NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
]
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
]
First Regular Session 
]
SENATE 
S.B. No. 825
Cb0;''3 g?e»a«
i~ji©fft£p of ti}p ^Sn rrftni’p
*22 JUL 25 A11 41
RECEIVED BY:
Introduced by SEN. WIN GATCHALIAN
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING A FUNCTIONAL INTEGRATED DISEASES 
SURVEILLANCE AND RESPONSE SYSTEM IN THE PHILIPPINES, 
CREATING THE CENTER FOR DISEASE PREVENTION AND CONTROL, 
ESTABLISHING A MEDICAL RESERVE CORPS AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
After experiencing dengue, SARS and MERS-Cov outbreaks in the past 
few years, and now the Covid-19 pandemic, the Philippines remains to be 
unprepared and vulnerable to the threats and risks of communicable 
diseases, including emerging and re-eraerging infections such as 
leptospirosis, dengue, meningococcemia, tuberculosis, polio, among others, 
that continue to endanger the health and safely of the public.
With the Corona virus (Covid-19) outbreak, the Philippine government 
is forced to reassess its approach in ensuring and protecting community 
health both during and between health emergencies. As evidenced by the 
Philippine health department’s Covid-19 response, it is clearly difficult, if not 
impossible, to develop new systems, resources and capacity in the midst of 
an infectious disease emergency. The country’s reactive and bureaucratic 
approach in detecting and fighting against communicable diseases has proven 
to be fatal as the slow response in handling Covid-19 outbreak by the Health 
Department has affected and taken the lives of our frontline health workers, 
and endangered millions of lives of ordin ary Filipinos.
The current Covid-19 situation emphasizes the risks and highlights the 
need to improve preparedness, surveillance and response at local, national 
and international levels against future pandemics. It also reminds us that 
deadly pathogens respect no border nor it differentiates between the rich and


the poor. As new pathogens emerge and health risks spread across regions, 
our public health system will be challenged and tested as never before. Thus, 
it is important to lay down the fundamentals in public health emergency 
response in advance.
To avoid heavily burdening our public health system that may signify 
serious repercussions, including countless morbidities and mortalities, trade 
disruptions and negative effect on the economy, our proposed measure 
emphasizes on the importance of having a strong public health capacity in 
commmiities across the country before any public health emergency occurs. 
Such public health capacity as embodied in this proposed measure shall 
include the development of a national health strategy on disease prevention 
and control, the provision of an adequate number of public health 
professionals and corresponding modernized infrastructure across local 
government units, the institutionalization of an integrated functional disease 
surveillance and respon se system, the creation of a support system of medical 
reservists and the creation of a public institution imbued with the capacity, 
competencies, ecosystem and authority to detect, prevent and confront these 
health risks decisively.
The proposed measure aims to adopt a whole of government approach 
in setting a national health strategy on disease preyrention and control. It 
seeks to institutionalize a functional integrated disease surveillance and 
response system with the Center for Disease Prevention and Control (“Center”) 
at the forefront to enable the government to respond quickly and effectively 
whenever a health crisis ensues. It proposes to reorganize the Department of 
Health and to establish and strengthen the Center, which will be at the heart 
of preventing, preparing for and responding to infecticus disease outbreaks.
The proposed measure also provides a comprehensive national 
framework for health emergency management, which includes the grant of 
broader quarantine powers to the Secretary of Health and the Center, 
authorization for LGUs to use calamity funds during a state of health 
emergency, creation of the Health Emergency Coordination Council, 
provisions for vaccination and treatment, isolation and quarantine, disease 
surveillance and investigation, reporting and tracking of public health 
emergencies, among others.
Accordingly, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought.
LIAN


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
]
of ti)f ^viretnrp
72 JUL 25 All -41
SENATE
S.B. No. 825
RECEIVED BY:
n
Introduced by SEN. WIN GATCHALIAN
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING A FUNCTIONAL INTEGRATED DISEASES 
SURVEILLANCE AND RESPONSE SYSTEM IN "nHE PHILIPPINES, 
CREATING THE CENTER FOR DISE ISE PREVENTION AND CONTROL, 
ESTABLISHING A MEDICAL RESERVE CORPS AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled;
CHAPTER I
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GENERAL PROVISIONS
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Section 1. Title - This Act shall be known as the "Disease Prevention
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and Control Act of 2022."
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy - It shall be the policy of the State to ensure
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the health and wellbeing of Filipinos, to protect them and reduce their
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morbidity and mortality from diseases of public health importance, and to
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proactively prevent the emergence ^nd transmission of communicable
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diseases. Towards this end, the State shall devote significant material and
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institutional resources to provide a framework for communicable disease
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control and prevention in the country, including the establishment of secure
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and modern facilities, and the pro^dsion of expanded, improved and


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maintained capabilities that are sufficient towards the attainment of these 
goals.
It is also hereby declared a policy of the State to adopt, support, 
establish, institutionalize, improve and maintain structures, processes, 
mechanisms and initiatives that are aimed, directed and designed to:
(a) protect and promote the health of the Filipino people;
(b) help establish and maintain an effective health mechanism that is 
responsive to the country's health needs, emergency and other emerging 
problems; and
(c) advance countermeasures 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.
Towards this end, and in view of the globalization of health risks, there 
shall be a high-level public institution imbued with the capacity, the 
competencies, the ecosystem, and the authority to confront these risks 
decisively and thus protect the public welfare and enable development to 
proceed despite these risks.
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms — As used in this Act, the term:
(a) “Communicable disease”, also known as transmissible disease or 
infectious disease, shall mean an illness resulting from an infection or 
a disease or infectious agents or their toxic products, any of which can 
be transmitted either directly from an infected host individual or group 
or animal to a particular individual or group, regardless of whether the 
other individual was previously infected, or indirectly through the 
agency of an intermediate plant or animal host, vector or the inanimate 
environment;
(b) "Contagious disease" is an infectious disease that can be transmitted 
from person to person;


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(c) Disease control refers to the reduction of disease incidence, 
prevalence, morbidity or mortality to a locally acceptable level as a 
result of deliberate efforts and continued intervention measures to 
maintain the reduction;
(d) Disease surveillance" refers to the ongoing systematic collection, 
analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of outcome-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 t imely dissemination of these data to 
persons who can undertake effective prevention and control activities;
(e) "Emerging or re-emerging infectious diseases" refer to diseases that: (1) 
have not occurred in humans before; (2) have occurred previously but 
affected only small numbers of people in isolated areas; (3) have 
occurred throughout human history but have only recently been 
recognized as a distant disease due to an infectious agent; (4) are caused 
by previously undetected or unknown infectious agents; (5) are due to 
mutant or resistant strains of a causative organism; and (6) once were 
major health problems in the country, and then declined dramatically, 
but are again becoming health problems for a significant proportion of 
the population;
(f) "Epidemic/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;
(g) "Health care facility" means any institution, building, or agency or 
portion thereof, whether public or private (for-profit or nonprofit) that is 
used, operated, or designed to provide health services, medical 
treatment, or nursing, rehabilitative, or preventive care to any person or 
persons. This includes, but is not limited to: ambulatory surgical 
facilities, home health agencies, hospices, hospitals, infirmaries, 
intermediate care facilities, kidney treatment centers, long term care 
facilities, medical a ssistance facilities, mental health centers, outpatient


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facilities, public health centers, rehabilitation facilities, residential 
treatments facilities, skilled nursing facilities, and adult day-care 
centers. This also includes, but is not limited to, the following related 
property when used for or in connection with the foregoing: laboratories; 
research facilities; pharmacies; laundiy facilities; health personnel 
training and lodging facilities; patient, guest, and health personnel food 
service facilities; and offices and office buildings for persons engaged in 
health care professions or services;
(i) "Health event of public health concern" refers to either a public health 
emergency or a public health threat due to biological, chemical, radio- 
nuclear and environmental agents;
(j) "Infectious disease" refers to a disease caused by a living organism or 
other pathogen, including a fungus, bacillus, parasite, protozoan, or 
virus. An infectious disease may. or may not, be transmissible from 
person to person, animal to person, or insect to person;
(k) "Infectious waste" refers to (i) "biological waste," which includes blood 
and blood products, excretions, exudates, secretions, suctioning and 
other body fluids, and waste materials saturated with blood or body 
fluids; (ii) "cultures and stocks," which includes etiologic agents and 
associated biologicals, including specimen cultures and dishes and 
devices used to transfer, inoculate, and mix cultures, wastes from 
production of biologicals and serums, and discarded live and attenuated 
vaccines; (iii) "pathological waste," which includes biopsy jnaterials and 
all human tissues, anatomical parts that emanate from surgery, 
obstetrical procedures, necropsy or autopsy and laboratory procedures, 
and animal carcasses exposed to pathogens in research and the bedding 
and other waste horn such animals, but does not include teeth or 
formaldehyde or other preservative agents; and (iv) "sharps," which 
includes needles, I.V. tubing with needles attached, scalpel blades, 
lancets, breakable glass tubes, and syringes that have been removed 
from their original sterile containers;


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(l) Ii tegrated Disease Surveillance and Response” refers to the process of 
coordinating, prioritizing and streamlining of core surveillance activities 
(i.e. data collection, reporting, laboratory and epidemiological 
confirmation, analysis, feedback), support functions (e.g. training, 
monitoring, financial and logistics) and response (e.g. epidemic 
investigation) with the aim of making the system more efficient and 
effective in providing timely, accurate and relevant information for action
(m) Notifiable disease" refers to a disease that, by legal requirements, 
must be reported to the public health authorities;
(m) Precommunicabie stage" refers to the stags beginning upon an 
individual's earliest opportunity for exposure to an infectious agent and 
ending upon the individual entering or reentering the communicable stage 
of the disease or, if the individual does not enter the communicable stage, 
the latest date at which the individual could reasonably be expected to 
have the potential to enter or reenter the communicable stage;
(n) "Quarantine" refers to the restriction of activities and/or physical 
separation and confinement of an individual or groups of individuals, 
who are or may have been exposed to a contagious or possibly 
contagious disease and who do not show signs or symptoms of a 
contagious disease, from non-quarantined individuals, to prevent or 
limit the transmission of the disease to non-quarantined individuals;
(o) "Sudden onset health outbreak", or "sudden onset health events", 
refers to diseases whose risks to public health and safety 
exponentially increase over time absent intervention;
CHAPTER II
NATIONAL HEALTH STRATEGY 
FOR DISEASE PREVENTION AND CONTROL 
Sec. 4. National Health Strategy for Disease Prevention and Control; 
Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response System. - In coordination and 
consultation with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management


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Council and the Office of Civil Defense, the Secretary of Health shall lead the 
formulation and development of a ncLtional health agenda and strategy 
document that sets the country’s long-term goals and strategy in providing the 
necessary public health infrastructure and a functional integrated disease 
surveillance and response system that will prevent and manage the 
introduction, transmission and spread of communicable disease in the 
country. It shall include, among others, roadmap and strategies for improving 
delivery of public health services through immediate and clear-cut delineation 
and complementation of efforts across various government agencies, local 
government units, and all other political units of the government regarding all 
matters related to national public health, as well as fostering partnerships with 
the academe, research and development institutions, and the private sector.
The challenges in the following areas shall be considered in developing 
the country’s priorities in setting a national health strategy on disease 
prevention and control:
(a) Preparedness, response capabilities and capacity of ambulatory care 
facilities, dental health facilities and critical care service systems;
(b) Medical capacity and capability of hospitals, other health care 
facilities, critical care and trauma care aiod emergency medical 
systems;
(c) Unique needs and demands of individuals with disabilities in a public 
health emergency;
(d) Coordination and streamlining of surveillance activities used in 
various priority diseases;
(e) Collaboration of surveillance focal points at the local and national 
levels with epidemic response group to plan relevant public health 
response actions;
(f) Adoption and enhancement of information technology in public 
health;
(g) Strategic initiatives to advance countermeasures to diagnose, 
mitigate, prevent or treat harm from any biological agent or toxin or


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nay chemical, radiological or nuclear agent, whether naturally 
occurring, unintentional or deliberate; and
(h) Conduct of periodic evaluations of national and local preparedness 
and response capabilities to ensure capacity for public health 
emergencies without notice.
The development of the national health strateg\r on disease prevention 
and control shall include the institutionalization of a functional integrated 
disease surveillance and response system governed by the following principles:
(a) Integrated in terms of the use of standard case definitions, 
surveillance core activities and resources
(b) Capacity for early detection of epidemics
(c) Integrated response to epidemics and other public health threats
(d) Utilizes case-based, laboratoiy-based and event-based surveillance 
approaches to enhance sensitivity and specificity of the system
(e) Strengthens local capacity for surveillance and response
(f) Established capacity of laboratories and strengthened involvement in 
disease surveillance system;
(g) Efficient and effective management of surveillance data and use of 
information for decision-making, including monitoring and 
evaluation of intervention programs at all levels; and
(h) Open lines of communication with established feedback loop at all 
levels.
Sec. 5. Whole of Government Approach in Setting and Implementing a 
National Health Strategy. - In order to effectively conduct and support health 
promotion, prevention, surveillance and response of the Philippines with the 
goal of improving overall public health, a whole of government approach shall 
be adopted. This approach shall -
(a) Continually improve capacities at the national and regional levels to 
efficiently and effectively manage national and sub-national disease 
surveillance and response system;


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(b) Mobilize and empower local government units in the establishment 
and institutionalization of disease surveillanc e and response S3rstem;
(c) Support health sector capacity development for sustainable disease 
surveillance and response system; and
(d) Enhance utilization of disease surveillance data for decision making, 
policy development, program management, planning, monitoring and 
evaluation at all levels.
The Secretary of Health, in consultation with the local health 
departments, academe, research, development and engineering institutions, 
private sector, shall issue necessaiy regulations that will facilitate engagement 
among all concerned.
CHAPTER III
CREATION OF THE CENTER FOR DISEASE PREVENTION AND CONTROL
Se:. 6. Creation of the Center for D .sease Prevention and Control. - There 
shall be created a Center for Disease Prevention and Control, hereinafter 
referred to as "Center," a government agency attached to the Department of 
Health, which shall exercise administrative supervision over the Center,
The Center shall be the principal agency tasked with developing and 
applying communicable disease prevention and control initiatives. 
Additionally, it shall be responsible for managing and controlling the 
introduction and spread of infectious diseases in the country, and shall 
provide consultation and assistance to local health departments, other 
nations and international agencies to assist in improving their disease 
prevention and control.
See. 7. Reorganization of existing units. - The following offices and 
agencies, their powers and functions, applicable funds and appropriations, 
records, equipment, property, assets and personnel are hereby reorganized 
and transferred under the Center:


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(a) The Disease Prevention and Control Bureau of the Department of 
Health (DOH);
(b) The Epidemiology Bureau of the DOH;
(c) The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine;
(d) The Health Emergency Management Bureau of the DOH;
(e) Health Promotion and Communication Service of the DOH; and
(f) Bureau of Quarantine of the DOH.
Sec. 8. Functions of the Center. — The Center shall perform the following 
functions:
(a) Act as the primary and lead disease surveillance agency in the 
country by conducting and maintaining active surveillance of 
diseases through epidemiologic and laboratory investigations, data 
collection, analysis, and distribution, and by investigating disease 
outbreaks and other threats to public health;
(b) Act as lead agency in identifying and defining preventable health 
problems and in developing and implementing operational 
programs relating to communicable diseases by establishing 
procedures for systematic searching for, collecting, collating and 
analyzing infor mation and data to identify emerging health threats 
in the country, among others;
(c) Undertake research activities in the diagnosis, control and 
prevention of communicable diseases aimed at developing and 
testing effective communicable disease prevention, control, and 
health promotion programs, including the conduct of clinical trials 
aimed at better understanding and control of communicable 
diseases in the country;
(d) Foster the development of sufficient capacity for diagnosis, 
detection, identification and characterization of infectious agents 
which may threaten public health;


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(e) Administers national programs to develop recommended health 
standards to ensure readiness for the emergence of new 
communicable diseases;
(f) Administer national programs for improving the performance of 
clinical laboratories in identifying and classifying communicable 
diseases;
(gj Set the parameters for the declaration of the existence of an 
epidemic;
(h) Recommend such measures and policies as may be necessary to 
prevent the transmission of communicable diseases;
(i) Assess and support the capabilities of local government units 
(LGUs) in preventing the emergence and transmission of 
communicable diseases;
(j) Enhance and strengthen the administrative and technical capacity 
of the Disease Prevention and Control Bureau and Epidemiology 
Bureau to ensure the agencies' monitoring coverage over 
establishments and products under their jurisdiction;
(k) Promote public health decisions guided by strategic information 
for best possible health outcomes;
(l) Provide coherence in the health monitoring to ensure equitable, 
accessible, efficient and quality health services to communities, 
through dynamic partnership and shared advocacy, responsibility 
and accountability;
(m) Set the standards and the process for the establishment of 
Epidemiology and Surveillance Units (ESUs) as required by Section 
8 of Republic Act. No. 11332, assist DOH-retained hospitals, local 
health facilities especially district hospitals and private hospitals and 
laboratories in establishing ESUs and assess their performance and 
accredit them based on standards set by the CDC;
(n) Maintain a Registry of Notifiable Diseases and Biosecurity 
Hazards, which shall be published and updated online.
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(o) Recommend to the Council inclusions and deletions from the 
registry; and
(p) Perform such other functions as may be mandated by law, or as 
may be duly delegated by relevant authorities.
Sec. 9. Center Executive Director. — The Center shall be headed by 
an Executive Director who shall be appointed by the President on the basis 
of technical expertise, academic background and appropriate work 
experience upon the effectivity of this Act, with the rank of Undersecretary, 
and who shall perform the following functions and powers:
(a) Manage and direct the activities of the Center for Disease Control 
and Prevention (CDC);
(b) Provide leadership for the implementation of CDC's responsibilities 
related to disease prevention and control;
(c) Advise the Secretary of Health, the Office of Civil Defense, and the 
President on policy matters concerning CDC activities;
(d) With the approval of the Secretary of Health and the Office of the 
Civil Defense, make and enforce such regulations as in his 
judgment are necessary to prevent the introduction, transmission 
or spread of communicable diseases from foreign countries into 
the country or any of its political units, including inspection, 
fumigation, disinfection, sanitation, pest extermination, 
destruction of animals or articles found to be infected or 
contaminated as to be sources of dangerous infection to human 
beings, and other measures as may be necessary;
(e) Certify to the existence of an epidemic, which shall be treated as a 
public health emergency;
(f) Participate in the development of CDC goals and objectives;
(g) Provide overal1 direction and coordination to the epidemiologic 
activities of CDC;
(h) Coordinate CDC response to health emergencies;
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(i) Provide liaison with other governmental agencies, international 
organizations including the World Health Organization, learning 
institutions, and other outside ,groups;
(j) Coordinate international health activities relating to disease 
prevention and control;
(k) In cooperation with DOH Regional Offices, provide or obtain technical 
assistance for regional and local health departments and private and 
official agencies as needed;
(l) Provide overall direction to and coordination of scientific and 
medical programs of CDC;
(m) Oversee and provide leadership for laboratory science, safety, and 
quality management;
(n) Plan, promote, and coordinate an ongoing program to assure equal 
employment opportunities in CDC;
(o) Coordinate with appropriate DOH staff offices on administrative and 
program matters;
(p) Coordinate the consumer affairs activities for CDC; and
(q) Provide leadership, policy guidance, coordination, technical 
expertise, and services to promote the development and 
implementation of the agency's national programs.
Sec. 10. Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Bureau — (a) The 
Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Bureau shall develop plans, 
policies, programs, projects and strategies for disease prevention and control 
and health protection; and provide coordination, technical assistance, 
capability building, consultancy and advisory services related to disease 
prevention and control and health protection.
(b) It shall have at least three (3) divisions, namely the Infectious Diseases 
for Elimination Division; the Infectious Diseases for F'revention and Control 
Division; and the Non-Communicable Disease Division.
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The Infectious Diseases for Elimination Division (IDED) shall perform 
the following functions:
1. Develop policies, standards and guidelines for the elimination of 
infectious diseases;
2. Develop plans, programs and projects to carry out preventive 
and control strategies against elimination of infectious diseases;
3. Assist and strengthens capacity to measure and analyze the 
burden of elimination of infectious diseases;
4. Provide monitoring and evaluation schemes to measure of 
interventions in the prevention and control of elimination 
diseases;
5. Provide technical assistance and expert services to collaborating 
and implementing agencies on matters pertaining to the 
prevention and control of infectious diseases for elimination;
6. Develop capability of health sector agencies and organizations 
in the implementation of programs and projects related to the 
prevention and control of infectious diseases for elimination;
7. Promote coordination and collaboration with partner agencies and 
organizations on matters pertaining to elimination of infectious 
diseases; and
8. Mobilize resources to assist collaborating and implementing 
agencies and organizations.
The Infectious Disease of Prevention and Control Division (IDPCD) 
shall perform the following functions:
1. Develop policies, standard" and guidelines for the prevention 
and control of infectious diseases;
2. Develop plans, programs and projects to carry out preventive 
and control strategies against infectious diseases;
3. Assist and strengthens capacity to measure and analyze the 
burden of infectious diseases;
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4. Provide monitoring and evaluation schemes to measure of 
interventions in the prevention and control of infectious 
diseases;
5. Provide technical assistance and expert services to collaborating and 
implementing agencies on matters pertaining to the prevention and 
control of infectious diseases;
6. Develop capability of health sector agencies and organizations in the 
implementation of programs and projects rela ted to the prevention and 
control of infectious diseases;
7. Promote coordination and collaboration with partner agencies and 
organizations on matters pertaining to infectious diseases;
8. Mobilize resources to assist collaborating and 'mplementing 
agencies and organizations.
All other divisions currently under the Disease Prevention and Control 
Bureau of the Department of Health shall remain within the bureau, which shall 
hereafter be renamed the Non-Communicable Disease Prevention and Control 
Division.
Sec. 11. Epidemiology Bureau. - The Epidemiology Bureau shall be 
conferred with the following functions:
(a) To develop and evaluate surveillance systems and other health 
information systems;
(b) To collect, analyze and disseminate reliable and timely information 
on the health status;
(c) To Investigate disease outbreaks and other threats to public 
health;
(d) To network public health laboratories in support of epidemiological 
and surveillance activities.
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Sec. 12. Divisions of the Epidemiology Bureau. - The following 
divisions under the Epidemiology Bureau shall be created and vested with 
the following functions:
A. Applied Epidemiology Health Management Division
(1) Investigate and respond to epidemics and other urgent public 
health threats as the need arises;
(2) Develop and maintain field epidemiology training programs for 
public health workers;
(3) Develop, capture, filter, verify, assess, respond, disseminate and 
evaluate event-based surveillance systems; and
(4) Collect and maintain resource materials on epidemiology, 
surveillance, management and monitoring and evaluation in 
public health;
B. Public Health Surveillance Division
(1) Undertake notifiable disease surveillance through Philippine 
Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response;
C. Survey, Monitoring & Evaluation Division
(1) Provide statistical services to priority health programs of the 
DOH;
(2) Monitoring non-behavioral risk factors priority non- 
communicable diseases through global!} standardized survey;
(3) Monitor HIV and AIDS Registry and Integrated HIV Behavioral 
and Serologic Surveillance, size estimates and Most At-Risk 
Population; and
(4) Provide program health indicators information.
Sec. 13. Disease Emergency Management Bureau. - The Disease 
Emergency Management Bureau shall perform the following functions:
(a) Act as the DOH Coordinating unit and Operation Center for all 
health emergencies and disasters, as well as incidents with the
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potential of becoming an emergency, and coordinate the 
mobilization and sharing of resources;
(b) Provide the communication linkage among DOH Central Office and 
other concerned agencies, including the hospitals and the regions, 
during emergencies and disasters;
(c) Maintain updated information of all health emergencies and 
disasters (except epidemiological investigation reports) and provide 
such information to other offices and agencies in accordance with 
existing protocols;
(d) Maintain a database of all health emergency personnel, technical 
experts, and resource speakers. Together with the National Center 
for Health Facilities; Development (NCHFD), the DEMB shall 
maintain a database of capabilities of health facilities;
e) Lead in the development of Disaster Risk Reduction 8s Management 
in Health (DRRMH) Plan and the development of protocols, 
guidelines and standards for health emergency management;
f) Provide technical assistance in the development of programs and 
planning activities for HEM for other government and non­
government organizations;
g) Lead advocacy activities, including simulation exercises;
h) Develop and implements an Integrated Human Resource Training 
Agenda for the Health Sector for emergencies and disasters;
i) Lead in the networking of hospitals and health sector organizations 
responding to emergencies and disasters; and
j) Monitor and evaluate the enforcement of compliance to policies, 
and recommend the formulation or amendment of policies related 
to health emergency management.
SEC. 14. Divisions of the Disease Emergency Management Bureau.- 
There following divisions under the Disease Emergency Management Bureau 
are hereby created to perform the following functions:
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A. Prevention, Mitigation 85 Preparedness Division
(1) Develop, disseminates, and monitors the implementation of 
policies for health emergency preparedness;
(2) Develop standardized training modules for various stakeholders 
on health emergency;
(3) Develop, disseminate and update emergency preparedness 
programs;
(4) Develop policy-related and operational researches and 
documentation relevant to health emergency preparedness that 
will serve as inputs for policy development and program/ systems 
improvement;
(5) Develop well-performing managerial human resources for health 
emergency management;
(6) Provide technical assistance to ensure the availability of 
functional health emergency preparedness systems (including 
policies, planning and capability building activities) at all levels 
of the health sector;
(7) Provide technical assistance to ensure delivery of appropriate 
services in time of emergencies;
(8) Develop and implement an overall Monitoring and Evaluation 
System and Plan for health emergency management; and
(9) Lead in public information and awareness-raising activities;
B. Response, Recovery & Rehabilitation Division
(1) Mobilize resource of technical experts, health response teams 
and tangible logistics needed locally and internationally;
(2) Manage information through rapid health assessment, damage 
assessment and needs analysis in response, recovery and 
rehabilitation phases;
(3) Plan and develop policies and guidelines essential in the 
implementation and management of projects, programs and
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activities relevant to emergency and response, recovery and 
rehabilitation;
(4) Develop and capacitate human resource of regional offices, 
operation centers and local government units in responding to 
emergencies; and
(5) Perform such other functions as may be necessary in performing 
its functions as a health emergency response division.
Sec. 15. Research Institute of Tropical Medicine. - The Center shall 
absorb all functions and divisions under the Research Institute of Tropical 
Medicine (“Research Institute”) pursuant to Executive Order No. 674. It shall 
perform the following functions:
(a) Undertake research in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of 
tropical diseases of public health importance and to produce vaccines 
for the control of vaccine-preventable diseases;
(b) Engage and help formulate national health policy and strategy, 
conduct research efforts directed towards the development of new 
diagnostic techniques as well as effective and efficient strategies for 
the control of infectious and/or tropical diseases;
(c) Provide high quality tertiary care to both in-patients and out-patients 
suffering from tropical diseases included within the scope of the 
Institute's research activities;
(d) Undertake research activities in the diagnosis, control and 
prevention of tropical diseases that are major causes of mortality 
and morbidity in the Philippines;
(e) Develop cost effective strategies for the control of infectious/tropical 
diseases;
(f) Conduct clinical trials according to accepted Good Clinical Practice 
(GCP) guidelines, aimed at better understanding and control of 
tropical diseases;
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(g) Conduct regular training courses for medical and paramedical 
personnel in the control of common tropical diseases in the country; 
and
(h) Participate in the technical cooperation programs with foreign 
government in research activdies in the diagnosis, control and 
prevention of tropical diseases.
Sec. 16. Creation of a Medical Reserve Corps. - (a) The Secretaiy of Health 
shall establish a medical reserve corps composed of volunteer health 
professionals that may be called into duty if needed during public health 
emergencies.
(b) When called to active duty, a medical reservist shall receive all the pay 
and allowances, board and lodging while on duty, psychosocial support, 
medico-legal assistance, hazard pay, preferential evaluation for DOH vacancies, 
GSIS insurance, PhilHealth hospitalization benefits, communication and 
transportation allowance, and other privileges and benefits prescribed by law 
or regulations for public health workers.
(c) The Secretaiy of Health may issue such rules and regulations to 
strengthen the recruitment, engagement and training of health personnel for 
the Medical Reserve Corps.
CHAPTER III
QUARANTINE AND INSPECTION
Sec. 18. Promulgation and enforcement by the Secretary of Health. - 
(A) The Secretaiy of Health, upon the recommendation of the Executive 
Director, is authorized to make and enforce such regulations as in his/her 
judgment are necessaiy to prevent the introduction, transmission, or spread of 
communicable diseases from foreign countries into the Philippines or its 
territory. For purposes of cariying out and enforcing such regulations, the 
Secretary of Health, or the Executive Director upon delegation by the Secretaiy 
of Health, may provide for such inspection, fumigation, disinfection, sanitation, 
pest extermination, destruction of animals or articles found to be so infected
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or contaminated as to be sources of dangerous infection to human beings, and 
other measures, as in his/her judgment may be necessary.
(B) Apprehension, detention, or conditional release of individuals. - 
Regulations prescribed under this Chapter shall not provide for the 
apprehension, detention, or conditional release of individuals except for the 
purpose of preventing the introduction, transmission, or spread of such 
communicable diseases as may be specified from time to time in Executive 
orders of the President upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Health 
and/or the Executive Director.
(C) Application of regulations to persons entering from foreign 
countries. - Except as specifically provided by law, regulations prescribed 
under this section, insofar as they provide for the apprehension, detention, 
examination, or conditional release of individuals, shall be applicable only 
to individuals coming into Philippine territory from a foreign country or a 
possession.
(D) Apprehension and examination of persons reasonably believed to be 
infected. - Regulations prescribed under this Chapter may provide for the 
apprehension and examination of any individual reasonably believed to be 
infected with a communicable disease in a qualifying stage and (i) the person 
is moving or about to move within the Philippines or (ii) the person is a probable 
source of infection to individuals who, while infected with such disease in a 
qualifying stage, will be moving within the Philippines.
Such regulations may provide that if upon examination any such 
individual is found to be infected, he may be detained for such time and in 
such manner as may be reasonably necessary.
For purposes of this Section, the term "qualifying stage", with respect 
to a communicable disease, means that such disease is in a communicable 
stage; or is in a precommunicable stage, if the disease would be likely to 
cause a public health emergency if transmitted to other individuals.
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Sec. 18. Suspension of entries and imports from designated places to 
prevent spread of communicable diseases. - "Whenever the Executive Director 
determines that by reason of the existence of any communicable disease in a 
foreign countiy there is serious danger of the introduction of such disease into 
the Philippines, and that this danger is so increased by the introduction of 
persons or property from such country^ that a suspension of the right to 
introduce such persons and property is required in the interest of the public 
health, the Secretaiy of Health, upon the recommendation of the Executive 
Director, in accordance with regulations approved by the President, shall have 
the power to prohibit, ir whole or in part, the introduction of persons and 
property from such countries or places as he shall designate in order to avert 
such danger, and for such period of time as he may deem necessary for such 
purpose.
Sec. 19. Special quarantine powers in time of war. To protect the military 
and naval forces and war workers of the Philippines, in time of war, against any 
communicable disease, the President, in consultation with the Secretary of 
Health and the Executive Director, is authorized to provide by regulations for the 
apprehension and examination, in time of wai, of any individual reasonably 
believed (1) to be infected with such disease and (2) to be a probable source of 
infection to members of the armed forces of the Philippines or to individuals 
engaged in the production or transportation of arms, munitions, ships, food, 
clothing, or other supplievS for the armed forces. Such regulations may provide 
that if upon examination any such individual is found to be so infected, he 
may be detained for such time and in such manner as may be reasonably 
necessary.
Sec. 20. Control and management of quarantine stations, grounds and 
anchorages. - (a) The Secretaiy of Health shall control, direct and manage all 
designated quarantine stations, grounds, and anchorages in the Philippines, 
identify their boundaries, and designate the quarantine officers to be in charge
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thereof. With the approval of the President, he shall from time to time select
2 
suitable sites for and establish such additional stations, grounds and
3 
anchorages in the countiy as in his judgment are necessary to prevent the
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introduction of communicable diseases in the Philippines.
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(b) The Secretary of Health shall establish the hours during which
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quarantine service shall be performed a t each quarantine station and upon
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application by any interested party, may establish quarantine inspection
8 
during the twenty-four hours of the day or any fraction thereof at such
9 
quarantine stations as in his opinion require such extended service. He may
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restrict the performance of quarantine in spection to hours of da3rHght for such
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arriving vessels as cannot, in his opinion, be satisfactorily inspected during
12 
hours of darkness. No vessel shall be required to undergo quarantine
13 
inspection during the hours of darkness, unless the quarantine officer at such
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quarantine station shall deem an immediate inspection is necessary to protect
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public health. Uniformity shall not be required in the hours during which
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quarantine inspection may be obtained at the various ports of the Philippines.
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Sec. 21. Quarantine duties of consular and other officers. - (a) Any
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consular or medical officer of the Philippines, designated for such purpose by
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the Secretary, shall make reports to the Executive Director of the CDC, on such
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forms and at such intervals as the Executive Director may prescribe, of the
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health conditions at the port or place at which such officer is stationed.
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(b) It shall be the duty of the customs officers and of the Coast Guard
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officers to aid in the enforcement of quarantine rules and regulations; but no
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additional compensation, except actual and necessary travelling expenses shall
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be allowed any such officer by reason of such services.
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Sec. 22. Quarantine regulations governing civil air navigation and civil
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aircraft. - The Executive Director and the Secretary of Health are jointly
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authorized to provide by regulations for the application to air navigation and
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aircraft of any of the provisions of Sections 18 and 19 of this Act and regulations
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prescribed thereunder (including penalties and forfeitures for violations of such 
sections and regulations), to such extent and upon such conditions as they 
deem necessary for the safeguarding of the public health.
Sec. 23. Penalties. - Any person who violates any regulation prescribed 
under this Chapter, or who enters or departs from the dmits of any quarantine 
station, ground, or anchorage in disregard of quarantine rules and regulations 
or without permission of the quarantine officer in charge, shall be punished by 
a fine of not more than Five Million Pesos (Php 5,000.000.00) or by 
imprisonment for not more than two years, or both.
Sec. 24. Administration of oaths by quarantine officers. - Medical officers, 
,when performing duties as quarantine officers at any port or place within the 
Philippines, are authorized to take declarations and administer oaths in matters 
pertaining to the administration of the qaarantine laws and regulations of the 
Philippines.
CHAPTER IV
MANAGEMENT OF SUDDEN ONSET HEALTH EMERGENCIES
Sec. 25. Health Emergency Coordination Council. — There shall be 
created a Health Emergency Coordinating Council, hereinafter referred to as 
the Council, composed of the following:
(a) Secretary of Health as Chairperson;
(b) The Executive Secretary as Co-Chairperson;
(c) The Executive Director of the CD CP as Secretary;
(d) The Secretary of Foreign Affairs as Member;
(e) The Secretary of National Defense as NDRRMC Chairman as 
Member;
(f) The Secretary of Interior and Local Government as Member;
(g) The Secretary of Justice as Member;
(h) The Secretary of Budget and Management as Member;
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(i) The Secretaiy of Trade and Industiy as Member;
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(j) The Secretaiy of Agricultur e as Member;
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(k) The Press Secretary as Member;
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(1) The National Security Adviser as Member;
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(m) The Chairman of the Philippine Red Cross as Member;
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(n) The Executive Director of the Philippine Council for Health
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Research and Development as Member; and
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(o) The President of PhilHealth as Member.
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Other government agencies not under the authority or jurisdiction of the
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standing members of the Council may be included should their inclusion be
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determined by the Council as necessaiy.
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The Center shall act as Secretariat of the Council.
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The Council shall meet at least once every quarter, and shall meet as often
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as recommended by the Executive Director. Upon the motion of the Executive
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Director, it shall be the duty of the Council to declare a state of health emergency
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upon a vote of the majority of its members. Only the Council may declare a state
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of health emergency which may be national, or local as defined.
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Sec. 26. Authorization to use calamity funds. The declaration of a state
20 
of health emergency shall serve as an authorization for covered local
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government units (LGUs) to use their calamity funds in a manner duly
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consulted with the CDC.
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Sec. 27. Sudden Onset Health Emergency Management Plan. — A
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Sudden Onset Health Emergency Management Plan (SOHEMP) shall be
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formulated by the Council, as supported by the CDC, within six (6) months
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after the effectivity of this Act. The SOHEMP shall serve as the framework for
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the government's response to any public health emergency. It shall set out
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goals and specific objectives to detect, prevent the spread, contain and manage
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public health emergencies resulting from an outbreak of highly contagious
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and/or infectious diseases, and biological or biochemical disasters.
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Sec. 28. Emergency Powers during a sudden or set health outbreak — 
The Council may certify to the existence of a state of health emergency during 
a sudden onset health outbreak. The basis for such a declaration shall be made 
public by the Council through the mass and social media and a written report 
shall be submitted to both Houses of Congress. The declaration shall take effect 
for a period of sbity (60j days, unless extended or terminated earlier by the 
President, upon recommendation by the Secretary of Health.
Sec. 29. Health Care Facilities and Services During a Sudden Onset 
Health Outbreak —During the period of a Sudden Onset Health Outbreak, the 
Council may, within reasonable and necessary grounds for emergency 
response to a public health emergency, require privately-owned health care 
facilities to provide services or the use of their facilities.
Sec. 30. Dangerous Facilities and Materials. — During the State of 
Health Emergency, the Council may exercise, in coordination with national 
government agencies, local governments, and other organizations responsible 
for the implementation of the SOHEMP, the following powers over facilities or 
materials that may be considered dangerous due to contamination or exposure 
to chemical, nuclear or biological agents or infectious disease pathogen;
(a) Close, direct and compel the evacuation of, or to decontaminate or 
cause to be decontaminated, any facility of which there is 
reasonable cause to believe that it may endanger the public health; 
and
(b) Decontaminate or cause to be decontaminated any material of 
which there is reasonable cause to believe that it may endanger the 
public health.
Sec. 31. Control of Pharmaceutical Agents or Medical Supplies. — After the 
declaration of a State of Public Health Emergency, the Council may authorize
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concerned agencies to purchase, store or distribute anti-toxins, serums, vaccine,
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immunizing agents, antibiotics, and other pharmaceutical agents or medical
3 
supplies that it considers advisable in the interest of preparing for or controlling a
4 
public health emergency, with the right to take immediate possession thereof.
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If a State of Public Health Emergency results in a nationwide or regional
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shortage or threatened shortage of any product covered by the preceding paragraph,
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the Council may control, restrict, and re,gulate by rationing and using quotas,
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prohibitions on shipments, price fbdng, allocation or other means, the use, sale,
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trading, distribution, or transportation of the relevant product necessary to protect
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the health, safety, and welfare of the people.
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Sec. 32. Sudden Onset Health Hazards and Emergencies Management
13 
Service. - There shall be created, within the CDC, a Sudden Onset Health Hazards
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and Emergencies Management Service (SOHHEMS), under the DEMB, which shall
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perform the following functions:
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(a) Oversee on-the-ground operations of the CDC in the event of a
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public health emergency;
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(b) Assess and improve the readiness of health facilities for a public health
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emergency;
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(c) Develop ? Nation al Epidemic and Capid Onset Emergency Respon se plan,
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and assist local governments in formulating their local public health
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emergency response plans;
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(d) Capacitate government instrumentalities and private organizations
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in on-the-ground response to public health emergencies;
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(e) Coordinate the logistical requirements of delivering national
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government assistance to local governments 
in case of a public
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health emergency;
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(f) Operate a national health emergency hotline;
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(g) Serve as a central receiving center for relevant information during
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a health emergency;
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(h) Oversee the National Health Emergency Response Unit (NHERU); and
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(i) Perform such other functions as may be delegated by the Secretaiy of 
Health, or as may be needed to perform its role as the coordination body 
for ground operations during a public health emergency.
Sec. 33. National Health Emergency Response Unit - There shall be 
created a National Health Emergency Response Unit under the CDC to 
perform ^he following functions:
(a) Execute, in coordination with relevant law enforcement authorities, orders 
for seizure, surveillance, search, and disposal issued by the President, the 
Secretaiy of Health, the CDC, or the COUNCIL;
(b) Act as the first-response unit of the SOHHEMS during a public health 
emergency;
(c) Conduct investigative and intelligence gathering activities as 
ordered by the CDC or by the Secretary of Health;
(d) Verify reports of cases of serious infectious diseases, the presence of serious 
amounts of biohazards; and such other reports wuose verification is in the 
interest of protecting public health;
(e) Perform such other functions as may be inherent in its role as the 
first-response unit of the PHEMS, or as may be assigned by the 
Secretary of Health and/or the CDC Executive Director.
Due to the nature of their duties, frontline personnel of the NHERU 
shall be entitled to hazard pay. The Department of Budget and Management 
shall formulate and promulgate the rules and regulations necessary for the 
implementation of this paragraph.
Sec. 34. Right to Information during a sudden onset health outbreak. 
— The Secretary of Health shall make publicly available information which 
he/she deems essential to preserving the health and safety of the public. 
During a sudden onset health outbreak, the right to vital information shall 
take precedence over the right to privacy.
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Sec. 35. Special supervision over the Bureau of Quarantine. — During a
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sudden onset health outbreak, or as may be mandated by the Secretary of
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Health in the interest of preventing an outbreak, the Bureau of Quarantine
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shall report directly to the Executive Director of the CDC. The Bureau of
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Quarantine shall at all times practice full transparency with the Executive
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Director of the CDC. The CDC shall have full access to information in the
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possession of the Bureau of Quarantine.
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Sec. 36. Safe disposal of infectious waste. - The CDC may exercise, for
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such period as the state of public health emergency exists, the following
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powers regarding the safe disposal of infectious waste:
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(a) Adopt and enforce measures to pi ovide for the safe disposal of infectious
13 
waste as may be reasonable and necessary to respond to the public
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health emergency, such as the collection, storage, handling,
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destruction, treatment, transportation, and disposal of infectious waste,
16 
among others;
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(b) Require any business or facility authorized to collect, store, handle,
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destroy, treat, transport, and dispose of infectious waste under the law,
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and any landfill business or other such property, to accept infectious
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waste, or provide services or the use of the business, facility, or property
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if such action is reasonable and necessary to respond to the public
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health emergency as a condition of licensure, authorization, or the
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ability to continue doing business in the country as such a business or
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facility. The use of the business, facility, or property may include
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ti'ansferring the management and superwision ol such business, facility",
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or property to the CDC for a limited or unlimited period of time, but shall
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not exceed the termination of the declaration of a state of public health
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emergency;
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(c) Use or procure, by condemnation or otherwise, any business or facility
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authorized to collect, store, 
handle, destroy, treat, transport, and
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dispose of infectious waste under the laws of the country and any
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landfill business or other such property as may be reasonable and 
necessary to respond to the public health emergency, with the right to 
take immediate possession thereof; and
(d) All bags, boxes, or other containers for infectious waste shall be clearly 
identified as containing infectious waste, and if known, the type of 
infectious waste.
Sec. 37. Safe disposal of human remains. - The CDC may exercise, for 
such period as the state of public health emergency exists, the following 
powers regarding the safe disposal of human remains:
(a) Adopt and enforce measures to provide for the safe disposal of human 
remains as may be reasonable and necessaiy to respond to the public 
health emergency. Such measures may include, but are not limited 
to, the embalming, burial, cremation, interment, disinterment, 
transportation, and disposal of human remains;
(b) Take possession or control of any human remains;
, 
(c) Order the disposal of any human remains of a person who has died
of a contagious disease through burial or cremation within twenty- 
four (24) hours after death. To the extent possible, religious, 
cultural, family, and individual beliefs of the deceased person or his 
or her family shall be considered when disposing of any human 
remains;
(d) Require any business or facility authorized to embalm, buiy, cremate, 
inter, disinter, transport, and dispose of human remains under the 
jaws of the country to accept ary human remains or provide the use 
of its business or facility if such actions are reasonable and necessaiy 
to respond to the public health emergency as a condition of licensure, 
authorization, or the ability to continue doing business in the country 
as such a business or facility. The use of the business or facility may 
include transferring the management and supervision of such 
business or facility to the CDC for a limited or unlimited period of time,
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but shall not exceed the termination of the declaration of a state of 
public health emergency;
(e) Use or procure, by condemnation or otherwise, any business or facility 
authorized to embalm, bury, cremate, inter, disinter, transport, and 
dispose of human remains under the laws of the Philippines as may 
be reasonable and necessary to respond to the public health 
emergency, with the right to take immediate possession thereof;
(f) Every human remains prior to disposal shall be clearly labeled with 
all available information to identify the decedent and the 
circumstances of death. Any human remains of a deceased person 
with a contagious disease shall have an external, clearly visible tag 
indicating that the human remains is infected and, if known, the 
contagious disease; and
(g) Every person in charge of disposing of any human remains shall 
maintain a written or electronic record of each human remains and all 
available information to identify the decedent and the circumstances of 
death and disposal. If human remains cannot be identified prior to 
disposal, a qualified person shall, to the extent possible, take 
fingerprints and photographs of the human remains, obtain identifying 
dental information, and collect a DNA specimen. All information 
gathered under this paragraph shall be promptly/ forwarded to the CDC.
Sec. 38. Other powers of control of health care supplies. -
(a) Procurement. The CDC may purchase and distribute antitoxins, 
serums, vaccines, immunizing agents, antibiotics, and other 
pharmaceutical agents or medical supplies tnat it deems advisable 
in the interest of preparing for or controlling a public health 
emergency, without any additional legislative authorization;
(b) Rationing. If a state of public health emergency results in a national 
or regional shortage or threatened shortage of any product under (a), 
whether or not such product has been purchased by the public health
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authority, the CDC may control, restrict, and regulate by rationing
2 
and using quotas, prohibitions on shipments, allocation, or other
3 
means, the use, sale, dispensing, distribution, or transportation of
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the relevrnt product necessary to protect th(* public health, safety,
5 
and welfare of the people;
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(c) Priority. In making rationing or other supply and distribution
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decisions, the CDC may give preference to health care providers,
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disaster response personnel, and mortuaiy staff;
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(d) Distribution. During a state of public health emergency, the CDC may
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procure, store, or distribute any anti-toxins, serums, vaccines,
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immunizing agents, antibiotics, and other pharmaceutical agents or
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medical supplies located within the countiy as may be reasonable and
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necessary7 to respond to the pubdc herJth emergency, with the right to
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take immediate possession thereof. If a public health emergency
15 
simultaneously affects more than one state, nothing in this Section
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shall be construed to allow the public health authority to obtain anti-
17 
toxins, serums, vaccines, immunizing agents, antibiotics, and other
18 
pharmaceutical agents or medical supplies for the primary purpose of
19 
hoarding such items or preventing their fair and equitable distribution
20 
among affected countries.
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Sec. 39. Vaccination and Treatment. - During a state of public health
23 
emergency, or a state of sudden onset health outbreak, the CDC may
24 
exercise the following emergency powers over persons as necessary to
25 
address the public health emergency:
26 
(a) Vaccination. To vaccinate persons as protection against infectious
27 
disease and to prevent the spread of contagious or possibly
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contagious disease; Provided that vaccination may be performed by
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any qualified person authorized to do so by the CDC; Provided
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further that a vaccine to be administered must not be such as is
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reasonably likely to lead to serious harm to the affected individual;
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and Provided finally that, to prevent the spread of contagious or 
possibly contagious disease the CDC may isolate or quarantine, 
pursuant to the provisions of this Act, persons who are unable or 
unwilling for reasons of health, religion, or conscience to undergo 
vaccination pursuant to this Section;
(b) Treatment. To treat persons exposed to or infected with disease; 
Provided that treatment may be administered by any qualified person 
authorized to do so by the CDC or DOH; Provided further that 
treatment must not be such as is reasonably likely to lead to serious 
harm to the affected individual; and Provided finally that to prevent 
the spread of contagious or possibly contagious disease the public 
health authority may isolate or quarantine, persons who are unable 
or unwilling for reasons of heahh, religion, or conscience to undergo 
treatment pursuant to this Section.
CHAPTER V
TRACKING OF PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCIES 
Sec. 40. Reporting. -
(a) Illness or health condition. A health care provider, medico-legal, or 
medical examiner shall report all cases of persons who harbor any 
illness or health condition that may be potential causes of a public 
health emergency, including emerging and rcemerging infections.
(b) Pharmacists. In addition to the foregoing requirements for health care 
providers, a pharmacist shall report any unusual or increased 
prescription rates, unusual types of prescriptions, or unusual trends 
n pharmacy visits that may bo potential cai*ses of a public health 
emergency. Prescription-related events that require a report include, 
but are not limited to (1) an unusual increase in the number of 
prescriptions or over-the-counter pharmaceuticals to treat conditions 
that the CDC identifies through regulations; (2) an unusual increase 
in the number of prescriptions for antibiotics; and (3) any prescription
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that treats a disease that is relatively uncommon or may be 
associated with bio terrorism.
(c) Manner of reporting. The report shall be made electronically or in 
writing within twenty-four (24) hours to the Department of Health or 
through the CDC. The report shall include as much of the following 
information as is available: the specific illness or health condition that 
is the subject of the report; the patient's name, date of birth, sex, race, 
occupation, and current home and work addresses (including city and 
province); the name and address of the health care provider, coroner, 
or medical examiner and of the reporting individual, if different; and 
any other information needed to locate the patient for follow-up. For 
cases related to animal or insect bites, the suspected locating 
information of the biting animal or insect, and the name and address 
of any known owner, shall be reported.
(d) Animal diseases. Every veterinarian, livestock owner, veterinary 
diagnostic laboratory director, or other person having the care of 
animals shall report animals having or suspected of having any 
diseases that may be potential causes of a public health emergency. 
The report shall be made electronically or in writing within twenty-four 
(24) hours to the DOH or the CDC and shall include as much of the 
following information as is available: the specific illness or health 
condition that is the subject cf the report; ih.e suspected locating 
information of the animal, the name and address of any known owner, 
and the name and address of the reporting individual.
(e) Laboratories. For the purposes of this Section, the definition of 
"health care provider" shall include medical laboratories, provided 
that such laboratories have agreed to the reporting requirements of 
the country. Results must be reported by the laboratory that 
performs the test, but a local laboratory that sends specimens to a 
laboratory abroad is also responsible for reporting results.
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(f) Enforcement. The CDC may enforce the provisions of this Section
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in accordance with existing enforcement rules and regulations.
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Sec. 41. Tracking. - The CDC shall ascertain the existence of cases of an
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illness or health condition that may be potential causes of a public health
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emergency; investigate all such cases for sources of infection and to ensure
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that they are subject to proper control measures; and define the distribution of
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the illness or health condition. To fulfill these duties, the CDC shall perform
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the following:
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(a) Act on information developed in accordance with Section 34 of this
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Act, or other reliable information and identify all individuals thought
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to have been exposed to an illness or health condition that may be a
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potential cause of a public health emergency;
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(b) Interview and counsel individuals who will assist in the positive
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identification of exposed individuals and vdll develop information relating
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to the source and spread of the illness or health condition. Such
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information includes the name and address (including city and
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province) of any person from whom the illness or health condition may
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have been contracted and to whom the illness or health condition may
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have spread;
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(c) Examine, close, evacuate, or decontaminate any facility or
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decontaminate or destroy any mcterial when the authority reasonably
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suspects that such facility or material may endanger the public health;
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and
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(d) Enforce the provisions of this Section in accordance with existing
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enforcement rules and regulations. An order of the CDC given to
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effectuate the purposes 
of this Section 
shall be 
enforceable
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immediately.
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Sec. 42. Information sharing. - Whenever the CDC or other government
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agency learns of a case of a reportable illness or healtli condition, an unusual
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cluster, or a suspicious event that may be the cause of a public health
2 
emergency, it shall immediately notify the Council and its members.
3 
Whenever the CDC learns of a case of a reportable illness or health
4 
condition, an unusual cluster, or a suspicious event that it reasonably
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believes has the potential to be caused by bioterrorism, it shall immediately
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notify public safety authorities.
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Sharing of information on reportable illnesses, health conditions,
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unusual clusters, or suspicious events between public health and safety
9 
authorities shall be restricted to the information necessary for the treatment,
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control, investigation, and prevention of a public health emergency.
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Sec. 43. Intergovernmental information sharing. - The Secretary of
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Foreign Affairs and the Secretary of Health are jointly mandated to review
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and recommend to the Council multilateral and bilateral agreements which
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the country may adopt to strengthen its information-sharing mechanisms
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with other countries.
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CHAPTER VI
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PROTECTION OF HEALTH WORKERS AND STAFF
20 
Sec. 44. Obligations of Hospitals. - To afford the necessary protection to
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its health workers and staff, all hospitals shall be obliged to:
22 
(a) Maintain at least a thirty-day inventory of personal protective
23 
equipment (PPE), face masks and otlier necessary protection for its
24 
health workers and staff, including nurses, caregivers, assistants, and
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field-based health staff;
26 
(b) Issue and implement policies and guidelines providing protective
27 
measures that pertain to public health clinical settings, such as
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reducing face-to-face interactions, installing barriers to limit contact
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with patients, optimizing strategies to extend PPE supplies, providing
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appropriate PPE for staffs role, among others;
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(c) Develop and implement prioritization and preservation plans, 
strategies and protocols to ensure safety and social well-being of staff 
including front line staff and staff at increased risk for severe illness, 
and to identify cases and conduct contact tracing;
(d) Develop and implement contingency plans to address hovr health 
workers and staff handle patients infected with communicable disease 
and co-workers and staff that may be infected by said patient, as well 
as interruptions in PPE supply; and
(e) Train and update health workers and staff on plans, protocols and 
strategies of the hospital in protecting and preserving their health and 
well-being.
Sec. 45. Obligations of Pharmacies. - To ensure continuous function of 
pharmacies in the event of community transmission of communicable disease 
and to afford the necessary protection to pharmacy staff, all pharmacies shall 
be obliged to:
(a) Develop protocols and strategies to minimize close contact between 
staff and customers and between customers;
(b) Issue and implement policies and guidelines providing protective 
measures that pertain to pharmacy settings, such as limiting direct 
contact with customers, flexible and non-punitive working 
arrangements, installing barriers to limit contact with or among 
customers, frequent cleaning and disinfection of workstations, 
customer service counters, customer contact areas, among others; 
and
(c) Train and update pharmacy staff on plans, protocols and strategies 
of the pharmacy in protecting and preserving their health and well­
being.
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OTHER PROVISIONS
Sec. 46. Congressional Oversight Committee on Communicable 
Disease Control and Prevention - To monitor the implementation of this Act, 
there shall be a Congressional Oversight Committee on Communicable 
Disease Control and Prevention, composed of the Chair and four other 
members of the House Committee on Health, and the Chair and four other 
members of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography. No part of 
this Act shall be construed as to limit the oversight powers inherently or 
actually possessed by the same committees.
Sec. 47. Appropriations. In addition to the appropriations for the units 
subsumed in the Center under this Act, there shall be appropriated a sum of 
Fifty Million Pesos (Php 50,000.000.00) for the implementation of this Act, 
including the operations of the Center; Provided, that such appropriation shall 
apply only when this Act is passed before the Center could be given 
appropriations under the General Appropriations Act for the nearest upcoming 
year.
Sec. 48. Staffing. — The Secretary of Health, in consultation with the 
Department of Budget and Management (DBM), shall determine the 
organizational structures including regional or field offices, qualification 
standards, staffing pattern and compensation of the newly created Center in 
accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations.
Sec. 49. Implementing Rules and Regulations — The Secretary of 
Health shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations within ninety 
(90) working days from the effectivity of this Act.
Sec. 50. Separability Clause. — If any portion or provision of this Act 
is subsequently declared invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof 
which are not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.
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Sec. 51. Repealing Clause. —All other laws, acts, presidential decrees, 
executive orders, presidential proclamations, issuances, rules and 
regulations, or parts thereof which are contrary to or inconsistent with any 
of the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified 
accordingly.
Sec. 52. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
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