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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

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HOUSE BILL No. 7463

Introduced by Hon. Anthony Peter “Onyx” D. Crisologo

AN ACT
PROVIDING IMMUNIZATION SERVICES TO VULNERABLE AND
HIGH RISK GROUPS IN TIMES OF OUTBREAKS, PANDEMICS,
EPIDEMICS AND OTHER UNFORESEEN PUBLIC HEALTH
EMERGENCIES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The emergence of Corona Virus has affected the order of things in many
countries. It has posed all kinds of threat to the general public prompting a wide
range of health problems that resulted to the rise of massive socio-economic issues.
With the constraints of the resources of our nation, and the immense extent of the
consequences brought about by the pandemic, the significance of setting the right
priorities to respond to the situation of our community is pronounced.

In times of national emergencies, proactive planning is of great importance
for optimizing the country's policies. The creation of an Emergency Immunization
Program is to provide for an equitable protection of the people by guaranteeing that
the disproportionate chances of vulnerable sectors surviving the virus are promptly
remedied through the strategic allocation of the limited fund of the country.!

This bill seeks to establish a mechanism that immediately protects the
general public from potential pandemics, outbreaks, and epidemics caused by new
strains of virus. Through this, the government will have better control of the
conditions that the country may experience during health crises and save the most
number of lives possible.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

‘K” D. CRISOLOGO
Representative
First District, Quezon City

A Cohen, John (2020). "The line is forming for a COVID-19 vaccine. Who should be at the front?’ https://
rg/news/2020/06/line-forming-covid-19-vaccine-who-should-be-front (accessed 23

cma
‘August 2020)


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House BILLNo. 7488

Introduced by Hon. Anthony Peter “Onyx” D. Crisologo

AN ACT
PROVIDING IMMUNIZATION SERVICES TO VULNERABLE AND
HIGH RISK GROUPS IN TIMES OF OUTBREAKS, PANDEMICS,
EPIDEMICS AND OTHER UNFORESEEN PUBLIC HEALTH
EMERGENCIES

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

SECTION 1. Short Title - This Act shall be known as the “Emergency
Immunization Program of 2020.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy - It is hereby declared a policy of the
state to strengthen and prioritize the protection of all vulnerable sectors during the
emergence of new virus strains in the country.

SECTION 3. Emergency Immunization Program - In the event that an/a
outbreak/pandemic/epidemic caused by a new strain of virus emerges, the
Department of Health (DOH) shall create an Emergency Immunization Program
for vulnerable and high risk sectors to ensure the health of the general public.

Upon the approval of a vaccine, the Emergency Immunization Program
shall provide immediate vaccination to the following vulnerable sectors, but not
limited to:

a. Senior Citizens

b. People who are immunocompromised or with underlying
health conditions that affect their immune system

c. Medical Front Liners

SECTION 5. Appropriations- The amount necessary for the
implementation of this Act shall be included in the budget of DOH specified as
DOH Contingency Fund under the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA). The
said fund shall only be used to account for the general expenses of the Emergency
Immunization Program and shall remain intact if not used, to be carried over to the
following years.

SECTION 6. Reporting - DOH shall submit an annual report on the said
fund to COA and Congress before the hearing for the approval of GAA to review
the availability of the budget for the said program.

SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulation - DOH and all
concerned agencies shall create the rules and regulation of this Act sixty (60) days


after its approval

SECTION 8. Separability Clause - If, for any reason, any part or provision
of this Act shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining provisions
hereof which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 9. Repealing Clause - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules
and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby
repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 10. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.