Republic of the PhiHppines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTII CONGRESS
First Regular Session
Hou;`e.Bflfuo.5992
Introduced by Representative Ma]jorie Arm ``Maan" A. Teodoro
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This bill seeks to establish the Philippine Center for Disease Prevention and Control
(CDC) to act as the primary agency responsible for moritoring communicable diseases that
may put Filipinos at risk towards their health and the health of the country's economy.
When the Coronavirus Disease stmck in 2020, the country was unsure on what to do;
different government agencies issued their own and somewhat confusing policies that only
frustrated   the   civilians.   Furthermore,   there   were   duplication   in   functions,   undear
assignments, lack of manpower and miscommunications. h spite Of that, it was a good call
from the government to put the entire country under lockdown as it saved thousands of lives.
But then on July 2022, the country had its first confirmed monkeypox case. It may not be as
transmissibleasCOVID-19butitsexistenceonceagainstiHedfearamongstFilipinosthinking
that it will spread like covid.
TheDepartmentofHealthhasbeenimmenselyd€Hvi`€i'inmgtheirmandatefordecades,
but the agency's response to the pandemic was slow for they still did not know what to do
given the lack of information of what the virus was, how to stop its spread and how to treat
thosewhomaypossiblybeinfectedbyit.Itwasevidentthattherewaslackofpoliciesfocused
on communicable diseases. Therefore, with the establishment of the Philippine Center for
Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), we hope to immediately address possible infectious
diseasethatmayonceagainattackus.Wehavetogiveequalimportancetotreatingbothnon-
communicable   diseases  and  communicable   diseases:   Non-communicable   diseases  like
diabetes, heart diseases, cancer, and more are life threatening and are considered as global
health  threats,  hence,  most  health  agencies  focus  on  its  research  and  treatment.  Yet,
communicable diseases are as fatal as they multiply exponentially. They may be transmitted
from one person to another through bodily contacts, airborne, contact with blood or bodily
fluids, or respiratory droplets. It may only bring mild cases to others but to those who have
existing medical conditions, they are life threatening.
Our experience with COVID-19 is enough proof that there is an immediate need to
establish the Philippine Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) in the country,
especially since medical experts believed that in 25 years, another infectious disease believed


tobemoreviralthanCOVID-19mightmateriaHze.Wemustensurethathistorywiunotrepeat
itself.
Dr.   Edsel   Salvana,   the   Director   of   the   Institute   of   Molecular   Biology   and
Biotechnology at the National hstitutes of Health at the University of the Philippines-Manila
said that the Philippine CDC would help '`centralize the country's response to emerging
inectious diseases threats" and there will be swift coordination with other concerned agencies
of relevant information vital to handling health emergencies. Under this bill, CDC will absorb
the  Epidemiology  Bureau,  the  Research  Institute  for  Tropical  Medicine,  the  Sexually
Transmitted   Disease  -  Acquired   Immune   Deficiency  Syndrome   Cooperative   Central
Laboratory, selected functions of the International Health Surveillance mvision of the Bureau
of Quarantine. In this way, clearer policies and fast coordination will be institutionalized and
spreadoffakenewswillbeprevented.Itwilllikewisestrengthenourpublichealthemergency
preparedness and response to hopefully prevent future casualties.
This is a re-filed bill from the 18th Congress. Therefore, in view Of the foregoing, this
bill is earnestly sougivt.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTII CONGRESS
First Regular Session
•`r`,.1r        5992
HouseBriitNo.
Introduced by Representative Marjorie Ann '`Maan" A. Teodoro
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE MODERNIZATION 0F THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY
PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE CAPABILITIES, ESTABLISHING FOR THIS
PURPOSE THE CENTER FOR DISEASE PREVENTION AND CONTROL, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Seiiate and House Of Rapresentatives Of the Philippines in Congress assembled..
SECTION 1.  Short Title. This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Center 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 the people and instill health consciousness among them. The State also mandates the
adoption of an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development.
Towards  this  end,  the  State  shall  give  high  priority  to  the  allocation  of  material  and
institutional resources to protect public health by ensuring that the Philippine health system
is well-prepared to forecast, prevent, monitor, and control diseases, injuries, and disabilities
both of national and international concern.
SEC. 3, Definition of Terms. As used in this Act:
(a) Cof7imw#I.cobJe Dz.se#se, also known as co#togI.ows dz.sense, refers to an illness resulting from
an infection, or a disease, which can be transmitted from an infected host individual or group
to a particular individual or group. It spreads through direct, bodily contact with an infected
person, their discharges, or an object or surface they have contaminated;
a)  D[.scase refers to an illness due to a specific toxic substance, occupational exposure or
infectious agent, which affects a susceptible individual, either directly or indirectly, from an
infected  animal  or  person,  or  indirectly  through  an  intermediate  host,  vector,  or  the
envirorment;


(c)   Diseflse   S#rz)cl.JJ¢7ice   refers   to   a   systematic   couection,   analysis,   interpretation,   and
dissemination of outcome and specific data for use in the planning, implementation, and
evaluation of public health practice. 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 disease prevention and control activities;
(d)£pl.de77!jcoro#fbre4kreferstoanoccurrenceofmorecasesofdiseasethannormallyexpected
within a specific place or group of people over a given period of time;
(e) ha/gcf I.ot4s dz.se4se refers to a clinically manifested disease Of humans or animals resulting
from an infection which can be communicable or non-communicable;
(f) PwbJ!.c HcazfJ{ £ff€eger7zey refers to an occurrence or imminent threat of an illness or health
condition that:
(1) Is caused by any of the following:
(i) Bio terrorism;
(ii) Appearance of a novel or previously controlled or eradicated infectious agent or
biological toxin;
(iii) A natural disaster;
(iv) A chemical attaack or accidental release;
(v) A nuclear attack or accident; or
(vi) An attack or accidental release of radioactive materials; and
(2) Poses a high probability of any of the following:
(i) A large number of deaths in the affected population;
(ii)  A  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;
(g) Qt"rq7ifilte refers to the physical separation and confinement of an individual or groups of
individuals,whoareormayhavebeenexposedtoacontagiousorpossiblycontatlousdisease
and who do not show signs or symptoms of a contagious disease, from non-quarantined
individuals, to prevent or limit the transmission of the disease.
SEC.  4.  Creation  of  the  Philippine  Center  for  Disease  Prevention  and  Control.  The
Philippine Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) is hereby created as an attached
agency to the Department of Health (DOH) for policy and program coordination.
SEC. 5. Powers, Functions, and Duties. The CDC shall be the technical authority on all
matters regarding disease prevention and control. To carry out the provisions of this Act, the
CDC shall have the following powers, functions, and duties:


(a) Policy and Standards Development:
(1) Provide technical guidance to the development of policies, programs, standards,
guidelines, and mohitoring and evaluation systems on the forecasting, prevention,
monitoring,  and control of diseases, injuries, and disabilities both of national and
international concern;
(2)  Set the standards  and  the process for the establishment of Epidemiology and
Surveillance Units or its corresponding surveillance reporting units, pursuantto law;
(3)Providequalityassuranceprogramstoensurethequalityoftestingforlaboratories;
(4) Conduct researches for development in support of the CDC mandate to forecast,
prevent, monitor, and control diseases, injuries, and disabilities both of national and
international concern;
(5) Recommend to the President, through the DOH Secretary, the dedaration of a state
ofpublichealthemergency,incaseofanepidemicofnationalorintemationalconcem;
and
(6) Set the parameters for the declaration of the existence as well as the end of an
epidemic.
a) Capacity Building and Technical Assistance:
(1) Develop, implement, and maintain training programs on specialized fields such as
field epidemiology, health emergency of biological, laboratory services, infectious and
tropical diseases, and non-communicable diseases;
(2) Assess and support the capabiuties of health facilities and local government units
(LGUs) on forecasting, preventing, monitoring, and controlling diseases, injuries, and
disabilities both of national and international concern; and
(3) Provide technical assistance and expert services to DOH offices, and couaborating
andimplementingagenciesorofficesonmatterspertainingtoforecasting,preventing,
monitoring, and controlling diseases, injuries, and controlling diseases, injuries, and
disabilities both of national and international concern.
(c) Sectoral and Local Engagements:
(1) Promote coordination and collaboration with partner agencies and orgahizatious
on matters pertaining to CDC mandate;
(2)   Coordinate,   collaborate,   and   disseminate   relevant   scientific   and   technical
information in a timely manner with partner agencies and intemational and local
organizations on matters pertaining to CDC mandate; and
(3) Disseminate relevant scientific and technical information in a timely manner with
partner agencies, and international and local organizations on matters pertaining to
CDC mandate.


(d) Surveillance:
(1) Develop, implement, and maintain an integrated surveillance system of diseases,
injuries, and disabilities;
(2) Provide technical guidance on the development, implementation and maintenance,
and  monitoring  of health sytem  capacity such a§  operational  capacities  of health
facilities, and performance management of the response systems, in terms of contact
tracing, quarantine, isolation, and other significant population-based health servicesl
(3)   Investigate   and   respond   throuch   surveillance   and   disease   notification,
investigation, and conduct of field studies and research to outbreaks, epidemics, and
other public health threats as the need arises;
(4)  Develop  and  maintain  a  network  of  public  health  laboratories  in  support  of
epidemiology and surveillance activities;
(5) Facilitate the issuance of appropriate warrings to the regional CDC and health
facilities in anticipation of impending public health threats and infectious disease
outbreak;
(6)   Utilize   various   Information   and   Communication   Technologies   (ICI')   in
management of  data  and  dissemination of early  waming  and  other  appropriate
information to stakeholders and the public; and
(7)  Develop  communication  methods  for  wider  and  more  effective  and  unified
delivery   of   critical   public   health   information   with   national   or   international
importance.
(e) Provide technical guidance on the procurement of vaccines, drugs, and diagnostics;
(f)  Provide technical  guidance  on  the monitoring  and  evaluation framework  for  disease
prevention and control;
(g) Certify to the existence of an epidemic which shall be treated as a public health emergency;
and,
th) Perform such other functions as may be mandated by law, or as may be duly delegated by
relevant authorities.
SEC. 6. Director General. The CDC shall be headed by a Director General with a rank of
Undersecretary, who shall be assisted by two (2) Deputy Directors General with a rank of
Assistant  Secretary.  The  Director  General  and  the  Deputy  Directors  General  shall  be
appointed by the President from a list of at least three (3) nominees for each position to be
submitted by the DOH Secretary. The Director General and Deputy Directors General shall
have at least ten (10) years of relevant experience and proven expertise in the fields of pubnc
health and epidemiology.
The Director General shall have the following powers and functions:
(a) Manage and direct the activities and functions of the CDC;


(b) Advise the DOH Secretary on policy matters concerning the Center's activities;
(c) Recommend to the President, through the DOH Secretary, the exercise of special
powers in case of an epidemic, including the dedaration of a public health emergency;
(d)  Act  as  the  national  international  Health  Regulations  Focal  Point,  subject  to
consultation with DOH; and
(e) Perform other functions and powers that may be assigned by the DOH Secretary.
SEC. 7. Transfer of DOH Units and Functions. The fouowing DOH units and their concerned
divisions and functions are hereby transferred to the CDC:
(a) Epidemiology Bureau'
a) Research Institute for Tropical Medicine;
(c)  Sexually Transmitted Disease  - Acquired  Immune  Deficieney Syndrome  Cooperative
Central Lab oratory;
(d)  Select  functions  of  the  International  Health  Surveillance  Division  of  the  Bureau  of
Quarantine as follows:
(1 ) Passive international health surveillance; and
(2) Development of communication methods for wider and more effective delivery of
critical public health information with international importance.
(e) Technical and standard setting functions of the Disease Prevention and Control Bureau
including that of the Mental Health Division, Cancer Division and Oral Health Division.
All powers, functions, assets, capital, records, funds, receivables, equipment and facilities of
the transferred DOH units or its division or function enumerated herein shall be transferred
to  the  CDC.  The Department of Health shall  conduct an  audit and  inventory  of assets,
liabilities  and  human  resources  of  the  transferred  agencies  to  CDC  without  need  of
conveyance or transfer of assignments.
SEC. 8. Regional Centers for Disease Prevention and Control. There shall be established
Regional Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (RCDCs) in all regions of the country.
Each  Regional  CDC  shall  be  headed  by  a  Regional  Director,  who  shall  be  under  the
supervision of the CDC "rector General.
The functions of RCDCs include:
(a) Prevention, control, and surveiuance of diseases;
a) Provision of laboratory services for detection and identification of infectious disease
agents from human, environmental samples, and food;
(c) Maintenance of an integrated data management system;


(d)  Implementation  of  quality  assurance  programs  for  clinical  and  environmental
laboratories through training, consultation, certification and proficieney testing;
(e) Policy development;
(0 Emergency response;
(g) Public health-related research;
(h) Training and education;
(i) Maintenance of infectious disease hospitals for referral and management of cases;
0) Establishment of strong communication networks; and
a() Other functions that may be assigned by the Director General.
The RCDCs shall be composed of specialists in the fields of infectious diseases, public health,
epidemiology and sinilar fields.
SEC. 9. Stnicture and Staffing Pattern. -
(a) The CDC shall initially have the following offices, each to be headed by an officer with the
salary and rank of Director IV:
(1 ) Center for Epidemic htelligence and Disease Survemance;
(2) Center for Research, Training, and Reference Laboratory;
(3) Center for Infectious Disease Emergency Preparedness and Response;
(4) Center for Policy and Program Development;
(5) Communications Office; and
(6) Administrative and Finance Office.
a) The CDC Director General, subject to the issuance of an executive order ty the President
and approval Of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), may create or abolish
units, offices, or centers as needed to carry out all provisions of this Act.
(c) The CDC Director General, in consultation with the DOH and the DBM, shall:
(1) Develop the organizational stnicture of the CDC at the national, regional, and local
levels;
(2) Deternrine the divisions and specific functions of each unit, center, or office of the
CDC; and
(3) Determine the staffing pattern, qualification standards, compensation, and position
classification plan for the CDC subject to the approval of the Civil Service Commission
(CSC)  and the DBM.


SEC.  10.  Qualifications Standards for Appointment and Promotion.  The DOH shall, in
consultation  with  the  CSC,  and  pertinent  agencies  as  may  be  necessary,  develop  the
qualification standards in terms of education, training and experience for all technical and
non-technical positions in the CDC, and the system for promotion and succession plan in the
CDC.
SEC.  11.  Continuing  Competeney  Development  Program.  The  CDC  shall,  through  the
Director General,  devise and implement a  continuing competency development program
whereby all core personnel shall be required to update and enrich competencies through
attendance in programs, studies, researches, fellowships, workshops,  seminars,  including
training  opportunities  in   reputable   foreign   CDCs.   Compliance  with   the   Continuing
Competency Development Program shall be the mandatory basis for promotion within the
CDC. The CDC shall develop mechanisms to tap funding opportunities to implement its
Continuing Competency Development Program.
SEC. 12. Modernization Program. The Director General shall, in consultation with the DOH
and other concerned agencies of government and the private sector, develop a modemization
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   indude   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 after 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 in a joint resolution of the House of
Representatives and the Senate.
The modemization program shall be implemented over a period of five (5) years.
Appropriations for the modemization program shall be provided in the annual General
Appropriations Act (GAA).
SEC. 16. Strengthened Epidemiology, Public Health Surveillance, and Research Capacities.
To  ensure  that  epidemiology  and  public  health  surveillance  services  are  efficient  and
responsive,  and  public health  surveillance  and  research  capacities  are  strengthened  and
updated to international standards, the CDC shall:
(a) Prioritize investments in upgrading of ICT and adequate and capacitated human resources
for epidemiology, public health surveillance, and public health and clinical research;
a))HaveapremierfacilityforclirLicallaboratory,epidemiologicandimplementationresearch,
and tranining on infectious and tropical diseases;
(c)  Develop  performance-based  incentives  to  private  health  facilities  with  established
epidemiology and surveillance functions;


(d) Re-nationalize local epidemiology and surveiuance units (LESUs) that will solely provide
epidemiology and disease surveillance services and provide assistance to the LGUs in the
establishment and maintenance of surveillance systems, data management, and generation of
strategic epiderfuologic information: ProzJ!.ded, That the DOH, CDC, and DBM, shall develop
the staffing pattern and qualification standards: ProzJt.did ¢r#!cr, That LESUs shall be under
the direct supervision and control of the Regional CDCs;
(e) Retain and provide incentives to technical experts, practitioners and scientists, whereby
the scientific career system is adopted, allowing them to continue their respective clinical and
professional  practice  to  pursue  research  studies  and  receive  grants  and  honoraria,  in
consultation with the CSC. Qualified employees of the CDC and its attached units shall be
covered  by  Republic  Act  No.  8439,  otherwise  known  as  `"agna  Carta  for  Scientists,
Engineers, Researchers and Other Science and Technology Personnel in Government;"
(f) Develop and implement training and research programs to develop more experts and
practitioners in the field of epidemiology, and disease prevention and control; and
(g) Develop a mechanism to ensure interoperability and accessibility of surveinance systems.
SEC.  14.  Strengthened  Disease  Surveillance  and  Response.  The  CDC  shall  establish
integrated  disease  surveillance  and  response  systems  utilizing,  whenever  necessary,  all
technologicalmeansavailablewhileensuringthatdataprivaeyandpatientconfidentialityare
maintained.TheCDCandauthorizedpubhichealthauthoritiesshallhavecompleteaccessand
right  to  collect  personal  information  and  other  data,  as  may  be  deemed  necessary  in
fulfinment of their mandate. All data or information and samples collected pursuant thereto
shall be used for public health  concern purposes  only  and  shall be  exempted  from  the
provisions  of  R.A.  No.  10173,  otherwise  known  as  the  ``Data  Privaey  Act  of  2012"  on
accessibility of data.
SEC. 15. National Reference Laboratories. The CDC shall establish a new, state of the art
facility that will serve as the National Reference Laboratory (NRL), unifying all NRLs for
biological, chemical, nuclear and radiologic emergencies under one roof, within 5 years from
the effectivity of this Act: P7.oz)I.ded, That the existing NRLs in the East Avenue Medical Center,
Philippine  Health  Center,  Lung  Center  of the  Philippines,  National  Kidney  Transplant
Institute and San Lazaro Hospital shall continue to be under the respective hospitals: Proz%.dcd
rtyrffeer,  That these  existing NRLs  shall  serve  as  referral  laboratories  of the  CDC  and be
included in the Modernization Program of the CDC.
The  NRL  shall  provide  technical  recommendations,  laboratory  confirmation  services,
training, and external quality assurance, and perform surveillance, outbreak response, kit
evaluation, and research. It shall oversee the functions and performance of the network of
subnational laboratories (SNL).
SNLsshallbeestablishedinallregions,withthecapabilityofconductingconfirmatorytesting
for routine surveillance samples and performing specialized tests. SNLs, whose functions
indude   testing  for  routine   surveillance   and   specialized   tests,   shall  be  under   CDC


administratively. Hospitals housing the SNLs shall create a separate unit for their regular
hospital laboratory needs.
The CDC, throuch the NRLs ad SNLs, shall provide technical guidance and quality assurance
programs to biosafety levels 2, 3 and 4 laboratories in the country, which shall be registered
with, and regulated by the DOH.
SEC. 16. Authority to Solicit, Negotiate, and Receive Donations, Grants, Gift, Legacies,
Endowments,andContributions.TheCDCmaysolicit,negotiatewith,andreceivefromany
pubhic or private domestic or foreign sources legacies, gifts, donations, grants, endowments,
contributionsorothertransfersofownershipand/orpossessionofrealorpersonalproperties
of all kinds in favor and for the benefit of the CDC, which shall be part of the special account
in the general fund managed by the Bureau of Treasury.
The Director General shall prescribe the measures necessary for the proper use, maintenance,
safekeeping, and compliance with the terms and conditions, if any, of said donations, grants,
endowments,contributionsortransfersinaccordancewithpertinentaccountingandauditing
laws, rules and regulations.
SEC. 17. Tax Exemptions. Donations, grants, gifts, endowments, legacies, and contributions
used actually, directly and exclusively for the purpose of the CDC shall be exempt from
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. 34 (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 taLxes.
SEC. 18. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee. There shall be a Joint Congressional
Oversigh Committee on Disease Prevention and Control, jointly chaired by the Chairpersons
of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography,  and the House of Representatives
Committee on Health. It shall be composed of five (5) members from the Senate and five (5)
members from the House of Representatives, to be appointed by the Senate President and the
Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively.
SEC. 19. Appropriations. The initial amount needed for the implementation of this Act shall
be  charged  agains the  current year's  appropriations  of the  offices  and the  RITM herein
absorbed by the CDC. Thereafter, the funding of which shall be included in the armual GAA.
SEC. 20. Transitory Provisions.
(a) Upon effectivity of this Act, the CDC shall develop a Framework for Infectious Diseases
and  Pandemic  Preparedness,  and  prioritize  the  strengthening  of  the  fouowing
functions:
(i) Integrated disease surveillance and response;
(ii) Sentinel surveillance;
(iii) Laboratory-based surveillance;
(iv) Periodic population-based surveillance; and
(v) Preventing transmission of communicable diseases.


a) The CDC shall initially prioritize disease surveillance and prevention and control of
infectious   diseases.   Wihin   five   (5)   years   from   its   creation,   and   upon   positive
recommendation by  an independent  study  or body  commissioned by  the  DOH,  the
surveillance, prevention and control of non-communicable diseases shall be included in its
mandate;
(c)FortheyearduringwhichthisActwasapproved,theunexpendedportionofthebudget
of the offices and units transferred shall be utilized for establishing the CDC and initiating
its operations, including the formulation of the rules and regulations necessary for the
implementation of this Act;
(d) To the greatest extent possible and in accordance with existing laws, all employees of
the affected offices, agencies and units shall be absorbed by the CDC. Personnel hired on a
permanent basis and with appointments attested by the CSC who may be affected by the
transition of DOH units to CDC, or who will not be absorbed in the new positions of the
new staffing pattern of the different offices in the CDC, shall have the option to:
(1) Be transferred to other units or offices within the DOH without reduction in pay;
Or
(2) Avail of the applicable retirement benefits as provided under RA. 6656, entitled
"An Act to Protect the Security of Tenure of Civil Service Officers and Employees in
the Implementation of Government Reorganization" and other relevant laws;
(e) Incumbent DOH officials and employees of affected DOH offices may apply for and be
transferred to the CDC, subject to an evaluation of their competency and CSC regulations;
(f) Research grants acquired during the transition of DOH transferred units to CDC shall
be utilized solely for the grants' intended purposes for each of the affected units or offices,
and shall not be made available for budget realignments;
(g) Existing contracts and agreements entered into by the affected offices with third parties
prior to the enactment of this Act shall remain valid.
The DBM, DOH, and CSC shall issue the implementing guidelines to ensure fair, orderly, and
transparent implementation of paragraphs (e) and (f) of this section.
SEC.  21.  Implementing  Rules  and Regulations.  Within  one hundred  and  twenty  (120)
working  days  from  the  effectivity  of this Act,  the  DOH  Secretary  shall  promulgate  the
necessary rules and regulations for its implementation.
SEC. 22. Separability Clause. If any portion or provision of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, other provisions hereof shall remain in full force and effect.


SEC. 23. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations or other issuances
or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.
SEC.24.Effectivity.TheActshalltakeeffectfifteen(15)daysafteritspublicationintheo#c.`¢J
G¢ze#c or in a newspaper if general circulation.
Approved,