NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
ODffl -i’ of UlC vltHT
•22 AUG-9 P5 40
SENATE 
S. No. 1113
RECEIVED BV
Introduced by Senator Loren B. Legarda
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE MODERNIZATION OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH 
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE CAPABILITIES, 
ESTABLISHING FOR THIS PURPOSE THE CENTER FOR DISEASE 
PREVENTION AND CONTROL, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Section 15, Article II of the 1987 Constitution declares, "The State shall protect 
and promote the right to health of the people and instiU health consciousness among 
them/, Also, Section 11, Article XIII of the same declares that it is the responsibility of 
the State to "'adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development 
which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services 
available to all the people at affordable cost. There shall be priority for the needs of 
the underprivileged sick, elderly, disabled, women, and children. The State shall 
endeavor to provide free medical care to paupers."
The outbreak of the disease caused by the 2019 novel Corona Virus (2019- 
nCoV), now officially called by the World Health Organization as the Coronavirus 
Disease 2019 or "COVID-19," has infected more than 559 million people in the world 
and killed more than 6.36 million1. In the PhiUppines, there are almost 3.725 million 
confirmed cases of COVID-19, and 60,461 have died from the disease.2 These figures
1 Worldometor (2022). Retrieved from https;//www.worldomelers.info/coroncivirus/
2 Worldometer (15 July 2022). Retrieved from https://www.worldomelers.info/coronavirus/country/philippines/


show that communicable and infectious diseases and public health threats respect no 
borders.
The present pandemic exposes the weaknesses of the health care system of the 
Philippines, that it exploits the vulnerabilities associated with lack of access and 
deficiency in healthcare facilities, health disparities, and incapacity to respond in 
fragile settings. Time is of the essence that an independent and competent National 
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) must exist.
The COVID-19 pandemic has posed new challenges to the Department of 
Healtli (DOH). It must establish and adopt an effective health mechanism responsive 
to the country's health needs and other emerging health problems. This came along 
with other outbreaks, including dengue, influenza-like cases, and typhoid fever, 
which resulted in Itigh and alarming morbidity and mortality rate. There were 79,872 
cases of dengue in 2021, with 285 deaths. Influenza-like cases posted a record of 79,204, 
with 939 deaths. Typhoid fever affected 5,890 individuals, with 20 deaths.3
The country's poverty rate in the first quarter of 2021 was estimated at 23.7 
percent.4 This indicates a need for consistent reforms to adequately address persistent 
and emerging problems, especially in the health sector.
The dispensation of the appropriate healthcare is inequitably distributed 
among various socio-economic sectors that affect access to much-needed health 
services. There have been difficulties acquiring and processing necessary information 
about one's health condition and awareness of existing options and the corresponding 
treatment costs. The health disparity in the country is evident that there are 
individuals or groups in the country who do not have the same access as those who 
are socially or economically fortunate. The relevant factors have an impact not only
3 Department of Health (DOH) (2021). Epidemic-prone Disease Case Surveillance (EDCS). Retrieved from
https:// doh.gov.ph/sites/ default/files/statistics/2021 %20PIDSR%20Weekly%20Surveillance%20Report%20No.%2052.pdf
4 Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) (17 December 2021). Proportion of Poor Filipinos Registered at 23.7 Percent in the First 
Semester of 2021. Retrieved from https://psa.gov.ph/content/proportion-poor-filipinos-registered-237-percent-first-semester- 
2021


on access to COVID-19 critical care facilities but also on more general access to 
prevention and basic treatment.5
The functions of the Disease Prevention and Control Bureau, Epidemiology 
Bureau, and the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), which are sub-units 
of DOH, shall essentially transfer to CDC. The clear and vital need to reform the 
Government's approach and revisit poHcies on disease thi'eats and control of 
infectious diseases is urgent and wanting.
Thus, the establishment of a CDC is urgently needed to serve as a specialized 
agency that will lead and coordinate the Government's response to address diseases 
and other public health threats.
In view of the foregoing considerations, the immediate passage of this measure 
is sought.
LOREN LEGARDA
5 De Castro, ol. A1 (2020). A fair allocation approach to the ethics of scarce resources in the context of a pandemic: Tlie need to 
prioritize the worst-off in the Philippines. USA; National Center for Biotechnology Information: U.S. National Library of 
Medicine. Retrieved from https://www.nchi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arlicles/PMC7537094/


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
s. No. 1113
'iDftiCP of Ux .<4:; rrrtTrj’
*22 AUG -9 P5 40
RECEIVED 8Y.
Introduced by Senator Loren B. Legarda
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE MODERNIZATION OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH 
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE CAPABILITIES, 
ESTABLISHING FOR THIS PURPOSE THE CENTER FOR DISEASE 
PREVENTION AND CONTROL, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Center for
2 
Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) Act."
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy - It is the policy of the State to protect and promote
4 
the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. The
5 
State also mandates the adoption of an integrated and comprehensive approach to
6 
health development.
7 
Towards this end, the State shah give high priority to the allocation of material and
8 
institutional resources to protect pubhc health, ensuring that the Philippine health
9 
system is w^ell-prepared to forecast, prevent, monitor, and control diseases, injuries,
10 
and disabihties both national and international concern.
11 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms - As used in this Act:
12 
(a) Communicable disease, also known as a contagious disease, refers to an illness
13 
resulting from an infection, or a disease, which can be transmitted from an
14 
infected host individual or group to a particular individual or group. It spreads
15 
through direct bodily contact with an infected person, their discharges, or an
16 
object or surface they have contaminated;


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b) Disease refers to an illness due to a specific toxic substance occupational 
exposiue or infectious agent, wliich affects a susceptible individual, either 
directly or indirectly, from an infected animal or person, or indirectly through 
an intermediate host vector, or the enviromnent;
€ Disease surveillance refers to a systematic collection analysis, interpretation, 
and dissemination of outcomes and specific data for use in the planning, 
implementation, and evaluation of public health practice. A disease 
surveillance system includes the functional capacity for data analysis as well as 
the tmiely dissemination of these data to persons who can undertake effective 
disease prevention and control activities;
(d) Epidemic or outbreak refers to an occurrence of more cases of disease than 
normally expected within a specific place or group of people over a given 
period of time;
€ Infectious disease refers to a chnically manifested disease of humans or animals 
resulting from an infection which can be communicable or non-communicable; 
(f) Public health emergency refers to an occurrence or imminent thieat of an 
illness or health condition that:
(1) Is caused by any of the following:
(i) Bioterrorism;
(ii) Appearance of a novel or previously controlled or eradicated 
infectious agent or biological toxin;
(iii) A natural disaster
(iv) A chemical attack or accidental release;
(v) A nuclear attack or accident; or
(vi) An attack or accidental release of radioactive materials; and,
(2) Poses a high probability of any of the following:
(i) A large number of deaths in the affected population;
(ii) A large number of serious injuries or long-term disabilities in 
the affected population;
(iii) Widespread exposure to an infectious or toxic agent that 
poses a significant risk of substantial harm to a large number of 
people in the affected population;


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(iv) International exposure to an infectious or toxic agent that
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poses a significant risk to the health of citizens of other countiies;
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or
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(v) Trade and travel restiictions;
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(g) Quarantine refers to the physical separation and confinement of an
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individual or groups of individuals, who are or may have been exposed to a
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contagious or possibly contagious disease and who do not show signs or
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symptoms of a contagious disease, from non-quarantined individuals, to
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prevent or limit the transmission of the disease.
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Sec. 4. Creation of the Philippine Center for Disease Prevention and Control - The
11 
Pliilippine Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) is hereby created as an
12 
attached agency to the Department of Health (DOH) for poHcy and program
13 
coordination.
14 
Sec. 5. Powers, Functions, and Duties. - The CDC shall be the technical
15 
authority on all matters regarding disease prevention and control. To carry out the
16 
provisions of this Act, the CDC shall have the following powers, functions, and duties:
17 
(a) Policy and Standards Development:
18 
(1) Provide technical guidance to the development of policies, programs,
19 
standards, guidelines, and monitoring and evaluation systems on the
20 
forecasting, prevention, monitoring, and control of diseases, injuries,
21 
and disabilities both of national and international concern;
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(2) Set the standards and the process for the establishment of
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Epidemiology and Surveillance Units or its corresponding surveillance
24 
reporting units, pursuant to law;
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(3) Provide quality assurance programs to ensure the quality of testing
26 
for laboratories;
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(4) Conduct researches for development in support of the CDC mandate
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to forecast, prevent monitor, and control diseases, injuries, and
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disabilities both of national and international concern;
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(5) Recommend to the President through the DOH Secretary, the
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declaration of a state of a public health emergency, in case of an
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epidemic of national or international concern; and.


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(6) Set the parameters for the declaration of the existence as well as the 
end of an epidemic.
(b) Capacity Building and Technical Assistance:
(1) Develop, implement, and maintain training in speciaUzed fields 
such as field epidemiology, health emergency of biological concern 
laboratory services infectious and tropical diseases, and non- 
communicable diseases;
(2) Assess and support the capabilities of health facihties and local 
government units (LGUs) on forecasting, preventing, monitoring, and 
controlling diseases, injuries, and disabilities both of national and 
international concern; and,
(3) Provide technical assistance and expert services to DOH offices and 
collaborating and implementing agencies or offices on matters 
pertaining to forecasting, preventing, monitoring, and controlHng 
diseases, injuries, and disabilities both of national and international 
concern.
€ Sectoral and Local Engagements:
(1) Promote coordination and collaboration with partner agencies and 
organizations on matters pertaining to CDC mandate;
(2) 
Coordinate, collaborate, and disseminate relevant scientific 
and technical information in a timely manner with partner agencies 
and international and local organizations on matters pertaining to CDC 
mandate; and,
(3) Disseminate relevant scientific and technical information in a timely 
manner with partner agencies and international and local organizations 
on matters pertaining to CDC mandate.
(d) Surveillance:
(1) Develop implement and maintain an integrated surveillance system 
of diseases injuries and disabilities;
(2) Provide technical guidance on the development, implementation and 
maintenance, and monitoring of health system capacity such as 
operational capacities of health facilities, and performance management


1 
of the response systems, in terms of contact tracing, quarantine isolation,
2 
and other significant population-based health services;
3 
(3) Investigate respond through surveillance and disease notification,
4 
investigation and conduct of field studies and research to outbreaks,
5 
epidemics, and other pubhc health threats as the need arises;
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(4) Develop and maintain a network of public health laboratories in
7 
support of epidemiology and surveillance activities;
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(5) Facihtate the issuance of appropriate warnings to the regional CDC
9 
and health facilities in anticipation of impending pubhc health tlrreats
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and infectious disease outbreak;
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(6) Utilize various information and communication technologies (ICT)
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in the management of data and dissemination of early warning and
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other appropriate information to stakeholders and the pubhc; and,
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(7) Develop communication methods for wider and more effective and
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unified dehvery of critical pubhc health information with national or
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international importance.
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€ Provide technical guidance on the procurement of vaccines, drugs, and
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diagnostics;
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(f) Provide technical guidance on the monitoring and evaluation framework
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for disease prevention and control;
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(g) Certify to die existence of an epidemic which shah be treated as a public
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health emergency; and
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(h) Perform such other functions as may be mandated by law, or as may be
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duly delegated by relevant authorities.
25 
Sec 6. Director General. - The CDC shah be headed by a Director General with a
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rank of Undersecretary who shall be assisted by two (2) Deputy Directors General
27 
with a rank of Assistant Secretary. The Director General and the Deputy Directors
28 
General shall be appointed by the President from a list of at least three (3) nominees
29 
for each position to be submitted by the DOH Secretary. The Director General and
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Deputy Directors General shah have at least ten (10) years of relevant experience and
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proven expertise in the fields of pubhc health and epidemiology.
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The Director General shall have the following powers and functions:


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(a) Manage and direct the activities and functions of the CDC;
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(b) Advise the DOH Secretary on policy matters concerning the Center's
3 
activities;
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€ Recommend to the President, through the DOH Secretary, the exercise of
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special powers in case of an epidemic, including the declaration of a public
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health emergency;
7 
(d) Act as the national International Health Regulations Focal Point subject to
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consultation with DOH; and,
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€ Perform other functions and powers that may be assigned by the DOH
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Secretary.
11 
Sec. 7. Transfer DOH Units Functions. - The following DOH units and their
12 
concerned divisions and functions are hereby transferred to the CDC:
13 
(a) Epidemiology Bureau;
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(b) Research Institute for Tropical Medicine;
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€ Sexually Transmitted Disease - Acquired 
Immune Deficiency Syndrome
16 
Cooperative Central Laboratory;
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(d) Select functions of the International Health Surveillance Division of the
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Bureau of Quarantine as follows:
19 
(1) Passive international health surveillance; and,
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(2) Development of communication methods for wider and more
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effective detivery of critical pubhc health information with international
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importance; and,
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€ Technical and standard setting functions of the Disease Prevention and
24 
Control Bureau including that of the Mental Health Division, Cancer Division,
25 
and Oral Health Division.
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All powers, functions, assets, capital, records, funds, receivables, equipment,
27 
and facitities of the transferred DOH units or its division or function enumerated
28 
herein shall be transferred to the CDC. The Department of Health shall conduct an
29 
audit and inventory of assets, liabitities, and human resources of the transferred
30 
agencies to CDC without the need of conveyance or transfer of assignments.
31 
Sec. 8. Regional Centers for Disease Prevention and Control. - There shall be
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estabUshed Regional Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (RCDCs) in aU


1 
regions of the country. Each Regional CDC shall be headed by a Regional Director,
2 
who shall be under the supervision of the CDC Director General.
3 
The functions of RCDCs include:
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(a) Prevention, control, and surveillance of diseases;
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(b) Provision of laboratory services for detection and identification of infectious
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disease agents from human, environmental samples, and food;
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€ Maintenance of an integrated data management system;
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(d) Implementation of quality assurance programs for clinical and
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environmental laboratories through training consultation, certification, and
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proficiency testing;
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€ Pohcy development;
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(f) Emergency response;
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(g) Pubhc health-related research;
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(h) Training and education;
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(i) Maintenance of infectious disease hospitals for referral and management of
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cases;
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0) Establishment of strong communication networks; and,
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(k) Other functions that may be assigned by the Director General.
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The RCDCs shall be composed of speciaHsts in the fields of irifectious diseases,
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public health, epidemiology, and similar fields.
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Sec. 9. Structure Staffing Pattern -
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a) The CDC shall initially have the following offices, each to be headed by an
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officer witli the salary and rank of Director IV:
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(1) Center for Epidemic InteUigence and Disease Surveillance;
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(2) Center for Research, Training, and Reference Laboratory;
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(3) Center for Infectious Disease Emergency Preparedness and
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Response;
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(4) Center for PoHcy and Program Development;
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(5) Communications Office; and
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(6) Administrative and Finance Office.
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(b) The CDC Director General, subject to the issuance of an executive order by
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the President and approval of the Department of Budget and Management


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(DBM), may create or abolish units, offices, and centers as needed to carry out
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all provisions of this Act.
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€ The CDC Director General, in consultation with the DOH and the DBM, shall:
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(1) Develop the organizational structure of the CDC at the national,
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regional, and local levels;
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(2) Determine the divisions and specific functions of each unit, center, or
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office of the CDC; and
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(3) Determine the staffing pattern, qualification standards,
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compensation, and position classification plan for the CDC subject to the
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approval of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and the DBM.
11 
Sec. 10. Qualifications Standards for Appointment and Promotion. - The DOH shall,
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in consultation with the CSC, and pertinent agencies as may be necessary, develop the
13 
qualification standards in terms of education, training, and experience for all technical
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and non-technical positions in the CDC, and the system for promotion and succession
15 
plan in the CDC.
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Sec. 11. Continuing Competency Developinent Program. - The CDC shall through
17 
the Director General, devise and implement a continuing competency development
18 
program 
whereby 
all 
core
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personnel shall be required to update and enrich competencies through attendance
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in programs, studies, research, fellowships, workshops, and seminars, including
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training opportunities in reputable foreign CDCs. Compliance with the Continuing
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Competency Development Program shall be the mandatory basis for promotion
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within the CDC. The CDC shall develop mechanisms to tap funding opportunities to
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implement its Continuing Competency Development Program .
25 
Sec. 12. Modernization Program. - The Director General shall, in consultation
26 
with the DOH and other concerned agencies of government and the private sector,
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develop a modernization program that will strengthen the human health resource of
28 
the CDC which is the key component of the country's disease prevention and control
29 
pohcy. The modernization program shall include the acquisition and upgrading of
30 
appropriate technologies, laboratories, facilities equipment other needed resources,
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and the needed relocation and acquisition of additional land or location that would
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house the CDC.


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Within one hundred eighty (180) days after the effectivity of this Act, the
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Director General shall, upon the recommendation of the DOH and DBM Secretaries,
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submit the modernization program for the consideration and approval of Congress in
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a joint resolution of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
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The modernization program shall be implemented over a period of five
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(5) years. Appropriations for the modernization program shall be provided in the
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annual General Appropriations Act (GAA),
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Sec. 13. Strengthened Epidemiology, Public Health Surveillance, and Research
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Capacities. - To ensure that epidemiology and pubHc health surveillance services are
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efficient and responsive, and public health surveillance and research capacities are
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strengthened and updated to international standards, the GDC shall:
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(a) Prioritize investments in upgrading of ICT and adequate and capacitated
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human resources for epidemiology, public health surveillance, and public
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health and cHnical research;
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(b) Have a premier facility for clinical laboratory, epidemiologic and
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implementation research and training on infectious and tropical diseases;
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€ Develop performance-based incentives to private health facilities with
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estabhshed epidemiology and surveillance functions;
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(d) Re-nationalize local epidemiology and surveillance units (LESUs) that will
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solely provide epidemiology and disease surveillance services and provide
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assistance to the LGUs in the establishment and maintenance of surveillance
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systems, data management, and generation of strategic epidemiologic
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information Provided, That the DOH, GDC, and DBM, shall develop the staffing
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pattern and qualification standards: Provided, further. That LESUs shall be
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under the direct supervision and control of the Regional CDCs;
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€ Retain and provide incentives to technical experts, practitioners, and
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scientists, whereby the scientific career system is adopted, allowing them to
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continue their respective clinical and professional practice to pursue research
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studies and receive grants and honoraria, in consultation with the CSC.
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Qualified employees of the CDC and its attached units shall be covered by
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Republic Act No. 8439, otherwise known as Magna Carta for Scientists,


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Engineers, Researchers, and Other Science and Technology Personnel in
2 
Government;
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(f) Develop and implement trainuig and research programs to develop more
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experts and practitioners in the field of epidemiology, and disease prevention
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and control; and,
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(g) Develop a mechanism to ensure interoperability and accessibility of
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surveillance systems.
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Sec. 14. Strengthened Disease Surveillance and Response. - The CDC shall establish
9 
integrated disease surveillance and response systems utilizing
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whenever necessary aU technological means available while ensuring that data
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privacy and patient confidentiality are maintained. The CDC and authorized public
12 
authorities shall have complete access and right to collect personal information and
13 
other data, as may be deemed necessary in the fulfillment of their mandate. AU data
14 
or information and samples coUected pursuant thereto shall be used for public health
15 
concern purposes only and shall be exempted from the provisions of R.A. No. 10173,
16 
otherwise known as the Data Privacy Act of 2012 on the accessibility of data.
17 
Sec. 15. National Reference Laboratories - The CDC shall estabUsh a new, state-of-
18 
the-art facility that will serve as the National Reference Laboratory (NRL), unifying
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aU NRLs for biological, chemical, nuclear, and radiologic emergencies under one roof
20 
within five (5) years from the effectivity of this Act. Provided, That the existing NRLs
21 
in the East Avenue Medical Center, PhiUppine Heart Center, Lung Center of the
22 
Phihppines, National Kidney Transplant Institute and San Lazaro Hospital shaU
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continue to be under the respective hospitals. Provided further, That these existing
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NRLs shall seive as referral laboratories of the CDC and be included in the
25 
Modernization Program of the CDC.
26 
The NRL shall provide technical recommendations, laboratory confirmatory
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services, training, and external quality assurance, and perform surveillance, outbreak
28 
response, kit evaluation, and research. It shall oversee the functions and performance
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of the network of subnational laboratories (SNL).
30 
SNLs shaU be established in all regions, with the capabiUty of conducting
31 
confirmatory testing for routine surveillance samples and performing specialized
32 
tests. SNLs, whose functions include testing for routine surveillance and specialized
10


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tests, shall be under CDC administratively. Hospitals housing the SNLs shall create a
2 
separate unit for their regular hospital laboratory needs.
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The CDC, through the NRLs and SNLs, shall provide technical guidance and
4 
quahty assurance programs to biosafety levels 2, 3, and 4 laboratories in the country,
5 
which shall be registered with and regulated by the DOH.
6 
Sec. 16. Authority to Solicit Negotiate, and Receive Donations, Grants, Gifts,
1 
Legacies, Endowments, and Contributions. - The CDC may solicit, negotiate with, and
8 
receive from any pubhc or private domestic or foreign sources legacies, gifts,
9 
donations, grants, endowments, contributions, or other transfers of ownership and or
10 
possession of or personal properties of all kinds in favor and for the benefit of the
11 
CDC, which shaU all be part of the special account in the general fund managed by
12 
the Bureau of Treasury.
13 
The Director General shall prescribe the measures necessary for the proper
14 
use, □ aintenance safekeeping, and compliance with the terms and conditions if any of
15 
said donations, grants, endowments, or contributions transfers in accordance with
16 
pertinent accounting and auditing laws, rules and regulations.
17 
Sec. 17. Tax Exemptions. - Donations grants, gifts, endowments, legacies, and
18 
contributions used actually, directly, and exclusively for the purpose of the CDC shall
19 
be exempt from donor's tax and the same shall be considered as an allowable
20 
deduction from gross income for purposes of computing the taxable income of the
21 
donor in accordance with Sec. 34 (H)(2)(a) of the National Internal Revenue Code of
22 
1997 as amended. Likewise, such other tiansfers of ownership and or possession of
23 
real or personal properties of all kinds shall be exempt from aU taxes.
24 
Sec. 18. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee. — There shall be a Joint
25 
Congressional Oversight Committee on Disease Prevention and Control, jointly
26 
chaired by the Chairpersons of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography,
27 
and the House of Representatives Committee on Health. It shall be composed of five
2 8 
(5) members from the Senate and five (5) members from the House of Representatives,
29 
to be appointed by the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of
30 
Representatives, respectively.
31 
Sec. 19. Appropriations. - The initial amount needed for the implementation of
32 
this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the offices and
11


1 
the RITM herein absorbed by the CDC. Thereafter, the funding of which shall be
2 
included in the annual GAA.
3 
Sec. 20. Transitory Provisions. -
4 
(a) Upon effectivity of this Act, the CDC shall develop a Framework for
5 
Infectious Diseases and Pandemic Preparedness, and prioritize the
6 
strengthening of the following functions:
7 
(i) Integrated disease surveillance and response;
8 
(ii) Sentinel suiveillance;
9 
(iii) Laboratory-based surveillance;
10 
(iv) Periodic population-based surveillance and,
11 
(v) Preventing transmission of communicable diseases.
12 
(b) The CDC shall initially prioritize disease surveillance and prevention and
13 
control of infectious diseases. Within five (5) years from its creation,
14 
and upon positive recommendation by an independent study or body
15 
commissioned by the DOH, the surveillance, prevention, and control of non-
16 
communicable diseases shall be included in its mandate;
17 
€ For the year during which tins Act was approved, the unexpended portion of
18 
the budget of the offices and units transferred shall be utilized for establishing
19 
the CDC and initiating its operations, including the formulation of the rules
20 
and regulations necessary for the implementation of this Act;
21 
(d) To the greatest extent possible and in accordance with existing laws, all
22 
employees of the affected offices, agencies, and units shall be absorbed by tire
23 
CDC. Personnel hired on a permanent basis and with appointments attested by
24 
the CSC who may be affected by the transition of DOH units to CDC, or who
25 
will not be absorbed in the new positions of the new staffing pattern of the
26 
different offices in the CDC, shall have the option to:
27 
(1) Be transferred to other units or offices within the DOH without
28 
reduction in pay; or
29 
(2) Avail of the applicable retirement benefits as provided under R.A.
30 
6656, entitled An Act to Protect the Security of Tenure of Civil Service
31 
Officers and Employees in the Implementation of Government
32 
Reorganization and other relevant laws;
12


1 
e) Incumbent DOH officials and employees of affected DOH offices may apply
2 
for and be ti'ansferred to the CDC, subject
3 
to an evaluation of their competency and CSC regulations;
4 
(f) Research grants acquired during the transition of DOH transferred units to
5 
CDC shall be utilized solely for the grants' intended purposes for each of the
6 
affected units or offices, and shall not be made available for budget
7 
realignments;
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(g) Existing contracts and agreements entered into by the affected offices with
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third parties prior to the enactment of this Act shall remain vaHd. The DBM,
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DOH, and CSC shall issue the implementing guidelines to ensure fair, orderly,
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and transparent implementation of paragraphs € and (f) of this section.
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Sec. 21. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within one hundred and twenty
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(120) working days from the effectivity of this Act, the DOH Secretary shall
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promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for its implementation.
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Sec. 22. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
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invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof shall remain in full force and
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effect.
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Sec. 23. Repealing Clause. - AU laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations or
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other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
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repealed or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 24. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
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