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DATE September 14, 2022 Sy
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Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES eG BY Revi
Quezon City <o a
Ww Ss
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session Lo INDEX

HOUSE BILL NO. _4820

Introduced by Representative Joseph Gilbert F. Viol

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This commendable bill had been filed in the past Congress and the present proponent is
acknowledging the wisdom and hard work of his predecessors.

An emerging infectious disease is defined by the World Health Organization as one that
either has appeared within a population for the first time or has previously existed but is rapidly
spreading in terms of the number of people infected or in terms of new geographical areas. There
have been outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases in the Philippines for the past years and it
continuously pose as a threat to the health of the Filipino people.

‘Through Executive Order No. 168, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the management of
Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) was created to serve as the government's instrument to
assess, monitor, contain, control and prevent the spread of any potential epidemic in the
Philippines. When COVID-19 hit the country, the IATF-ELD served its purpose. However, the
need to improve prepareciness for emergence and re-emergence of infectious diseases is necessary
to prevent adverse effects to the people and our country The Constitution provides for the
protection and promotion of the right to health of the people which is under Article IT Section 15.

This bill seeks the creation of the “Emerging Infectious Disease Authority” (EIDA) which
shall ensure an immediate and efficient government's response and protocol in the addressing the
‘emergence and re-emergence of infectious diseases for safety of the health of the Filipino people.

In view of the foregoing, the urgent passage of this measure is sought.

JOSEPH Z “a F. ILAGO-


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _ 4820

Introduced by Representative Joseph Gilbert F. Violago

AN ACT
CREATING THE “EMERGING INFECTITIOUS DISEASE AUTHORITY”
(EIDA) , TO PROTECT AND PROMOTE THE RIGHT TO HEALTH OF
THE PEOPLE AND INSTILL HEALTH CONSCIOUSNESS AMONG
THEM, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, DEFINING ITS POWERS, AND
FUNCTIONS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1, DECLARATION OF POLICY - the state is hereby mandated to
foster the promotion, protection, preservation or restoration of the health of the people
through the provision and delivery of health services and through the regulation and
encouragement of providers of health goods and services;

The state shall be aware of the emergence of the Severe Acute Respiratory
Syndrome (SARS), Avian Influenza, Ebola, and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome
Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infections have been acknowledged by the global community
to cause potential public health emergencies of international concem;

The state shall be alarmed of the recurrent threats of other diseases, such as
Meningococcomia, Leptospirosis, Antimicrobial Resistance of Tuberculosis, and other
bacterial, viral and parasitic diseases that contribute to the high incidence of infectious
diseases in the country;

‘The international proliferation of these diseases persist due to increased
globalization and mobility of travelers and products, and thus, threatens the lives and safety
of Filipinos both here and abroad, as well as the Philippine economy in general; and

The state shall, in the event that any or a combination of these diseases result in
multi-country outbreaks that can lead to epidemics and even a worldwide pandemic, there
is a need for an inter-sectoral collaboration to establish preparedness and ensure


efficient government response to assess, monitor, contain, control, and prevent the
spread of any potential epidemic in the Philippines. Towards this end,

‘The State shall hereby provide a separate authorize funding of Five Hundred
million pesos (P500,000,000.00) to evolve and implement a comprehensive national
program to the suppression of these infectious diseases and other serious threats alike
and to maintain the continuity of its mandate.

SECTION 2. APPROPRIATIONS - The amount of Five Hundred million
pesos (P500,000,000.00) necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act shall be
included in the annual budget of the implementing agency in the General
Appropriations Act (GAA) of the year following its enactment into law and every year
thereafter.

The state shall hereby authorize the Department of Health (DOH) to realign its
appropriations, in the current year of the date of the effectivity of this Act to conform
with its mandate and requirements.

SECTION 3. CREATION AND COMPOSITION. The Authority on
Emerging Infectious Diseases (EIDA), hereinafter referred to as the "Authority," is
hereby created, to be composed of representatives from the following:

Department of Health (DOH) as Chairperson
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)
Department of Justice (DOJ)

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)
Department of Tourism (DOT)

Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC)

The Authority may call upon any department, bureau, office, agency or
instrumentality of the government, including Government-Owned or -Controlled
Corporations (GOCCs), government financial institutions (GFIs), local government
units (LGUs), non-government organizations (NGOs) and the private sector for
assistance as the circumstances and exigencies may require.

Further, the DOH Secretary may recommend to the President the enlistment of
the Armed Forces of the Philippines to supplement the Philippine National Police and
other law enforcement agencies for the purpose of enforcing the quarantine of specific
areas or facilitating the transport of EID patients, and for such other purposes for the
effective implementation of this Order.

The duly authorized representatives of the member-agencies of the Authority shall have
arank not lower than Assistant Secretary.

SECTION 4. POWERS AND FUNCTIONS. The Task Force shall have the
following powers and functions:


a) Establish a system to identify, screen, and assist Filipinos suspected or
confirmed to be infected with ELD;

b) Prevent and/or minimize the entry of suspected or confirmed patients
with EID into the country. This should include rigid screening and
identification of EID suspects, and the institutionalization of a
surveillance, alert, and quarantine system in all ports of entry;

©) Prevent and/or minimize the local spread of EID in the country through
the establishment or reinforcement of a system in screening possible
patients infected with EID, contact tracing, identification of the mode of
exposure to the virus, and implementation of effective quarantine and
proper isolation procedures;

d) Prevent and/or minimize mortality through effective clinical
management by capacitating healthcare facilities, government and
private medical practitioners, healthcare workers, and-public safety
enforcers;

€) Educate the public on EID and its prevention, control and management
to promote positive health behaviors, and address public fear and anxiety
through the conduct of a nationwide EID awareness campaign;

f) Adopt measures to strengthen the Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious
Diseases Program of the DOH or its equivalent in other local health units;

g) Notify the WHO of the EID cases in the country and its assessment of
the EID situation;

h) Submit to the Office of the President regular status reports in the
monitoring of EID;

Formulate, develop, implement, and oversee the EID Preparedness
Manual for the prevention and control of EID; and

j) Perform such other functions and activities as may be necessary to carry
ut the provisions of this Order, or as the President may direct.

SECTION 5. DEVELOPMENT AND ORGANIZATION - A comprehensive
and sustainable EID Preparedness Manual shall be formulated and developed in order
to address government response and protocol in managing EID cases. The manual shall
include but not be limited to the following:

a) Quarantine and immediate containment of EID within ports of entry;

b) Epidemiological investigation and contact tracing;

¢) Treatment of infected cases and containment of affected areas;

4) d) Formulation of a risk communication plan and EID materials for the
general public; and

e) Respective responsibilities of government "agencies/ instrumentalities.


SECTION 6. PERIODIC, REPORTS - The EIDA shall submit periodic
reports on its findings and make recommendations on actions to be taken by Congress
and Senate and the appropriate department, and in order to carry out the objectives and
mandates of this Act.

SECTION 7. AUTOMATIC REVIEW - Every three (3) years after the
effectivity of this Act, an independent review panel composed of experts to be appointed
by the President shall review the policies and programs in the EIDA with coordination
of the Department of Health (DOH) and shall make recommendations, based on its
findings, to the President and to both Houses of Congress.

SECTION 8. REPEALING CLAUSE. - All laws, executive orders, issuances,
rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby amended, repealed or
modified accordingly.

SECTION 9. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. - If, for any reason or reasons, any
portion or provision of this Act shall be held unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining
provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 10, EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE. - This Act shall take effect fifteen
(15) days after its publication in any newspaper of general circulation.

Approved.