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Eighteenth Congress
Second Regular Session

House Bit. _7674

Introduced by
REPRESENTATIVE LOREN LEGARDA

AN ACT PROVIDING POLICIES AND PRESCRIBING PROCEDURES TO PREVENT,
CONTROL, AND RESPOND TO INFECTIOUS DISEASES, AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11332, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
MANDATORY REPORTING OF NOTIFIABLE DISEASES AND HEALTH EVENTS OF
PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERN ACT, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

COVID-19, a new strain of the coronavirus first identified in Wuhan, Hubei, China in
December 2019, has infected more than nineteen million individuals and has claimed
the lives of more than seven hundred thousand individuals over the past months all over
the world’. In the Philippines alone, as of August 12, 2020, COVID-19 has infected
more than one hundred forty thousand people (143,749 confirmed cases) and has
claimed the lives of more than two thousand four hundred (2,404 deaths)”. Given the
rapid spread of the disease and the unprecendented increase in the number of infected
cases, the World Health Organization (WHO) has already declared COVID-19 as a
pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought lasting social and economic losses to the government,
the private sector and even to individual Filipinos. It has underscored policy gaps that
must be immediately addressed as we adjust to the changes and disruptions caused by
the pandemic. With this, there is then a need to establish policies, processes and
organized response for effective and immediate measures to analyze, address and
prevent threats to public health and safety.

This bill seeks to provide additional measures to preserve the health of Filipino people,
ensure health promotion and respond effectively in the event of the emergence or
reemergence of an infectious disease.

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

LOREN LEGARDA

1. World Health Organization. Situation Report 203. 10 August 2020.
https://www.who .int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/situation-reports/20200810-covid-19-
sitrep-203.pdf?sfvrsn=aa050308_4

2. COVID-19 Tracker as of August 12, 2020. http://www.covid19.gov.ph/


Eighteenth Congress
Second Regular Session

House Bi. _7674

Introduced by
REPRESENTATIVE LOREN LEGARDA

AN ACT PROVIDING POLICIES AND PRESCRIBING PROCEDURES TO
PREVENT, CONTROL, AND RESPOND TO INFECTIOUS DISEASES, AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11332, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
MANDATORY REPORTING OF NOTIFIABLE DISEASES AND HEALTH EVENTS
OF PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERN
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Section 4 of Republic Act No. 11332, otherwise known as the
Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health
Concern Act is hereby amended as follows:

Section 4. Objectives. - This Act shall have the following objectives:

(a) To continuously develop and upgrade the list of nationally notifiable

diseases and health events of public health concer with their

corresponding case definitions and laboratory confirmation;

(b) To ensure the establishment and maintenance of relevant, efficient

and effective disease surveillance and response system at the national

and local levels;

(c) To expand collaborations beyond traditional public health partners to

include others who may be involved in the disease surveillance and

response, such as agricultural agencies, veterinarians, environmental


agencies, law enforcement entities, and transportation and
communication agencies, among others;
(d) To provide accurate and timely health information about notifiable
diseases, and health-related events and conditions to citizens and
health providers as an integral part of response to public health
emergencies;
(e) To establish effective mechanisms for strong collaboration with
national and local government health agencies to ensure proper
procedures are in place to promptly respond to reports of notifiable
diseases and health events of public health concern, including case
investigations, treatment, control and containment, _ including
APPROPRIATE RESTRICTIONS ON DOMESTIC AND
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL, AND follow-up activities;
(f) To ensure that public health authorities have the statutory and
regulatory authority to ensure the following:
(1) Mandatory reporting of reportable diseases and health events
of public health concern;
(2) Epidemic/outbreaks and/or epidemiologic investigation, case
investigations, patient interviews, review of medical records,
contact tracing, specimen collection and testing, risk
assessments, laboratory investigation, population surveys, and
environmental investigation;
(3) RAPID quarantine and isolation; and,
(4) Rapid containment and implementation of measures for

disease prevention and control;


(g) To provide sufficient funding to support operations needed to
establish and maintain epidemiology and surveillance units at the DOH,
health facilities and local government units (LGUs); efficiently and
effectively investigate outbreaks and health events of public health
concern; validate, collect, analyze and disseminate disease surveillance
information to relevant agencies or organizations; and implement
appropriate response;

(h) To require public and private physicians, allied medical personnel,
professional societies, hospitals, clinics, health facilities, laboratories,
pharmaceutical companies, private companies and __ institutions,
workplaces, schools, prisons, ports, airports, _ establishments,
communities, other government agencies, and nongovernment
organizations (NGOs) to actively participate in disease surveillance and
response, AND PREVENTION MEASURES; [and]

(i) To respect to the fullest extent possible, the rights of people to
liberty, bodily integrity, and privacy while maintaining and preserving
public health and security[.];

(J) TO PROMOTE AND MAINTAIN PHYSICAL AND MENTAL
HEALTH, PROTECT FRONTLINE HEALTH WORKERS AND
VULNERABLE POPULATIONS, BY PRESCRIBING NECESSARY
POLICIES IN THE EVENT OF THE EMERGENCE OR RE-
EMERGENCE OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES;

(K) TO ESTABLISH AND IMPLEMENT POLICIES AND MEASURES
TO CONTROL THE SPREAD AND PREVALENCE OF INFECTIOUS

DISEASES;


(L) TO CONTINUOUSLY PROVIDE AND DEVELOP INNOVATIVE
APPROACHES TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF THE PUBLIC WHILE
ADAPTING TO THE PREVAILING CIRCUMSTANCES; AND,
(M) TO ESTABLISH EFFECTIVE MECHANISMS AND INFORMATION
SYSTEMS TO ACCURATELY AND IMMEDIATELY RESPOND TO
EMERGING AND RE-EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES WITHIN
AND OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY.

Section 2. A new section 6 shall be inserted, to read as follows and the succeeding

sections shall be renumbered accordingly:
SECTION 6. SURVEILLANCE AND MONITORING - THE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (DOH) SHALL ENSURE THE
PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES BY
PROVIDING AND DISSEMINATING RELEVANT INFORMATION
THROUGH CONSTANT SURVEILLANCE AND MONITORING OF
EMERGING AND RE-EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES, WHICH
MAY POSE THREATS TO PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY AND
SECURITY.
THE DOH SHALL PROVIDE THE PUBLIC TIMELY INFORMATION
PERTAINING TO HEALTH CONCERNS AND PRESENT
RESPECTIVE PARTICULARITIES AND CASE DEFINITIONS. IT
SHALL LIKEWISE CONDUCT MASS TESTING FOR EARLY
PREVENTION AND CONDUCT PERIODIC REPORTING ON
RESULTS FOR EFFECTIVE RISK COMMUNICATION AND
IMMEDIATE RESPONSE AND MITIGATION OF SAID THREAT TO

PUBLIC HEALTH.


6

Section 3. A new section 7 shall be inserted,to read as follows and the succeeding

sections shall be renumbered accordingly:

SECTION 7. PREPAREDNESS, PREVENTION AND CONTROL - THE

FOLLOWING MEASURES SHALL BE PERFORMED UPON

CONFIRMATION AND VERIFICATION OF THE EMERGENCE OR RE-

EMERGENCE OF AN INFECTIOUS DISEASE WITHIN OR OUTSIDE

THE COUNTRY.

a.

THE DOH AND ITS LOCAL COUNTERPARTS SHALL BE
MANDATED TO PROVIDE NATIONAL AND LOCAL
HEALTH STRATEGIES AND MEASURES TO PREPARE
AND CURB THE SPREAD OF THE INFECTIOUS DISEASE;
THE DOH SHALL PUBLISH A LIST OF EXPERTS AND
MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS ON INFECTIOUS DISEASES TO
BE CONSULTED AND MOBILIZED;

THE DOH SHALL ENSURE THAT THERE IS AN AMPLE
SUPPLY OF MEDICAL EQUIPMENT, PROTECTIVE
EQUIPMENT, AND MEDICINES IN ALL HOSPITALS,
RURAL HEALTH UNITS, AND MEDICAL FACILITIES;

THE DOH SHALL PROVIDE STRATEGIES TO ENSURE
THE DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT CAPACITY OF
HOSPITALS, RURAL HEALTH UNITS, AND MEDICAL
FACILITIES TO HANDLE THE SURGE IN CASES, WHILE
ENSURING CONTINUITY OF ESSENTIAL HEALTH
SERVICE DELIVERY;

THE DOH SHALL LEAD THE PROMPT CONDUCT OF RISK

ASSESSMENT TO IDENTIFY HIGH-RISK AND


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PROMOTE REMOTE CONSULTATION, TO MINIMIZE RISK

TO PATIENTS,

THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AND LGUS SHALL

CONDUCT PREVENTIVE MEASURES AGAINST THE

INFECTIOUS DISEASE IN ACCORDANCE WITH

EXISTING LAWS AND REGULATIONS. THE SECRETARY

OF HEALTH, PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR, OR CITY OR

MUNICIPAL MAYOR SHALL UNDERTAKE THE

FOLLOWING PREVENTIVE MEASURES, IN PART OR IN

FULL, TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF ANY INFECTIOUS

DISEASE;

i, TO RESTRICT OR PROHIBIT GATHERINGS, SUCH AS
ASSEMBLIES, RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES, OR ANY
OTHER MASS GATHERINGS;

ji. TO PARTIALLY OR TEMPORARILY CLOSE NON-
ESSENTIAL PLACES OF WORK, BUSINESS AND
EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENTS;

ili. TO PARTIALLY OR FULLY RESTRICT TRAVEL WITHIN
THEIR LOCALITY, OR REGULATE TRAVEL BY LAND,
SEA OR AIR;

iv. TO PARTIALLY OR FULLY CLOSE ALL AIRPORTS AND
SEAPORTS;

v. TO ORDER THE SANITATION AND DISINFECTION OF
FACILITIES BUILDINGS OR COMMUNITIES, AS MAY

BE DEEMED NECESSARY;


vi. TO DESIGNATE MEDICAL FACILITIES OR BUILDINGS
‘AS LOCAL ISOLATION AND TREATMENT CENTERS;
vi. TO ESTABLISH SURVEILLANCE UNITS AND
MECHANISMS, FROM THE BARANGAY TO THE
PROVINCIAL LEVEL, TO CAPTURE ACCURATE AND
TIMELY DATA NECESSARY TO PREVENT, MONITOR
AND CURB THE SPREAD OF THE DISEASE; AND,
vil, TO. DESIGNATE OR CONTRACT PERSONNEL TO
ASSIST IN CONTACT TRACING, TESTING, RISK
COMMUNICATION, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT,
HEALTH PROMOTION, OR OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH
INTERVENTIONS;
j. THE PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY SHALL ISSUE
CONSTANT RELEVANT INFORMATION ON THE STATUS
OF THE INFECTIOUS DISEASE.
Section. 4. A new section 8 shall be inserted, to read as follows, and the succeeding
sections shall be renumbered accordingly:

SECTION 8. HANDLING OF POTENTIAL AND CONFIRMED CASES.

THE FOLLOWING MEASURES SHALL BE OBSERVED:

a. THE DOH AND LGUS SHALL IMMEDIATELY IDENTIFY AND
DESIGNATE HOSPITALS, RURAL HEALTH UNITS, OR MEDICAL
FACILITIES OPERATING SOLELY TO HANDLE AND TREAT THE
INFECTIOUS DISEASE;

b. THE LGU AND HEALTH OFFICES SHALL ISSUE A LIST OF
POTENTIAL CARRIERS OF THE INFECTIOUS DISEASE, BASED

ON THE GUIDELINES PRESCRIBED BY THE DOH;


c. THE LGU SHALL PREPARE ITS OWN PANDEMIC
PREPAREDNESS PLAN ALIGNED WITH THE NATIONAL PLAN;

d. IDENTIFIED POTENTIAL CARRIERS ARE DIRECTED TO
UNDERGO QUARANTINE PROCEDURES IN IDENTIFIED
HOSPITALS UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF LOCAL HEALTH
AUTHORITIES AND MEDICAL PERSONNEL;

—E. UPON VERIFICATION OF THE CONFIRMED CARRIER,
CONTACT-TRACING SHALL BE IMMEDIATELY CONDUCTED
BY THE DOH IN COORDINATION WITH LOCAL HEALTH
AUTHORITIES. THE FOLLOWING MAY BE USED FOR THE
EFFICIENT CONDUCTION OF CONTACT-TRACING;

41. PATIENT INTERVIEWS AND QUESTIONNAIRES; AND,

2. LOCAL AUTHORIZED HEALTH PERSONNEL SHALL USE
DATA FROM THE GPS AND LOCATION FROM THE
SOCIAL MEDIA SITES OF THE PATIENT FOR EFFICIENT
CONTACT-TRACING. THE USE OF DATA IS ONLY FOR
THE SOLE PURPOSE OF SURVEILLANCE OF THE
DISEASE AND CONTACT TRACING AND IS SUBJECT TO
DATA SECURITY AND CONFIDENTIALITY MEASURES.

F. AVAILABLE TECHNOLOGY INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO,
THE USE OF SMARTPHONES AND TELECOMMUNICATION
SERVICES SHALL BE UTILIZED IN MONITORING THE
MOVEMENT AND HEALTH CONDITIONS OF THE POTENTIAL
AND CONFIRMED CARRIER.

G. PRIVATE BUSINESSES OPERATING IN PUBLIC PLACES

SHALL BE REQUIRED TO COLLECT DATA FROM ITS


cE
PATRONS AND VISITORS FOR PURPOSES FACILITATING
CONTACT TRACING AND NOTIFICATION, SUBJECT TO
EXISTING RULES AND REGULATIONS ON DATA SECURITY
AND PRIVACY. EMPLOYERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR
CONTACT TRACING & NOTIFICATION IN THE WORKPLACE,
WHILE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR
CONTACT TRACING & NOTIFICATION IN THE SCHOOL
ENVIRONMENT.
Section 5. A new section 9 shall be inserted to read as follows and the succeeding
sections shall be renumbered accordingly:
SECTION 9. INCENTIVES. — PRIVATE GROUPS AND ENTITIES
ENGAGED IN SURVEILLANCE AND MONITORING SHALL BE
GRANTED INCENTIVES INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO,
EXEMPTION FROM PAYMENT OF RELEVANT TAXES, AND OTHER,
INCENTIVES AS MAY BE PROVIDED UNDER EXISTING LAWS AND
REGULATIONS.
Section 6. Separability Clause. — If, for any reason, any section or provision of this
Act is declared as unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions hereof
shall not be affected thereby.
Section 7. Repealing Clause. — All laws, ordinances, rules and regulations and
other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.
Section 8. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,