NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
s.No. 835
Senate
-■'(©HiCP of tlif
•22 JUL25 PI 30
Introduced by Senator Loren B. Legarda
AN ACT
PROVIDING POLICIES AND PRESCRIBING PROCEDURES TO 
PREVENT, CONTROL, AND RESPOND TO INFECTIOUS DISEASES, 
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11332, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE MANDATORY REPORTING OF 
NOTIFIABLE DISEASES AND HEALTH EVENTS OF PUBLIC 
HEALTH CONCERN ACT, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) has infected more than five 
hundred forty-five million individuals and has claimed the lives of more than six 
million worldwide in two (2) years.1 Notable variants of the virus have emerged since 
the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 as a pandemic in 2020. 
The new variants are reported to be more aggressive and contagious, increasing 
pressure on global health systems and the economy.
In the Philippines alone, as of July 14,2022, COVID-19 has infected more than 
three million seven hundred thousand Filipinos (3,723,014 confirmed cases) and has 
claimed the lives of more than sixty thousand six hundred others (60,640 deaths).2
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought lasting social and economic losses to the 
government, the private sector, and even individual Filipinos. Public health measures
1 World Health Organization Coronavirus (COVU-19) Dashboard as of July 4,2022. https://covidl9.who.inh
2 COVID-19 Tracker as of July 14. 2022 I Department of Health website fdoh.gov.phl


and mitigation interventions have been established. However, there were noted policy 
gaps that must be immediately addressed. With this, there is a need to update policies, 
align processes, and establish a response system for effective and immediate measures 
to analyze, address, and prevent public health and safety threats.
This bill seeks to provide additional measures to preserve the health of the 
Filipino people, ensure health promotion, and respond effectively in the event of the 
emergence or re-emergence of an infectious disease.
In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
LOREN LEGARDA


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PTELIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
835
of tl)e ^t crctfu-i>
*22 JUL25 PI 30
RECEIVED BY; .
S. No.
Introduced by Senator Loren B. Legarda
AN ACT
PROVIDING POLICIES AND PRESCRIBING PROCEDURES TO 
PREVENT, CONTROL, AND RESPOND TO INFECTIOUS DISEASES, 
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11332, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE MANDATORY REPORTING OF 
NOTIFIABLE DISEASES AND HEALTH EVENTS OF PUBLIC 
HEALTH CONCERN ACT, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section. 1. Section 4 of Republic Act No. 11332, otherwise known as the
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"Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern
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Act," is hereby amended as follows:
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"SEC. 4. Objectives. - This Act shall have the following objectives:
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(a) To continuously develop and upgrade the list of nationally
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notifiable diseases and health events of public health concern
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with their corresponding case definitions and laboratory
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confirmation;
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(b) To ensure the establishment and maintenance of relevant,
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efficient, and effective disease surveillance and response
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system at the national and local levels;
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(c) To expand collaborations beyond traditional public health
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partners to include others who may be involved in the disease
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surveillance and response, such as agricultural agencies,
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veterinarians, environmental agencies, law enforcement


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entities, and transportation and communication agencies, 
among others;
(d) To provide accurate and timely health information about 
notifiable diseases and health-related events and conditions to 
citizens and health providers as an integral part of response to 
public health emergencies;
(e) To establish effective mechanisms for strong collaboration 
with national and local government health agencies to ensure 
proper procedures are in place to promptly respond to reports 
of notifiable diseases and health events of public health 
concern, including case investigations, treatment, control, and 
containment, including APPROPRIATE RESTRICTIONS 
ON DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL, AND 
follow-up activities;
(f) To ensure that public health authorities have the statutory and 
regulatory authority to ensure the following:
(1) Mandatory reporting of reportable diseases and health 
events of public health concern;
(2) Epidemic/outbreaks and/or epidemiologic 
investigation, case investigations, patient interviews, 
review of medical records, contact tracing, specimen 
collection and testing, risk assessments, laboratory 
investigation, population surveys, and environmental 
investigation;
(3) RAPID quarantine and isolation; and
(4) Rapid containment and implementation of measures for 
disease prevention and control;
(g) To provide sufficient funding to support operations needed to 
establish and maintain epidemiology and surveillance units at 
the DOH, health facilities and local government units (LGUs); 
efficiently and effectively investigate outbreaks and health 
events of public health concern; validate, collect, analyze and


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disseminate disease surveillance information to relevant 
agencies or organizations; and implement appropriate 
response;
(h) To require public and private physicians, allied medical 
personnel, professional societies, hospitals, clinics, health 
facilities, laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, private 
companies and institutions, workplaces, schools, prisons, 
ports, airports, establishments, communities, other 
government agencies, and non-govemment organizations 
(NGOs) to actively participate in disease surveillance and 
response, AND PREVENTION MEASURES; [and]
(i) To respect to the fullest extent possible, the rights of people to 
liberty, bodily integrity, and privacy while maintaining and 
preserving public health and security[.];
(J) TO PROMOTE AND MAINTAIN PHYSICAL AND 
MENTAL HEALTH AND PROTECT FRONTLINE 
HEALTH WORKERS AND VULNERABLE 
POPULATIONS BY PRESCRIBING NECESSARY 
POLICIES IN THE EVENT OF THE EMERGENCE OR RE- 
EMERGENCE OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES;
(K) TO ESTABLISH AND IMPLEMENT POLICIES AND 
MEASURES TO CONTROL THE SPREAD AND 
PREVALENCE OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES;
(L) 
TO CONTINUOUSLY PROVIDE AND DEVELOP 
INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS 
OF THE PUBLIC WHILE ADAPTING TO THE 
PREVAILING CIRCUMSTANCES; AND
(M) TO ESTABLISH EFFECTIVE MECHANISMS AND 
INFORMATION SYSTEMS TO RESPOND ACCURATELY 
AND IMMEDIATELY TO EMERGING AND RE- 
EMERGING INI ECTIOUS DISEASES WITHIN AND 
OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY."


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Sec. 2. A new Section 6 shall be inserted, to read as follows, and the succeeding 
sections shall be renumbered accordingly:
"SEC. 6. SURVEILLANCE AND MONITORING. - THE 
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (DOH) SHALL ENSURE THE 
PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES BY 
PROVIDING AND DISSEMINATING RELEVANT INFORMATION 
THROUGH CONSTANT SURVEILLANCE AND MONITORING OF 
EMERGING AND RE-EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES, WHICH 
MAY POSE THREATS TO PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, AND 
SECURITY.
THE DOH SHALL PROVIDE THE PUBLIC WITH TIMELY 
INFORMATION PERTAINING TO HEALTH CONCERNS AND 
PRESENT RESPECTIVE PARTICULARITIES AND CASE 
DEFINITIONS. IT SHALL LIKEWISE CONDUCT MASS TESTING 
FOR EARLY PREVENTION AND CONDUCT PERIODIC 
REPORTING ON RESULTS FOR EFFECTIVE RISK 
COMMUNICATION AND IMMEDIATE RESPONSE AND 
MITIGATION OF SAID THREAT TO PUBLIC HEALTH."
Sec. 3. A new Section 7 shall be inserted, to read as follows, and the succeeding 
sections shall be renumbered accordingly:
"SEC. 7. PREPAREDNESS, PREVENTION, AND CONTROL. - 
THE FOLLOWING MEASURES SHALL BE PERFORMED UPON 
CONFIRMATION AND VERIFICATION OF THE EMERGENCE OR 
RE-EMERGENCE OF AN INFECTIOUS DISEASE WITHIN OR 
OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY.
(A) THE DOH AND ITS LOCAL COUNTERPARTS SHALL BE 
MANDATED TO PROVIDE NATIONAL AND LOCAL 
HEALTH STRATEGIES AND MEASURES TO PREPARE AND 
CURB THE SPREAD OF THE INFECTIOUS DISEASE;
(B) THE DOH SHALL PUBLISH A LIST OF EXPERTS AND 
MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS ON INFECTIOUS DISEASES TO 
BE CONSULTED AND MOBILIZED;


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(C) THE DOH SHALL ENSURE THAT THERE IS AN AMPLE 
SUPPLY OF MEDICAL EQUIPMENT, PROTECTIVE 
EQUIPMENT, AND MEDICINES IN ALL HOSPITALS, RURAL 
HEALTH UNITS, AND MEDICAL FACILITIES;
(D) THE DOFI SHALL PROVIDE STRATEGIES TO ENSURE THE 
DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT CAPACITY OF 
HOSPITALS, RURAL HEALTH UNITS, AND MEDICAL 
FACILITIES TO HANDLE THE SURGE IN CASES WHILE 
ENSURING CONTINUITY OF ESSENTIAL HEALTH SERVICE 
DELIVERY;
(E) THE DOH SHALL ^EAD THE PROMPT CONDUCT OF RISK 
ASSESSMENT TO IDENTIFY HIGH-RISK AND VULNERABLE 
POPULATIONS, AND CONTINGENCY PLANNING, IN 
COORDINATION WITH THE NATIONAL DISASTER RISK 
REDUCTION COUNCIL (NDRRMC), DEPARTMENT OF 
INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT (DILG), AND 
OTHER GOVERNMENT INSTRUMENTALITIES. THE 
CONTINGENCY PLAN SHALL INCLUDE MEASURES TO 
RECONFIGURE HEALTH FACILITIES AND REPURPOSE 
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE FACILITIES TO PROVIDE SAFE 
AREAS FOR EMERGENCY CASE MANAGEMENT, 
QUARANTINE, AND ISOLATION;
(F) THE DOH SHALL ISSUE PARAMETERS AND GUIDELINES 
ON CASE REPORTING, MONITORING, AND CASE 
HANDLING, AS WELL AS ESTABLISH HEALTH AND 
SAFETY PROTOCOLS. LGUS AND GOVERNMENT 
AGENCIES AND INSTRUMENTALITIES ARE REQUIRED TO 
COMPLY WITH SUCH GUIDELINES;
(G) THE DOH AND ITS LOCAL COUNTERPART SHALL
ESTABLISH 
INTEROPERABLE 
MONITORING
MECHANISMS AND CONTINUOUS INFORMATION 
SYSTEMS TO MONITOR POTENTIAL AND CONFIRMED


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CASES OF THE INFECTIOUS DISEASE, LOCALLY AND 
NATIONALLY.
(H) THE DOFI SHALL EMPLOY THE USE OF TECHNOLOGICAL 
SOLUTIONS, WHERE POSSIBLE, SUCH AS TELEMEDICINE, 
TO MONITOR PATIENTS AND PROMOTE REMOTE 
CONSULTATION, TO MINIMIZE RISK TO PATIENTS,
(I) THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AND LGUS SHALL 
CONDUCT PREVENTIVE MEASURES AGAINST THE 
INFECTIOUS DISEASE IN ACCORDANCE WITH EXISTING 
LAWS AND REGULATIONS. THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH, 
PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR, OR CITY OR MUNICIPAL 
MAYOR SHALL UNDERTAKE THE FOLLOWING 
PREVENTIVE MEASURES, IN PART OR IN FULL, TO 
PREVENT THE SPREAD OF ANY INFECTIOUS DISEASE:
(1) TO RESTRICT OR PROHIBIT GATHERINGS, SUCH AS 
ASSEMBLIES, RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES, OR ANY 
OTHER MASS GATHERINGS;
(2) TO PARTIALLY OR TEMPORARILY CLOSE NON- 
ESSENTIAL PLACES OF WORK, BUSINESS, AND 
EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENTS;
(3) TO PARTIALLY OR FULLY RESTRICT TRAVEL WITHIN 
THEIR LOCALIIY OR REGULATE TRAVEL BY LAND, 
SEA, OR AIR;
(4) TO PARTIALLY OR FULLY CLOSE ALL AIRPORTS AND 
SEAPORTS;
(5) TO ORDER THE SANITATION AND DISINFECTION OF 
FACILITIES, BUILDINGS, OR COMMUNITIES, AS MAY 
BE DEEMED NECESSARY;
(6) TO DESIGNATE MEDICAL FACILITIES OR BUILDINGS 
AS LOCAL ISOLATION AND TREATMENT CENTERS;
(7) TO ESTABLISH SURVEILLANCE UNITS AND 
MECHANISMS, FROM THE BARANGAY TO THE


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PROVINCIAL LEVEL, TO CAPTURE ACCURATE AND
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TIMELY DATA NECESSARY TO PREVENT, MONITOR,
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AND CURB THE SPREAD OF THE DISEASE; AND
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(8) TO DESIGNATI OR CONTRACT PERSONNEL TO
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ASSIST IN CONTACT TRACING, TESTING, RISK
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COMMUNICATION, COMMUNITY 
ENGAGEMENT,
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HEALTH PROMOTION, OR OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH
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INTERVENTIONS;
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(J) THE PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY SHALL ISSUE CONSTANT
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RELEVANT INFORMATION ON THE STATUS OF THE
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INFECTIOUS DISEASE."
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Sec. 4. A new Section 8 shall be inserted, to read as follows, and the succeeding
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sections shall be renumbered accordingly:
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"SEC. 8. HANDLING OF POTENTIAL AND CONFIRMED
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CASES. - THE FOLLOWING MEASURES SHALL BE OBSERVED:
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(A) THE DOH AND LGUS SHALL IMMEDIATELY IDENTIFY
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AND DESIGNATE HOSPITALS, RURAL HEALTH UNITS, OR
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MEDICAL FACILITIES OPERATING SOLELY TO HANDLE
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AND TREAT THE INFECTIOUS DISEASE;
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(B) THE LGU AND HEALTH OFHCES SHALL ISSUE A LIST OF
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POTENTIAL CARRIERS OF THE INFECTIOUS DISEASE
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BASED ON THE GUIDELINES PRESCRIBED BY THE DOH;
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(C) THE LGU SHALL PREPARE ITS OWN PANDEMIC
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PREPAREDNESS PLAN ALIGNED WITH THE NATIONAL
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PLAN;
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(D) IDENTIFIED POTENTIAL CARRIERS ARE DIRECTED TO
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UNDERGO QUARANTINE PROCEDURES IN IDENTIFIED
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HOSPITALS UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF LOCAL HEALTH
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AUTHORITIES AND MEDICAL PERSONNEL;
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(E) UPON VERIFICATION OF THE CONFIRMED CARRIER,
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CONTACT TRACING SHALL BE IMMEDIATELY
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CONDUCTED BY THE DOH IN COORDINATION WITH


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LOCAL HEALTH AUTHORITIES. THE FOLLOWING MAY BE
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USED FOR THE EFFICIENT CONDUCTION OF CONTACT
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TRACING:
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(1) PATIENT INTERVIEWS AND QUESTIONNAIRES; AND
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(2) LOCAL AUTHORIZED HEALTH PERSONNEL SHALL
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USE DATA FROM THE GPS AND LOCATION FROM THE
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SOCIAL MEDIA SITES OF THE PATIENT FOR
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EFI ICIENT CONTACT TRACING. THE USE OF DATA IS
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ONLY FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF SURVEILLANCE OF
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THE DISEASE AND CONTACT TRACING AND IS
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SUBJECT TO 
DATA 
SECURITY AND
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CONFIDENTIAL] TY MEASURES.
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(F) AVAILABLE TECHNOLOGY, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
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LIMITED TO, THE USE OF SMARTPHONES AND
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TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES, SHALL BE UTILIZED IN
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MONITORING THE MOVEMENT AND HEALTH
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CONDITIONS OF THE POTENTIAL AND CONFIRMED
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CARRIER;
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(G) PRIVATE BUSINESSES OPERATING IN PUBLIC PLACES
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SHALL BE REQUIRED TO COLLECT DATA FROM THEIR
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PATRONS AND VISITORS FOR PURPOSES OF
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FACILITATING CONTACT TRACING AND NOTIFICATION,
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SUBJECT TO EXISTING RULES AND REGULATIONS ON
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DATA SECURITY AND PRIVACY. EMPLOYERS ARE
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RESPONSIBLE FOR CONTACT TRACING & NOTIFICATION
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IN THE WORKPLACE, WHILE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS
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ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR CONTACT TRACING &
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NOTIFICATION IN THE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT."
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Sec. 5. A new Section 9 shall be inserted, to read as follows, and the succeeding
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sections shall be renumbered accordingly:
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"SEC. 9. INCENTIVES, - PRIVATE GROUPS AND ENTITIES
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ENGAGED IN SURVEILLANCE AND MONITORING SHALL BE


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GRANTED INCENTIVES INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO,
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EXEMPTION FROM PAYMENT OF RELEVANT TAXES, AND
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OTHER INCENTIVES AS MAY BE PROVIDED UNDER EXISTING
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LAWS AND REGULATIONS/'
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Sec. 6. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared as
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unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected thereby shall
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remain in force and effect.
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Sec. 7. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
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order, letter of instruction, rule or regulation inconsistent with the provisions of this
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Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 8. Ejfectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days
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following its complete publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general
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circulation.
Approved,