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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3117

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative CHING BERNOS

AN ACT
STRENGTHENING PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS IN THE
PHILIPPINES, PROVIDING FOR A NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY
RESPONSE PLAN, AND MANDATING RELIEF AND RECOVERY MEASURES, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The COVID-19 pandemic caught the Philippines and the rest of the world off guard.
Despite past experiences with the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
outbreak in 2002-2004 and the HIN1 pandemic in 2009, existing public health
safeguards and institutional capacities proved inadequate in preventing the entry
and spread of COVID-19. At its peak, the virus affected over 30 million people
worldwide and claimed more than 900,000 lives. In the Philippines, COVID-19
infected more than 260,000 individuals and resulted in over 4,000 deaths, with more
than 200,000 recoveries.

Beyond the toll on human lives, the pandemic disrupted every aspect of daily living—
economies stalled, small businesses closed, mobility was restricted, and schools were
forced to shift to alternative learning modalities. These cascading effects exposed
critical gaps in our national preparedness for large-scale public health emergencies.

‘As of today, the world continues to face emerging health threats—from the
resurgence of infectious diseases like measles and avian influenza to the rise of novel
viruses such as monkeypox and the JN.1 subvariant of COVID-19. Climate change,
global mobility, urban density, and ecological disruptions further increase the
likelihood of future outbreaks.


In light of these realities, the proposed measure—the SPHERE Bill (Strengthening
Public Health Emergency Response and Engagement)—aims to institutionalize a
comprehensive, proactive, and whole-of-society approach to public health

emergencies.

This bill does not only focus on healthcare response during pandemics but also

provides mechanisms for:

+ Prevention and early detection of emerging threats;
+ Implementation of precautionary and containment measures;
+ Establishment of social and economic relief programs for affected

communities;
+ Efficient and science-based public information campaigns; and
+ Maintenance of peace and order during public health crises.

All of these components will be consolidated under a National Public Health
Emergency Response Plan, a strategic and adaptive blueprint that will enable the
government to respond swiftly and effectively to future emergencies—thereby
minimizing both economic losses and the loss of lives.

More than a health framework, this bill seeks to promote national solidarity and
strengthen our shared values of bayanihan, compassion, and resilience. By fostering
awareness and readiness at all levels of society, it aims to ensure that no Filipino is.
left behind when the next crisis comes.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

CHING BERNOS
SOID NORTH Party-list



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3117

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative CHING BERNOS

AN ACT
STRENGTHENING PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS IN THE
PHILIPPINES, PROVIDING FOR A NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY
RESPONSE PLAN, AND MANDATING RELIEF AND RECOVERY MEASURES, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS

SECTION, 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Stronger Public
Health Emergency Response and Engagement (SPHERE) 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. Toward this end, the State shall endeavor to efficiently, effectively, and
immediately address all emerging and actual public health emergencies to safeguard
the constitutional right of the people to life, and for the promotion of the general
welfare of the people. Furthermore, it shall pursue a policy to prioritize the safety of
its citizens through precautionary measures to mitigate what otherwise would be a
devastating impact to the people, the economy, and to national security.

In dealing with public health emergencies, the State shall, first and foremost,
prioritize medical and healthcare procedures in addressing public health
emergencies. As such, the State shall appropriate funds to establish testing centers,
to support scientific research on emerging and infectious diseases, to compensate


workers in the medical field, and to purchase medicines, vaccines, and protective
equipment.

While considering national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest,
and the right to self-determination paramount in its relations with other states, the
State shall likewise give highest importance to the health of its citizens, whether in
the country of overseas, during times of public health emergencies.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:

a. ‘Confirmed Case” refers to a person tested at an accredited or
Department of Health (DOH)-certified laboratory testing facility,
regardless whether the person shows clinical signs and symptoms of
an emerging and infectious disease;

b. ‘Community quarantine” refers to the restriction of movement withi

into, or out of the area of quarantine of individuals, large groups of
people, or communities, designed to reduce the likelihood of
transmission of diseases among persons in and to persons outside the
affected area

c. ‘Emerging and infectious disease” refers to diseases that

have not occurred in humans before;

have occurred previously but affected only small numbers of
people in isolated areas;

have occurred throughout human history but have only recently
been recognized as a distinct disease due to an infectious agent;

iv. are caused by previously undetected or unknown infectious

agents;
v. are due to mutant or resistant strains of a causative organism;
and
vi. 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:

d. ‘False Information” refers to the printing, lithography, or any other
means of publication which may endanger the public order, or cause
damage to the interest or credit of the State;

¢. ‘Frontliners” refers to individuals who are working in the healthcare
sector and who are providing basic/essential services to the public;


f.

“Healthcare facilities” refers to government and private hospitals,
laboratories, and clinics that attend to medical needs during a public
health emergency, and other facilities that adhere to internationally-
recognized medical standards designed to quarantine confirmed,
suspected, and probable cases of emerging and infectious disease.

‘Isolation facilities” refers to facilities following internationally-
recognized medical standards, designed to quarantine confirmed,
suspected, and probable cases of emerging and infectious disease.

. ‘Locally-Stranded Individuals” refers to Filipino citizens or foreign

nationals, who are workers, students, tourists, or other individuals in
transit, stranded in a specific locality within the Philippines who have
expressed intention to return to their place of residence or home origin.
“Probable Case” refers to suspect case who has been tested for an
emerging and infectious disease but the results are inconclusive or who
has tested positive using testing from a non-accredited laboratory;
“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. Appearance of a novel or previously controlled or
eradicated infectious agent or biological toxin;

3. A disaster, as defined by Republic Act No. 10121, also
known as the “Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Act of 2010;”

4. A chemical attack or accidental release;

5. A nuclear attack, incident, 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 mass casualty incident or 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, non-
communicable, 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, non-
communicable, or toxic agent that poses a significant risk
to the health of citizens of other countries; or

5. Trade and travel restrictions;

k. ‘Quarantine” refers to a state, period, or place of isolation in which
people that have arrived from elsewhere or been exposed to infectious
or contagious disease are placed;

1. ‘Social Relief Programs” refers to government programs designed to
provide assistance in the middle of a public health emergency; and

m. ‘Suspected Case” refers to a person manifesting symptoms of an
emerging and infectious disease whose cause is undetermined prior to
laboratory testing, who lives in or has traveled to an area with reported
local transmission during fourteen (14) days prior to the onset of
symptoms, who had contact with a confirmed or probable case, or who
is aged sixty (60) years old or older with a comorbidity or pre-existing
illness.

CHAPTER I
PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY RESPONSE COUNCIL

SEC. 4. Creation of the Public Health Emergency Response Council. ~The
Public Health Emergency Response Council is hereby established. It shall be
composed of the Executive Council, hereinafter referred to as the Council, and of the
Working Clusters, hereinafter referred to as the Clusters.

The Council shall be headed by the Executive Secretary and Secretary of Health
as Co-Chairpersons, and shall have the following as members:

a. Secretary of Budget and Management;

b. Secretary of Finance;

c. Secretary of the Interior and Local Government (representing the
Justice and Public Order Cluster);

d. Secretary of Information and Communications Technology
(representing the Public Information and Education Cluster);

e. Secretary of Social Welfare and Development (representing the Social
and Economic Cluster);


f. Secretary of Socioeconomic Planning; and
g. One (1) representative from the civil society organizations in each
Cluster.

The Council may call upon any department, bureau, office, agency or
instrumentality of the government, including government-owned or -controlled
corporations (GOCCs}, government financial institutions (GFIs), local government
units (LGUs), non-government organizations (NGOs), and the private sector for
assistance as the circumstances and exigencies may require.

Members of the Council may appoint duly authorized representatives from
their respective agencies. Provided, that the said duly authorized representatives
shall not have a rank lower than the rank of Assistant Secretary.

SEC. 5. Functions and Responsibilities. - The Council, being empowered
with coordination, integration, supervi

ion, monitoring, and evaluation functions,

shall have the following responsibilities:

a. Approve and implement the National Public Health Emergency
Response Plan (NPHERP) which shall provide an up-to-date,
comprehensive, and multi-sectoral approach to preparing for and
resolving public health emergencies;

b. Monitor local and international developments pertaining to emerging
and infectious diseases that may affect the population, as they relate to
medical and public health preparedness and response for at-risk
individuals in the event of a public health emergency;

c. Ensure efficient operation and coordination among departments,
bureaus, offices, agencies, and instrumentalities of the government
involved in the formulation of the NPHERP and the implementation of
the provisions of this Act;

d. Review the capacity of national and local healthcare systems and
submit recommendations to proactively improve said systems to
adequately address needs during a public health emergency;

e. Submit regular transparency reports on budget and financial
management allotted for public health response to Congress;

f. Authorize funding for research and development or purchase of viable
medicine options and vaccine, whichever is more feasible;

g. Oversee the consolidation and communication of relevant data, and the
establishment of data infrastructure for that purpose;


h. Coordinate the limitation of mass gatherings and implementation
quarantine checkpoints and curfews, as needed;

i. Notify the World Health Organization of the emerging and infectious
disease cases in the country and its assessment of the situation;

j. Coordinate with other countries experiencing or have experienced
similar emerging and infectious diseases and seek assistance to adopt
the best practices in addressing the situation, as needed;

k, Submit regular status reports in the monitoring of an emerging and
infectious disease to the President of the Philippines; and

1, Perform such other functions and activities as may be necessary to
carry out the provisions of this Act, or as the President may direct.

SEC. 6. Working Clusters. - There shall be four (4) Working Clusters which
shall be in charge of formulating, implementing, and monitoring the provisions of the
NPHERP. The Clusters shall provide their recommendations based on their thematic
and present them for approval of the Council. They shall be grouped and composed

of the following government agencies, as follows:

a. Health Response Cluster shall establish a system to identify, screen,

and assist Filipinos suspected or confirmed to be infected with an
emerging and infectious disease, which includes contact tracin,

identify government healthcare facilities to serve as focal response
facilities and large publicly- or privately-owned spaces that may be used
as isolation and quarantine facilities; capacitate healthcare facilities,
government and private medical practitioners, healthcare workers,
public safety enforcers, and other frontlines, and perform other
functions as may be directed by the Council. It shall be composed of
the Department of Health as Cluster Head, Department of Science and
Technology, Research Institute of Tropical Medicine, National Center for
Mental Health, National Institute of Health, Philippine Health
Insurance Corporation, and the Philippine Red Cross.

b. Social and Economic Relief Cluster shall develop appropriate social relief
programs to alleviate financial difficulties that may be faced in times of
public health emergencies; craft an economic plan to minimize impact
of public health emergencies; monitor economic activities to prevent
hoarding, reselling, and profiteering of basic necessities including, but
not limited to, food, clothing, water, medicines, cleaning and


disinfecting agents, and medical items; and perform other functions as
may be directed by the Council. It shall be composed of the Department
of Social Work and Development as Cluster Head, Department of
Agriculture, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of
Tourism, Department of Trade and Industry, and Department of
‘Transportation;

¢. Public Information and Education Cluster shall maintain regular
information and education campaigns through print, television, radio,
and social media pertaining to an emerging and infectious disease and
its prevention, control and management to promote positive health
behaviors, and address public fear and anxiety through the conduct of
a nationwide awareness campaigns, and perform other functions as
may be directed by the Council. It shall be composed of the Department
of Information and Communications Technology as Cluster Head,
Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Education, Department
of Tourism, Commission on Higher Education, and Presidential
Communications Operations Office; and;

d. Justice and Public Order Cluster shall mobilize law enforcement
agencies to maintain public order during community quarantine;
implement local and international travel restrictions to prevent or
minimize the risks of transmitting emerging and infectious diseases;
and perform other functions as may be directed by the Council. It shall
be composed of the Department of the Interior and Local Government
as Cluster Head, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Justice,
Department of National Defense, Department of Transportation,
Commission on Human Rights, and Overseas Workers Welfare

Administration.

‘The Department of Budget Management, Department of Finance, and National
Economic and Development Authority shall become ex officio members of all clusters.

‘The agencies who sit as members of the Clusters may appoint duly authorized
representatives from their respective agencies. Provided, that the said duly
authorized representatives shall not have a rank lower than that of an Assistant
Secretary. Provided further, that should a member agency not be operationally
headed by at least an Assistant Secretary, that the authorized representative shall
be the head, or his/her deputy, of said member agency.


SEC. 7. Civil Society Participation in Working Clusters - There shall be
representation by civil society organizations in each Cluster. Each Cluster shall
include at least four (4) civil society organizations whose advocacies run parallel
along the functions of the Clusters as members for full two (2) years. They shall
actively participate in meetings and shall have full voting powers on policies decided
by the Clusters.

Civil society organizations in each Cluster shall choose from amongst
themselves one (1) representative to sit on the Council. The representative civil
society organization shall actively participate in meetings and shall have full voting
powers on policies decided by the Council.

SEC. 8. Role of the Health Emergency Management Bureau - As the
Department of Health’s coordinating unit and operation center for all health
emergencies and disasters, as well as incidents with the potential of becoming an
emergency, and coordinate the mobilization and sharing of resources, the Health
Emergency Management Bureau (HEMB) shall be designated as the Secretariat of
the Council. The Director of the HEMB shall also be designated as the concurrent
Executive Director of the Council, and shall be an ex officio member of the Council.

SEC. 9. National Public Health Emergency Response Plan. - The Council
shall formulate a National Public Health Emergency Response Plan that will address
public health emergencies through monitoring and surveillance; confirmation of
transmission and of cases; mobilizing the necessary physical, logistical, and
technological infrastructures; implementation of preventive, precautionary, and
contingency response measures; conduct of social relief programs; and regulating
movement of people, goods, and services across affected areas. It shall provide an
up-to-date, comprehensive, and multi-sectoral approach to resolving public health
emergencies. The NPHERP shall be updated every two (2) years, taking into
consideration current events, technological changes, scientific advancements, and
immediate needs of the people.

SEC. 10, Meetings of the Council. - During a public health emergency, the
Council and its Clusters shall meet as often as necessary to monitor developments
and to manage the implementation of government response activities. Agencies
mentioned in Section 4 of this Act are required to attend all the meetings of the
Council and its Clusters.


When there is no public health emergency, the Council shall meet every three
(3) months to monitor and report on developments on emerging and infectious
diseases and other events that may develop into public health emergencies.

SEC. 11. Regional Public Health Emergency Response Councils. - Each
region shall establish a Regional Public Health Emergency Response Councils,
hereinafter referred to as the Regional Council, to localize response to public health
emergencies within its jurisdictions.

‘The Regional Council shall have the following responsibilities:

a. Formulate a Regional Public Health Emergency Response Plan
(RPHERP) consistent with the NPHERP;

b. Monitor and evaluate local and inter-local developments, as may be
coordinated with the local health boards, pertaining to emerging and
infectious diseases upon the declaration of a public health emergency
by the President;

c. Ensure efficient coordination among member provinces and cities, their
local departments, bureaus, offices, agencies, and instrumentalities in
the implementation of the RPHERP and NPHERP;

d. Review the capacity of local healthcare systems and submit
recommendations to proactively improve said systems to adequately
address needs during a public health emergency;

©. Oversee the consolidation, communication, and transmission of
relevant data at the local level, and the establishment of local data
infrastructures for that purpose;

f. Determine and designate mechanisms and facilities for the isolation of
individuals either suspected or confirmed to have contracted an

emerging infectious disease locally or abroad;

g. Implement curfews, the limitation of mass gatherings, and
establishment of quarantine checkpoints, as needed; and

h, Perform such other functions and activities as may be necessary to
carry out the provisions of this Act, or as the Council may direct.


To the fullest extent possible, the directives of the Regional Council shall be
consistent with the NPHERP and the directives of the Council. The Regional Councils
shall periodically report to the Council of its progress.

‘The Chairpersonship shall be decided among the local chief executives in each
region. Provided, that the Regional Director of the Department of Health shall be ex-
officio Co-Chairperson. The composition of the respective Regional Councils, and
their respective Working Clusters, shall be determined by the Co-Chairpersons on
the basis of the nature of the public health emergency. Provided further, that the
participation of civil society organizations shall not be waived in accordance with
Section 7 of this Act.

CHAPTER II
INITIAL MITIGATION MEASURES

SEC. 12. Implementation of Community Quarantine. - As circumstances
deem it necessary owing to the nature of a public health emergency, the Council,
upon declaration of a State of Public Health Emergency by the President of the
Philippines, may begin to implement community quarantine in affected areas forty-
eight (48) hours after the said declaration. During the community quarantine, the
provisions of NPHERP shall be implemented. Criteria for determining levels of
community quarantine shall depend on the severity of the disease.

SEC. 13. Travel Restrictions. - Upon the first detection of an emerging and
infectious disease in the country, the Council shall issue an advisory to ban the entry
of international flights and vessels for a minimum of fifteen (15) days, subject to
possible extensions as deemed necessary. The Council shall immediately close
international airports, seaports, and other possible entry points for travelers and
returning Filipinos from other countries. Commercial and chartered flights and
vessels shall not be allowed to land and to dock, except for those carrying cargo
containing basic necessities such as, but not limited to, food, medicines, and medical
equipment.

Scheduled departures shall be cancelled, and Overseas Filipino Workers
departing for other countries shall be immediately referred to the Overseas Workers

Welfare Administration for immediate assistance.

Airports and seaports shall set up disinfection facilities for goods coming in
from authorized flights and vessels. Personnel carrying these cargoes shall be
subjected to disinfection and quarantine procedures, and submission of Health

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Declaration Forms. The Council shall determine the most appropriate means to
implement measures and procedures with regard to the entry of cargo. Provided, that
the entry of basic and medical necessities shall not be hampered. Provided further,
that these necessities shall be subject to disinfection.

SEC. 14. Mass Gatherings. - During a community quarantine, mass
gatherings, religious celebrations, public festivities, as well as the flow of people in
public spaces, such as, but not limited to: public markets, parks, plazas, covered
courts, promenades, gymnasiums, arenas, cockpits, and amusement and recreation

centers, shall be limited, depending on the gravity of the public health emergency.

SEC. 15. Suspension of Classes. — As circumstances deem it necessary owing
to the nature of a public health emergency , classes at all levels in both public and
private schools in areas under community quarantine shall be automatically
suspended until further notice. Moving up ceremonies, graduation rites, educational
trips, academic and extracurricular activities, and other school-based activities, shall
also be suspended.

School administrators, in coordination with the regional offices of the
Department of Education, may allow holding of online classes, subject to availability
of necessary resources in the households of both faculty and students. Provided, that
consultations with faculty and students shall be held to ascertain their capabilities
to meet academic requirements. Provided, further, that should necessary resources
be unavailable, the school administration shall consider measures to move forward
with the academic calendar.

SEC. 16. Availability of Modes of Transportation. - As circumstances deem
it necessary owing to the nature of a public health emergency , all modes of non-
essential travel shall not be allowed to operate during a community quarantine, The
local government units shall provide vehicle units to transport essential personnel
and frontliners to hospitals and other places of essential operation during a crisis,
as long as physical distancing is observed in the vehicles.

Private vehicles shalll be allowed to ply roads only if they are carrying essential
food items, essential personnel, medicines and medical supplies, and other essential
cargo. Provided, that private vehicles shall apply for a valid transport pass from the
local government unit.

SEC. 17. Alternative Working Arrangements. - As circumstances deem it
necessary owing to the nature of a public health emergency, economic activities that

"


require physical presence in a workplace shall be temporarily halted during a public
health emergency. All government offices and private businesses shall implement
working arrangements that diminish the need for physical interactions among
employees. Arrangements to allow employees to perform their jobs in manners such
as, but not limited to, working from home, going to the workplace in select schedules,
or working in shortened periods, shall be considered, subject to existing laws, current
conditions, and availability of resources.

CHAPTER IV
MEDICAL APPROACH TO PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCIES

SEC. 18. Mass Testing. - As circumstances deem it necessary owing to the
nature of a public health emergency, the State shall prioritize extensive, free, and
quick laboratory testing for all, In cases where resources are limited, vulnerable
populations and frontline health care and other essential workers shalll be prioritized.
The State shall procure adequate, effective and high-quality testing kits and
laboratory instruments from Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved sources.
‘The Department of Health shall coordinate with specialized educational institutions
to immediately train professionals to handle laboratory examinations of specimens.
In no way shall testing centers offer courtesy lanes and privileged testing unless they
are manifesting symptoms or exposed to the disease through confirmed cases.

SEC. 19. Healthcare Facilities and Services - The Council, in coordination
with local government units and other concerned government agencies shall set up
healthcare facilities and isolation centers which shall respond to any public health
emergency and shall undertake monitoring, prevention, preparedness, and response
services and activities.

The Council shall maintain a master list of possible sites for isolation centers
that will be converted to meet international health standards. The Council shall
evaluate all public hospitals under the jurisdiction of the Department of Health and
the local government units, determine priority hospitals for each region against all
public health emergencies, and outline the development of their healthcare capacity
in the Plan.

The Council shall enjoin privately-owned healthcare facilities to provide
services or the use of its facilities in the event of any public health emergency, in the
event that government healthcare institutions are unable to cope with the public

health emergency.

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The Council shall establish systems, mechanisms, and services to address
psychosocial needs of affected individuals during a public health emergency.

SEC. 20. Mandatory Protective Measures. - During a public health
emergency, mandatory or recommended protective measures shall be determined by
the Council in consultation with local health experts and the World Health
Organization.

SEC. 21. Anti-Discrimination Provision. ~ Any act or action committed to
manifest prejudice, bigotry, unequal treatment, exclusion, restriction, humiliation,
and vilification towards individuals who have been confirmed to have contracted,
showed symptoms of, exposed to, or recovered from an emerging and infectious
disease, and to individuals working as health workers or as frontliners as defined by
this Act, which has an effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the enjoyment of
their human rights and fundamental freedoms, shall be punished under this Act.

Specifically, the following shall constitute as acts of discrimination against the
aforementioned individuals by reason of their status or work in relation to an

emerging and infectious disease:

a. Make utterances to other people in person or through social media
posts which cause or tend to cause the discrimination, stigma,
disgrace, shame, insult, or harassment, including, but not limited to,
the unauthorized disclosure of their names and/or place of residence
and making slanderous or abusive statements;

b. Refuse to allow frontliners entry in establishments, government-owned
or private, providing basic necessities;

c. Commit any act of violence against frontliners or any of their family
member/s, subjecting them to any harassment or any threat of
physical, mental, and verbal violence, intimidation, or other
threatening disruptive behavior;

d. Refuse to render frontliners service or assistance in or deny access to
public programs and services otherwise available to the public,
including, but not limited to, medical and other health services, health
insurance, utilities, and transportation;

e. Refuse entry or eject frontliners from their residence or usual
accommodation in any lodging house, apartment, hotel, dormitory, and
any other places of dwelling being rented out or offered to the public or

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for a fee or give inferior accommodation or services, even after obtaining
clearance from the proper health officials;

f. Any other act of discrimination which demeans, impairs, mars,
reduces, or nullifies the enjoyment or exercise of their human and legal
rights.

SEC. 22. Contact Tracing Strategies. — There shall be a contact tracing
mechanism to locate individuals who may have been in contact with positive cases
of an emerging and infectious disease. As circumstances deem it necessary owing to
the nature of a public health emergency, there shall be tracing strategies to locate
potentially infected individuals and/or sources of an emerging and infectious
disease. Confidentiality of the information gathered in relation to contact tracing
shall be maintained, pursuant to the Data Privacy Act.

CHAPTER V
PUBLIC INFORMATION, EDUCATION, AND COMMUNICATION

SEC. 23. Public Awareness Campaigns - During a public health emergency,
the Council shall conduct information campaigns to spread awareness on an
emerging and infectious disease, providing key points on their origins, virology,
transmission, and symptoms; mandatory protocols to be observed; and contact
numbers of government hospitals and offices. Campaigns shall include
contextualized and comprehensive information to ensure wider understanding by the
public. Even when there is no public health emergency, the Council shall continue
to conduct information campaigns on individual, household, and community
sanitation. To this end, the Council shall utilize print, television, radio, official social
media pages, barangay bulletins, mobile announcements, and printed paraphernalia
to disseminate information.

SEC. 24. Public Health Emergency Hotline — A dedicated emergency hotline
shall be created by the Council and Regional Councils for the public to report matters
pertaining to public health emergencies, which shall be open twenty (24) hours a
day, seven (7) days a week. The contact number shall be included in public
awareness campaigns.

SEC. 25. Telehealth Operations - The Council shall enjoin public and
private hospitals to establish telehealth lines for individuals with preexisting
conditions who need medical care but cannot leave their residences to avail of one

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due to travel restrictions. The contact numbers shall be included in public awareness
campaigns.

SEC. 26. Data and Information Sharing Infrastructure - Reports and
statistics pertaining to the transmission, of emerging and infectious diseases,
including, but not limited to, confirmed, suspected, and probable cases; number of
deaths; number of recoveries; and affected areas shall be made available real time
for public use. Proper collection, processing, organization, management, and
disposition of data shall be strictly observed.

Government documents, such as resolutions, executive orders, policy briefs,
and statistics; academic articles; and other information that may be vital for the
handling of a public health emergency shall also be made available for public use.
Provided, that the information must be valid and must not misinform the public on
the actual facts of a public health emergency.

SEC. 27. Anti-False Information Provision. - Deliberate posting of false
information and any unconfirmed reports that cause panic, confusion, or chaos,
shall be prohibited in consonance with Article 154 of Revised Penal Code. Information
published through print or social media, or broadcasted through television or radio,
that intentionally impugns a person, institution, or organization during a public
health emergency without verification to support accusations shall be punishable
under this Act.

CHAPTER VI
PUBLIC ORDER AND SAFETY

SEC. 28. Role of the Military and Law Enforcement Agencies. - As
circumstances deem it necessary owing to the nature of a public health emergency,
the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), and other
law enforcement agencies shall be mobilized for the purposes of enforcing community
quarantine in specific areas, facilitating the transport of patients, contact tracing for
determination of possible cases, manning checkpoints, and other purposes as
defined by the Council. Provided, that such functions shall be performed with the
highest respect for human rights. Provided further, that patrols related to contact
tracing, determination of possible cases, implementation of community quarantine,
and transport of confirmed cases to isolation facilities shall be conducted in the
presence of a barangay health worker. Provided finally, that the use of force shall be

applied only on extreme circumstances.

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SEC. 29. Authorized Persons Outside of Residence. - As circumstances
deem it necessary owing to the nature of a public health emergency, only the
following persons identified below shall be allowed outside of their residences.
Provided, that they observe preventive measures while outside of residence, and must
carry valid government-issued identification cards or certification of residence from
the Punong Barangay with them:

a. Members of the Cabinet, Undersecretaries, Assistant Secretaries,
Directors, and select national government officials and employees, as
determined by the Council; local chief executives and local government
employees who are needed to report to their offices;

Justices of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Court of Tax Appeals,
Sandiganbayan; Judges of Regional Trial Courts, Metropolitan Trial
Courts, Municipal Trial Courts in Cities, Municipal Trial Courts,
Municipal Circuit Trial Courts, Sharia District Courts, and Sharia
Circuit Courts; clerks of court and other employees who are needed to

a

report to their offices; and lawyers who have valid appointments related
to assisting in the administration of justice;

c. Medical service providers, hospital and clinic employees, Red Cross
volunteers, private caregivers, and veterinary service providers;

d. Funeral home employees and immediate family of the deceased;

¢. Emergency responders and deployed personnel from national
government agencies under the Executive Branch of the Government,
Commission on Human Rights, and iocal Barangay Health Emergency
Response Team;

{, Members of the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the
Philippines, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau

of Jail Management and Penology, National Bureau of Investigation,
Office of ‘Transport Security, Bureau of Customs, Bureau of
Immigration, Metro Manila Development Authority, and other law
enforcement agency personnel, company security officers and security
guards, Barangay Tanods, and Barangay officials;

g. Delivery personnel and drivers of food and goods cargo,
industrial/construction supplies, drugs/medicines/medical supplies
and equipment and veterinary supplies;

h. Key officials and employees of utilities, telecommunications, cable and
internet service providers, water companies, water delivery and refilling

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stations, laundry services, energy companies and power plant
maintenance including the suppliers thereof, petroleum tanker drivers,
gasoline attendants, coal delivery crew, sanitation personnel, and
garbage collectors;
Media personnel;

Agricultural and fishing workers, including, but not limited to, farm and
mill employees, fisher folk, paymasters, and management; and
k. Management, drivers, and helper of hauling services.

SEC. 30. The Judiciary during a Public Health Emergency. - The
Judiciary may observe measures to continue the delivery of justice to the people
during a public health emergency.

CHAPTER VII
SOCIAL RELIEF AND RECOVERY PROGRAMS:

SEC. 31, Financial Assistance. ~ As circumstances deem it necessary owing
to the nature of a public health emergency, the Council shall formulate and
implement a social relief program that shall provide basic financial assistance
equivalent to the monthly regional minimum wage to households which have ceased
to receive income due to an ongoing public health emergency. Displaced workers,
daily-paid employees, ‘no-work, no-pay’ employees, and families living below the
poverty line, and households included in the National Household Targeting System
for Poverty Reduction shalll be prioritized.

City or Municipal Social Welfare and Development Offices (CSWDO/MSWDO)
shall maintain a database of households qualified to receive the financial assistance,
in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 10173 or the “Data Privacy Act
of 2012.” Distribution of financial assistance shall be conducted by the City or
Municipal Social Welfare and Development Offices. Provided, that the distribution
shall observe mandatory protocols to avoid contracting an emerging and infectious
disease.

SEC. 32. Food Assistance. - The Council shall ensure that there are
available, accessible, and nutritious food supplies in every local government unit to
be distributed to households during a public health emergency. Food packs shall be
given to all households in an affected area, skipping no household to ensure equal
distribution of food assistance.

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SEC. 33. Suspension of Housing Relocation Operations. - All eviction and
resettlement of families and demolition of houses shall be suspended during a public
health emergency.

SEC. 34. Operation of Businesses for Basic Necessities. - Establishments
selling food, medicines, medical supplies, and hardware supplies; banks; electric
companies; water companies; cable and internet service providers; and
telecommunication companies shall be allowed to operate during a public health
emergency. Provided, that such companies will observe mandatory protocols to avoid

contracting an emerging and infectious disease.

Should it be impossible for residents to go out to purchase basic necessities,
the local government unit shall come up with options to bring these goods closer to
affected residential areas.

SEC. 35. Assistance to Locally-Stranded Individuals - Local government
units shall monitor and record non-resident workers and students in their area who
are stranded due to a public health emergency. The Local Government Unit shall
provide financial and food assistance to the locally-stranded individuals, while
coordinating with their respective home local governments regarding their retum to
their residences, If return is not possible, the attending local government unit shall
ensure they are provided with ample assistance until conditions allow them to return
home. Returning locally-stranded individuals shall be required to comply with local
isolation protocols determined by the Regional Council.

SEC. 36. Assistance to Overseas Filipino Workers. - Overseas Filipino
Workers (OFWs) who are stranded abroad or who have been displaced from their jobs
due to the same emerging and infectious disease affecting the Philippines shall be
extended financial and logistical assistance by the Philippine embassies and
consulates. Suspension of the repatriation of OFWs shall depend on the gravity of
the public health emergency. Returning OFWs shall be required to comply with
isolation protocols determined by the Council.

SEC. 37. Price Ceiling, Hoarding, and Reselling of Products. — Price ceiling
of basic agricultural goods, foodstuff, clothes, medicines, medical supplies,
sanitation and hygiene items, and other essential items shall be determined by the
Council for the duration of the community quarantine.

Pursuant to existing regulations, hoarding and reselling for profits of such
items shall be strictly prohibited. Supermarkets and groceries may limit retail

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purchases of essential items to avoid depletion of stocks of goods. Online resellers
who shall be proven to impose unreasonable markups on their items shall be covered
by this Act. The Council shall take necessary steps to identify the hoarders and
reselling profiteers.

SEC. 38. Extension and Waiving of Payment of Basic Utilities. - During a
public health emergency, the extension and waiver of payment of basic utilities and
services, such as, but not limited to, rent, water, electricity, cable and Internet service
providers, and loans, shall be determined by the Council in consultation with
consumers and utility and service providers.

SEC. 39. Post-Public Health Emergency Measures. ~ The Council shall
include economic recovery measures in the NPHERP to spur economic activities, to
support micro-, small-, and medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs) and workers, and to
attract investments after a public health emergency. Recovery measures shall take
into consideration the current economic situation and outlook of the country, and
shall be implemented as soon as the public health emergency ends. Financial
assistance to MSMEs and other local businesses shall be ensured.

SEC. 40. Role of Civil Society. - Civil society organizations shall not be
restricted from doing volunteerism initiatives, conducting relief operations, and
starting fundraising activities. Provided, that the implementation of their activities
shall be thoroughly documented for public reference. Provided further, that civil
society relief projects and initiatives during a public health emergency shall not be
made to pay any fee to operate.

CHAPTER VOI
FINAL PROVISIONS

SEC. 41. Volunteer Mobilization. ~ Pursuant to Republic Act No. 9163 and
Republic Act No. 9418, those who have completed the National Service Training
Program, as well as those enlisted in volunteer programs in national government
agencies, local government units, and the private sector, shall be mobilized to assist
delivery of health services, information dissemination, maintenance of public order,
and conduct of relief operations, among others, during a public health emergency.

SEC. 42. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee. - There is hereby
created a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee to monitor the implementation
of this Act and to review its provisions. The oversight committee shall be composed
of five (5) Senators and five (5) Representatives to be appointed by the Senate

19


President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively. The
oversight committee shall be co-chaired by the chairpersons of the Senate Committee
on Health and Demography and the House Committee on Health.

In times when no public health emergency is declared by the President, the
Council shall produce an annual report to the Joint Congressional Oversight
Committee of its accomplishments with regard to the implementation of the NPHERP.
Should a public health emergency be declared by the President, the Council is
directed to produce a weekly report to the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee
of its accomplishments with regard to the implementation of the NPHERP. The
reports shall include the following, but not limited to, the Council’s accomplishments
and budget utilization rate, as well as justifications on the same.

SEC. 43. Penalties. - In addition to acts or omission already penalized by
existing laws, any person who commits any of the prohibited acts or unjustifiably
refuses to comply with the provisions mentioned in this Act hereof or any rule and
regulation promulgated pursuant thereto shall be punished by imprisonment of not
ess than two (2) months but not more than four (4) months or a fine of not less than
ten thousand pesos (Php 10,000.00) but not more than one million pesos (Php
1,000,000.00}, or both, at the discretion of the Court. Provided, that if the offender
is a corporation or a juridical person, the officers thereof who have knowingly
participated in the violation of the provisions of this Act shall be held liable. Provided
further, that if the offender is a public official or employee, he or she shall, in addition
to the penalties prescribed herein, suffer perpetual or temporary disqualification
from office, as the case may be.

SEC. 44. Augmentation of Quick Response Fund. - The Quick Response
Fund, as provided for by Republic Act No. 10121 or the “Philippine Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Act of 2010”, shall be increased by the equivalent of fifty
percent (50%) of the amount allocated for various relevant Departments, including,
but not limited to, the DOH and DSWD. The increase shall only be used during a
public health emergency to fund programs as provided by this Act and the NPHERP.

SEC. 45. Appropriations. - The amount needed for the initial implementation
of this Act shall be charged against the appropriations of the government offices that
compose the Council. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued
implementation of this Act shall be included in the agencies’ respective budgets as
stated in the annual General Appropriations Act.

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SEC. 46. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days
from the approval of this Act, the Council shall issue the necessary rules and
regulations for the effective implementation of this Act. The implementing rules and
regulations shall be published in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of
general circulation.

SEC. 47. Construction or Interpretation. - All provisions in this Act, and
any other provisions referred to hereafter, shall not be construed as an impairment,
restriction, or modification of the provisions of the Constitution. In case the exercise
of the powers granted herein conflicts with others statutes, decrees, orders, rules, or
regulations, the provisions of this Act and the Constitution shall prevail.

SEC. 48. Repealing Clause. - All pertinent provisions of Republic Act No.
9271, Republic Act No. 11332, Republic Act 11469, and all other laws, decrees,
executive orders, rules and regulations and issuances, or parts thereof, inconsistent
with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed accordingly.

SEC. 49. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain

in full force and effect.

SEC. 50. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

a