EPRES,
AR ROS

fe
CONGRESS ) ‘& RECEIVED =
EIGHTEENTH CONGRE: & . %
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) s2 DATE:,AUG_¢ 6 2028

Second Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriquez

House Bill'No, 7314

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the weaknesses of the country’s health system
and the bureaucracy involved in making decisions to address health scares and pandemics.

The Philippines is considered to be prone to pandemics and is high risk for
communicable diseases. We have a tropical location, a very large population, high rates of
urbanization and over-crowding, a highly mobile and transborder population. We are also a
top tourist destination and we are experiencing an increase in the number of foreign
workers,

For 201, the Department of Health declared a polio outbreak and a dengue
outbreak. In the same year, the Philippines was ranked as the country with the fastest
growing number of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) cases in the world by the Joint
United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS)

The Philippines is the country with the third-highest prevalence of tuberculosis.

We have always been reactive and very bureaucratic. The country's units devoted
to communicable disease prevention and control - The Infectious Diseases Control and
Prevention Division of the Disease Prevention and Control Bureau (DPCB) of the
Department of Health, The Infectious Diseases for Elimination Division of the DPCB, and
the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), - are mere sub-units under the
Department of Health. They do not possess the policymaking latitude to decisively, quickly,
and effectively respond to serious public health emergencies caused by infectious diseases.

Thus, the need for a Center for Disease Control and Prevention which is a
specialized agency tasked to tackle communicable disease prevention and control.

This bill would make the country proactive and better prepared for health
emergencies and pandemics

in view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly requested.

RUFPS B. RODRIGUEZ


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

‘Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez

House Bill No, 7314

AN ACT
CREATING THE CENTER FOR DISEASE PREVENTION AND CONTROL, PROVIDING
MECHANISMS FOR EPIDEMIC CONTROL, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enact by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:
CHAPTER |
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1. Title — This Act shalll be known as the "Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Act

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy ~ It shall be the policy of the State to ensure the health and
wellbeing of Filipinos, to protect them from communicable diseases, and to proactively
prevent the emergence and transmission of serious diseases. Towards this end, the state
shall devote significant material and institutional resources to provide a framework for
communicable disease control and prevention in the country.

It is also hereby declared a policy of the State to adopt, support, establish,
institutionalize, improve and maintain structures, processes, mechanisms and initiatives that
are aimed, directed and designed to:

a. protect and promote the health of the Filipino people; and
b. help establish and maintain an effective health mechanism that is responsive to the
country's health needs, emergency and other emerging problems.

Towards this end, and in view of the globalization of health risks, there shall be a high-
level public institution imbued with the capacity, the competencies, the ecosystem, and the
authority to confront these risks decisively and thus protect the public welfare and enable
development to proceed despite these risks.

Sec. 3. Definition of Terms — As used in this Act, the term:

‘a. Communicable disease, also known as transmissible disease or infectious disease,
shall mean an iliness resulting from an infection, or a disease which can be transmitted
from an infected host individual or group to a particular individual or group, regardless
of whether the other individual was previously infected.

b. "Contagious disease" is an infectious disease that can be transmitted from person to
person

c. "Disease" refers to an illness due to a specific toxic substance, occupational exposure
or infectious agent, which affects a susceptible individual, either directly or indirectly,
as from an infected animal or person, or indirectly through an intermediate host, vector,
or the environment;

d. "Disease control" refers to the reduction of disease incidence, prevalence, morbidity
or mortality to a locally acceptable level as a result of deliberate efforts and continued
intervention measures to maintain the reduction:

isease surveillance" refers to the ongoing systematic collection, analysis,
interpretation, and dissemination of outcome-specific data for use in the planning,



implementation, and evaluation of public health practice. A disease survellance
system includes the functional capacity for data analysis as well as the timely
Srssemination of these data to persons who can undertake effective prevention and
control activities;

£ “Emerging or re-emerging infectious diseases" refer to diseases that: (1) have not
ccuurted in humans before; (2) have occurred previously but affected only small
fumbers of people in isolated areas; (3) have ocourred throughout human history but
have only recently been recognized as a distant disease due to an infectious agent:
(4) are caused by previously undetected or unknown infectious agents; (5) are due to
mutant or resistant strains of a causative organism; and (6) 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:

9, "Epidemicioutbreak’ refers to an occurrence of more cases of disease than normally

‘pected within a specific place or group of people over a given period of time:

lealth care facility" means any institution, building, or agency or portion thereof,
whether public or private (for-profit or nonprofit) that is used, operated, or designed
to provide health services, medical treatment, or nursing, rehabilitative, or preventive
care to any person or persons. This includes, but is not limited to: ambulatory surgical
facilities, home health agencies, hospices, hospitals, infirmaries, intermediate care
facilities, kidney treatment centers, long term care facilities, medical assistance
facilities, mental health centers, outpatient facilities, public health centers,
rehabilitation facilities, residential treatments facilities, skilled nursing facilities, and
‘adult day-care centers. This also includes, but is not limited to, the following related
property when used for or in connection with the foregoing: laboratories; research
faclities; pharmacies; laundry facilities; health personnel training and lodging
facilities. patient, guest, and health personnel food service facilities; and offices and
office buildings for persons engaged in health care professions or services.

i. "Health event of public health concem” refers to either a public health emergency or
a public health threat due to biological, chemical, radio-nuciear and environmental
agents;

j. “Infectious disease" is a disease caused by a living organism or other pathogen,
including a fungus, bacillus, parasite, protozoan, or virus. An infectious disease may,
or may not, be transmissible from person to person, animal to person, or insect to
person.

k. “Infectious waste’ is:

i “biological waste," which includes blood and blood products, excretions,
exudates, secretions, suctioning and other body fluids, and waste materials
saturated with blood or body fluids;

ii. “cultures and stocks," which includes etiologic agents and associated
biologicals, including specimen cultures and dishes and devices used to
transfer, inoculate, and mix cultures, wastes from production of biologicals
and serums, and discarded live and attenuated vaccines;

ji, “pathological waste," which includes biopsy materials and all human tissues,
anatomical parts that emanate from surgery, obstetrical procedures, necropsy
‘or autopsy and laboratory procedures, and animal carcasses exposed to
pathogens in research and the bedding and other waste from such animals,
but does not include teeth or formaldehyde or other preservative agents; and

iv. "sharps," which includes needles, |. V. tubing with needles attached, scalpel
blades, lancets, breakable glass tubes, and syringes that have been removed
from their original sterile containers.

j. Notifiable disease" refers to a disease that, by legal requirements, must be reported
to the public health authorities;

k. "Precommunicable stage" shall mean the stage beginning upon an individual 's
earliest opportunity for exposure to an infectious agent and ending upon the individual
entering or reentering the communicable stage of the disease or, ifthe individual does



not enter the communicable stage, the latest date at which the individual could
reasonably be expected to have the potential to enter or reenter the communicable
stage;

|. "Guarantine® is the physical separation and confinement of an individual or groups of
individuals, who are or may have been exposed to a contagious or possibly
contagious disease and who do not show signs or symptoms of a contagious disease,
from nonquarantined individuals, to prevent or limit the transmission of the disease to
nonquarantined individuals.

m. "Sudden onset health outbreak", or "sudden onset health events", shall be diseases
whose risks to public health and safety exponentially increase over time absent
intervention;

CHAPTER II
CREATION OF THE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION

Sec. 4. Creation of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention — There shall be created a
Center for Disease Control and Prevention, hereinafter referred to as "Center," a government
agency attached to the Department of Health, which shall exercise administrative supervision
over the Center.

‘The Center shall be the principal agency tasked with developing and applying
communicable disease control and prevention initiatives. Additionally, it shall be responsible
for controlling the introduction and spread of infectious diseases, and shall provide
consultation and assistance to other nations and international agencies to assist in improving
their disease prevention and control.

Sec. 5. Reorganization of existing units - The following bureaus and agencies are hereby
subsumed into the Center:

a. The Disease Prevention and Control Bureau of the Department of Health

b. The Epidemiology Bureau of the Department of Health

¢. The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine

d, The Disease Emergency Management Bureau

Sec. 6. Functions of the Center — The Center shall perform the following functions:

‘a. Maintain active surveillance of diseases through epidemiologic and laboratory
investigations, data collection, analysis, and distribution;

b. Act as lead agency in developing and implementing operational programs relating to
communicable diseases;

c. Actas the lead disease surveillance agency of the country;

. Conduct operational research aimed at developing and testing effective
communicable disease prevention, control, and health promotion programs;

e. Administers national programs to develop recommended health standards to ensure
readiness for the emergence of new communicable diseases;

{Administer national programs for improving the performance of clinical laboratories in
identifying and classifying communicable diseases;

g. Recommend the exercise of certain powers by the President in the case of an
epidemic;

h. Set the parameters for the declaration of the existence of an epidemic;

i. Recommend such measures and policies as may be necessary to prevent the
transmission of communicable diseases;

|. Assess and support the capabilities of local government units (LGUs) in preventing
the emergence and transmission of communicable diseases;

k. Enhance and strengthen the administrative and technical capacity of the Disease
Prevention and Control Bureau and Epidemiology Bureau to ensure the agencies’
monitoring coverage over establishments and products under their jurisdiction;


Promote public health decisions guided by strategic information for best possible
health outcomes.

m. Provide coherence in the health monitoring to ensure equitable, accessible, efficient
‘nd quality health services to communities, through dynamic partnership and shared
advocacy, responsibility and accountability,

rn. Set the standards and the process for the establishment of Epidemiology and
Surveillance Units (ESUs) as required by Section 8 of Republic Act. No. 11332, assist
DOH-retained hospitals, local health facilities especially district hospitals and private
hospitals and laboratories in establishing ESUs and assess their performance and
accredit them based on standards set by the CDC;

©. Maintain a Registry of Notifiable Diseases and Biosecurity Hazards, which shall be
published and updated online.

p. Recommend to the Council inclusions and deletions from the registry;

§, Perform such other functions as may be mandated by law, or as may be duly
delegated by relevant authorities.

Sec. 7. Center Executive Director — The Center shall be headed by an Executive Director
who shall be appointed by the President upon the effectivity of this Act, with the rank of
Undersecretary, and who shall perform the following functions and powers:
‘a. Manage and direct the activities of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC)
b. Provide leadership for the implementation of CDCs responsibilities related to disease
prevention and control;
c. Advise the Secretary of Health on policy matters concerning CDC activities;
d. Recommend to the President and the Secretary of Health the exercise of special
powers in the case of an epidemi
e. Certify to the existence of an epidemic, which shall be treated as a public health
‘emergency;
f Participate in the development of CDC goals and objectives;
. Provide overall direction and coordination to the epidemiologic activities of CDC;
h
i

Coordinate CDC response to health emergencies;
Provide liaison with other govemmental agencies, international organizations
including the World Health Organization, leaming institutions, and other outside
groups;

j. Coordinate international health activities relating to disease prevention and control;

k. In cooperation with DOH Regional Offices, provide or obtain technical assistance for
regional and local health departments and private and official agencies as needed;

1 rove overall direction to, and coordination of, the scientific/medical programs of
pc;

m. Oversee and provide leadership for laboratory science, safety, and quality
management,

n. Plan, promote, and coordinate an ongoing program to assure equal employment
opportunities in CDC;

©. Provide leadership, coordination, and assessment of administrative management

activities;

Coordinate with appropriate DOH staff offices on administrative and program matters;

Coordinate the consumer affairs activities for CDC; and

Provide leadership, policy guidance, coordination, technical expertise, and services

to promote the development and implementation of the agency's national programs

nao

Sec. 8. Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Bureau — There shall be created the
Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Bureau with the following functions:
2. Develop plans, policies, programs, projects and strategies for disease prevention and
control and health protection.


b. Provide coordination, technical assistance, capability building, consultancy and
advisory services related to disease prevention and control and health protection.

Sec. 9, Divisions of the Disease Prevention and Control Bureau — There shall be created the
following divisions under Disease Prevention and Control Bureau with the following functions:

A. The Infectious Diseases for Elimination Division (IDED) shall have the following
functions:

i To develop policies, standards and guidelines for the elimination of infectious
diseases;

ii. To develop plans, programs and projects to carry out preventive and control
strategies against elimination of infectious diseases;

iii To assist and strengthens capacity to measure and analyze the burden of
elimination of infectious diseases;

iv. To provide monitoring and evaluation schemes to measure of interventions in the
prevention and control of elimination diseases,

provide technical assistance and expert services to collaborating and implementing
agencies on matters pertaining to the prevention and control of infectious diseases
for elimination;

vi To! develop capability of health sector agencies and organizations in the
implementation of programs and projects related to the prevention and control of
infectious diseases for elimination;

vii To promote coordination and collaboration with partner agencies and organizations
‘on matters pertaining to elimination of infectious diseases;

viii To mobilize resources to assist collaborating and implementing agencies and
organizations.

B. The Infectious Disease of Prevention and Control Division (|DPCD) shall have the
following functions:

i To develop policies, standards and guidelines for the prevention and control of
infectious diseases;

ii To develop plans, programs and projects to carry out preventive and control
strategies against infectious diseases;

iii To assist and strengthens capacity to measure and analyze the burden of
infectious diseases;

iv To provide monitoring and evaluation schemes to measure of interventions in the
prevention and control of infectious diseases;

vy To provide technical assistance and expert services to collaborating and
implementing agencies on matters pertaining to the prevention and contro! of
infectious diseases;

vi To develop capability of health sector agencies and organizations in the
implementation of programs and projects related to the prevention and control of
infectious diseases;

vii To promote coordination and collaboration with partner agencies and
organizations on matters pertaining to infectious diseases;

viii To mobilize resources to assist collaborating and implementing agencies and
organizations

All other divisions currently under the Disease Prevention and Control Bureau of the
Department of Health shall remain within the bureau, which shall hereafter be renamed the
Non-Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Bureau,


Sec. 10. Epidemiology Bureau ~ There shall be created the Epidemiology Bureau with the
following functions:

| To develop and evaluate surveillance systems and other health information systems

ii To collect, analyze and disseminate reliable and timely information on the health

status

iii. To Investigate disease outbreaks and other threats to public health

iv. To network public health laboratories in support of epidemiological and surveillance
activities

Sec, 11. Divisions of the Epidemiology Bureau - There shall be created the following
divisions under the Epidemiology Bureau with the following functions:

4

Applied Epidemiology Health Management Division

i Investigate and respond to epidemics and other urgent public health threats as the
need arises

ii Develop and maintain field epidemiology training programs for public health
workers

iii Develop, capture, fiter, verify, assess, respond, disseminate and evaluate event-
based surveillance systems

iv Collect and maintain resource materials on epidemiology, surveillance,
management and monitoring and evaluation in public health.

Public Health Surveillance Division
i Undertake notifiable disease surveillance through Philippine Integrated Disease
Surveillance and Response.

Survey, Monitoring & Evaluation Division
i Provide statistical services to priority health programs of the DOH
ii Monitoring non-behavioral risk factors priority non-communicable diseases through
globally standardized survey
iii Monitor HIV and AIDS Registry and Integrated HIV Behavioral and Serologic
Surveillance, size estimates and Most At-Risk Population
iv. Provide program health indicators information

Sec. 12. Disease Emergency Management Bureau — There shall be created the Disease
Emergency Management Bureau with the following functions:

a.

‘Act as the DOH 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.

Provide the communication linkage among DOH Central Office and other concemed
agencies, including the hospitals and the regions, during emergencies and disasters.
Maintain’ updated information of all health emergencies and disasters (except
epidemiological investigation reports) and provide such information to other offices
and agencies in accordance with existing protocols.

Maintain a database of all health emergency personnel, technical experts, and
resource speakers. Together with the National Center for Health Facilities
Development (NCHFO), the DEMB shall maintain a database of capabilities of health
facilities.

Lead in the development of Disaster Risk Reduction & Management in Health
(DRRMH) Plan and the development of protocols, guidelines and standards for health
emergency management.

Provide technical assistance in the development of programs and planning activities
for HEM for other government and non-government organizations.

Lead advocacy activities, including simulation exercises.



h. Develop and implements an Integrated Human Resource Training Agenda for the
Health Sector for emergencies and disasters
i. Lead in the networking of hospitals and health sector organizations responding to

em
i. Mor

yergencies and disasters.
nitor and evaluate the enforcement of compliance to policies, and recommend the

formulation or amendment of policies related to health emergency management.

Sec. 13. Divisions of the Disease Emergency Management Bureau — There shall be created
the following divisions under the Disease Emergency Management Bureau with the following
functions:

1, Prev
a

b.

c.

h.

fention, Mitigation and Preparedness Division
Develop, disseminates, and monitors the implementation of policies for health
emergency preparedness;
Develop standardized training modules for various stakeholders on health
emergency;
Develop, disseminate and update emergency preparedness programs;
Develop policy-related and operational researches and documentation relevant to
health emergency preparedness that will serve as inputs for policy development
and program/systems improvement;
Develop well-performing managerial human resources for health emergency
management;
Provide technical assistance to ensure the availability of functional health
‘emergency preparedness systems (including policies, planning and capability
building activities) at all levels of the health sector;
Provide technical assistance to ensure delivery of appropriate services in time of
emergencies;
Develop and implement an overall Monitoring and Evaluation System and Plan for
health emergency management; and
Lead in public information and awareness-raising activities.

2. Response, Recovery & Rehabilitation Division

b.

©.

Mobilize resource of technical experts, health response teams and tangible
logistics needed locally and intemationally;

Manage information through rapid health assessment, damage assessment and
needs analysis in response, recovery and rehabilitation phases;

Plan and develop policies and guidelines essential in the implementation and
management of projects, programs and activities relevant to emergency and
response, recovery and rehabilitation;

Develop and capacitate human resource of regional offices, operation centers and
local government units in responding to emergencies; and

Perform such other functions as may be necessary’ in performing its functions as a
heal emergency response division

Sec. 14. Research Institute of Tropical Medicine. - The Center shall absorb all functions and
divisions under the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine pursuant to Executive Order No,

674 as
a

follows:

To undertake research in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of tropical diseases
of public health importance and to produce vaccines for the control of vaccine-
preventable diseases.

To engage and help formulate national health policy and strategy, conduct research
efforts directed towards the development of new diagnostic techniques as well as
effective and efficient strategies for the control of infectious and/or tropical diseases
Generally, the Research Institute shall also:

Provide high quality tertiary care to both in-patients and out-patients suffering from
tropical diseases included within the scope of the Institute's research activities.


fe. Undertake research activities in the diagnosis, control and prevention of tropical
diseases that are major causes of mortality and morbidity in the Philippines.

{Develop cost effective strategies for the control of infectious/tropical diseases
Conduct clinical trials according to accepted Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines,
aimed at better understanding and control of tropical diseases.

fh. Conduct regular training courses for medical and paramedical personnel in the control
‘of common tropical diseases in the country.

i. Participate in the technical cooperation programs with foreign government in research
activities in the diagnosis, control and prevention of tropical diseases.

CHAPTER Ill
REGULATIONS TO CONTROL COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

Sec. 15. Promulgation and Enforcement by the Secretary of Health. - The Secretary of
Health, upon the recommendation ‘of the Executive Director, is authorized to make and
enforce such regulations as in his/her judgment are necessary to prevent the introduction,
transmission, or spread of communicable diseases from foreign countries into the
Philippines or its territory. For purposes of carrying out and enforcing such regulations, the
Secretary of Health, or the Executive Director upon delegation by the Secretary of Health,
may provide for such inspection, fumigation, disinfection, sanitation, pest extermination,
destruction of animals or articles found to be so infected or contaminated as to be sources
of dangerous infection to human beings; and other measures, as in his/her judgment may
be necessary.

Sec. 16. Apprehension, Detention, or Conditional Release of Individuals. ~ Regulations
prescribed under this Chapter shall not provide for the apprehension, detention, or
conditional release of individuals except for the purpose of preventing the introduction,
transmission, or spread of such communicable diseases as may be specified from time to
time in Executive orders of the President upon the recommendation of the Secretary of
Health and/or the Executive Director.

Sec. 17. Application of Regulations to Persons Entering from Foreign Countries. — Except
as specifically provided by law, regulations prescribed under this Section, insofar as they
provide for the apprehension, detention, examination, or conditional release of individuals,
shall be applicable only to individuals coming into Philippine territory from a foreign country.

‘Sec. 18. Apprehension and examination of persons reasonably believed to be infected —

1. Regulations prescribed under this Chapter may provide for the apprehension and
examination of any individual reasonably believed to be infected with a communicable
disease in a qualifying stage and believed (A) to be moving or about to move within the
Philippines: or (B) to be a probable source of infection to individuals who, while infected
with such disease in a qualifying stage, will be moving within the Philippines. Such
regulations may provide that if upon examination any such individual is found to be
infected, he may be detained for such time and in such manner as may be reasonably
necessary.

2. For purposes of this Section, the term “qualifying stage", with respect to a
communicable disease, means that such disease—(A) is in a communicable stage; or (B)
is in a precommunicable stage, if the disease would be likely to cause a public health
emergency if transmitted to other individuals.

Sec. 19. Suspension of Entries and Imports from Designated Places to Prevent Spread of
Communicable Diseases. - Whenever the Executive Director determines that by reason of
the existence of any communicable disease in a foreign country there is serious danger of
the introduction of such disease into the Philippines, and that this danger is so increased by
the introduction of persons or property from such country that a suspension of the right to


introduce such persons and property is required in the interest of the public health, the
Secretary of Health, upon the recommendation of the Executive Director, in accordance with
regulations approved by the President, shall have the power to prohibit, in whole or in part
the introduction of persons and property from such countries or places as he shall designate
in order to avert such danger, and for such period of time as he may deem necessary for
such purpose.

Sec. 20. Special Quarantine Powers in Time of War ~ To protect the military and naval
forces and war workers of the Philippines, in time of war, against any communicable
disease, the President, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and the Executive
Director. is authorized to provide regulations for the apprehension and examination, in time
of war, of any individual reasonably believed (1) to be infected with such disease and (2) to
be a probable source of infection to members of the armed forces of the Philippines or to
individuals engaged in the production or transportation of arms, munitions, ships, food,
clothing, or other supplies for the armed forces. Such regulations may provide that if upon
‘examination any such individual is Found to be so infected, he may be detained for such
time and in such manner as may be reasonably necessary.

Sec, 21. Quarantine Regulations Governing Civil Air Navigation and Civil Aircraft — The
Executive Director and the Secretary of Health are jointly authorized to provide regulations
for the application to air navigation and aircraft of any of the provisions of sections 12 and 13
of this Act and regulations prescribed thereunder (including penalties and forfeitures for
violations of such sections and regulations), to such extent and upon such conditions as they
deem necessary for the safeguarding of the public health.

Sec, 22. Penalties — Any person who violates any regulation prescribed under this Chapter,
or who enters or departs from the limits of any quarantine station, ground, or anchorage in
disregard of quarantine rules and regulations or without permission of the quarantine officer
in charge, shall be punished by a fine of not more than Five Million Pesos (Php 5,000.000.00)
or by imprisonment for not more than two years, or both.

Sec. 23. Administration of Oath by Quarantine Officers - Medical officers, when performing
duties as quarantine officers at any port or place within the Philippines, are authorized to
take declarations and administer oaths in matters pertaining to the administration of the
quarantine laws and regulations of the Philippines.

CHAPTER IV
MANAGEMENT OF SUDDEN ONSET HEALTH EMERGENCIES:

Sec. 24. Health Emergency Coordination Council (HECC) - There shall be created a Health
Emergency Coordinating Council (HEC), hereinafter referred to as the Council, composed
of the following:

Secretary of Health as Chairperson;

The Executive Secretary as Co-Chairperson;

The Executive Director of the CDCP as Secretary;

The Secretary of Foreign Affairs as Member;

‘The Secretary of National Defense as NORRMC Chairman as Member;

The Secretary of Interior and Local Government as Member,

‘The Secretary of Justice as Member,

The Secretary of Budget and Management as Member;

The Secretary of Trade and Industry as Member;

The Secretary of Agriculture as Member;

The Secretary of the Presidential Communications Operations Office as Member,
The National Security Adviser as Member.

The Chairman of the Philippine Red Cross as Member:

goer sespa0oD


fa. The Executive Director of the Philippine Council for Health Research and
Development as Member, and
0. The President of PhilHealth as Member

Other government agencies not under the authority or jurisdiction of the standing
members of the Council may be included should their inclusion be determined by the Council
as necessary.

The Center shall act as Secretariat of the HEC.

The HECC shall meet at least once every quarter, and shall meet as often as
recommended by the Executive Director. Upon the motion of the Executive Director, it shall
be the duty of the HECC to declare a state of health emergency upon a vote of the majority
of its members. Only the council may declare a state of health emergency which may be
national, or local as defined

‘Sec. 25. Authorization to Use Calamity Funds — The declaration of a state of health
‘emergency shall serve as an authorization for covered local government units (LGUs) to use
their calamity funds in a manner duly consulted with the COC.

Sec. 26 Sudden Onset Health Emergency Management Plan — A Sudden Onset Health
Emergency Management Plan (SOHEMP) shall be formulated by the Council, as supported
by the CDC, within six (6) months after the effectivity of this Act. The SOHEMP shall serve
as the framework for the government's response to any public health emergency. It shall set
out goals and specific objectives to detect, prevent the spread, contain and manage public
health emergencies resulting from an outbreak of highly contagious and/or infectious
diseases, and biological or biochemical disasters

Sec. 27. Emergency Powers during a Sudden Onset Health Outbreak ~ The Council may
certify to the existence of a state of health emergency during a sudden onset health outbreak.
The basis for such a declaration shall be made public by the Council through the mass and
social media and a written report shall be submitted to both Houses of Congress. The
declaration shall take effect for a period of sixty (60) days, unless extended or terminated
earlier by the President, upon recommendation by the Secretary of Health.

Sec. 28. Dangerous Facilities and Materials — During the State of Health Emergency, the
Council may exercise, in coordination with national goverment agencies, local
governments, and other organizations responsible for the implementation of the SOHEMP,
the following powers over facilities or materials that may be considered dangerous due to
contamination or exposure to chemical, nuclear or biological agents or infectious disease
pathogen:

a. To close, disinfect and compel the evacuation of, or to decontaminate or cause fo be

decontaminated, any facility of which there is reasonable cause to believe that it may

endanger the public health, and

b. To decontaminate or cause to be decontaminated, any material of which there is

reasonable cause to believe that it may endanger the public health.

Sec. 29. Control of Pharmaceutical Agents or Medical Supplies — After the declaration of a
State of Public Health Emergency, the Council may authorize concerned agencies to
purchase, store or distribute anti-toxins, serums, vaccine, immunizing agents, antibiotics, and
other pharmaceutical agents or medical supplies that it considers advisable in the interest of
preparing for or controlling a public health emergency.

Ifa State of Public Health Emergency results in a nationwide or regional shortage or
threatened shortage of any product covered by the preceding paragraph, the Council may
control, restrict, and regulate by rationing and using quotas, prohibitions on shipments, price
fixing, allocation or other means, the use, sale, trading, distribution, or transportation of the
relevant product necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the people.


Sec, 30. Sudden Onset Health Hazards and Emergencies Management Service ~ There
Shall be created, within the CDC, a Sudden Onset Health Hazards and Emergencies
Management Service (SOHHEMS), under the DEMB, which shall perform the following
functions:
a Oversee on-the-ground operations of the CDC in the event of a public health
emergency;
b. Assess and improve the readiness of health facilities for a public health emergency,
@. Develop a National Epidemic and Rapid Onset Emergency Response pian, and assist
local governments in formulating their local public health emergency response plans,
d Capacitate government instrumentalities and private organizations in on-the-ground
response to public health emergencies;
d. Coordinate the logistical requirements of delivering national government assistance
to local governments in case of a public health emergency,
e. Operate a national health emergency hotline;
f Serve as a central receiving center for relevant information during a health
emergency;
g. Oversee the National Health Emergency Response Unit (NHERU);
h. Perform such other functions as may be delegated by the Secretary of Health, or as
may be needed to perform its role as the coordination body for ground operations
during a public health emergency.

Sec, 31. National Health Emergency Response Unit - There shall be created a National
Health Emergency Response Unit to perform the following functions:

‘a. Execute, in coordination with relevant law enforcement authorities, orders for
seizure, surveillance, search, and disposal issued by the President, the Secretary
of Health, the CDC, or the HECC.

b. Act as the first-response unit of the SOHHEMS during a public health emergency;

¢. Conduct investigative and intelligence gathering activities as ordered by the CDC
or by the Secretary of Health;

d. Verify reports of cases of serious infectious diseases, the presence of serious
amounts of biohazards; and such other reports whose verification is in the interest
of protecting public health;

e. Perform such other functions as may be inherent in its role as the first-response
Unit of the PHEMS, or as may be assigned by the Secretary of Health and/or the
CDC Executive Director.

Due to the nature of their duties, frontline personnel of the NHERU shall be entitled
to hazard pay. The Department of Budget and Management shall formulate and promulgate
the rules and regulations necessary for the implementation of this paragraph.

‘Sec. 32. Right to Information during a Sudden Onset Health Outbreak — The Secretary of
Health shall make publicly available information which he/she deems essential to preserving
the health and safety of the public, During a sudden onset health outbreak, the right to vital
information shall take precedence over the right to privacy.

Sec. 33. Special Supervision over the Bureau of Quarantine — During a sudden onset health
‘outbreak, or as may be mandated by the Secretary of Health in the interest of preventing an
outbreak, the Bureau of Quarantine shall report directly to the Executive Director of the CDC
The Bureau Of Quarantine shail at all times practice full transparency with the Executive
Director of the CDC. The CDC shall have full access to information in the possession of the
Bureau of Quarantine.

Sec. 34, Safe Disposal of Infectious Waste — The CDC may exercise, for such period as the
state of public health emergency exists, the following powers regarding the safe disposal of
infectious waste—


a. Adopt and enforce measures to provide for the safe disposal of infectious waste
as may be reasonable and necessary to respond to the public health emergency.
Such measures may include, but are not limited to, the collection, storage,
handling, destruction, treatment, transportation, and disposal of infectious waste.

b. To require any business or facility authorized to collect, store, handle, destroy,
treat, transport, and dispose of infectious waste under the law, and any landfill
business or other such property, to accept infectious waste, or provide services
or the use of the business, facility, or property if such action is reasonable and
necessary to respond to the public health emergency as a condition of licensure,
authorization, or the ability to continue doing business in the country as such a
business or facility. The use of the business, facility, or property may include
transferring the management and supervision of such business, facility, or
property to the CDC for a limited or unlimited period of time, but shall not exceed
the termination of the declaration of a state of public health emergency.

¢. To procure, by condemnation or otherwise, any business or facility authorized to
collect, store, handle, destroy, treat, transport, and dispose of infectious waste
under the laws of the country and any landfill business or other such property as
may be reasonable and necessary to respond to the public health emergency,
with the right to take immediate possession thereof.

d. All bags, boxes, or other containers for infectious waste shall be clearly identified
as containing infectious waste, and if known, the type of infectious waste.

Sec. 35. Safe Disposal of Human Remains - The CDC may exercise, for such period as the
state of public health emergency exists, the following powers regarding the safe disposal of
human remains:

a.

o

Adopt and enforce measures to provide for the safe disposal of human remains as
may be reasonable and necessary to respond to the public health emergency. Such
measures may include, but are not limited to, the embalming, burial, cremation,
interment, disinterment, transportation, and disposal of human remains.

Take possession or control of any human remains;

To order the disposal of any human remains of a person who has died of a
contagious disease through burial or cremation within twenty-four (24) hours after
death, To the extent possible, religious, cultural, family, and individual beliefs of the
deceased person or his or her family shall be considered when disposing of any
human remains;

Require any business or facility authorized to embaim, bury, cremate, inter, disinter,
transport, and dispose of human remains under the laws of the country to accept
any human remains or provide the use of its business or facility if such actions are
reasonable and necessary to respond to the public health emergency as a condition
of licensure, authorization, or the ability to continue doing business in the country as
such a business or facility. The use of the business or facility may include
transferring the management and supervision of such business or facility to the CDC
for a limited or unlimited period of time, but shall not exceed the termination of the
declaration of a state of public health emergency;

Procure, by condemnation or otherwise, any business or facility authorized to
embalm, bury, cremate, inter, disinter, transport, and dispose of human remains
under the laws of the Philippines as may be reasonable and necessary to respond
to the public health emergency, with the right to take immediate possession thereof,
Label every human remains prior to disposal with all available information to identity
the decedent and the circumstances of death. Any human remains of a deceased
person with a contagious disease shall have an external, clearly visible tag indicating
that the human remains is infected and, if known, the contagious disease.

Every person in charge of disposing of any human remains shall maintain a written
of electronic record of each human remains and all available information to identify
the decedent and the circumstances of death and disposal. If human remains cannot


be identified prior to disposal, @ qualified person shall, to the extent possible, take
fingerprints and photographs of the human remains, obtain identifying dental
information, and collect a DNA specimen. All information gathered under this
paragraph shall be promptly forwarded to the CDC.

Sec. 36. Other Powers of Control of Health Care Supplies —

‘a. The CDC may purchase and distribute antitoxins, serums, vaccines, immunizing
agents, antibiotics, and other pharmaceutical agents or medical supplies that it
deems advisable in the interest of preparing for or controlling a public health
emergency, without any additional legislative authorization.

b. Ifa state of public health emergency results in a national or regional shortage or
threatened shortage of any product under (a), whether or not such product has
been purchased by the public health authority, the CDC may control, restrict, and
regulate by rationing and using quotas, prohibitions on shipments, allocation, or
other means, the use, sale, dispensing, distribution, or transportation of the
relevant product necessary to protect the public health, safety, and welfare of the
people.

c. Inmaking rationing or other supply and distribution decisions, the COC may give
preference to health care providers, disaster response personnel, and mortuary
staff.

d. During a state of public health emergency, the CDC may procure, store, or
distribute any anti-toxins, serums, vaccines, immunizing agents, antibiotics, and
other pharmaceutical agents or medical supplies located within the country as may
be reasonable and necessary to respond to the public health emergency, with the
right to take immediate possession thereof. If a public health emergency
simultaneously affects more than one state, nothing in this Section shall be
construed to allow the public health authority to obtain anti-toxins, serums,
vaccines, immunizing agents, antibiotics, and other pharmaceutical agents or
medical supplies for the primary purpose of hoarding such items or preventing
their fair and equitable distribution among affected countries.

Sec. 37. Vaccination and Treatment - During a state of public health emergency, or a state
of sudden onset health outbreak, the CDC may exercise the following emergency powers
over persons as necessary to address the public health emergency:
a. Vaccination. To vaccinate persons as protection against infectious disease and to
prevent the spread of contagious or possibly contagious disease. (1) Vaccination
may be performed by any qualified person authorized to do so by the CDC. (2) A
vaccine to be administered must not be such as is reasonably likely to lead to serious:
harm to the affected individual. (3) To prevent the spread of contagious or possibly
contagious disease the CDC may isolate or quarantine, pursuant to the provisions
Of this Act, persons who are unable or unwilling for reasons of health, religion, or
conscience to undergo vaccination pursuant to this Section.
b. Treatment. To treat persons exposed to or infected with disease. (1) Treatment may
be administered by any qualified person authorized to do so by the CDC or DOH.
(2) Treatment must not be such as is reasonably likely to lead to serious harm to the
affected individual, (3) To prevent the spread of contagious or possibly contagious
disease the public health authority may isolate or quarantine, persons who are
unable or unwilling for reasons of health, religion, or conscience to undergo
treatment pursuant to this Section.


CHAPTER V
TRACKING OF PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCIES

Sec. 38. Reporting —

‘a. lines or health condition. A health care provider, medico-legal, or medical
‘examiner shall report all cases of persons who harbor any illness or health
condition that may be potential causes of a public health emergency, including
emerging and reemerging infections.

b. Pharmacists. In addition to the foregoing requirements for health care providers,
a pharmacist shall report any unusual or increased prescription rates, unusual
types of prescriptions, or unusual trends in pharmacy visits that may be potential
causes of a public health emergency. Prescription-related events that require a
report include, but are not limited to— (I) an unusual increase in the number of
prescriptions or over-the-counter pharmaceuticals to treat conditions that the
CDC identifies through regulations; (2) an unusual increase in the number of
prescriptions for antibiotics, and (3) any prescription that treats a disease that is
relatively uncommon or may be associated with bioterrorism.

¢. Manner of reporting. The report shall be made electronically or in writing within
twenty-four (24) to the Department of Health or through the CDC. The report shall
include as much of the following information as is available: the specific illness or
health condition that is the subject of the report; the patient's name, date of birth,
sex, race, occupation, and current home and work addresses (including city and
province): the name and address of the health care provider, coroner, or medical
examiner and of the reporting individual, if different; and any other information
needed to locate the patient for follow-up. For cases related to animal or insect
bites, the suspected locating information of the biting animal or insect, and the
name and address of any known owner, shall be reported.

d. Animal diseases. Every veterinarian, livestock owner, veterinary diagnostic
laboratory director, or other person having the care ‘of animals shall report animals
having or suspected of having any diseases that may be potential causes of a
public health emergency. The report shall be made electronically or in writing
within twenty four (24) hours to the DOH or the CDC and shall include as much
of the following information as is available: the specific illness or health condition
that is the subject of the report; the suspected locating information of the animal,
the name and address of an known owner, and the name and address of the
reporting individual

e. Laboratories. For the purposes of this Section, the definition of "health care
provider" shall include medical laboratories, provided that such laboratories have
agreed to the reporting requirements of the country’. Results must be reported by
the laboratory that performs the test, but a local laboratory that sends specimens
toa laboratory abroad is also responsible for reporting results.

f. Enforcement. The CDC may enforce the provisions of this Section in accordance
with existing enforcement rules and regulations.

Sec. 39. Tracking - The CDC shall ascertain the existence of cases of an illness or health
condition that may be potential causes of a public health emergency; investigate all such
cases for sources of infection and to ensure that they are subject to proper control
measures; and define the distribution of the illness or health condition. To fulfil these duties,
the CDC shall identify exposed individuals as follows:

a. Identification of individuals. Acting on information developed in accordance with
Section 34 of this Act, or other reliable information, the CDC shall identify all
individuals thought to have been exposed to an illness or health condition that may
be a potential cause of a public health emergency.

b. Interviewing of individuals. The CDC shall counsel and interview such individuals
where needed to assist in the positive identification of exposed individuals and


develop information relating to the source and spread of the illness or health
condition. Such information includes the name and address (including city and
province) of any person from whom the illness or health condition may have been
‘contracted and to whom the illness, or health condition may have spread

c. Examination of facilities or materials. The CDC shall, for examination purposes,
close, evacuate, or decontaminate any facility or decontaminate or destroy any
material when the authority reasonably suspects that such facility or material may
endanger the public health

d. Enforcement. The CDC may enforce the provisions of this Section in accordance
with existing enforcement rules and regulations. An order of the CDC given to
effectuate the purposes of this Section shall be enforceable immediately.

Sec. 40. Information Sharing -

“a. Whenever the CDC or other government agency leams of a case of a reportable
iliness or health condition, an unusual cluster, or a suspicious event that may be the
cause of a public health emergency, it shall immediately notify the SOHECC and its
members.

b. Whenever the CDC leams of a case of a reportable illness or health condition, an
unusual cluster, or a suspicious event that it reasonably believes has the potential
to be caused by bioterrorism, it shall immediately notify public safety authorities

c. Sharing of information on reportable ilinesses, health conditions, unusual clusters,
or suspicious events between public health and safety authorities shall be restricted
to the information necessary for the treatment, control, investigation, and prevention
of a public health emergency

Sec. 41. Intergovernmental Information Sharing - The Secretary of Foreign Affairs and the
Secretary of Health are jointly mandated to review and recommend to the SOHECC
multilateral and bilateral agreements which the country may adopt to strengthen its
information-sharing mechanisms with other countries.

CHAPTER VI
OTHER PROVISIONS

Sec. 42. Congressional Oversight Committee on Communicable Disease Control and
Prevention - To monitor the implementation of this Act, there shall be a Congressional
‘Oversight Committee on Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, composed of the
Chair and four other members of the House Committee on Health, and the Chair and four
other members of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography. No part of this Act
shall be construed as to limit the oversight powers inherently or actually possessed by the
same committees.

Sec. 43. Appropriations — In addition to the appropriations for the units subsumed in the
Center under this Act, there shall be appropriated a sum of Fifty Million Pesos (Php
50,000.000.00) for the implementation of this Act, including the operations of the Center.

Sec. 44. Staffing - The Secretary of Health, in consultation with the Department of Budget
and Management (DBM), shall determine the organizational structure including regional
or field offices, qualification standards, staffing pattem and compensation of the newly
created Center in accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations.

Sec. 45. implementing Rules and Regulations ~ The Secretary of Health shall promulgate
the necessary rules and regulations within ninety (90) working days from the effectivity of
this Act


Sec, 46. Separability Clause - If any portion or provision of this Act is subsequently
Goclared invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby
shall remain in full force and effect.

Sec, 47. Repealing Clause — All other laws, Acts, Presidential Decrees, Executive Orders,
Presidential Proclamations, issuances, rules and regulations, or parts thereof which are
contrary to or inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed,
amended, or modified accordingly.

Sec, 48. Effectivity — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,