EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session 
)
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SENATE
20 APR 27
INTRODUCED BY: SENATOR EMMANUEL D. PACQUIAORECE V D B
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL COVID-19 CENTER, TO BE KNOWN AS 
THE COVID-19 DISEASE PREVENTION AND CONTROL CENTER
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Due to the rising new cases of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) or COVID-19 by the day, 
and the Department of Health and World Health Organization estimating that our country will 
reach its peak in two (2) to three (3) months, the government must come up with a strong public 
health approach.
Section 11, Article XIll of the 1987 Constitution provides that the State shall adopt an 
integrated and comprehensive approach to health development. The establishment of health care 
facilities and mechanisms, to respond to medical emergencies such as the COVID-19, is an 
indispensable element of which.
Majority of the hospitals, both public and private, has reached the threshold of their full 
capacity, there is an urgent need for a single facility for all COVID-19 patients so government can 
maximize its virus control measures.
In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is of utmost importance.
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EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
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20 APR 27 ^An :00
SENATE
S.B. No.
INTRODUCED BY: SENATOR EMMANUEL D. PACQUIAO
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL COVID-19 CENTER, TO BE KNOWN AS THE 
COVID-19 DISEASE PREVENTION AND CONTROL CENTER
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives in Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to adopt an integrated and
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comprehensive approach to health development to promote and protect the right to health of
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the people and instill consciousness among them.
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Sec. 2. Establishment. - There is an urgent need to establish a single facility for all COVID-
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19 patients, to be known as the COVID-19 Disease Prevention and Control Center, with a
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minimum capacity of twenty thousand (20,000) beds.
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Sec. 3. Administration. - The COVID-19 Disease Prevention and Control Center shall be under
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full administrative and technical supervision of the Department of Health, which shall
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progressively increase its operating fund, upgrade its medical equipment and facilities, and
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construct the necessary infrastructure to implement the provisions of this Act.
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Sec. 4. Operation and Maintenance. - The Secretary of Health shall include in the Department s
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program the establishment and operationalization of the COVID-19 Disease Prevention and
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Control Center.


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Sec. 5. Appropriations. - The amount needed for the implementation of this Act shall be
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included in the budget of the Department of Health in the annual General Appropriations Act
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of the year following its enactment to law and thereafter.
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Sec. 6. Separability. - If any portion of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the remainder of
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this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.
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Sec. 7. 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 of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.
Sec. 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete 
publication in the Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,