Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 3592

Introduced by Rep. ANGELO MARCOS BARBA
24 District, Nocos Norte

EXPLANATORY NOTE

With the emergence and the reemergence of infectious diseases such as Ebola,
SARS, MERS, avian flu, swine flu, chikungunya, and Zika, focus has shifted to health
care system capacity. The Covid-19 pandemic further exposed the weaknesses of the
country’s health system, particularly the isolation and quarantine capabilities of
government hospitals.

Isolation and quarantine are considered effective health strategies in times of
public health emergencies, but without having the proper facilities, these strategies
are proven futile.

This bill seeks to mandate the establishment of isolation and quarantine facilities
such as building, wing, or ward in all government hospitals to prevent the spread of
contagious and highly contagious diseases or emerging and re-emerging infectious
diseases. The establishment of these facilities will strengthen preparedness and
response capabilities of government hospitals, especially in times of public health
emergencies like the Covid-19 pandemic.

In normal conditions, the said facilities shall be utilized as infectious disease
facility or in other instances as may be deemed necessary by the Department of
Health (DOH), or upon request by the concerned government hospital.

The proposed measure also secks to institutionalize the conversion of public
buildings into isolation and quarantine facilities to help ease the burden of hospitals
and ensure the health and safety of the community during a public health emergency.

In light of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly
sought.

ANGE! COS BARBA.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No, 3592

Introduced by Rep. ANGELO MARCOS BARBA
4 District, Hocos Norte

AN ACT
MANDATING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ISOLATION AND
QUARANTINE FACILITIES IN ALL GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS,
PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Isolation and
Quarantine Facilities Act.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the declared policy of the State to
improve the delivery of health services to the people. To protect people from public
health threats, there is a need to establish isolation and quarantine facilities to
prevent the spread of contagious and highly contagious diseases.

SECTION 3. Definition of terms. -

a. Infectious disease or diseases — is or are caused by pathogenic
microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi; the diseases can
be spread, directly or indirectly, from one person to another.

b. Isolation facility — a place or space for persons who are ill or infected to
prevent its transmission to others.

c. Quarantine facility — a place or space for persons who are not ill but may have
been exposed to an infectious agent or contagious disease, with the objective
of monitoring their symptom and ensuring early detection of cases.

SECTION 4. Establishment of Isolation and Quarantine Facilities in
Government Hospitals. - All government hospitals shall establish isolation and
quarantine facilities, such as building, wing, or ward, to prevent the spread of
contagious diseases or emerging and re-emerging infectious disease, in accordance
with international standards and guidelines or recommendations of the World Health
Organization (WHO).

Isolated individuals shall be confined separately from quarantined individuals.


The isolation and quarantine facilities dedicated to be used during public health
emergencies shall have at least 25 beds, respectively; Provided, that during normal
times, these facilities shall be utilized as infectious disease facility or in other
instances as may be deemed necessary by the Department of Health (DOH), or upon
request by the concerned government hospital.

SECTION 5. Conversion of Government-Owned Buildings into Isolation
and/or Quarantine Facilities. — In case of public health emergencies or when public
safety requires, government-owned buildings or facilities shall be converted into
isolation and/or quarantine facilities to prevent household infection, reduce
community spread of the disease, and decongest hospitals.

‘The conversion of these facilities must comply with the isolation and quarantine
standards set by the DOH and the WHO.

SECTION 6. Lead Agency. — The DOH, in coordination with the local
government units and other relevant government agencies, shall lead the
establishment of these facilities.

SECTION 7. Appropriations. — The initial amount necessary for the
establishment of the isolation and quarantine facilities in government hospitals shall
charged from the Health Facilities Enhancement Program of the DOH. Thereafter,
the amount necessary for the establishment and maintenance of these facilities shall
be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within thirty (30) days
from approval of this Act, the DOH, in consultation with stakeholders, shall issue the
implementing rules and regulations of this Act. This shall include the guidelines on
the procedure and proper use of the isolation and quarantine facilities.

SECTION 9. Separability Clause. — Any portion or provisions of this Act that is
declared unconstitutional shall not have effect of nullifying other portions or
provisions hereof as long as such remaining portions can still subsist and be given
effect in their entirety.

SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. — Any provision of law, decree, order, rule or
regulation inconsistent with this Act is hereby repealed and/or modified accordingly.

SECTION 11. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,