NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
ic'-'« Senate
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*22 AUG -4 P5 51
SENATE
1039
S. No.
RECEIVED BY;
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO
AN ACT
STRENGTHENING PHILIPPINE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY 
PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE CAPABILITY, ESTABLISHING FOR THE 
PURPOSE A PHILIPPINE CENTER FOR DISEASE PREVENTION AND 
CONTROL, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Drawing from the painful lessons of the coronavirus pandemic, this bill seeks 
to achieve a comprehensive framework where technical guidance grounded on science 
and research would direct public efforts in addressing not only the ongoing COVID-19 
threat, but the public health emergencies the country may endure in the future.
This bill, in particular, establishes an accountable and competent government 
agency to be named the Philippine Center for Disease Prevention and Control, 
attached to the Department of Health, which shall serve as the technical authority in 
forecasting, preventing, controlling, and monitoring public health emergencies in the 
country. Through this agency, along with other interventions such as the development 
of a Framework for Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response, it is hoped 
that the country and its health care system will be better equipped to prepare, detect, 
prevent, manage and mitigate the succeeding public health emergencies that will 
happen within our shores.
In view of the foregoing, and cognizant of the call of President Ferdinand R. 
Marcos, Jr. for the establishment of a Center for Disease Control and Prevention, this 
bill is filed for Congress' immediate consideration and approval.
Respectfully submitted.
FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. No. 1039
Senate
iSfficfi of ffjp ^pfrpfnrjp
*22 AUG-4 P5S1
RECEIVED BY;
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO
AN ACT
STRENGTHENING PHILIPPINE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY 
PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE CAPABILITY, ESTABLISHING FOR THE 
PURPOSE A PHILIPPINE CENTER FOR DISEASE PREVENTION AND 
CONTROL, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES
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 "Philippine Center for 
Disease Prevention and Control Act."
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
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protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness
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among them. To this end, cognizant of the constitutional mandate to adopt an
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integrated and comprehensive approach to health development, the State shall
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develop an effective mechanism to forecast, prevent, control and mitigate public
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health emergencies and their adverse impact on the health and well-being of all
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Filipinos.
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Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - For the purposes of this Act:
(a) "Public Health Emergency" shall refer to an occurrence or imminent 
threat of an illness or health condition that:
1. Is caused by the following: 
i. Bioterrorism;


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ii. Appearance of a novel or previously controlled or eradicated 
infectious agent or biological toxin;
iii. A natural disaster;
iv. A chemical attack or accidental release;
V. A nuclear attack or accident;
vi. An attack or accidental release of radioactive materials; and 
2. Poses a high probability of any of the following:
i. A large number of deaths in the affected population;
il. A large number of serious injuries or long-term disabilities in 
the affected population;
iii. Widespread exposure to an infectious or toxic agent that 
poses a significant risk of substantial harm to a large number 
of people In the affected population;
iv. International exposure to an infectious or toxic agent that 
poses a significant risk to the health of citizens of other 
countries; or
V. Trade and travel restrictions;
(b) "Disease" shall refer 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;
(c) "Disease Control" shall refer to the reduction of disease incidence, 
prevalence, morbidity or mortality to locally acceptable levels as a result of 
deliberate efforts and continued intervention measures to maintain such 
reduction;
(d) "Disease Prevention" shall refer to the population- and individual-based 
interventions aimed at minimizing the burden of diseases and associated 
risk factors;
(e) "Disease Surveillance" shall refer to the ongoing systematic collection, 
analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of outcome-specific data for use 
in planning, implementation, and evaluation of health practice;


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(f) "Health Service Providers" shall refer to individuals and facilities that
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provides health care services such as physicians, allied medical personnel,
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hospitals, clinics, health laboratories and other similar individuals and
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facilities, whether public or private;
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(g) "International Health Regulations" shall refer to the legally binding
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international agreement to build state capacity to detect, assess, report and
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respond to potential public health emergencies and public health events;
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(h) "Publicly Accessible Facilities" shall refer to facilities, whether public or
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private, that can be accessed by members of the general public, such as
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schools, workplaces, shopping malls, prisons, ports, airports, stations,
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amusement parks, and other similar establishments;
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(i) "Public Health Laboratory Networks" shall refer to a network of laboratories
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which are responsible for providing timely and reliable diagnostic results
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primarily for disease prevention, control, surveillance, population-based
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interventions, and outbreak emergency response; and for performing core
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public health and environmental activities, including reference tests for
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diseases of public health importance; and
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(j) "Public Health Emergency Response" shall refer to the implementation of
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specific activities to control further spread of infection, outbreaks, or
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epidemics and prevent their reoccurrence.
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Sec. 4. Philippine Center for Disease Prevention and Control. - There is hereby
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created a government agency to be known as the Philippine Center for Disease
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Prevention and Control (PCDPC), which shall be the technical authority on the
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forecasting, preventing, controlling, and monitoring of public health emergencies,
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whether domestic or international in origin. The PCDPC shall be attached to the
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Department of Health (DOH) for purposes of policy and program coordination.
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Sec. 5. Powers and Functions of the Philippine Center for Disease Prevention
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and Control - The PCDPC shall exercise the following powers and functions:


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(a) Recommend to the President, through the Secretary of Health, the 
declaration of a state of public health emergency and set parameters for 
the existence and termination of the same;
(b) Develop and update a Framework for Public Health Emergency 
Preparedness and Response as provided under Section 11 of this Act;
(c) Provide technical assistance in (i) developing and implementing 
interventions concerning public health emergencies; (ii) maintaining public 
health monitoring systems; and (iii) building the capacity of other 
government agencies and instrumentalities in disease forecasting, 
prevention, monitoring, and mitigation;
(d) Conduct research, investigations, disease surveillance, and other similar 
activities in relation to forecasting, prevention, monitoring, and control of 
diseases and public health emergencies;
(e) Set standards, parameters, and processes for the establishment and 
operation of Epidemiology and Surveillance Units, testing laboratories, and 
other similar establishments;
(f) Develop, implement, maintain, and update an integrated disease 
surveillance system and a public health laboratory network;
(g) Develop and update training programs on specialized fields such as, but 
not limited to, public health emergency preparedness, disease monitoring 
and surveillance, and field epidemiology;
(h) Provide technical guidance on the procurement of critical health and 
medical supplies, such as, but not limited to, medicines and vaccines;
(i) Promote and facilitate collaboration, coordination, communication and 
information-sharing among the relevant government agencies, academic 
and scientific community, civil society organizations, and private sector 
stakeholders on matters concerning public health emergency preparedness 
and response;
(j) Solicit and receive from domestic or foreign sources such legacies, gifts, 
donations, grants, endowments, contributions or transfers of ownership or 
possession of personal or real properties in support of the activities and 
mandates of the PCDPC: Provided, That any legacy, gift, donation, grant.


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endowment, contribution received by the PCDPC shall be deposited in full
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in a special account in the general fund in the National Treasury and shall
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be used exclusively for the purpose specified in the deeds and instruments
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covering them: Provided, further, That any legacy, gift, donation, grant,
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endowment, contributions used actually, directly and exclusively for the
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purpose of the PCDPC shall be exempt from donor's tax and shall be
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considered as allowable deductions from the gross income of the donor for
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the purpose of computing the taxable income of the donor concerned in
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accordance with the provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code of
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1997, as amended; and
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(k) Perform such other functions as may be mandated by law or duly delegated
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by the President of the Philippines or the Secretary of Health.
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Sec. 6. Composition of the Phiiippine Center for Disease Prevention and Controi.
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- The PCDPC shall be headed by a Director-General with the rank of Undersecretary,
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who shall be assisted by one (1) Deputy Director-General with the rank of Assistant
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Secretary. The Director-General and the Deputy Director-General shall be appointed
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by the President of the Philippines upon the recommendation of the Secretary of
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Health: Provided, That no person shall be appointed as PCDPC Director-General or
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Deputy Director-General unless he or she is a citizen and resident of the Philippines,
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of good moral character, of proven integrity, and with at least seven (7) years of
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competence and expertise in public health management, health emergency
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preparedness, health emergency response, epidemiology and other related disciplines.
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Sec. 7. Powers and Functions of the Director-Generai of the Phiiippine Center
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for Disease Prevention and Controi. - The PCDPC Director-General shall perform the
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following powers and functions:
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(a) Manage and direct the activities and operations of the PCDPC as provided 
under this Act or in accordance with the instruction of relevant government 
authorities;
(b) Certify to the Secretary of Health the occurrence of a public health 
emergency and recommend appropriate interventions to address the same;


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(c) Act as the focal point for communication with the World Health
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Organization on matters concerning the International Health Regulations
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(IHR); and
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(d) Perform such other functions as may be mandated by law or duly delegated
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by the President of the Philippines or the Secretary of Health.
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Sec. 8. Organizational Structure and Staffing Pattern. - The PCDPC shall, in
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consultation with the DOH and subject to approval of the Department of Budget and
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Management (DBM), determine its organizational structure and create new bureaus,
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divisions or units as it may deem necessary, and shall appoint its officers and
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employees in accordance with the civil service law, rules, and regulations.
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Sec. 9. Framework for Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response. -
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The PCDPC shall, in consultation with the DOH and other relevant public and private
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stakeholders, formulate a roadmap for improving government capacity to detect,
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prevent, forecast and respond to public health emergencies. The framework shall
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include, but not be limited to, the development of the following capabilities:
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(a) Identifying and assessing public health risks and vulnerabilities;
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(b) Improving community resilience against public health emergencies;
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(c) Developing and maintaining systems for coordination among agencies
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engaged in public health emergency operations;
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(d) Formulating effective mechanisms to share and disseminate public
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information and health warnings;
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(e) Designing effective means to mitigate public health emergencies, which
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shall include, but not be limited to, procurement and distribution of medical
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and health care supplies, provision of nonpharmaceutical interventions,
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and enforcement of occupational health, safety and wellness for
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emergency responders;
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(f) Devising interventions to manage and mitigate the impact of surges, which
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shall include, but not be limited to, management of fatalities, provision of
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mass care, and recruitment of health care volunteers; and


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(g) Preventing the onset of public health emergencies through disease
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surveillance and epidemiological investigations.
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Sec. 10. Integrated Disease Surveillance System, -The PCDPC shall establish
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and maintain an integrated disease surveillance system for the continuous and
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systematic coiiection, analysis and interpretation 
of health-related data; the
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application of such data in planning, implementation and evaluation of public health
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practices and interventions; and the dissemination of such data to agencies engaged
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in disease prevention and control and to the general public. The PCDPC shall unify the
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public health information system disease surveillance and response systems
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established under Section 6(a)(1) of Republic Act No. 11332, otherwise known as the
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Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health
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Concern Act, and maintain mechanisms and protocols for coordination, reporting and
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communication between the PCDPC, the DOH, local health offices, health service
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providers, publicly accessible facility operators, 
the academic and scientific
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communities, and other relevant stakeholders.
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Sec. 11. Public Health Laboratory Network. - There shall be a Public Health
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Laboratory Network to unify all diagnostic surveillance of public health Importance into
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standalone laboratories across the nation. The Public Health Laboratory Network shall
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be composed of the following:
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(a) National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) which shall (i) provide end-referral
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laboratory confirmatory services and training; (ii) implement external
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quality assurance programs, (iii) perform surveillance, outbreak response,
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kit evaluation, research, and (iv) establish technical standards;
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(b) Subnational Reference Laboratories (SRLs) which shall (I) conduct
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confirmatory testing for routine surveillance samples; (ii) perform
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specialized tests, training, laboratory-related research; and (iii) cascading
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of protocols and standards set by the NRLs: Provided, That SRLs shall be
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established in each of the following catchment areas: North Luzon, National
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Capital Region and Central Luzon; South Luzon; Visayas; and Mindanao;
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and


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(c) Regional Public Health Laboratories (RPHLs) which shall (i) perform
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diagnostic tests both for diseases of public health importance, and (ii)
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conduct laboratory-related research: Provided, That RPHLs shall be
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established or designated in all regions of the country.
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The PCDPC shall exercise supervisory and oversight functions over the
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development and operations of all public health laboratories in the Public Health
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Laboratory Network. For the purpose of managing the Public Health Laboratory
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Network, the PCDPC shall perform the following:
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1. Identification of public health laboratories and designation of NRLs, SRLs,
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and RPHLs;
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2. Transition of identified public health laboratories that are currently housed
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in their existing host hospitals into standalone laboratory facilities to serve
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as diagnostic surveillance centers separate from its hospital operations;
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and
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3. Establishment of an integrated laboratory information system accessible to
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all public health laboratories and surveillance units.
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Sec. 12. Joint Oversight Committee. - There shall be a Joint Oversight
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Committee on Disease Prevention and Control to be chaired jointly by the Chairpersons
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of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography and the House of
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Representatives Committee on Health. The Joint Committee shall be composed of five
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(5) members from the Senate of the Philippines and five (5) members from the House
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of Representatives, to be appointed by the Senate President and the Speaker of the
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House of Representatives, respectively.
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Sec. 13. Annual Report. - The PCDPC shall submit to Congress an annual report
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containing, among other information, (i) an evaluation of current and emerging threats
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to public health, (ii) interventions undertaken to address such threats; (iii) a progress
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report on the Philippine commitments under the IHR; and (iv) policy recommendations
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to improve public health emergency preparedness and response.


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Sec. 14. Appropriations. - The initial amount needed for the implementation of
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this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the offices
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transferred to the PCDPC as provided under Section 10 of this Act. Thereafter, the
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amount needed for the implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual
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General Appropriations Act.
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Sec. 15. Transfer of Agencies, Personnel, Records, Assets, Properties and
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Equipment - All relevant functions, appropriations, records, assets, properties,
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equipment and personnel of the following agencies shall be transferred to the PCDPC:
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(a) Epidemiology Bureau;
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(b) Research Institute for Tropical Medicine;
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(c) Sexually-Transmitted Disease - Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
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Cooperative Central Laboratory;
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(d) Office of Health Laboratories;
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(e) Personnel and offices under the International Health Surveillance Division
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of the Bureau of Quarantine that perform the following functions: (i)
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passive international health surveillance; and (ii) dissemination of critical
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public health information; and
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(f) Personnel and offices under the Disease Prevention and Control Bureau
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engaged in technical and standard setting functions.
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Sec. 16. Transitory Provisions. - The transfer of functions, assets, funds,
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equipment, properties, transactions, and personnel of the affected agencies, and the
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formulation of the internal organic structure, staffing pattern, operating system, and
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revised budget of the PCDPC shall be completed within six (6) months from the
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effectivity of this Act, during which time, the existing personnel shall continue to
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assume their posts in holdover capacities until new appointments are issued: Provided,
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That no diminution of salaries, benefits, seniority rights or ranks shall be effected to
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employees who are qualified for retention or continuation as a result of the transfer:
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Provided, further, That the PCDPC and the DOH, in coordination with the DBM, shall
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determine and create new positions as may be necessary within their respective
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agencies: Provided, finally, That the funding requirements for such new positions shall


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not exceed the cost of positions that may be declared redundant, abolished or
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reorganized.
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Affected personnel who would opt to retire or be separated as a result of the
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transfer shall be entitled, at the option of the employee concerned, to the retirement
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benefits and separation incentives under Republic Act No. 1616, as amended; Republic
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Act No. 660; and Republic Act No. 8291, as amended.
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In addition to said retirement benefits, the affected personnel who would opt
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to retire or be separated shall be entitled to the following applicable separation
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incentives:
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(a) One hundred percent (100%) of the actual monthly basic salary for every
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year of government service, for those who have rendered less than eleven
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(11) years of service;
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(b) One hundred fifty percent (150%) of the actual monthly basic salary for
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every year of government service, computed starting from the first (1st)
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year, for those who have rendered eleven (11) years to less than twenty-
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one (21) years of service;
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(c) Two hundred percent (200%) of the actual monthly basic salary for every
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year of government service, computed starting from the first (1st) year, for
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those who have rendered twenty-one (21) years to less than thirty-one
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(31) years of service; and
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(d) Two hundred fifty percent (250%) of the actual monthly basic salary for
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every year of government service, computed starting from the first (1st)
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year, for those who have rendered at least thirty-one (31) years of service.
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Sec. 17. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within thirty (30) days from
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effectivity of this Act, the DOH shall, in consultation with the DBM, promulgate the
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rules and regulations to effectively implement the provisions of this Act.
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Sec. 18. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, acts, presidential decrees, executive
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orders, issuances, presidential proclamations, rules and regulations or parts thereof.
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which are contrary to and inconsistent with any provision of this Act, are hereby
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repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 19. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
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unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall
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remain in force and effect.
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Sec. 20. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect immediately following the
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completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or at least two (2) newspapers of
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general circulation.
Approved,
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