Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A PANDEMIC AND OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH 
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLAN AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREOF AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The COVID-19 pandemic has already infected more than four million 
people all around the globe1. While some countries are taking bold steps to 
address the situation, many developing countries, like the Philippines, remain 
in need of stronger development plans, preparedness strategies, and 
initiatives to control this public health crisis. 
The world was taken by surprise, despite some warnings from scientists 
and medical experts, by the emergence of a pandemic similar to the Spanish 
flu in 1918, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2002, and the H1N1 
swine flu in 2009-2010. 
To mitigate further damage caused by a pandemic or any similar public 
health crisis in the future, we need to establish a better emergency 
preparedness plan that considers strengthening the capacity of our health 
care system and health care workers, empowering citizens and local and 
national leaders to propose and act on immediate and urgent solutions, and 
maintain essential services to reduce possible adverse effects in the economy 
and society at large. 
1 World Health Organization. 2020. “Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic” 
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019 (Accessed 17 May 2020) 
July 27, 2022
3:17 pm
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We need to incorporate health-based solutions and scientifically-sound 
research to enact policies and proposals in order to deal with pandemics and 
other public health emergencies more effectively and efficiently. 
This bill seeks to provide an institutionalized framework in dealing with 
pandemics and other public health emergencies by establishing the Pandemic 
Emergency Council and a National Emergency Preparedness Plan. It puts a 
premium on providing public health solutions in order to help communities 
cope and be resilient in combating a public health emergency. This ensures 
that the Philippines will be better equipped in managing any future public 
health crisis. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is 
earnestly sought. 
REP. PM VARGAS   
Fifth District, Quezon City 


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A PANDEMIC AND OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH 
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLAN AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREOF AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
CHAPTER I 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Pandemic and 
Other Public Health Emergency Preparedness Act.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – The State shall endeavor to efficiently 
and immediately address all potential and actual public health emergencies 
for the promotion of the general welfare of the people. 
While considering national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest 
and the right to self-determination, in its relations with other states, the State 
shall, at all times, give paramount importance to the health of its citizens 
whether in the country or overseas, in general, and Filipino migrant workers, 
in particular. 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act: 
(a) Frontline Worker refers to any worker who performs any task essential
to keep vital services in motion during a public health emergency
despite great risk to themselves and their families. These are persons
who work in public or private establishments providing essential
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services, including but not limited to food, water, banking and financial 
services, utilities, medicine, security, maintenance and sanitation, as 
well as any person providing services under circumstances that 
increase risk of exposure to COVID-19, including administrative, 
security, maintenance, and support staff of health and quarantine 
facilities; 
 
(b) Health Care Facility refers to any institution, building, agency, or 
portion thereof that is used, operated, or designed to provide health 
services, medical treatment, or nursing, rehabilitative, or preventive 
care to any person or persons; 
 
(c) Health Care Provider refers to any person or entity providing health care 
services including, but not limited to, hospitals, medical clinics and 
offices, special care facilities, medical laboratories, physicians, 
pharmacists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered and 
other nurses, paramedics, medical and laboratory technicians, and 
ambulance and emergency medical workers; 
 
(d) Isolation refers to separation or restriction of movement of an ill person 
from healthy persons by way of seclusion in hospitals or designated 
health care facilities; 
 
(e) Pandemic refers to an epidemic occurring worldwide, or over every wide 
area, crossing international boundaries, affecting a large number of 
people; 
 
(f) Public Health Emergency refers to 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 incident or permanent or long-term disability 
(WHO/DCD, 2001); 
 
(g) Quarantine refers to separation and restriction of movement of persons 
who are exposed or may be infected to protect the public from disease. 
Quarantine may be practiced by individuals in their homes; 
 
(h) Social distancing, also called physical distancing, in which space of at 
least two (2) meters is maintained at least between and among persons 
in a public space. It also refers to a prohibition of mass gatherings of 
fifty (50) persons or more and avoidance of crowded places; 


CHAPTER II 
THE PANDEMIC AND OTHER HEALTH EMERGENCY COUNCIL 
SECTION 4. Pandemic Emergency Council. – The Pandemic and Other 
Health Emergency Council, hereinafter referred to as ‘The Council’ is hereby 
established composed of the following: the Secretary of Health as ex-officio 
Chairperson of the Council; with the Secretaries of the Department of Interior 
and Local Government; Labor and Employment; Foreign Affairs; Justice; 
Tourism; Transportation; Trade and Industry; Agriculture; and Budget and 
Management; Secretary of the National Economic and Development Authority 
(NEDA); Administrator of the Philippine Overseas Employment Association 
(POEA), President of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) 
as ex-officio members, and three (3) representatives from the private, urban 
poor, and health sectors. 
The Council shall convene within thirty (30) days following the approval of the 
Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of this Act. Upon organization of 
the Council, it shall draw a National Pandemic and Other Health Emergency 
Plan, and conduct a briefing for all local government units (LGUs) and health 
care workers in the government sector. 
The Council shall recommend to the President of the Republic of the 
Philippines the declaration of a public health emergency in accordance with 
medical guidelines and protocols. 
SECTION 5. Creation of the National Pandemic and Other Public Health 
Emergency Plan. – The Council shall create a National Pandemic and Other 
Public Health Emergency Plan. 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, guidelines and protocols before, during, and 
following a pandemic, epidemic, or public health emergency. 
SECTION 6. Components of a National Pandemic and Other Public 
Health Emergency Plan. – The National Pandemic and Other Public Health 
Emergency Plan shall include: 
(a) Provision 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 medical 
surge capacity of hospitals, other health care facilities, critical care, and 
trauma care and emergency medical systems; 


 
(c) Provisions taking into account the unique and crucial needs of 
marginalized groups, such as persons with disabilities, urban poor, 
women and children, during a pandemic or public health emergency. 
 
(d) Strategic initiatives to advance counter-measures 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) The conduct of periodic evaluation of national and local preparedness 
and response capabilities which shall include drills and exercises to 
ensure medical surge capacity for events without notice. 
SECTION 7. Health Care Facilities and Services. – The Council, in 
coordination with local government units (LGUs) and concerned government 
agencies shall set up health care facilities, testing offices and laboratories, 
quarantine sites and isolation centers, which shall undertake pandemic 
prevention and preparedness services and activities, and shall respond to any 
public health emergency. 
SECTION 8. Isolation and Quarantine of Individuals or Groups. – The 
Council may, in cooperation with the concerned local chief executive, 
authorize the lockdown, isolation, or quarantine of individuals or groups of 
individuals during a public health emergency, in accordance with existing 
rules and regulations. 
Restriction of the movement of persons in and out of the initially affected area 
by the Council shall likewise be permitted under this Act. If evidence indicates 
amplified transmission or dispersion of the infection into the wider 
community, the Council shall be authorized to adopt social distancing 
measures, which may include the closure of schools and malls or cancellation 
of mass gatherings. 
SECTION 9. Privately-owned Health Care Facilities. – The Council may 
require privately owned health care facilities to provide services of their 
facilities in the event of a pandemic or public health emergency if government 
institutions are unable to cope with the public health emergency. 
SECTION 10. Control of Pharmaceutical Agents and Medical Supplies. – 
The Council shall purchase, store, or distribute sufficient quantities of anti-
viral agents for influenza and other highly communicable diseases, anti-
toxins, serums, vaccines, and other pharmaceutical agents or medical 


supplies that it considers advisable in the interest of preparing for or 
addressing and controlling a pandemic or any public health emergency. 
In the event of a pandemic or public health emergency, the Department of 
Health may control, restrict, and regulate the use and rationing of the 
pharmaceutical products vital to the treatment or management of the 
pandemic or public health emergency. 
SECTION 11. Monitoring Program. – The Council shall establish a 
comprehensive pandemic or public health emergency monitoring program to 
determine and monitor the presence, magnitude, and progression of any 
infection or a new strain thereof in the Philippines, and for the purpose of 
evaluating 
the 
adequacy 
and 
efficacy 
of 
the 
preparations 
and 
countermeasures being employed. 
SECTION 12. Reporting Procedures. – All hospitals, clinics, laboratories, 
and testing centers for any infection or a new strain thereof shall adopt 
measures in assuring the reporting and maintaining the confidentiality of any 
medical records, personal data, and other files. The Council, through its 
monitoring programs, shall receive, collate, and evaluate all related medical 
reports. The Council monitoring database shall utilize a coding system that 
promotes anonymity. 
CHAPTER III 
 PROTECTION OF HEALTH CARE AND FRONTLINE WORKERS 
 
SECTION 13. Vaccination of Health Care Workers. – Health care workers 
involved in the care of patients shall be vaccinated with the most recent 
seasonal human influenza vaccine and other appropriate vaccines as may be 
determined necessary by the Council. 
SECTION 14. Wearing of Surgical Masks and Personal Protective 
Equipment (PPE). – For their protection, health care workers and first 
responders shall be provided with N95 respiratory masks and well-fitting 
surgical masks and Personal Protective Equipment. Patients are likewise 
required to wear surgical masks. 
SECTION 15. Surveillance and Monitoring of Health Care and Frontline 
Workers. – Health care workers shall be vigilant with regard to the 
development of fever, respiratory ailments, and/or other symptoms after 
exposure to infected patients. Health care workers who become ill should seek 
medical care and should be quarantined for fourteen (14) days or in 
accordance with existing protocols unless an alternative diagnosis is 


established or diagnostic tests are negative for the strain subject of the 
pandemic or public health emergency. 
SECTION 16. Hazard Pay for Health Care and Frontline Workers. – In 
addition to existing benefits provided for by law, health care and frontline 
workers who render actual service during a pandemic or public health 
emergency shall be given hazard pay to be determined by the Council. 
SECTION 17. Task Force on Public Health Emergencies. – A task force 
under the leadership of the Secretary of Health shall be established in order 
to conduct research necessary for the creation of the National Pandemic and 
Other Public Health Emergency Plan. The Task Force shall be composed of 
representatives from: 
(a) The Department of Health; 
 
(b) The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council 
(NDRRMC); 
 
(c) The Department of Interior and Local Government; 
 
(d) The National Security Adviser; 
 
(e) The Philippine Red Cross; and 
 
(f) The University of the Philippines National Institutes of Health. 
 
SECTION 18. Functions of the Task Force on Public Health Emergencies. 
– The Task Force shall: 
 
(a) Monitor emerging issues and concerns as they relate to medical and 
public health preparedness and response for at-risk individuals and 
populations in the event of a public health emergency; 
 
(b) Identify and minimize gaps, duplication and other inefficiencies in 
medical and public health preparedness and response activities and the 
actions necessary to overcome these obstacles; 
 
(c) 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; and 
 


(d) Ensure that public health and medical information distributed by the 
government during a public health emergency is delivered in a manner 
that considers the range of communication needs of the intended 
recipients, including at-risk individuals. 
SECTION 19. 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. 
 
CHAPTER IV 
 PREVENTION AND SUPPRESSION MEASURES WITHIN THE 
TERRITORY 
 
SECTION 20. Duty of Heads of Families, Persons-in-Charge of Places. – 
Where a person living in a building used for human habitation is suffering 
from infection, the head of the family or the relatives shall immediately send 
notice of the infectious disease to the nearest city or municipal health office. 
If it is a child attending a school, living in an orphanage or other such 
situation, or a person residing in any hotel, boarding house, or other such 
institution, the person in charge of such a place shall send notice of the 
infectious disease to the nearest city or municipal health officer and give the 
officer a list of students or residents together with their addresses. 
SECTION 21. Duty of the Medical Practitioners and other Health Care 
Providers. – Every medical practitioner who attends to a patient suffering 
from the infectious disease shall send to the nearest city or municipal health 
office a report stating the name of the patient and the situation of the building. 
Any medical practitioner who becomes aware, by post-mortem or other 
means, that any person had died of an infectious disease shall immediately 
submit to the nearest city or municipal health office a certification of death 
by such disease and inform the head of the household, person in charge of 
school, orphanage, hotel, and so on, of the infectious nature of the disease 
and the precautions to be taken to prevent its conveyance to others. 
SECTION 22. Power of the City or Municipal Health Officers. – A city or 
municipal health officer may, with proper notice and explanation therefor, 
enter and inspect premises in which he has reason to believe that someone is 
suffering from or has recently suffered from any infectious disease. The city 
or municipal health officer may medically examine any person in such 
premises for the purpose of ascertaining whether such person is suffering or 


has recently suffered from any infectious disease. The city or municipal health 
officer may also order the confinement of infected individuals to prevent the 
further transmission or spread of the suspected infectious disease. 
SECTION 23. Duty of the City or Municipal Health Officers. – If a city or 
municipal health officer is of the opinion that the cleansing and disinfecting 
of any building or any part of the building, and any articles in the building 
which are likely to retain infection or would tend to prevent or check infectious 
diseases, is necessary to maintain the health and safety of its occupants, it 
shall be his or her duty to give notice in writing to the owner or occupant of 
the building specifying the steps to be taken to cleanse and disinfect the 
building and articles within a specified time. 
 
CHAPTER V 
 PROTECTION OF OVERSEAS WORKERS 
 
SECTION 24. Medical Examination and Treatment of Overseas Workers. 
– The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), in coordination with 
the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), the Department of 
Foreign Affairs (DFA), and The Council, shall undertake the medical 
examination and treatment of returning overseas workers in cases of a 
pandemic or similar event locally or abroad. All costs attendant to the medical 
examination and treatment of returning overseas workers shall be borne by 
the PhilHealth. 
SECTION 25. Creation of Emergency Fund. – An emergency fund is hereby 
created and established for the medical examination and treatment of 
overseas workers under the administration, control, and supervision of the 
PhilHealth initially to consist of Fifty Million Pesos (P50,000,000.00) which 
shall be taken from the existing fund in trust by the PhilHealth for the benefit 
of overseas workers. 
SECTION 26. Authority of OWWA. – The functions and responsibilities of 
OWWA shall include the following: 
(a) The formulation and implementation of measures and programs, in 
consultation with appropriate agencies, to safeguard the health of 
overseas workers and their families abroad; and 
 
(b) The forging of agreements with the POEA, the DOH, the DFA, the 
PhilHealth, and other appropriate international organizations in 
connection with the purpose of this Act. 


 
CHAPTER VI 
OTHER PROVISIONS 
 
SECTION 27. Penalties. – 
 
(a) Penalty for Individuals who Refuse or Violate Isolation, Quarantine, 
Testing, Vaccination under Section 8 of this Act. – Any person who 
refuses treatment, testing, examination for diagnosis or treatment or 
isolation and quarantine in accordance with existing laws, rules and 
regulations, and to the detriment of the general public shall suffer the 
penalty of imprisonment of not less than three (3) months but not more 
than six (6) months or a fine of not more than One Hundred Thousand 
Pesos (P100,000.00) or both upon the discretion of the Court; 
 
(b) Penalty for Refusal to Provide Health Services under Section 9 of this Act. 
– The owner, manager, or administrator of a private health care facility 
who refuses to give services or allow the use of its facility during a 
pandemic or public health emergency shall suffer the penalty of 
imprisonment of not more than one (1) year or a fine of not more than 
Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (P200,000.00) or both upon the 
discretion of the Court; 
 
(c) Penalty for Breach of Duty under Section 20, 21, and 23 of this Act. – All 
persons under a duty to inform the nearest city or municipal health 
office of the infectious disease, who fail or neglect to inform the same 
shall be sentenced to imprisonment of not more than six (6) months or 
a fine of not more than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00), 
or both upon the discretion of the Court. 
SECTION 28. Authorization of Appropriations. – To carry out the 
provisions of this Act, an initial fund of One Billion Pesos (P1,000,000,000.00) 
shall be appropriated and such sums as may be necessary for the succeeding 
fiscal year. 
 
SECTION 29. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within thirty (30) 
days from promulgation of this Act, the DOH, in collaboration with OWWA, 
the POEA, the PhilHealth, the DOJ, and the DFA and representatives from 
the private health sector shall issue necessary rules and regulations for the 
implementation of this Act. 
 


SECTION 30. Separability Clause. – If any part or provision of this Act is 
declared unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder of the provisions thereof 
not affected shall remain in full force and effect. 
 
SECTION 31. Repealing Clause. – All provisions of existing laws, orders, 
rules, and regulations, or parts thereof which are in conflict or inconsistent 
with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified 
accordingly. 
 
SECTION 32. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect immediately upon its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers 
of general circulation in the Philippines. 
 
Approved,