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NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
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gCa s>nintt
•©ff't'’ o( [in’
•22 NOV-8 A9 31
RECEIVED B1
SENATE
S. B. NO. 1477
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
CREATING THE PHILIPPINE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND 
PREVENTION, DEFINING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
In January 2020, reports have circulated regarding a “viral pneumonia of 
unknown origin,” which have prompted health authorities in Hong Kong, Taiwan, South 
Korea, Singapore, and Malaysia to set up emergency and precautionary measures 
amid concerns that such communicable disease can be highly contagious similar to 
SARS virus.1 On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared 
the COVID-19 outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.2
Unfortunately, even after almost three (3) years since the pandemic began, 
COVID-19 remains a threat.3 To date, the virus has claimed the lives of more than 
64,000 Filipinos,4 and more than 6.6 million people worldwide.5 It has also caused 
billions in losses, causing global economic downturn, with the Philippines experiencing 
an astounding -9.5% GDP growth in 2020.
In addition to the massive economic impact of the COVID-19 impact, it has also 
highlighted the weaknesses of the global health system, especially that of the 
Philippines. At the height of the pandemic, massive shortage of personal protective 
equipment (PPEs), ventilators, hospital beds and healthcare personnel, among others.
1 Nikkei Asia. Asia on aiert over mysterious outbreak in China. Available at httDs://asia.nikkei.com/Spotiight/l\/lost-read-in- 
2020/Asia-on-aiert-over-mvsterious-virus-outbreak-in-China2 (date iast accessed: November 7, 2022).
2 Worid Health Organization. COVID-19 Public Heaith Emergency of Internationai Concern (PHEiC) Globai research and 
innovation forum. Available at https://www.who.int/pubiications/m/item/covid-19-pubiic-heaith-emeraencv-of-internationai- 
concern-(Dhelc1-aiobai-research-and-innovation-forum (date iast accessed: November 6, 2022).
3 Novembers, 2022. COViD-19 is still a 'dangerous global health threat.’ A new international study spells out how we can end it. 
University of Colorado Boulder. Available at https://www.colorado.edu/todav/2022/11/03/covid-19-still-danqerous-alobal-health- 
threat-new-international-studv-spells-out-how-we (date last accessed: November 6, 2022).
4 COVID-19 Case Tracker. Available at https://doh.gov.ph/2019-nCoV (date last accessed: November 4, 2022).
5 Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. Available at https://coronavirus.ihu.edu/map.html (date last accessed: November 
6, 2022).


were reported in news media all over the world.
In the Philippines, for example, healthcare personnel were forced to recycle 
PPEs, with some even resorting to using trash bags as an alternative to medical-grade 
PPEs. Indeed, the COVID-19 pandemic indubitably emphasized the urgent need to 
increase the national capacity to prevent and better respond to outbreaks of 
contagious diseases in the future, consistent with Article II, Section 15 of the 1987 
Constitution, which provides that "the State shall protect and promote the right to 
health of the people and instill health consciousness among them."
This bill seeks to establish a National Disease Prevention Center, to be known 
as the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), under the Department of 
Health (DOH). The CDC shall be responsible for the surveillance, prevention, control, 
and monitoring of all infectious diseases that could potentially affect our citizens.
Given the ongoing threat of the COVID-19 pandemic and the variants that have 
since emerged since its outbreak, the immediate passage of the bill is earnestly 
sought.
ENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE
S. B. NO. 1477
Senate
of t!)e 5>1' .-'I’tarp
•22 NOV-8 A 9 31
RECEIVtO B\’.
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
CREATING THE PHILIPPINE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND 
PREVENTION, DEFINING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
ARTICLE I
TITLE AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES
SECTION 1. Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Center for 
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Act."
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to promote the 
health and well-being of its citizens. To this end, there must be a framework that fosters 
a whole-of-system, whole-of-government, and whole-of-society approach anchored on 
science-based decision-making during public health emergencies. In doing so, the 
State shall create a National Disease Prevention Center, to be known as the Philippine 
Center for Disease Control and Prevention, which shall be responsible for forecasting, 
preventing, controlling, monitoring, and effectively protecting the citizens from all 
current, emerging, or reimerging infectious diseases.
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


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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 implementation 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
mean:
(a) 
Communicable 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.
(c) 
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.
(d) 
Emerging or re-emerging infectious diseases (EREID) refer to diseases 
that:
(i) 
have not occurred in humans before;
(ii) 
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.


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(e) 
Epidemic or outbreak refers to an occurrence of more cases of disease 
normally expected within a specific place or group of people over a given period 
of time.
(f) 
Epidemioiogical 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:
(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
(ii) 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 that are responsible for 
providing timely and reliable diagnostic results primarily for disease prevention, 
control, surveillance, population-based interventions, outbreak emergency


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response, and performing core public health and environmental activities, 
including reference tests for diseases of public health importance.
(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.
(o) 
Response refers to the implementation of specific activities to control the 
further spread of infection, outbreaks, or epidemics and prevent re-occurrence. 
It includes verification, contact tracing, rapid risk assessment, case measures, 
treatment of patients, risk communication, the conduct of prevention activities, 
and rehabilitation.
ARTICLE III
CREATION AND FUNCTIONS OF THE 
PHILIPPINE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION
SEC. 5. Creation of the Philippine Center for Disease Control and 
Prevention. — There is hereby established an agency, to be known as the Philippine 
Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 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, preventing, controlling, and monitoring communicable and non- 
communicable diseases whether domestic or international in origin. These functions 
include, but not be limited to, the following:
(a) 
Policy and standards development;
(b) 
Disease detection and surveillance;
(c) 
Capacity building;
(d) 
Data collection and analytics;
(e) 
Public health communications; and
(f) 
Research and evidence synthesis.
The CDC shall perform such 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 for 
approval.
SEC. 7. Structure of the CDC. —


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(a) The CDC shall establish centers that shall lead and coordinate the major 
functions of the CDC, especially during public health emergencies and disasters, 
and in this capacity, establish strategic linkages and 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, which shall include, but not be 
limited, to the following functions:
(1) 
Obtain health data and other relevant information from Philippine 
Health Corporation (PhilHealth), in accordance with Section 31 of 
Republic Act No. 11233, otherwise known as the “Universal Health 
Care Act;”
(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 electronic 
health information systems to collect extensive information at the 
individual level;
(5) 
Generate 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 shall 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 (e.g., information transfer, models, forecasts, case 
definitions of diseases, syndromes, events, contact tracing, and other 
public health interventions related to epidemiology);
Design and develop electronic health information systems to aid early 
warning and signal detection;
(2)
(3) Analyze data to determine patterns, identify risks, and areas to flag;


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(4) 
Set the standards and the process for the establishment of 
Epidemiology and Surveillance Units (ESUs), as required under 
Section 8 of Republic Act No. 11332, otherwise known as the 
“Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of 
Public Health Concern Act,” and assist DOH-retained 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 
synthesize available evidence, and 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 products 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;
(5) 
Develop multi-sectoral systems and processes for evidence synthesis 
and health research for the prevention and control of diseases;
(6) 
Coordinate the formation, 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.
(iv) 
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 the risk of any chemical, biological, environmental, and


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(2)
(3)
(4)
other threats of public health importance;
Evaluate the performance of public health and clinical laboratories by 
ensuring compliance with laboratory quality management system and 
quality assurance program;
Participate in the inter-agency international networks for laboratory 
response to uphold national security and prevent international threats;
Oversee the operations and lead the development of the network of 
Public Health Laboratories to ensure appropriate service delivery for 
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
(7) 
Maintain an integrated laboratory information system.
(b) 
The CDC shall have an Administrative and Finance Office, which shall report to 
the Director General, as provided under Section 12 of this Act, and will be in­
charge of the following functions, among others:
(i) 
Human Resource Management;
(ii) 
Property and Logistics Management;
(iii) 
Assets and Financial Management; and
(iv) 
Information and Communication Technology.
(c) 
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 Secretary of Health, and the availability of funds.
ARTICLE IV
OPERATIONAL STRUCTURE,
MANAGEMENT, AND STAFF OF THE CENTER
SEC. 8. Coordination with Centers for Health Development and the Local 
Government Units. —
(a) General Health. As an agency directly under the Office of the Secretary of the 
DOH, the CDC shall ensure effective surveillance and response by coordinating 
all efforts with established DOH Centers for Health Development (CHDs), 
national, regional, and province-wide Disaster Risk Reduction and 
Management Centers (DRRMCs), and Local Government Units (LGUs). In 
addition, the CDC shall:


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(i) 
Govern and build country capacity through the Disease Surveillance 
Officers (DSOs) and ensure the country trains sufficient epidemiologists: 
and
(ii) 
Govern the National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) through the Center 
for Reference Laboratories while the DOH CHDs shall govern 
Subnational Reference Laboratories (SNLs) and Regional Public Health 
Laboratories (RPHLs).
(b) State of Public Health Emergency. During state of Public Health Emergencies, 
all health personnel, including DSOs, SNLs, and those employed by the LGUs, 
shall directly report to the CDC, as necessary. For purposes of this Act, 
“disease surveillance” shall refer 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.
SEC. 9. Transfer of Agencies. —
(a) Restructuring of Affected Offices and Units. The following offices shall be 
restructured to ensure that the CDC and DOH shall co-exist synergistically and 
facilitate full operations of the CDC within a two-year transition plan.
(i) 
The Epidemiology Bureau of the DOH shall be abolished, and its functions 
shall be shared between Centers for Health Statistics and Epidemiology 
and Surveillance.
(ii) 
The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) shall be transferred to 
the CDC.
(1) 
The RITM shall retain its research, training, development, and 
reference laboratory functions, with its hospital strengthened to be a 
specialized premier facility to support and sustain its mandates.
(2) 
The RITM Biologicals Manufacturing Division shall also be transferred 
to fulfill its training and research functions on Biologicals, as well as 
its manufacturing and vaccine storage function.
(iii) 
The Office for Health Laboratories (OHL) of the DOH, including the 
following public health laboratories, shall also be transferred to the CDC:
(1) 
All NRLs currently housed in RITM;
(2) 
NRL for Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) and the Sub-National 
Laboratory for Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases (SNL 
for EREID), currently housed in San Lazaro Hospital;
(3) 
NRL for environmental and occupational health, toxicology.


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(4)
micronutrient assay, and chemical emergencies currently housed in 
East Avenue Medical Center;
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 Center 
for Health Evidence, and the remaining units shall be restructured into the 
Public Health Strategy and Management Bureau.
(v) 
The Communications Management Unit (CMU) of the DOH to be 
institutionalized as shared service between 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 be 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;
(6) 
Develop and facilitate the approval of communication materials and 
policies as aligned with the approved communication plans;
(7) 
Manage different platforms of the institution for release of 
communication materials; and
(8) 
Foster, maintain, and continuously build external partnerships and 
communication networks with public and private health institutions.
(vi) 
The Knowledge Management and Information Technology Service (KMITS) 
of the DOH shall restructure and rationalize its functions to eliminate or


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minimize overlaps and duplication with the standards and sectoral policy 
function of the Center for Health Statistics.
(b) 
Transfer of Material. The offices affected by the transfer of agencies shall also 
transfer applicable funds and appropriations, records, equipment, and property 
to the CDC, subject to a two-year transition plan.
(c) 
Personnel.
(i) 
As a result of the reorganization under this Act, the DOH and the CDC shall 
absorb qualified employees, as needed, without diminution of their salaries 
and benefits: Provided, That those whose employment contracts are 
terminated may re-apply and must comply with the qualification standards 
under this Act.
(ii) 
Affected employees who are not absorbed by the CDC shall have the 
option to transfer to other DOH units;
(iii) 
Employees who opted to be separated from service within six (6) months 
from the effectivity of this Act shall receive separation benefits to which they 
may be entitled under Republic Act No. 6656, otherwise known as “An Act 
to Protect the Security of Tenure of Civil Service Officers and Employees 
in the Implementation of Government Reorganization”: Provided, That 
those who are qualified to retire under existing retirement laws shall be 
allowed to retire and receive retirement benefits to which they may be 
entitled under applicable laws and issuances.
(iv) 
All technical positions in the CDC shall be considered as part of the 
scientific career position.
SEC. 10. Structure and Staffing Pattern. — Subject to the review and 
approval of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the Secretary of 
Health shall determine the organizational structure and staffing pattern of the CDC, in 
accordance with existing civil service laws, rules and regulations.
SEC. 11. Expansion of Functions. — In cases of biological, chemical, and 
toxic events, the Health Emergency and Management Bureau (HEMB) of the DOH 
and Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Centers (RDRRMCs) shall 
directly coordinate with the CDC and expand their functions to include preparation and 
response. The Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) of the DOH shall also be tasked with 
border control and border surveillance and shall directly coordinate with the CDC.
SEC. 12. Director General and Deputy Director Generals. —
(a) 
Appointment of the Director General. The CDC shall be headed by a Director 
General, with the rank of Undersecretary, who shall be appointed by the 
President, upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Health, based on 
technical expertise, academic background, and appropriate experience.
(b) 
Appointment of the Deputy Director General. The Director General shall be
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assisted by one (1) Deputy Director General, with the rank of Assistant 
Secretary, who shall oversee the functions of the Administrative and Finance 
Office, and any additional offices created in accordance with Sec. 7(c) of this 
Act. The Deputy Director General shall likewise be appointed by the President, 
upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Health, based on technical 
expertise, academic background, and appropriate experience.
(c) 
Eligibility. The Director General shall be a public health professional, preferably 
a Medical Doctor, with at least fifteen (15) years of post-graduate qualification 
experience in relevant fields of medicine, public health, and in managerial 
positions.
(d) 
Powers and Functions. The Director General shall perform the following powers 
and functions:
(i) 
Provide leadership, policy guidance, coordination, technical expertise, 
and services to promote the development and implementation of the 
national programs of CDC;
(ii) 
Certify to the Secretary of Health the occurrence of a Public Health 
Emergency. The Secretary of Health, upon consultation with public health 
officials, shall undertake 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, 
DILG, and LGUs; and
(3) 
Strict enforcement and augmentation of border control and 
surveillance, in coordination with the DFA and DOH BOQ.
(iii) 
Certify the termination of a Public Health Emergency which may serve as 
basis for the de-escalation and eventual termination of response:
(iv) 
Recommend to the President, through the Secretary of Health, the 
exercise of special powers in the case of an epidemic;
(v) 
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, shall 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
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(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, 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.
(vi) 
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, the DOH HEMB 
shall also expand and coordinate with the DOH BOO on controlling, 
directing, and managing all quarantine stations, grounds, and 
anchorages, and in designating their boundaries in accordance with 
Section 6 of Republic Act No. 9271, otherwise known as the “Quarantine 
Act of 2004”:
(vii) 
Provide or obtain technical assistance for regional and local health 
departments and private agencies before, during, and after an epidemic;
(viii) 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;
(xii) 
Appoint eligible employees of the CDC in accordance with civil service 
laws, rules and regulations, and this Act;
(xiii) Delegate the powers vested under this Act to the Deputy Director 
General; and
(xiv) Perform such other functions as may be mandated by law, or as may be 
delegated by the Secretary of Health and/or the President.
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(e) Security of Tenure and Grounds for Removal. To ensure and uphold the 
independence of the CDC, the Director General and Deputy Director General 
shall enjoy security of tenure and shall not be removed from office, except when 
any of the following grounds is present, in which case, the President of the 
Philippines may remove the Director General and the Deputy Director General, 
upon compliance with the due process of law:
(i) 
Inefficiency and incompetence in the performance of official duties; 
Provided, That the performance of the Director General and/or the 
Deputy Director General shall be evaluated by a panel formed by the 
DOH for that purpose; Provided further, That the panel shall be composed 
of the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and at least two 
(2) public health experts; and/or
(ii) 
Inability to discharge the duty of the office, whether arising from the 
infirmity of the mind or body, grave misconduct, or in the public interest, 
upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Health and the CSC.
ARTICLE V
SUPPLEMENTAL FUNCTIONS AND POWERS OF THE CDC 
SEC. 13. Public Health Surveillance Program. —
(a) 
The Director General shall identify priority health problems for prevention and 
control.
(b) 
The Director General, as deemed necessary, may institute public health 
surveillance programs or undertake epidemiological investigations or surveys 
of people, animals, or vectors in order to determine the existence, prevalence, 
or incidence, or to determine the likelihood of a possible outbreak, of:
(i) 
Any infectious disease; or
(ii) 
Any other disease which the CDC or the Secretary of Health, by 
notification in the official website of the CDC and/or the DOH, declares to 
be a disease to which this Section applies.
(c) 
For the purpose of any public health surveillance program, epidemiological 
investigation, or survey under this Act, the Director General may issue an order 
requiring any person to furnish the CDC, within the period stated therein, with:
(i) 
such information as may be required to enable the CDC to perform its 
duties and functions under this Act; and
(ii) 
any sample of any substance or matter in the possession or control of 
that person, whether taken pursuant to this Act or otherwise, as he or she 
may consider necessary or appropriate.
(d) 
In order to have a more effective diagnostic surveillance and outbreak
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investigation, the Director General of the CDC shall link the different disease- 
related programs of the DOH for both communicable and non-communicable 
diseases with public health laboratories.
SEC. 14. Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Public Health
Events. —
(a) 
Transfer of Functions.
(i) 
The CDC shall perform the functions and obligations of the Epidemiology 
Bureau of the DOH under Section 5 and 6 of the Mandatory Reporting of 
Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act; and
(ii) 
The CDC shall perform the functions and obligations of the DOH under 
Section 31 (b) of the Universal Health Care Act.
(b) 
Mandatory Reporting. All public and private hospitals, clinics, health facilities, 
laboratories, institutions, workplaces, schools, prisons, ports, airports, 
establishments, communities, other government agencies, and NGOs shall 
accurately and immediately report notifiable disease and public health events 
to the CDC.
(c) 
Mandatory Submission of Service Coverage. All public and private hospitals, 
clinics, health facilities, laboratories shall be required to submit health and 
health-related data, which shall include, but not be limited to, administrative, 
public health, medical, pharmaceutical and financing data to the CDC.
SEC. 15. Laboratories in the Philippine Health Laboratory System (PHLS).
(a) 
Establishment. There shall be an established Philippine Health Laboratory 
System by unifying all diagnostic surveillance of public health importance into 
stand-alone laboratories across the nation. The CDC shall:
(i) 
Identify public health laboratories and designate NRLs, SNLs, and 
RPHLs;
(ii) 
Transition the identified public health laboratories that are currently 
housed in their existing host hospitals into stand-alone laboratory 
facilities to serve as diagnostic surveillance centers separate from its 
hospital operations within three (3) years from the effectiveness of this 
Act; and
(iii) 
Establish an integrated laboratory information system accessible to all 
public health laboratories and surveillance units.
(b) 
Public Health Laboratories. The PHLS shall be composed of Public Health 
Laboratories following the Philippine Health Facility Development Plan in 
determining the roles, functions, investments, and services delivered within 
their determined catchment areas. Public Health Laboratories shall be 
authorized to solicit, receive donations and grants, and accrue or accept 
service-related fees and reimbursement they provide, which may include but
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not be limited to diagnostic testing, training, roll-out of National External Quality 
Assessment Scheme (NEQAS), and in-vitro diagnostic medical evaluation. This 
shall be deposited in an authorized government depository bank and used to 
augment the laboratories’ capital outlay requirements and maintenance and 
other operating expenses (MOOE). The State shall also provide and upgrade 
equipment, employ adequate human resources, provide training and 
development opportunities, and construct and improve infrastructures at all 
levels to deliver the necessary public health laboratory services, including, but 
not limited, to the following:
(i) 
NRLs that will provide end-referral laboratory confirmatory services, 
training, implement external quality assurance programs, and perform 
surveillance, outbreak response, kit evaluation, research, and technical 
standards. These NRLs shall be the responsible entities for facilitating the 
NEQAS to ensure compliance to quality standards of all laboratories in 
the Philippines.
(ii) 
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. A 
SNL shall be established for each of the following catchment areas:
(1) 
North Luzon;
(2) 
NCR and Central Luzon;
(3) 
South Luzon;
(4) 
Visayas; 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. 10173, otherwise known as the “Data Privacy Act 
of 2012.”
(a)
SEC. 17. Penalties. —
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 (Php5,000,000.00) or by 
imprisonment for not more than two (2) years, or both.
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(b) Violation by LGUs and Health Care Providers:
(i) 
Violation of Data Privacy. Any LGU who violates the Data Privacy Act of 
2012 shall be penalized in accordance with such Act.
(ii) 
Violation of Data Submission Guidelines. LGUs, through the CHDs, shall 
provide the CDC, in a timely and most expeditious manner, with available 
health and technical data relevant to the prevention and control of 
diseases. The penalties stipulated under Section 10 of the Mandatory 
Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health 
Concern Act shall apply for non-submission of data.
ARTICLE VI
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
SEC. 18. Progressive Realization. — The CDC, in coordination with the DOH 
and LGUs, shall craft a multi-year plan to ensure the timely implementation and 
progressive realization of the objectives of this Act. Towards this end, the multi-year 
plan shall include, but not be limited, to:
(a) 
Requiring that every province and city-wide health system have full-time DSOs,
without prejudice to the need for DSOs in municipalities, as may be deemed
necessary; and
(b) 
Establishing SNLs in North Luzon, NCR and Central Luzon, South Luzon,
Visayas, and Mindanao as mandated under this Act; and
(c) 
Establishing RPHLs in designated regions as mandated under this Act.
The DOH, upon coordination with the CDC, shall 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 for local budget allocation, the LGUs shall 
also appropriate the necessary funds to ensure the proper implementation of this Act, 
in relation to their devolved functions under the UHC Act and other existing laws.
SEC. 19. Engagement ofBalik Scientists and Foreign Experts. — The CDC 
may engage Balik Scientists and foreign experts following the terms of reference and 
compensation structure of the Balik Scientist Program.
SEC. 20. Entitlement to Magna Carta Benefits. — Qualified employees of the 
CDC and its attached units shall be covered by Republic Act No. 8439, otherwise 
known as the “Magna Carta for Scientists, Engineers, Researchers and Other Science 
and Technology Personnel in Government.”
SEC. 21. Technical Skills and Training. — The CDC and the DOH shall 
coordinate with the Commission on Higher Education and the Technical Education 
and Skills Development Authority to develop programs or courses to ensure that there 
are available professionals and skilled personnel necessary to meet the demands of
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the implementation of this Act.
SEC. 22. Annual Report. — The CDC shall submit to Congress an annual 
report containing an evaluation of the current and emerging threats to health in the 
country and progress to IHR commitments, and initiatives undertaken to address these 
and recommend legislative measures as may be necessary.
SEC. 23. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the initial 
implementation of this Act shall be taken from the current fiscal year's appropriation of 
the offices and agency/ies absorbed by the CDC as provided under this Act. 
Thereafter, the amount needed for the operation and maintenance of the CDC shall 
be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
SEC. 24. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The DOH shall 
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations within ninety (90) days from the 
effectivity of this Act.
SEC. 25. 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. 26. 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. 27. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
following its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation.
Approved,
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