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Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House BillNo.__ 7852

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE ERIC L. OLIVAREZ

EXPLANATORY NOTE

As of October 2020, there are more than three hundred thirty thousand
(330,000) cases of COVID-19 in the Philippines. Moreover, in an article of
the Asean Post, it was said that because of COVID-19, it is estimated that
the deficit of the Philippines’ gross domestic product (GDP) is projected to
be around 8.1% which translates to Php1.56 trillion. The pandemic is of a
precarious nature affecting not only the health and lives of the people but
also the economy of the country. There are two things that must be done —
solve the immediate problem and prevent the effects of the pandemic from
happening again in our country.

Solving the immediate problem entails the development of a cure or a
vaccine that will treat the virus and also reduce the risk of getting the disease.
There are currently forty-eight (48) vaccines in development worldwide which
are in different phases and only two (2) of these have passed Phase 3
leaving these with one (1) more phase in order to be approved for full use.
While everyone should be hopeful in finally having the cure of this vicious
disease, one must not stand idly and simply wait for this vaccine. Measures
to reduce the transmission of the disease that should also be applicable in
the future, should there be another emergence of an infectious disease, have
to be created.


According to the World Health Organization (WHO), isolation of people
who have been exposed to any serious or contagious disease is the most
effective way to prevent its transmission. For this reason, this Bill is intended
to establish a quarantine facility in every region in the country. These facilities
shall be equipped with adequate food, clothing, means of communication, and
competent medical care. Considering that there is no immediate solution to eradicate
COVID-19 yet, it is best that the country gets into a position where it is able to defend
its people against the corona virus or any other disease for that matter. Likewise, the
establishment of these quarantine facilities will also be helpful in the future because
introducing effective quarantine measures early in an outbreak may delay the
introduction of an infectious disease to a country or area.

In view of the foregoing the passage of this Bill is eamestly sought.

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Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House BillNo.__7852

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE ERIC L. OLIVAREZ

AN ACT REQUIRING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF QUARANTINE
FACILITIES IN EVERY REGION IN THE COUNTRY PROVIDING
FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Mandatory
Quarantine Facilities Act of 2020”.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — \t is the declared policy of the
State to improve the delivery of health care services to the people, and to
protect the people from public health threats during public health
emergencies through the efficient and effective response system for
emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, diseases for elimination and
eradication, epidemics, and health events including chemical, radio-nuclear
and environmental agents of public health concern.

SECTION 3. Establishment of Quarantine Facilities. - There shall be
established a quarantine facility in every region in the country. The quarantine
facilities shall be fully equipped to include the needs of individuals who are


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quarantined including, but not limited to, adequate food, clothing, means of
communication, and competent medical care.

Each location for every quarantine facility shall be identified by the
Department of Health (DOH) in close coordination with the Department of
Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Local Government Units (LGUs)
concerned;

Provided, That the quarantine facilities shall be easily accessible to a
DOH hospital and shall be strategically located to ensure the safety of the
community. The DPWH, in coordination with the LGUs, shall be in charge
of the construction of quarantine facilities, formulation of building
specifications based on standards, issuances of the governments and
other guidelines appropriate for its construction.

SECTION 4. Operations and Management of the Quarantine
Facilities. - The DOH shall be primarily responsible for the operation,
supervision, and management of the quarantine facilities established under
this Act. The DOH shall issue guidelines on the procedure and proper use of
quarantine facilities within thirty (30) days from the effectivity this Act.

SECTION 5. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to establish
and operate quarantine facilities shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act.

SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty
(60) days from the approval of this Act, the Department of Health (DOH),
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Interior
and Local Government (DILG) and Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR), in consultation with relevant stakeholders, shall issue
the implementing rules and regulations of this Act.

SECTION 7. Separability Clause. — \f any provision of this Act is
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected
thereby shall remain valid and subsisting.


SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - All acts, executive orders,
memorandum circulars/guidelines and other issuances or parts thereof,
which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

SECTION 9. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its complete publication in the Official Gazette or at least two (2)
national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.