Republic of the Philippines
Wouse of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Eighteenth Congress
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 8113

Introduced by Representatives JORGE “PATROL” BUSTOS, PRESLEY C.
DE JESUS and MICHAEL L. ROMERO

EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article 11, Section 15, of the 1987 Constitution specifically states:

"The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and
instill health consciousness among them."

At the start of this millenium, the world was faced and infected with several
new strains of deadly viruses: a viral respiratory disease cauased by SARS (Severe
Acute Respiratory Syndrome) coronavirus (SARS-CoV) in the years spanning
2002-2003, and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), said to be
deadlier than SARS-CoV, on 2013. These could have made us rethink and
prioritize our healthcare structure and laws better. These could have been reason
enough for us to prepare for bigger threats with communicable and transmissible
diseases that have not been addressed by modern technology.

Here comes the year 2020. With the onslaught of COVID-19 that has
infected almost two million! people across the world and has killed more than one
hundred thousand people, government preparedness to address the same has never
been this crucial. While the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared
COVID-19 a "public health emergency" which should at least trigger an

" As of April 13, 2020, source: www.who.int
2 An occurrence or imminent threat of an illness or health condition, caused by bio terrorism, epidemic or pandemic

disease, or a novel and highly fatal infectious agent or biological toxin, that poses a substantial risk of a significant
number of human facilities or incidents or permanent or long-term disability (WHO/DCD, 2001).


immediate response system from all nations or constituencies affected by such an
alarming infection or occurrence, the scenario being depicted in various areas
around the world seems to be quite the opposite: there is an obvious lack of
preparedness to meet such an emergency, and lack of enabling laws and statutes to
help people cope and rise above these pandemics.

While some may say that the Filipinos have already developed and instilled
in their cultures a sense of resiliency because as fate would have it, we are a nation
prone to disasters, both brought about by nature or man-made. As an archipelago,
we have witnessed storm after storm, earthquake after earthquake, calamity after
calamity, yet we have devised so many ways that have helped us survive through
it. But the current health pandemic that is wrecking havoc to our world is slowly
eating away our people, our resources, our economy and our social systems. It is a
kind that can be likened to a war, but with an invisible and unknown enemy. We
cannot fight it with guns, and the only ammunition we know is to not mingle with
anyone, and stay within the confines of our homes. We cannot deny to ourselves
that we have not prepared fully well for this invisible war. Our government has not
equipped itself with the proper enactment to face this kind of world pandemic.

As time is of the essence, let this proposed cement the role of the President,
as our chief Executive, with the guidance of the health sector, particularly the
Department of Health, to lead the national response and preparedness for public
health emergencies, to cover all those emanating from natural disasters and
weather conditions, those resulting from chemical, biological, radiological, or
nuclear agents, including emerging infectious diseases, or emergencies, or as may
they be declared as pandemics, bioterrorism or mass casualties.

Our preparedness shall determine and ensure that all activities and measures
taken in advance shall be our government’s response to minimize, if not eradicate
the impact of hazards, including the issuance of timely and effective public health
emergency plans and evacuation, risk assessment and management, including pre-
disaster activities, and structures to help address contingencies and all possible
health and safety scenarios and containment of the disease/outbreaks and their
concommitant risks be made at the soonest possible instance.

This bill is also in honor of the late Senator Mirian Defensor Santiago who,
in keeping with her ideals for pre-emptive action against pandemics, filed a similar
bill in 2014. May we now truly understand that all things are possible, and it is



never too late to prepare too early, for the fruits of preparedness will always benefit
our community as a whole.

The immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

CONG. JORG! 'ATROL” BUSTOS

CNG. PRESLEY C. DE JESUS

a

'HAEL L. ROMERO



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Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Eighteenth Congress
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 8113

Introduced By Representatives JORGE “PATROL” BUSTOS, PRESLEY C.
DE JESUS and MICHAEL L. ROMERO

AN ACT
STRENGTHENING NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE TO
PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCIES

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Pandemic and All-
Hazards Preparedness Act."

SECTION 2. Creation of a National Health Strategy for Public Health
Emergencies. - The Secretary of Health shall spearhead the creation of a national
health strategy to address public health emergencies. This strategy shall provide for
integrated policy coordination and strategic direction with respect to all matters
related to national public health and medical preparedness and execution and
deployment of national response before, during, and following public health

emergencies.

SECTION 3. Components of a National Health Strategy. - The National Health
Strategy shall include:


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(A) Provisions for increasing the preparedness, response capabilities, and surge
capacity of ambulatory care facilities, dental health facilities, and critical care

service systems;

(B) Plans for optimizing a coordinated and flexible approach to the mcapacity
of hospitals, other health care facilities, critical care, and trauma care and

emergency medical systems;

(C) Provisions taking into account the unique needs of individuals with

disabilities in a public health emergency;

(D) Strategic initiatives to advance countermeasures to diagnose, mitigate,
prevent, or treat harm from any biological agent or toxin or any chemical,
radiological, or nuclear agent or agents, whether naturally, occurring,

unintentional, or deliberate;

(E) Conduct OF periodic evaluations of national and local preparedness and
response capabilities which shall include drills and exercises to ensure'medical

surge capacity for events: without notice.

SECTION 4. Creation of Task Force on Public Emergencies. - (A) A task force

under the control of the Secretary of Health shall be established in order to conduct
research necessary for the creation of the Strategy. The Task Force shall be composed

of representatives from:

1. The Department of Health;

. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC);
|. The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG);

. The National Security Adviser; and

. The Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC).

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(B) The Task Force shall:

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Report directly to the President of the Philippines to make timely reports and
recommendations regarding the control measures and activities being

undertaken for the containment/addressing of the public health emergency;

Monitor emerging issues and concerns as they relate to medical and public
health preparedness and response for at-risk individuals in the event of a

public health emergency;

Identify and minimize gaps, duplication and other inefficiencies in medical
and public health preparedness and response activitics and the actions

necessary to overcome these obstacles;

Disseminate and update novel and best practices of outreach to and care of
at-risk individuals before, during, and, following public health emergencies in
as timely a. manner as is practicable, including from the time a public health
threat is identified;

Ensure that public health and medical information distributed by the
government during a public health emergency is delivered in a manner that
takes into account the range of communication needs of the intended

recipients, including at-risk individuals; a

. Create Technical Working Groups (TWGs) to address other concerns that are

affecting the medical health emergency such as economic, social amelioration
and security plans and arrangements, to minimize the impact of such

emergency to the general public; and


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6. Perform such other functions as may be ordered or may be necessarily related

to its mandated functions.

SECTION 5. Creation of Medical Reserve Corps. - The Secretary of Health shall
establish a medical reserve corps composed of volunteer health professionals. The
Medical Reserve Corps shall be called into duty if needed during public health

emergencies.

SECTION 6. Authorization of Appropriations. - To carry out the provisions of
this Act, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for

each fiscal year;

SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part thereof is held invalid
or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected

shall remain valid and subsisting.

SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative’ order, rule, or regulation contrary
to or inconsistent with the provisions ofthis Act is hereby repealed, modified, or

amended accordingly.

SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after

its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,