalization of appropriate mechanisms and bodies. 
The CDC shall perform other functions as may be mandated by law or duly delegated by 
relevant authorities, as well as those that may be necessary or expedient for the performance 
of its functions under this Act. 
The CDC shall submit annual detailed cost work plans relating to its functions to the 
Secretary of Health (SOH) for approval. 
 
SEC. 7. Structure of the CDC. – 
(a)The CDC shall establish component centers that shall lead and coordinate the major 
functions of the CDC and in this capacity, establish strategic linkages and partnerships to fulfill 
the stated functions. In line with their functions, each of the following component centers shall 
be headed by a Deputy Director General: 
1. Center for Health Statistics (CHS). The CHS shall provide the national leadership data 
analytics and health information systems management services in the conduct of non-
epidemiologic surveys in coordination with the Philippine Statistics Authority, and shall 
complement the roles and responsibilities of the DOH related to sectoral policy and 
planning by providing relevant health statistics. It shall likewise progressively develop 
and expand its methodological and analytical capacity; its use of informatics, digital 
tools, innovations, among others; and expand its portfolio of national health-related 
surveys to complement the national health surveys being managed by other national 
agencies;  
2. Center for Epidemiology and Surveillance (CES). The CES shall lead and execute a 
national public health surveillance strategy and shall perform the functions and 
obligations of the Epidemiology Bureau (EB) and the DOH under Sections 5, 6, and 8 
of RA No. 11332, otherwise known as the “Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases 
and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act”. Further, it shall progressively 
enhance its epidemiology and surveillance functions to further develop its overall 
analytical capacity; to expand the scope of surveilled events and diseases; to set 
standards for and continually expand tools for data management and surveillance 
systems; to expand the scope of data collected; to lead in the development of 
epidemiology and surveillance capacities for all diseases and their causes, including 
social determinants of health; to lead in implementing International Health Surveillance 
and IHR processes; and to expand its technical expertise to include other and 
emerging branches and types of epidemiology and relevant epidemiologically-related 
approaches; 
3. Center for Health Evidence (CHE). The CHE shall be established to lead evidence 
informed policy-making for the prevention and control of all diseases, through the 


 
synthesis of available evidence, the conduct of high-quality health research, the 
development of evidence-informed strategies and standards of care, the provision of 
scientific inputs to guide the development, evaluation, and improvement of public 
health programs, and the development of science-informed standards to address 
public health threats, in partnership with academe, professional societies, research 
bodies, National Institutes of Health, and the Department of Science and Technology 
(DOST); 
4. Center for Health Laboratories (CHL). The CHL shall develop and provide the overall 
strategic direction, policies, standards, and plans in the implementation of the 
Philippine Health Laboratory System (PHLS) and the institutionalization of stand-alone 
CDC public health laboratories, including national reference laboratories, subnational, 
and regional public health laboratories (RPHLs). The Philippine Health Laboratory 
System shall be established by streamlining all diagnostic tests and surveillance of 
diseases of public health importance into stand-alone laboratories across the nation 
and by ensuring an effective and efficient quality management system for all clinical 
and other health laboratories in partnership with the DOH. Further, the CHL shall lead 
the country’s public health laboratory response for rapid detection of emerging and re-
emerging public health threats. 
It shall promote and develop innovative science, technologies, and processes 
that support CDC’s ability to protect the Philippines from health, safety, and security 
threats, both foreign and local. 
 
(b)The CDC shall also have three (3) offices directly under the Director General that shall 
provide support to all Centers, namely: 
1. Office for Health Economics; 
2. Office for Policy and Planning; 
3. Office for Administration, Finance, and Legal Affairs. 
(c)Regional CDCs shall be established, consisting of counterparts of CHL, CHS, and CES. 
(d)Additional offices may be created in accordance with the mandate of the CDC, upon the 
assessment and recommendation of the Director General, approval of the SOH, availability of 
funds, and to accordingly respond to the emerging needs of the health sector. 
The establishment of regional CDCs and creation of additional offices shall be 
endorsed by the DOH to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for review and 
approval. 
 
ARTICLE IV 
OPERATIONAL STRUCTURE, MANAGEMENT, AND STAFF OF THE CENTER 
 
SEC. 8. Relationship with Existing Agencies and Offices. – 
a) Relationship between CDC and DOH Operations. The CDC shall be an agency under 
the Office of the SOH. The DOH shall develop operational and intersectoral policies to 
support implementation of strategies and standards developed by the CDC. 
b) Relationship between CDC and the DOH Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ). The CDC shall 
set the standards for international health surveillance and surveillance at ports of entry 
and coordinate with the BOQ for operational and stakeholder management. 
c) Relationship between Regional CDCs and DOH Regional Offices. The CDC shall have 
regional counterparts of its CHL, CHS, and CES to form the Regional CDCs separately 
from DOH Regional Offices. The DOH, through its regional offices, shall work closely 
with CDC, through its regional CDCs to support implementation of strategies and 
standards of the CDC. 
d) Relationship between CDC and local government units (LGUs). LGUs shall adopt and 
localize standards and guidelines developed by the CDC, as operationalized by the 
DOH, in the performance of activities related to disease prevention and control. 
Further, LGUs shall allocate funding for the establishment of functional ESUs based in 
standards set by the DOH and as provided for by law including the creation of positions 


 
for the necessary Disease Surveillance Officers (DSOs) and field epidemiologists and 
in line with the goal of building local capacity for health surveillance: Provided, That 
LGUs that do not have the capacity to achieve these standards shall be eligible to 
receive resource augmentation from the National Government. 
 
SEC. 9. Transfer of Agencies. – 
(a) Restructuring of Affected Offices and Units. The following offices, including their 
administrative units, shall be restructured to ensure that the CDC and DOH shall co-exist 
synergistically and facilitate the smooth operation of the CDC. 
1. The different units of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) shall be 
absorbed in the different Centers of the CDC: 
i. 
The RITM’s national reference laboratories shall be absorbed by the CHL; 
ii. 
Its clinical research units, hospital ancillary services, and research 
laboratory departments shall be absorbed by the CHE; 
iii. 
Its biological research and manufacturing units shall be temporarily 
absorbed by the CHE until an agency is finally tasked by the government 
to handle their role and functions. 
2. The Health Laboratory Division, also referred to as the Office for Health Laboratories 
of the Health Facility Development Bureau of the DOH and other identified national 
reference laboratories shall be absorbed by the CHL. 
3. The Epidemiology Bureau (EB) shall be transferred to the CHS and CES in phases. 
All previous functions of the EB and all disease and public health surveillance functions 
assigned to the DOH by law shall likewise be transferred to the CES. In line with this, 
all Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Units and Field Health Service Information 
System Units of the DOH Regional Offices shall be transferred to and placed under 
the sole supervision and control of the Regional CDCs upon the effective transfer of 
the EB to the CDC. 
i. 
The Knowledge Management and Information Technology Service of the 
DOH shall restructure and rationalize its functions to eliminate or 
minimize overlaps in and duplication of the standards and sectoral policy 
function of the CHS. 
ii. 
The CES shall set the standards for international health surveillance and 
surveillance at ports of entry and shall coordinate with the BOQ for 
operational and stakeholder management. Further, the screening and 
quarantine processes for inbound and outbound international travelers as 
provided for in Sections 4 and 5 of RA No. 9271 or the "Quarantine Act 
of 2004" shall remain with BOQ, aligned to the standards promulgated by 
CDC. 
4. The Disease Prevention and Control Bureau (DPCB) shall be transformed into the 
Public 
5. Health Strategy and Management Bureau, and shall be responsible for developing 
operational strategy and guidelines that are aligned with CDC’s standards, setting up 
intersectoral collaboration platforms, and ensuring strategic management of national 
health programs. The DPCB’s previous standards development function shall be 
transferred to the CDC’s CHE. The DOH Undersecretary for Operations and the DOH 
Regional Offices shall continue to perform their roles in operational planning, 
coordination and performance management. 
6. The Communications Office of the DOH shall be a shared service among all DOH 
offices, including the FDA and CDC, and shall perform the following functions: 
i. 
Develop strategic communication plans, including, but not limited to, 
corporate risk and crisis communication plans; 
ii. 
Manage and implement risk communication activities and initiatives, 
such as the development and issuance of information and education 
communication materials, events, stakeholder meetings, and other 
media engagement activities; 


 
iii. 
Manage and activate crisis communication protocol for health risks 
and hazards, and institutional reputational risks; 
iv. 
Develop and implement corresponding capacity-building activities in 
relation to corporate risk and crisis communications; 
v. 
Perform internal communication functions within the institution; 
vi. 
Develop and facilitate the approval of communication materials and 
policies as aligned with the approved communication plans; 
vii. 
Manage different platforms of the institution for release of 
communication materials; and 
viii. 
Foster, maintain, and continuously build external partnerships and 
communication networks with public and private health institutions. 
 
b) Transfer of Human Resource and Material. The offices affected by the transfer of agencies 
shall also transfer human resource, applicable funds and appropriations, records, equipment, 
and property to the CDC subject to a multi-year transition plan. 
1. As a result of the reorganization under this Act, the DOH shall evaluate the credentials, 
skills, and work experience of all employees in affected offices/bureaus and shall 
conduct matching to positions within the new offices/bureaus created based on the set 
qualification standards. The Department shall develop a technical working group to 
ensure that RA 6656, entitled “An Act to Protect the Security Tenure of Civil Service 
Officers and Employees in the Implementation of Government Reorganization”, shall 
be properly observed towards the protection of tenure of affected employees and shall 
institute mechanisms for retooling. There shall be no diminution of salaries and benefits 
of affected employees. Affected employees may opt for voluntary separation from 
service within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act and shall be entitled to 
receive separation, and early retirement benefits and other benefits under applicable 
laws and issuances such as RA No. 6656 within ninety (90) days from the date of 
effectivity of their separation. Provided they are not entitled to said benefits, employees 
concerned shall be paid a separation gratuity in the amount equivalent to one (1) month 
salary for every year of service; 
2. The CDC shall employ scientific, technical, and non-technical staff, where a 
compensation and accountability mechanism shall be created for all in-house experts 
employed in highly technical positions. Correspondingly, the DOH shall determine the 
organization and plantilla of the CDC in accordance with the salary and compensation 
for positions developed for the CDC to the DBM for review and approval. 
i. 
The salary and compensation of all employed staff under managerial, 
technical, and administrative positions shall be subject to existing 
compensation 
and 
position 
classification 
system 
and 
prevailing 
qualification standards and regulations of the Civil Service Commission 
(CSC). 
ii. 
The compensation mechanism for the expert pool shall be in accordance 
with the rules and regulations in this Act and its IRR and shall be exempt 
from existing qualification standards and regulations of the CSC  
iii. 
All in-house experts shall be allowed to practice their profession and 
receive additional compensation from such engagements. 
iv. 
All employed staff and in-house experts shall submit a declaration of 
conflict-of-interest (COI), a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), and other 
pertinent documents requirements as may be deemed necessary. 
3. The transfer of human resource, applicable funds and appropriations, records, 
equipment, and property to the CDC, among others, shall commence within two (2) 
years from effectivity of this Act to enable the smooth transfer of the same from the 
DOH. 
 


 
SEC. 10. Structure and Staffing Pattern. – Subject to the review and approval of the DBM, the 
SOH shall determine the organizational structure and staffing pattern of the CDC, in 
accordance with existing civil service laws, rules and regulations. 
 
SEC. 11. Director General (DG), Deputy Directors General, and Directors. – 
(a) Appointment of the Director General (DG). The CDC shall be headed by a DG who shall 
hold the rank of Undersecretary. The DG shall be appointed by the President, upon the 
recommendation of the SOH, based on technical expertise, academic background, and 
appropriate work experience. 
 
(b) Appointment of the Deputy Directors General. The DG shall be assisted by Deputy 
Directors General who shall hold the rank of Assistant Secretary. They shall oversee the 
performance of the Offices and Centers and any additional offices created in accordance with 
Sec. 7 (d) of this Act. The Deputy Directors General shall likewise be appointed by the 
President, upon the recommendation of the SOH, based on technical expertise, academic 
background, and appropriate work experience. 
 
(c) Appointment of Directors. The DG shall likewise be assisted by the following: 
1. Director for Health Economics Service with the rank of Director IV; 
2. Director for Policy and Planning with the rank of Director IV; 
3. Director for Administration, Finance, and Legal Affairs with the rank of Director IV; 
 
(d) Qualifications and Eligibilities. 
1. The DG shall be a public health professional, must be a licensed medical doctor, 
with at least 15 years of combined post-graduate work experience in relevant fields of 
medicine, public health, research, and management. 
2. The Deputy Director General of each Center shall possess a postgraduate degree, 
preferably a doctorate degree in fields related to medicine, public health, or research, 
with management experience in such fields. and 
3. The Directors directly under the Office of the DG shall possess third level service 
eligibility with educational background in relevant fields of medicine, public health, 
accounting, management, economics or any business course, and must have 
management experience in the aforesaid fields. 
 
(e)Powers and Functions of the Director General. 
1. Provide leadership, policy guidance, coordination, technical expertise, and services to 
promote the development and implementation of the CDC’s national programs; 
2. Certify to the SOH the presence of a public health emergency; 
3. Notify the WHO and other focal points of any public health emergency or incident in 
accordance with IHR guidelines, and coordinate public health response with the WHO, 
IHR and national focal points; 
4. Recommend to the President, through the SOH, the exercise of special powers in the 
case of public health emergencies, including mobilization of the governmental and 
nongovernmental agencies, including the private sector, to respond to the threat in 
performing the following functions: 
i. 
Develop and implement national policies to prevent and mitigate further 
transmission of diseases of public health importance; 
ii. 
Ensure that LGUs follow all rules, regulations, and directives issued by the 
National Government pursuant to this Act: Provided, That all LGUs are 
authorized to develop localized policies and interventions provided these 
are aligned with national policy, rules and regulations; 
iii. 
Develop and implement flexibilities in procurement of essential 
commodities and implement programs in response to a public health 
emergency; 


 
iv. 
Ensure the adequate and equitable distribution of health workers during 
public health emergencies and the provision of social benefits and 
protection to health workers and their families and other household 
members against discrimination; 
v. 
Enforce measures to protect the people from hoarding, profiteering, 
injurious speculations, manipulation of prices, product deceptions, 
monopolistic practices, other acts in restraint of trade, or other pernicious 
practices affecting the supply, distribution, and movement of food, clothing, 
hygiene and sanitation products, medicines and medical supplies devices, 
implements, machinery, equipment and spare parts required in agriculture, 
industry, other essential services, and other articles of prime necessity, 
whether imported or locally produced or manufactured; 
vi. 
Ensure that donations intended to address the public health emergencies, 
the acceptance thereof, and distribution of donated health products and 
commodities are not unnecessarily delayed considering their shelf-life, and 
that health products for donation that are duly certified by the national 
regulatory authorities (NRA) or their accredited third party representatives 
from countries with established regulations shall be automatically cleared; 
and  
vii. 
Perform such other functions and activities, as deemed necessary. 
5. Institute public health surveillance programs in accordance with RA 11332 and as 
such, impose the following: 
i. 
All public and private hospitals, clinics, health facilities, laboratories, 
institutions, workplaces, schools, prisons, ports, airports, establishments, 
communities, 
other government agencies, and non-governmental 
organizations are required to accurately and immediately report notifiable 
disease and public health events to CDC; 
ii. 
All public and private hospitals, clinics, health facilities, laboratories shall 
be required to submit health and health-related data, which shall include 
administrative, public health, medical, pharmaceutical, and financing data 
to the CDC; 
iii. 
DSOs, ESUs, CDC laboratories, PHLs, pharmacies and those employed 
by the LGUs to perform surveillance and response activities shall furnish 
information required by the CDC at all times and as soon as practicable; 
and 
iv. 
Failure of said establishments to report to the CDC shall constitute a 
violation of Section 9, paragraphs (d) and (e) of Republic Act No. 11332, or 
the “Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of 
Public Health Concern Act.” 
6. Issue an order requiring any person or institution to furnish CDC any sample of any 
substance or matter in the possession or control of that person, whether taken pursuant 
to this Act or otherwise, as may be considered necessary or appropriate, or any 
information as may be required by the CDC, within the period it requires for the purpose 
of any public health surveillance program, epidemiological investigation, or survey 
conducted pursuant to this Act; 
7. Request the Philippine National Police or the National Bureau of Investigation to locate 
any patients or persons suspected of contracting a communicable disease; 
8. Certify the termination of a public health emergency which may serve as basis for the 
de-escalation and eventual termination of emergency response activities; 
9. Develop policies with provisions on penalties for local implementation and 
enforcement: 
i. 
The Director General, upon consultation with the SOH, shall provide 
recommendations on 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 
ii. 
For purposes of implementing these regulations, the Director General upon 
consultation with the SOH, shall provide public health preventive measures and 
intervention strategies such as health education, promotion, and advisories, 
isolation, veterinary and plant quarantine, inspections, fumigation, disinfection, 
disinfestation, vector control, pest extermination, 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 and 
other measures as may be necessary.  
10. Develop containment strategies for inland contagion or community transmission of 
public health threats and shall coordinate these with the SOH. During public health 
emergencies, the DOH Health Emergency Management Bureau shall coordinate with 
DOH BOQ in controlling, directing, and managing all quarantine stations, grounds, and 
anchorages, and in designating their boundaries in accordance with Section 6 of RA 
No. 9271, or the “Quarantine Act of 2004”; 
11. Provide or obtain technical assistance for regional and local health departments, 
private agencies, and international and supranational agencies before, during, and 
after public health emergencies; 
12. Develop a shared risk communication plan in coordination with the DOH and the FDA; 
13. Liaise with other government agencies, NGOs, international organizations, including 
the WHO, learning and academic institutions, and other pertinent groups or entities in 
the conduct of activities relating to disease prevention and control; 
14. Coordinate with appropriate DOH Offices regarding administrative and program 
matters; 
15. Appoint eligible persons in accordance with civil service laws, rules and regulations, 
and this Act; 
16. Delegate the powers vested under this Act to the Deputy Directors General; and 
17. Perform such other functions as may be mandated by law, or as may be delegated by 
the SOH or the President. 
 
ARTICLE V 
RESPONSE ACTION 
 
SEC. 12. Response Cascade. – In case of public health emergencies due to biological, 
chemical, and toxic events: 
(a) The CDC shall, through the CHE, prepare and disseminate to the public and private 
sector the relevant technical information and guidance; 
(b) The DOH shall, through the PHSMB, develop operational and intersectoral strategies 
guided by the strategies and standards developed by the CDC; 
(c) The DOH shall, through its regional offices, work closely with CDC, through its regional 
CDCs to immediately respond to the public health emergency. When necessary, the 
DOH shall tap into the DRRM system to effectively respond to public health 
emergencies; 
(d) The CHL shall activate the public health laboratory response network and continuously 
provide guidance for core laboratory programs in quality management, laboratory 
medicine and safety and security programs, laboratory information management and 
surveillance, research and development and training; 
(e) The CES shall certify to the veracity of the official data to be used as basis for response 
and for public reporting, and provide standards and overall guidance to the BOQ for 
the institution of disease surveillance at all points of entry and exit; 
(f) The National Telecommunications Commission and any telecommunications entity as 
defined under RA No. 7925 or the “Public Telecommunications Policy Act of the 
Philippines,” shall provide location information of patients or persons suspected of 


 
contracting a disease upon request of the CDC: Provided, That the CDC shall ensure 
confidentiality of such information; 
(g) The Secretary of Health may undertake the following functions in case of public health 
events; 
1. Hiring, transfer, and deployment of health personnel; 
2. Implementation of whole-of-government and whole-of-society public health 
emergency preparedness and response in cooperation with the Department of the 
Interior and Local Government, LGUs, and private sector; 
3. Strict enforcement and augmentation of border control and surveillance in 
coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs, DOH-BOQ, Bureau of 
Immigration, Philippine Ports Authority, Department of Agriculture, and Bureau of 
Customs;  
4. Commissioning of research in coordination with DOST; 
5. Promotion of the treatment of, vaccination, or immunization against a contagious 
disease, compelling the isolation or quarantine of persons who are unable or 
unwilling, for reasons of health, religion, or conscience, to undergo immunization 
or treatment: Provided, That the guidelines for the exercise of such power shall be 
formulated in coordination with the Department of Justice; 
6. Decontamination of any facility or decontamination or destruction of any material 
when the CDC reasonably suspects that such facility or material may endanger 
public health, subject to just compensation; 
7. Issuance and enforcement of measures for safe handling and disposal of human 
and animal 
8. remains; and 
9. Requiring any health or funeral facility authorized by law to perform such services 
as are reasonable and necessary to respond to a public health emergency. 
 
ARTICLE VI 
SPECIAL POWERS / AUTHORITY TO ENABLE RESPONSE 
 
SEC. 13. Authority for Other Professions to Administer, Dispense, and Provide Commodities 
for Public Health Emergencies. – In addition to physicians, other health and allied medical 
professionals such as pharmacists and midwives who are duly trained by the DOH or its 
authorized representatives may dispense and administer commodities considered as vital for 
public health emergencies with special authorization or regular certificate of registration from 
the FDA notwithstanding any law to the contrary. 
 
SEC. 14. Issuance of Special Regulatory Authorizations. – Pursuant to Section 4 of Republic 
Act No. 3720, or the “Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act”, as amended by Republic Act No. 9711 
or the "Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Act of 2009," the FDA shall be given authority to 
issue special authorizations for commodities for public health emergencies, Provided, That: 
(a) Based on the totality of available scientific evidence, including data from adequate and 
well documented controlled trials, it is reasonable to believe that the health product 
may be effective to prevent, diagnose, or treat the diseases of concern; 
(b) The potential benefits of the health product when used to diagnose, prevent, or treat 
diseases of concern outweigh the known and potential risks, if any; and 
(c) There is no adequate, approved, and available alternative to the health product for 
diagnosing, preventing, or treating disease/s of concern. 
In the event that the declared public health emergency is lifted, special authorizations 
issued by the FDA shall have provisional validity for a period of one year (1) from the date of 
lifting of the declaration for the sole purpose of exhausting remaining supplies. 
Distribution and administration of unauthorized commodities for public health 
emergency shall be prohibited. 
 


 
SEC. 15. Health Technology Assessment and Evidence Review. – The requirement for a 
Health Technology Assessment (HTA) shall not be a prerequisite to procurement of 
commodities for public health emergencies as an exemption to Section 34 of the RA 11223. 
Further, the HTA shall not be required for: 
(a) Donated health products; 
(b) Unregistered commodities for public health emergency which are qualified for 
compassionate use according to the guidelines set by the FDA; and 
(c) Repurposing or stock realignment of commodities for public health emergencies that 
have already been procured by the DOH, LGUs, private sector entities: Provided, That 
repurposing or stock realignment shall be in accordance with the indication of its use 
as approved by the FDA. 
The DOH, FDA, Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC), and other relevant 
offices shall, without need for notice or demand, immediately provide each other with any and 
all information, including proprietary submissions of data by manufacturers, traders, 
distributors, or other sources, for the purpose of expediting the review of the evidence, product 
authorization or registration, and the appropriate release of recommendations and supporting 
policies: Provided, That a non-disclosure agreement among all parties involved shall be 
executed and enforced prior to the sharing of the said information. 
 
SEC. 16. Procurement of Commodities and Services for Public Health Emergencies by the 
DOH. – The DOH and authorized parties such as the LGUs and private entities shall be 
allowed to procure commodities for public health emergencies that are recommended by any 
of the following: 
(a) WHO; 
(b) HTAC; 
(c) DOH-approved clinical practice guidelines or interim guidelines; or 
(d) Similar emergency authorizations from other stringent NRAs. 
For the purposes of this provision, the DOH and authorized parties may immediately 
enter into alternative modes of expedited procurement with United Nations agencies, 
international organizations, or international financing institutions and their operational arms, 
such as the WHO, United Nations Office for Project Services, and United Nations Children's 
Fund, subject to the rules and policies set by the DOH, Section 88 of Presidential Decree No. 
1445, as amended, otherwise known as the “Government Auditing Code of the Philippines”, 
and any law to the contrary notwithstanding, the DOH may disburse funds as advance 
payment if required by the manufacturer, trader, or distributor: Provided, That the authority to 
advance payment shall be for the procurement of commodities for public health emergencies 
and to secure other goods and services necessary for their storage, transport, deployment, 
and administration. Distribution and administration of unauthorized commodities for public 
health emergencies shall be prohibited. 
 
SEC. 17. Donation of Excess Supply of Commodities. – In case of an excess supply of 
commodities as may be determined by the DOH, the DOH may donate them to other LGUs, 
bureaus, agencies, instrumentalities, or private entities. The national government, led by the 
DFA, in coordination with the DOH, may also donate the excess supply to other countries: 
Provided, That the DOH, DBM, and Commission on Audit shall issue separate operational 
guidelines that set forth expedited procedures to facilitate the receipt and acceptance of any 
donations pursuant to this provision, any law to the contrary notwithstanding. 
 
SEC. 18. Authority to Direct the Operations of Private Establishments During Public Health 
Emergencies. – The President, during public health emergencies, may direct the operations 
of any privately-owned establishment including, among others, hospitals and medical and 
health facilities, passenger vessels, and other private enterprises, to perform functions and 
provide support services for public health emergency response, including housing health 
workers serving in quarantine areas, quarantine centers, medical relief and aid distribution 
locations, or other temporary medical facilities, and ferrying health, emergency, and frontline 


 
personnel: Provided, That the management and operation of such establishments shall be 
retained by the owners: Provided, further, That reasonable compensation for any additional 
damage or costs incurred by the owner or the possessor of the subject property solely on 
account of complying with the directive shall be given to the person entitled to the possession 
of such private properties or businesses after the conditions have stabilized or at the soonest 
time practicable. 
 
SEC. 19. Transition to Regular Authorization. – For this purpose, the FDA shall be given 
authority to develop specific guidelines on the transition of the regulatory authorization of 
commodities for public health emergencies from special use authorization to regular certificate 
of registration. This is in consideration of the time needed to process applications and to avoid 
a monopoly by a single supplier of health products for public health emergencies. The granting 
of a regular certificate of registration by the Philippine FDA to the first brand deemed suitable 
for such registration shall not immediately revoke all other special authorizations granted by 
the FDA to other brands, any law to the contrary notwithstanding: Provided, That once the 
DOH and the FDA had determined that the suppliers granted with regular certificate of 
registration have enough capacity to supply the country’s projected needs, all other special 
authorizations issued shall be deemed revoked by this Act, without prejudice to their holders 
completing the process to obtain a regular certificate of registration: Provided, further, That 
remaining stocks covered by a special authorization that has been revoked pursuant to this 
provision, but which still have a valid shelf life, shall either be donated to a country where its 
use is still authorized by its NRA, or held in storage until it is disposed of appropriately upon 
the termination of its shelf-life. 
 
SEC. 20. Authority for Other Professions to Administer, Dispense, and Provide Commodities 
for Public Health Emergencies. – In addition to physicians, other health and allied medical 
professionals such as pharmacists and midwives who are duly trained by the DOH or its 
authorized representatives may administer, dispense and provide commodities for public 
health emergencies with special authorization or regular certificate of registration from the 
FDA. 
 
SEC. 21. Immunity from Liability. – Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, program 
implementers, public officials and employees, health care workers and non-health care 
workers, whether public or private who are authorized to carry out and are actually carrying 
out the public health emergency response shall be immune from suit and liability under 
Philippine laws with respect to all claims arising out of, related to, or resulting from the 
administration or use of commodities and counter measures under the public health 
emergency response and in the discharge of the authorized person’s official duties, except 
those arising from willful misconduct and gross negligence. 
The members of the FDA and the National Adverse Events Following Immunization 
and its regional counterparts during the conduct of monitoring for probable adverse effects 
from the commodities for public health emergency shall similarly enjoy the privileges given 
under this section, unless the said members’ actions are tantamount to gross negligence or 
willful misconduct. 
 
ARTICLE VIII 
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 
 
SEC. 22. Intergovernmental Collaborative Activities. – The Secretary of Foreign Affairs and 
the SOH are jointly mandated to review and recommend to the CDC multilateral and bilateral 
agreements which the country may adopt to strengthen its collaborative mechanisms with 
other countries. 
 


 
SEC. 23. Transitory Provision. – The CDC shall, in coordination with the DOH and LGUs, craft 
a multi-year plan to ensure the timely implementation and progressive realization of this Act. 
To this end, the multi-year plan shall include: 
(a) Phased expansion of the capacity of the CDC to cover other health conditions or 
threats in view of the needs of the Philippine health sector; 
(b) Requiring that every province and city-wide health system have full-time DSOs, 
without prejudice to the need for the designation of DSOs in municipalities when 
necessary; 
(c) Establishing Sub-National Laboratories and Regional Public Health Laboratories; 
(d) Emergency funding and procurement of commodities and hiring during public 
health emergencies; and 
(e) Establishment of infrastructure and acquisition of parcels of land to house the 
national offices under the CDC. 
The DOH shall, upon coordination with CDC, submit the funding requirements with 
corresponding annual targets for the implementation of the multi-year plan to the DBM and 
concerned agencies, for the determination of appropriate national budget allocation: Provided, 
That in relation to their devolved functions under the UHC Act and other existing laws, LGUs 
shall appropriate the necessary funds to ensure the proper implementation of this Act. 
 
SEC. 24. Modernization Program. – The Director General shall, in consultation with the DOH 
and other concerned agencies of government and the private sector, develop a modernization 
program that will strengthen the human health resource of the CDC, which is the key 
component of the country's disease prevention and control policy. The modernization program 
shall include the acquisition and upgrading of appropriate technologies, laboratories, facilities, 
equipment, other needed resources, and the needed relocation and acquisition of additional 
land or location that would house the CDC. 
Within one hundred eighty (180) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Director 
General shall, upon the recommendation of the DOH and DBM Secretaries, submit the 
modernization program for the consideration and approval of Congress. 
The modernization program shall be implemented over a period of five (5) years. The 
funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA). 
 
SEC. 25. Authority to Solicit, Negotiate, and Receive Donations, Grants, Gifts, Legacies, 
Endowments, and Contributions. – The CDC may solicit, negotiate with, and receive from any 
public or private domestic or foreign sources legacies, gifts, donations, grants, endowments, 
contributions or other transfers of ownership and/or possession of real or personal properties 
of all kinds for use in its operations such as the upgrading of its facilities, equipment outlay, 
human resource development and expansion, and the acquisition of the appropriate office 
space to improve the delivery of its services to the public. 
The Director General shall be authorized to retain, without need of a separate approval 
from any government agency, and subject only to existing accounting and auditing rules and 
regulations, all the legacies, gifts, donations, grants, endowments, contributions which shall 
be deposited and maintained in a separate account or fund in addition to the annual budget 
of the CDC which may be used or disbursed directly by the Director General for the purpose 
of which the fund was originally intended. 
The Director General shall likewise be authorized to retain other transfers of ownership 
and possession of real or personal property of all kinds solicited, negotiated, and received by 
the CDC under this Act and other laws that it is mandated to administer based on the 
immediately prior year of operations. 
 
SEC. 26. Tax Exemptions. – Donations, grants, gifts, endowments, legacies, and contributions 
used actually, directly and exclusively for the purpose of the CDC shall be exempt from the 
donor's tax and the same shall be considered as allowable deduction from gross income for 
purposes of computing the taxable income of the donor, in accordance with Sec. (H)(2)(a) of 
the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended. Likewise, such other transfers of 


 
ownership and/or possession of real or personal properties of all kinds shall be exempt from 
all taxes. 
 
SEC. 27. Annual Report. – The CDC shall submit to Congress and the Office of the President 
an annual report containing an evaluation of the current and emerging threats to health in the 
country and the progress made with respect to IHR commitments and the initiatives 
undertaken to address these, and recommendations for legislation, if necessary. 
 
SEC. 28. Appropriations. – The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this act 
shall be charged against the current year appropriations of the offices and agencies 
concerned. Thereafter, the funding requirements for the ensuing years shall be included in the 
annual General Appropriations Act. 
 
SEC. 29. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The DOH shall promulgate the necessary 
implementing rules and regulations within ninety (90) working days from the effectivity of this 
Act. 
 
SEC. 30. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or 
otherwise invalid, the validity of the other provisions shall not be affected thereby. 
 
SEC. 31. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, other 
issuances, or parts thereof, inconsistent with any provision of this Act, are hereby repealed or 
modified accordingly. 
 
SEC. 32. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the 
Official Gazette or in newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,