Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19TH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ___ 
Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero 
 EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Under Republic Act No. 9271 or the Quarantine Act of 2004, The Bureau of 
Quarantine (BOQ) under the Department of Health (DOH), with the category 
of a first-class line bureau, shall have a nationwide scope of function and 
international commitment in accord with the International Health Regulations 
(IHR) of the world Health Organization (WHO). 
The examination at ports of entry and exit in the Philippines of incoming and 
outgoing vessels and aircraft, the necessary surveillance over their sanitary 
conditions, as well as over their cargoes, passengers, crews, and all personal 
effects, and the issuance of quarantine certificates, bills of health or other 
equivalent documents shall be vested in and be conducted by the Bureau.  
This Bureau shall have authority over incoming vessels and outgoing vessels 
both domestic and foreign, including those of the army and navy, their wharfage 
and anchorage, and over aircraft and airports, insofar as it is necessary for the 
proper enforcement of the provisions of this Act. 
This House Bill seeks to provide Modernization Funding to the Bureau of 
Quarantine (BOQ), to augment local and international health surveillance in the
prevention of the spread of global diseases. 
October 24, 2022
8:06 am
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Thus, the early passage of this bill is earnestly requested. 
MICHAEL L. ROMERO 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19TH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ___ 
Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR MODERNIZATION FUNDINGFOR THE BUREAU 
OF QUARANTINE (BOQ), INCREASING AND REORGANIZING ITS 
ADMINISTRATION, TO PROMOTE LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL 
HEALTH SURVEILLANCE, TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF GLOBAL 
DISEASES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. 
DECLARATION OF POLICY – It shall hereby be a 
declared policy of the State that the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ), under the 
Republic 
Act 
No. 
9271 
or 
the 
Quarantine 
Act 
of 
2004, 
a first-class line bureau of the Department of Health (DOH) mandated to ensure 
security against the introduction of and spread of infectious diseases, emerging 
diseases and public health emergencies of international concern. 
The state shall endeavor to live by the established core values of the BOQ 
and adapt the appropriate technology in the fight against infectious and 
emerging diseases, and other health emergencies. 
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The state shall continually improve the effectiveness of our Quality 
Management System towards equitable development for improved quality of life 
for all. 
The state shall formulate policies for the efficient and effective administration 
and management of all manpower, skills and competencies to ensure 
compliance. 
SECTION 
2. 
MODERNIZATION FUNDING. – The amount of Five 
Hundred Million Pesos (Php 500,000,000.00) for the operation and 
administration of the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) shall be chargeable against 
funds for the purpose and other sources recommended by the Department of 
Budget and Management (DBM). Thereafter, appropriations for the Bureau of 
Quarantine (BOQ) shall be included in the budget proposals under the 
Department of Health (DOH). 
 
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) shall rationalize the existing 
organizational structure and staffing pattern of the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) 
in accordance with the provisions of this Act and relevant compensation and 
position classification laws, rules and regulations. 
Thereafter, the amount needed for the continued implementation of the 
modernization program, shall be included in the annual General Appropriations 
Act (GAA). 
SECTION 
3. 
BUREAU OF QUARANTINE (BOQ) MODERNIZATION 
FUND – There is hereby created the (BOQ) Modernization Fund to be used 
exclusively for the (BOQ) Modernization Program. 
The (BOQ) Modernization Fund shall be administered by the Secretary of the DOH 
in accordance with existing government budgeting, accounting and auditing 
rules and regulations. 


SECTION 
4. 
PROGRESS REPORT – The Secretary of DOH shall 
prepare an annual report on the status of the implementation of the (BOQ) 
Modernization Programs which shall be submitted, to the Office of the President 
and to the Chairpersons of the Committee on Health of the Senate and the House 
of Representatives. 
SECTION 
5. 
PERIOD OF IMPLEMENTATION – The modernization 
program under this Act shall be implemented for an initial period of two (2) 
years:  
Provided, that payments for multi-year contract obligations incurred 
under this Act may extend beyond this period:  
Provided, further, That the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) shall continue to 
develop, modernize and constantly update its operational capabilities to keep 
pace with best global practices. 
SECTION 
6. 
POWERS 
AND 
FUNCTIONS. – 
The 
Bureau 
of 
Quarantine (BOQ) shall continue to exercise and uphold the following powers 
and functions; but not limited to: 
To prevent international spread of diseases of global impact with minimum 
interference to international travel and trade through: 
a) Effective surveillance and control measures on infectious 
diseases and other health concerns with global impact through 
local and international networking.  
b) Strong and comprehensive national sanitation programs in all 
seaports and airports of entry in partnership with local 
counterparts. 
c) Partnerships in research and development. 
 


SECTION 
7. 
INCREASE OF PERSONNEL. – The BOQ shall maintain 
the sufficient staffing pattern. Hence, it is authorized to increase its manpower 
to meet such required and may continue to increase personnel per percentage 
rate increase of committed mandates annually or as the need arises. 
SECTION 
8. 
TRANSITORY 
PROVISION – 
Existing 
industries, 
businesses and offices affected by the implementation of this Act shall be given 
six (6) months transitory period from the effectivity of the IRR or such other 
period as may be determined, to comply with the requirements of this Act. 
SECTION 
9. 
IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS. – The 
departments and agencies charged with carrying out the provisions of this Act 
shall, within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act, formulate the 
necessary rules and regulations for its effective implementation. 
SECTION 
10. 
REPEALING CLAUSE. – All laws, decrees, executive 
orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions 
of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 
11. 
SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. – If, for any reason, any 
section or provision of this Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, the other 
sections or provisions hereof shall not be affected thereby. 
SECTION 
12. 
EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE. – This Act shall take effect 
after fifteen (15) days from its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two 
(2) national newspapers of general circulation whichever comes earlier. 
Approved,