Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
riouseBiuNo.     8908
Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero
JEN ACT
STRENGTHENING AND RAHONAIAZING THE REGUIIATORY CAPACITY
oF THE Bt7REAu oF QUARANTINE ®oQ), RENAInNG IT ro pHmlppINE
QUARANnNE AUTHORIur (PQA), AMENDING CERTAIN SECTloNS oF
REptJBHC ACT 9271 qIA 9271), AND APFROPRIATING FUNDS THEREOF.
ERTI-ANATORY NOTE
The State is mandated to promote the health and wen-being of every Fhipino,  at
enshrined in Article 2. Sec.15 Of the Philippine Constitution which provide that:
"Section 15. The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people
and instill health consciousness among them."
It has been observed that there is a three to five-year trend in the occurrence of Pubhc
Health Emergency of International Concerm and Pandemic over a rapidiy increasing
connectivity   among  people,   trade   and  modern  technology  which  pohcies   and
regulations must adopt
In its effort to protect the public from threat of health emergency and pandemic, there
is  a  need  to  strengthen  the  regulatory  power  and  coverage  of  the  Bureau  of
Quarantine with due consideration of the rapidiy expanding trade and travel in the
country.
Such   regulatory  framework   must  be   aligned  with   the   International   Health
Regulation of the World Health Organization in Integrated Vector Management and
for easy prevention, containment and mitigation considering from SARS to COVID
19 all outbreaks are of Zoonotic origin.


Moreover, all hazard approach in detection and prevention of spread Of diseases and
pubHc  health  risk  to  must  also  be  harmonized  with  the  International  Health
Regulation of the World Health Organization.
On a local scale, a standardize protocol on quarantine, isolation, quarantine lockdown
nationwide may be included in the Regulatory mandate of the Bureau in order to
manage resources and not to overwhelm hospital by not using hospital facility, and
completely  containing  exposed  individual  prior  to  manifestation  of  signs  and
symptoms.
In the same hght there is a need to harmonize with other existing new laws such as
Republic Act No.  10611,  The  New Food  Safety Law.  and nationalize  as  well the
implementation  of Quarantine  laws  particularly  dung pandemic.  In  view  of the


HoURseEu3ECRo:ihReEPsFfupifus
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Se8rion
IiouseBinNo.    8908
Introduced by Representative REchael L. Romero
JEN ACT
STRENGTHENING AND RATIONAIAZING THE REGt]I[AroRy cAPACITy
OF THE BUREAu OF QUARANTINE a3OQ), RENAImtG IT ro pHILlppINE
QUARANHNE AtJTHORITY (PQA), AMENDING CERTAIN SECTIONS OF
REpuBHc ACT 9271 aIA 9271), AND AppROpRIAmNG FUNDs THEREOF.
Be it enacted by the  Senate  and House  of Representatives  of the  Philippines in
Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. fl.£je. - 'This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Quarantine Authority
Act of 2022"
SECTION 2. CHaz]ge ofIvazzze. - The Bureau of Quarantine is hereby renamed as the
Philippine Quarantine Authority (PQA).
SECTION 3. I)ec/aziadr.or afpch.er.es. - It is the declared pohcy of the State to improve
the ddivery of health care services to the people, and to protect the people from pubhc
health threats during public health emergencies through the efficient and effective
response  system  for  emerging  and  re-emerging  infectious  diseases,  diseases  for
elimination  and  eradication,  epidemics,  and  health  events,  including  chemical,
biological,   radio-nuclear   and   environmental   agents   of  pubhc  health   concern.
Pursuant to this pohcy, the State must enhance the regulatory policy to strengthen
its capability with regard to the inspection, surveillance, apprehension, and detention
of any pubhc health threats.
giHfITl!OIN 4. Reinstitution of Military Rank of Commissioned Of f icers oif the PQA. -
The  Director  General  shall  have  the  rank  of Rear  Admiral  or  higher  and  all
quarantine medical officers, including other allied health officers, under hin shall
have  the  ranks  of  Commodore,  Captain,  Commander,  Lieutenant  Commander,
Lieutenant (senior grade), Lieutenant ¢unior grade). Such quarantine officers shall


be commissioned by the President, upon the recommendation of the Director General
of the POA with the approval of the Secretary of Health
SECTION 5. Sections 3 to 5 of Republic Act (RA) No. 9271, known as the Quarantine
Act of 2004, are hereby amended to read as follows:
SECHON 5. cJzzrI.sdi.cfr.oLzzs Of fbe Pod. - The fonowing are the jurisdictions Of
the PQA:
a.  The examination at points of entry and exit in the Philippines of incoming
and outgoing vessels and aircrafts, 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;
b.  The examination of interisland ports of entry and exit in the Philippines of
incoming and outgoing vessels and aircrafts, their sanitary conditions, and
the  necessary  surveillance  on  passengers  and  crew.  In  the  event  of
quarantine certificates, bills of threat, examination over their cargoes, all
personal effects, the issuance of quarantine certificates, bins of health, or
other equivalent  documents  shall be vested in  and be conducted by the
PQA;
c.   The PQA shall have jurisdiction over incoming and outgoing vessels and
aircrafts,  both  domestic  and  foreign,  private  and  government-owned,
including those of the armed forces;
d.  Authority over quarantine stations nationwide;
e.   The  wharfage,  seaport,  and  airport  terminals,  including the  400-meter
controlled perimeter for vector management program;
f.   Food service estabhshments, service provider for food and water supplies
at seaport and airport terminals and inside perimeter; and
9.  Authority over designated national quarantine facilities for international
travelers.
SECTION 6. -Section 2 of RA No. 9271, is hereby amended to read as follows:
SECTION 6. Powers azzc7 Fur2ctl.oHs. - The PQA, with the category of a first-
class line agency under the Department of Health, shall have the following
powers and functions:
a.  A nationwide scope of functions and international commitment in accord
with  the  International  Health  Regulations  (IHR)  of the  World  Health
Organization;
b.  Authority  to  conduct  surveillance,  apprehension,  and  detention  of any
individuals and goods considered as imminent public health threat;


c.   Authority to uphold preventive care to travelers by formulating policies and
guidelines  on  core  components  of  travel  medicine  and  code  of  ethical
practice of travel medicine in the country;
d.  Authority to establish and maintain quarantine facihities nationwide with
international p orts;
e.   To grant, within its capabilities and consistent with its mandate, request
for assistance  of other  government agencies in the performance of their
functions;
f.   Authority to detain and hold all passengers, vessels, aircrafts, and cargoes
found violating quarantine laws of the Philippines; and
9.  To perform such other functions that may be necessary in the attainment
of the objectives of this Act.
SEicyTI:OIN 1. The Director General and Other Offcers OfpQA. - The I:oHLon`ring are the
officers of PQA and their qualifications:
a.  The   PA   shall   be   headed   by   a   Director   General,   with   the   rank   of
Undersecretary, who must be a Doctor of Medicine, preferably with a relevant
master's degree in pubhc health. In addition, he or she shall have management
experience  in   his   or  her  field  or   discipline   or  profession   and  in   any
development, surveillance, or regulatory work as covered in this Act.
b.  The Director General shall be assisted by two (2) Deputy Director Generals,
one  for  Field  Regulatory  Operations  and  another  for  Admiristration  and
Finance.
c.   The Director General and Deputy Director Generals shall be appointed by the
President of the Republic of the Philippines from among the flag officers in the
PQA.
d.  The Deputy Director General for Field Regulatory Operations of the PQA, with
the rank of Assistant Undersecretary, must be a Doctor of Medicine, preferably
with a relevant master's degree in public health. In addition, he or she shall
have management experience in his or her field or discipline or profession and
in any development, surveillance, or regulatory work as covered in this Act.
e.   The Deputy Director General for Administration and Finance of the PQA, with
the rank of assistant secretary, shall be a lawyer, certified public accountant
or shall possess a master's degree in accounting, management, economics or
any business course, and have management experience in a position related to
his or her field of discipline or profession.
f.   Each field operation cluster and finance and administrative cluster shall be
headed by a Director who  shall be  assisted by an  assistant director.  These
directors  shall be  appointed by the  President upon the recommendation of
Secretary of Health.
9.   The existing Directors  and Division Chiefi5  shall be given preference in the
appointment as Deputy Director General, provided that if the current officers
of the QA applying for the above positions lack the required third level civil
service eligibility, they will have to comply with the said requirement within


three (3) years from the appointment, otherwise their appointment shall be
revoked inmediately;
h.  The Director General shall control, direct and manage all quarantine stations,
grounds, anchorages and designate their boundaries. With the approval of the
Secretary of Health, he shall estabhsh such additional quarantine stations,
grounds and anchorages. The Director General, in the same manner, may also
order   the   closure   of  non-functional   quarantine   stations,   grounds   and
anchorages; and
i.   The Director General has the authority to appoint personnel from assistant
director and below, as deemed necessary.
SECTION 8. Section 7 of RA No. 9271 is hereby amended to read as follows:
E5EfyTI!OIN 8. Quarantine Documentary Requirements and Bills of Health. -
a.  All  vessels  or  aircraft  from  foreign  ports  arriving  at  any  port  of the
Philippines shall be required to submit the required maritime declaration
of health and general dedaration and other documents as prescribed by the
regulations;
b.  All ocean-going vessels or international aircraft from foreign seaports or
airports calling at any seaport or airport in the Philippines to disembark its
passengers Or  discharge its  cargo,  or for  other purposes must  secure  a
quarantine  clearance  in  compliance  with  the  health  regulations.  This
quarantine  certificate  or  clearance  (Pratique)  shall be  a prerequisite  to
customs clearance;
c.   After comphance with the quarantine laws and regulations, all vessels or
aircraft  leaving  any  seaport  or  airport  of the  Philippines  shall  secure
quarantine outgoing clearance. This certificate or clearance shall also be a
prerequisite to customs clearance of outgoing vessels and aircraft;
d.  Compliance with the quarantine laws and regulations, all vessels or aircraft
entering and leaving any domestic seaport or  airport of the Philippines
shall  secure  quarantine  documents  during  outbreak  or  regional  public
health emergency;
e.   Comphance with the quarantine laws and regulations of all Filipinos and
Non-Fhipinos, to secure bills of health during outbreak or national public
health emergency for local and international travel; and
f.   Compliance   with   other   documents   required   by   WHO    and   other
international and national regulatory bodies.
SECTION 9. Section 8 of RA No. 9271 is hereby amended to read as follows:
SECTION 9. Pemal£I.es.  -
a.  Penalties for persons violating quarantine laws


Any person who violates any of the provisions of this Act or whoever enters or
departs from the linits of any quarantine stations,  grounds or anchorages
which disregard the quarantine rules and regulations or without permission of
the quarantine officer in charge, shall be punished by a fine of not less than
Php50,000.00 but not more than P 100,000.00, or by imprisonment of not more
than one (1) year, or both, at the discretion of the court.
b.  Penalties for vessels or aircrafts violating quarantine laws
Any vessel or aircraft which violates any of the provisions of this Act, or which
enters within or departs from the limits of any quarantine stations, grounds,
or  anchorages,  which  disregard  the  quarantine  rules  and  regulations  or
without permission of the quarantine officer- in- charge, shall forfeit to the
Philippines not less than Php500,000.00 but not more than Php 1,000,000.000
at the discretion of the court. If the violation is committed by a corporation,
firm,  partnership,  cooperative,  association  or  any other entity,  the penalty
shall be imposed upon the guilty office or offices and such corporation, firm,
partnership, association, or entity.
c.   Administrative penalties
The PQA shall, motu proprio or upon a complaint or charge by any individual,
corporation, association, or organization, against any vessel or aircraft or any
of  its  personnel  that/who  has  violated  the  provisions   of  this  Act,   its
Implementing Rules  and Regulations and quarantine laws, investigate and
verify the complaint or charge against such vessel or aircraft or its personnel.
The  Implementing  Rules  and  Regulations  of  this  Act  shall  provide  the
administrative sanctions.
SEcyTloIN 10. Fees and Other Incomes -
a.  Upon the sole approval of the Secretary of Health, the authorization and other
fees shall be reviewed by the PQA every three (3) years.
b.  There  shall be  determined  and constituted additional fees  such  as  sale  of
publications and services, assessment fees, fines, penalties, and other fees and
charges  outside  the  usual  fees  such  as  but  not  himited  to  vaccination,
laboratory. quarantine permits; to be known as "other related regulatory fees"
c.   The Director General of the PQA, upon approval of the Secretary of Health,
shall  be  authorized  to  promulgate  rules  and  regulations  governing  the
collection of the "other related regulatory fees".
SECTION.11. Section 9 of RA No. 9271 is hereby amended as follows:
SECTION  11.  4zzfdoLH`£j7  £o  I/tizzze  Jz2cormes.  -  All  incomes  allowed  to  be
retained and deposited in  an  authorized government  depository bank  as  a


special regulatory fund. Any interest earned by such fund shall form part of
the retained income. Such fund shall be used primarily to augment the MOOE
and Capital Outlay requirements.
SECTION  12.  4zxpropz].adr.ons.  -  The  amount  necessary  to  establish  and  operate
quarantine   facilities   and   stations   shall  be  included  in   the   annual   General
Appropriations Act.
SECTION 13. Section 10 of RA No. 9271 is hereby amended to read as follows:
S5EaH:LOIN   ±8.   Implementing  Rules  and  Regulations.   -   Tlne  PQA  chall
promulgate the inplementing rules and regulations of this Act within sixty
(60) days after the enactment of this Act.
SECTION.  14.  Separab!ZZZ+y Cyazrse. - In the event any provision of this Act or the
appHcation of such provision to any person or circumstances is declared invalid, the
remainder  of this  Act  or  the  application  of said  provisions  to  other  persons  or
circumstances shall not be affected by such declaration.
SECTION   15.   I?epcazing  Cyazzse.   -   All   acts   regarding  quarantine   rules   and
regulations not consistent with this Act are hereby repealed
SECTION  16.  E#ectl.FT./y.  - This  Act  shall  take  effect  fifteen  (15)  days  after  its
complete pubHcation in the Official Gazette or at least two (2) national newspapers
of general circulation.
Approved.