Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF RI]PRESHNTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETHENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
House Bill No. 4864
Introduced by Representative Midy N. Cua
Lone District, Quirino
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE MODERNIZATION OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE CAPABILITIES, ESTABLISHING FOR
THIS PURPOSE THE CENTER FOR DISEASE PREVENTION AND CONTROL, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the gaps in the country's capabilities for public health emergency
preparedness. While national agencies like the Department of Health have longstanding policies and
procedures in relation to public health emergencies, many local government units had to adapt to the
evolving situation to the best of their capabilities.
To better prepare against future public health emergencies, the proposed measure seeks to establish
the  Philippine  Center  for Disease  Prevention  and  Control  (CDC).  The  CDC  shall  be  the  technical
authority on all matters regarding disease prevention and control.  Its  functions  include:  policy  and
standards development;  capacity building and technical assistance;  sectoral  and local  engagements;
and  surveillance.  Further,  there  shall  be  established  Regional  Centers  for Disease  Prevention  and
Control (RCDCs) under the CDC. Through the RCDCs, public health emergency preparedness can
be  improved  across  various   levels  of  local  government.   The  proposed  measure  also  aims  to
strengthen  public  health  emergency  preparedness  by  pursuing  a  modemization  program  and  the
establishment  of a National  Reference  Laboratory.  The  modemization program  shall  focus  on the
upgrading of technologies, laboratories, facilities, equipment, and other relevant resources. Under the
National  Reference  Laboratory,  subnational  laboratories  shall be  established  across  the  country  to
expand the capability of conducting confirmatory testing for routine surveillance.
This bill was passed on 3rd in the  l8th Congress and is in substitution of bills filed by Representatives
Joey  Sarte  Salceda,  Teodorico  T.  Haresco,  Jr.,  Angelina "Helen"  D.L.  Tan,  M.D.,  Jose  Enrique  S.
Garcia  Ill,  Cherly  P.  Deloso-Montalla,  Joaquin  M.  Chipeco,  Jr.,  Ferdinand  L.  Hemandez,  Alfred
Vargas,  Anthony  I.  Espino,  Luis  Raymund  "LRay"  F.  Villafuerte,  Jr.,  Joy  Myra  S.  Tambunting,
Rufus  a.  Rodriguez,  Estrellita 8.  Suansing,  and Horacio  P.  Suansing.  The bill  is  also  part of the
President's legislative agenda in his first State of the Nation Address.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOus;£riNO.4864
Introduced by Representative Midy N. Cua
Lone Distrid, Qftirino
AIN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE MODERNIZATION OF TIIE PUBLIC IIEALTH
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE CAPABILITIES, ESTABLISHING FOR
THIS PURPOSE TIIE CENTER FOR DISEASE PREVENTION AND CONTROL, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS TREREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House Of Representatives Of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Sfeort rj.r/e. - This Act shall be kno`\hrn as the "Philippine Center for Disease Prevention
and Control (CDC) Act."
SEC. 2. DecJ4#¢£z.on a/Po/I.ey. - It is the policy of the State to protect and promote the right to health
of the people and instill health consciousness among them. The State also mandates the adoption of
an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development.
Towards  this  end,  the  State  shall  give high priority to the  allocation of material  and institutional
resources to protect public health by ensuring that the Philippine health system is well-prepared to
forecast,  prevent,  monitor,  and  control  diseases,  injuries,  and  disabilities  both  of national  and
international concern ,
SEC. 3. Dof#!.f!.o# a/rer7us. -As used in this Act:
(a)  Commw#i.cab/e dl.sease, also known as co#f¢gr.owl disease, refers to an illness resulting from
an infeetion, or a disease, which can be transmitted from an infected host individual or group
to a particular individual or group. It spreads through direct, bodily contact with an infected
person, their discharges, or an object or surface they have contaminated;
a)  DI.geaL§e  refers  to  an  illness  due  to  a  specific  toxic  substance,  occupational  exposure  or
infectious agent, which affects a susceptible individual, either directly or indirectly, from an
infected  animal   or  person,  or  indirectly  through  an  intermediate  host,  vector,  or  the
envirorment;
(c)  DJ.geaSe   swrvei.//4#ce   refers   to   a   systematic   collection,   analysis,   interpretation,   and
dissemination  of outcome  and specific  data  for use  in the planning,  implementation,  and
evaluation of public health practice.  A disease surveillance  system includes the  functional
capacity for data analysis as well as the timely dissemination of these data to persons who
can undertake effective disease prevention and control activities;


(d)  Epz.demj.c  or  owfbre¢fr  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;
(e)  J#/cc/I.ows  di.s€ase refers  to  a clinically  manifested  disease  of humans  or animals  resulting
from an infection which can be communicable or non-communicable;
(a   Pwb/I.c flea/ffe  emerg€#c}J refers to  an  occurrence  or imminent threat of an illness  or health
condition that:
(I)  Is caused by any of the following:
(i)   Bio terrorism;
(ii)  Appearance  of a  novel  or previously  controlled  or  eradicated  infectious
agent or biological toxin;
(iii) A natural disaster;
(iv) A chemical attack or accidental release;
(v)  A nuclear attack or accident; or
(vi) An attack or accidental release of radioactive materials.
(2)  And poses a high probability of any of the following:
(i)   A large number of deaths in the affected population;
(ii)  A large number of serious injuries or long-term disabilities in the affected
population;
(iii)Widespread  exposure  to  an  infectious  or  toxic  agent  that  poses  a  44
significant risk of substantial ham to a large number of people in the 45
affected population;
(iv)International  exposure  to  an  infectious  or  toxic  agent  that  poses  a  48
significant risk to the health of citizens of other countries; or
(v)  Trade and travel restrictions;
(g)  gw¢ra#/i.#e refers to the 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.
SEC.  4.  Creation  Of the  Philippine  Center .i;or Disease  Prevention  and  Control. - The Phiitrypine
Center  for Disease  Prevention  and Control  (CDC)  is  hereby  created as  an attached  agency  to the
Department of Health (DOH) for policy and program coordination.
SEC.  5.  Powers,  Fw"c/i.o"s,  a7!d DI{fz.es.  - The  CDC  shall be the technical  authority on all  matters
regarding disease prevention and control. To carry out the provisions of this Act, the CDC shall have
the following powers, functions, and duties:
(a)  Policy and Standards Development:


(I)  Provide  technical  guidance  to  the  development  of policies,  programs,  standards,
guidelines,  and  monitoring  and  evaluation  systems  on  the  forecasting,  prevention,
monitoring,  and  control  of diseases,  injuries,  and  disabilities  both  of national  and
intemational concern;
(2)  Set  the  standards   and  the  process   for  the  establishment  of  Epidemiology  and
Surveillance Units or its corresponding surveillance reporting units, pursuant to law;
(3)  Provide quality assurance programs to ensure the quality of testing for laboratories;
(4)  Conduct  research  for  development  in  support  of  the  CDC  mandate  to  forecast,
prevent, monitor, and control diseases, injuries, and disabilities both of national and
intemational concern;
(5)  Recommend to the President, through the DOH Secretary, the declaration of a state
of public  health  emergency,  in  case  of an  epidemic  of national  or  intern:itional
concern; and,
(6)  Set  the  parameters  for  the  declaration  of the  existence  as  well  as  the  end  of an
epidemic.
a)  Capacity Building and Technical Assistance:
(i)  Develop,  implement,  and  maintain  training  programs  on  specialized  fields  such  as
field  epidemiology,  health  emergency  of  biological  concern,  laboratory  services,
infectious and tropical diseases, and non-communicable diseases;
(2)  Assess  and  support  the  capabilities  of health  facilities  and  local  government  units
(LGUs)  on  forecasting,  preventing,  monitoring,  and  controlling  diseases,  injiiries,
and disabilities both of national and international concern; and
(3)  Provide  technical  assistance  and expert services to  DOH  offices,  and  collab{>rating
47   and  implementing  agencies  or  offices  on  matters  pertaining  to  forecasting,
preventing,  monitoring,  and  controlling  diseases,  injuries,  and  disabilities  both  of
national and international concern.
(c)  Sectoral and Local Engagements:
(1)  Promote coordination  and collaboration with partner agencies  and organizati()ns  on
matters pertaining to CDC mandate;
(2)  Coordinate, collaborate, and disseminate relevant scientific and technical infonnation
in a timely manner with partner agencies and intemational and local organizations on
matters pertaining to CDC mandate; and
(3)  Disseminate relevant scientific and technical infomation in a timely manner with 13
partner agencies,  and international and local organizations on matters pertaining to
14 CDC mandate.
(d)  Surveillance:
(I)  Develop,  implement,  and  maintain  an  integrated  surveillance  system  of diseases,
injuries, and disabilities;


(2)  Provide  technical  guidance  on  the  development,  implementation  and  maintenance,
and  monitoring  of health  system  capacity  such  as  operational  capacities  of health
facilities, and performance management of the response systems, in terms of contact
tracing, quarantine, isolation, and other significant population-based health services;
(3)  Investigate and respond through surveillance and disease notification,  investigation,
and conduct of field studies  and research to outbreaks,  epidemics,  and other public
health threats as the need arises;
(4)  Develop   and   maintain   a   network   of  public   health   laboratories   in   support   of
epidelniology and surveillance activities;
(5)  Facilitate  the  issuance  of  appropriate  warnings  to  the  regional  CDC  and  health
facilities  in  anticipation  of impending  public  health  threats  and  infectious  disease
outbreak;
(6)  Utilize  various  information  and  communication  technologies  (lcT)  in management
of data  and  dissemination  of early  waning  and  other  appropriate  information  to
stakeholders and the public; and
(7)  Develop communication methods  for wider and more effective and unified delivery
of critical public health information with national or international importance.
(e)  Provide technical guidance on the procurement of vaccines, drugs, and diagnostics;
(D   Provide   technical   guidance   on   the   monitoring   and   evaluation   framework   for   disease
prevention and control;
(g)  Certify to the existence of an epidemic which shall be treated as a public health emergency;
and
(h)  Perform such other functions as may be mandated by law,  or as may be duly delegated by
relevant authorities.
SEC.  6.  Djrecfor  Ge#era/.  -  The  CDC  shall  be  headed  by  a  Director  General  with  a  rank  of
Undersecretary, who shall be assisted by two (2) Deputy Directors General with a rank o.f Assistant
Secretary.  The  Director  General  and  the  Deputy  Directors  General  shall  be  appointed  by  the
President  from  a  list  of at  least three  (3)  nominees  for each position  to  be  submitted by  the  DOH
Secretary.  The Director General  and  Deputy  Directors General  shall  have at  least ten  (1()) years of
relevant experience and proven expertise in the fields of public health and epidemiology.
The Director General shall have the following powers and functions:
(a)  Mflnage and direct the activities and functions of the CDC;
(b)  Advise the DOH Secretary on policy matters concerning the Center's activities;
(c)  Recommend to the President, through the DOH Secretary, the exercise of special powers in
case of an epidemic, including the declaration of a public health emergency;
(d)  Act as the national lnternational Health Regulations Focal Point, subject to consultation with
DOH; and
(e)  Perform other functions and powers that may be assigned by the DOH Secretary.


SEC.  7.  rrcz#s/cr a/Doff  U#j./I  ¢#c7 F"#c//.o#s.  -The  following  DOH  units  and their  concerned
divisions and functions are hereby transferred to the CDC:
(a)  Epidemiology Bureau;
(b)  Research Institute for Tropical Medicine;
(c)  Sexually   Transmitted   Disease   -  Acquired   Immune   Deficiency   Syndrome   Cooperative
Central Laboratory;
(d)  Select   functions   of  the   International   Health   Surveillance   Division   of  the   Bureau   of
Quarantine as follows:
(1)  Passive international health surveillance; and
(2)  Development of communication  methods  for wider and more  effective  delivery of
critical public health information with intematjonal importance; and
(e)  Technical  and  standard  setting  functions  of  the  Disease  Prevention  and  Control  Bureau
including that of the Mental Health Division, Cancer Division, and Oral Health Division.
All  powers,  functions,  assets,  capital,  records,  funds,  receivables,  equipment,  and  facilities  of the
transferred DOH units or its division or function enumerated herein shall be transferred to the CDC.
The  Department  of Heath  shall  conduct  an  audit  and  inventory  of assets,  liabilities,  and  human
resources of the transferred agencies to CDC without need of conveyance or transfer of assignments.
SEC. 8. Jteg;.o#cz/ Ce#/erg/or D!.scasc Prcve#/J.o# cr#d Co#fro/. -There shall be established Regional
Centers  for Disease  Prevention  and  Control  (RCDCs)  in  all regions  of the  country.  Each  Regional
CDC shall be headed by a Regional Director, who shall be under the supervision of the CDC Director
General.
The functions of RCDCs include:
(a)  Prevention, control, and surveillance of diseases;
(b)  Provision of laboratory services  for detection and identification of infectious disease agents
from human, environmental samples, and food;
(c)  Maintenance of an integrated data management system;
(d)  Implementation  of quality  assurance  programs  for  clinical  and  environmental  l{iboratories
through training, consultation, certification and proficiency testing;
(e)  Policy development;
(f)   Emergency response;
(g)  Public health-related research;
(h)   Training and education;
(i)   Maintenance of infectious disease hospitals for referral and management of cases;
0)   Establishment of strong communication networks; and


(k)  Other functions that may be assigned by the Director General.
The  RCDCs  shall  be  composed  of` specialists  in  the  fields  of  infectious  diseases,  public  health,
epidemiology, and similar fields.
SEC. 9 . Structure and Staff ilng Pattern . -
(a)  The CDC shall initially have the following offices, each to be headed by an officer with the
salary and rank of Director IV:
( I )  Center for Epidemic Intelligence and Disease Surveillance;
(2)  Center for Research, Training, and Reference Laboratory;
(3)  Center for Infectious Disease Emergency Preparedness and Response;
(4)  Center for Policy and Program Development;
(5)  Communications Office; and
(6)  Administrative and Finance Offlce.
(b)  The CDC Director General, subject to the issuance of an executive order by the President and
approval of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), may create or abolish units,
offices, or centers as needed to carry out all provisions of this Act.
(c)  The CDC Director General, in consultation with the DOH and the DBM, shall:
(I)  Develop the organizational structure of the CDC at the national, regional, and local
levels;
(2)  Determine  the divisions and specific  functions  of each unit,  center,  or office of the
CDC; and
(3)  Determine  the  staffing  pattern,  qua]iflcation  standards,  compensation,  and  position
classification   plan   for  the   CDC   subject   to   the   approval   of  the   Civil   Service
Commission (CSC) and the DBM.
SEC.  10. gwa/j/}ccrf!.o7!s S/##drrds/or Appoi.#twc#f a#d Promofl.ow. -The Doll shall, in consultation
with the  CSC,  and pertinent agencies  as may be  necessary,  develop  the  qualification  standards  in
terms of education, training and experience for all technical and non-technical positions in the CDC,
and the system for promotion and succession plan in the CDC.
SEC.11.  Co#/i.#wj.#g  C'ompefeney Dave/apme#/ Program.  -The  CDC  shall,  through  the  Director
General,  devise  and  implement  a  continuing  competency  development  program  whereby  all  core
personnel  shall  be  required  to  update  and  enrich  competencies  through  attendance  in  programs,
studies,  research,  fellowships,  workshops,  seminars,  including  training  opportunities  in  reputable
foreign  CDCs.  Compliance  with  the  Continuing  Competency  Development  Program  shall  be  the
mandatory basis for promotion within the CDC. The CDC shall develop mechanisms to tap funding
opportunities to implement its Continuing Competency Development Program.
SEC.  12. Moder#I.z¢/!.o# Progm". -The Director General shall, in consultation with the DOH and
other concerned  agencies  of government  and  the  private  sector,  develop  a  modemization  program
that  will  strengthen  the  human  health  resource  of the  CDC,  which  is  the  key  component  ot` the
country's  disease  prevention  and  control  policy.   The  modemization  program  shall   include  the


acquisition  and  upgrading  of  appropriate   technologies,   laboratories,   facilities,   equipment,  other
needed resources, and the needed relocation and acquisition of additional land or location that would
house the CDC.
Within  one  hundred  eighty  (180)  days  after the  effectivity  of this  Act,  the  Director General  shall,
upon the recommendation of the DOH and DBM Secretaries, submit the modemization program for
the consideration and approval of Congress in a joint resolution of the House of Representatives and
the Senate.
The modemization program shall be implemented over a period of five (5) years.
Appropriations    for   the   modemization   program   shall   be   provided   in   the    annual    General
Appropriations Act (GAA).
S;Ef:.13.  Strengthened  Epidemiology,  Public  Healtl.  Surveillance.  and  Research  Capacities.  -To
ensure  that  epidemiology  and  public  health  surveillance  services  are  efficient  and  responsive,  and
public  health  surveillance  and  research  capacities  are  strengthened  and  updated  to  international
standards, the CDC shall:
(a)  Prioritize investments in upgrading of ICT and adequate and capacitated human resources for
epidemiology, public health surveillance, and public health and clinical research;
(b)  Have a premier facility  for clinical  laboratory,  epidemiologic  and implementation research,
and training on infectious and tropical diseases;
(c)  Develop    performance-based    incentives    to    private    health    facilities    with    established
epidemiology and surveillance functions;
(d)  Re-nationalize  local  epidemiology  and  surveillance  units  (LESUs)  that  will  solely  provide
epidemiology  and  disease  surveillance  services  and provide  assistance  to  the  LGUs  in  the
establishment and maintenance of surveillance systems, data management, and generation of
strategic   epideiniologic   information:   Provided,   That  the   DOH,   CDC,   and  DBM,   shall
develop the staffing pattern and qualiflcation standards: Provided, further, That LESUs shall
be under the direct supervision and control of the Regional CDCs;
(e)  Retain and provide incentives to technical experts, practitioners, and scientists, whereby the
scientific  career  system  is  adopted,  allowing them to  continue  their respective  clinical  and
professional   practice   to   pursue   research   studies   and   receive   grants   and  honoraria,   in
consultation with the  CSC.  Qualified  employees of the CDC  and its  attached units  shall be
covered  by  Republic  Act  No.   8439,  otherwise  known  as  "Magma  Carla  for  Scientists,
Engineers, Researchers and Other Science and Technology Personnel in Government;"
(I)   Develop   and  implement  training   and  research  programs   to   develop  more   experts   and
practitioners in the field of epidemiology, and disease prevention and control; and
(g)  Develop a mechanism to ensure interoperability and accessibility of surveillance systems.
SEC.   14.  Sfre#grAe#ecJ Dz.scase  S#rvez.//¢7Ice  a#d Respo#s'e.  -  The  CDC  shall  establish  integrated
disease  surveillance  and  response  systems  utilizing,  whenever  necessary,  all  technological  means
available while ensuring that data privacy and patient confidentiality are maintained.  The CDC and
authorized  public   health   authorities   shall   have   complete   access   and  right  to   collect  personal
information and other data, as may be deemed necessary in fulfillment of their mandate. All data or
information and samples collected pursuant thereto shall be used for public health concern purposes
only and shall  be exempted  from the provisions  of R.A.  No.  10173,  otherwise known as the "Data
Privacy Act of 2012" on accessibility of data.


SEC.  15. IV¢//.o#a/ Re/erence faborcl/or/.es.-The CDC shall establish a new, state of the art facility
that  will  serve  as  the  National  Reference  Laboratory  (NRL),  unifying  all  NRLs  for  biological,
chemical,  nuclear  and  radiologic  emergencies  under  one  roof,  within  five  (5)  years   from  the
effectivity  of  this  Act:   Provided,  That  the  existing  NRLs  in  the  East  Avenue  Medical  Center,
Philippine Heall Center,  Lung Center of the Philippines,  National  Kidney Transplant Institute,  and
Sam Lazaro Hospital shall continue to be under the respective hospitals:  Provided further, That these
existing NRLs shall serve as referral laboratories of the CDC and be included in the Modernization
Program of the CDC.
The NRL  shall provide technical recommendations,  laboratory  confirmatory services,  training, and
extemal quality assurance, and perfom surveillance, outbreak response, kit evaluation, and research.
It shall oversee the functions and performance of the network of subnational laboratories (SNL).
SNLs  shall be  established in all  regions, with the  capability of conducting confirmatory testing  for
routine surveillance samples and performing specialized tests. SNLs, whose functions include testing
for routine surveillance and specialized tests, shall be under CDC administratively. Hospitals housing
the SNLs shall create a separate unit for their regular hospital laboratory needs.
The  CDC,  through  the  NRLs  and  SNLs,  shall  provide  technical  guidance  and  quality  assurance
programs to biosafety levels 2, 3 and 4 laboratories in the country, which shall be registered with, and
regulated by the DOH.
EEC.   16.   Authority   to   Solicit,   Negotiate,   and   Receive   Donations,   Grants,   Gifits,   Legacies,
E"cJow#ie#ts, a#c7 Co#/rzbwfz.o#s. -The CDC may solicit, negotiate with, and receive from any public
or private  domestic  or foreign sources legacies,  gifts, donations, grants,  endowments,  contributions,
or other transfers of ownership and/or possession of real or personal properties of all kinds in favor
and  for the  benefit  of the  CDC,  which  shall  all  be  part of the  special  account  in  the  general  fund
managed by the Bureau of Treasury.
The  Director  General  shall  prescribe  the  measures  necessary  for  the  proper  use,  maintenance
safekeeping,  and  compliance  with  the  terms  and  conditions,  if  any,  of  said  donations,  grants,
endowments,  contributions, or transfers in accordance with pertinent accounting and auditing laws,
rules, and regulations.
SEC.  17.  ron Ejremp/i.o#b'. -Donations, grants,  gifts,  endowments,  legacies,  and contributions used
actually, directly, and exclusively for the purpose of the CDC shall be exempt from donor's tax and
the same shall be considered as allowable deduction from gross income for purposes of computing
the  taxable  income  of the  donor,  in  accordance  with  Sec.  34  (H)(2)(a)  of the  National  lnternal
Revenue Code of 1997, as amended. Likewise, such other transfers of ownership and/or possession
of real or personal properties of all kinds shall be exempt from all taxes.
SEC.  18. /o!.#/ Co#greL§£z.o#¢/ O`;ersr.g/®/ CommJ.#ee. -There shall be a Joint Congressional Oversight
Committee  on Disease  Prevention  and  Control, jointly  chaired by  the  Chairpersons  of the  Senate
Committee on Health and Demography, and the House of Representatives Committee on Health. It
shall  be composed of five (5) members from the  Senate  and  five  (5) members  from the House of
Representatives,   to   be   appointed  by  the   Senate  President  and   the   Speaker  of  the   House   of
Representatives, respectively.
SEC.  19.  f4ppraprz.¢jz.o#s.  -  The  initial  amount  needed  for the  implementation  of this  Act  shall  be
charged against the current year's appropriations of the offices and the RITM herein absorbed by the
CDC. Thereafter, the funding of which shall be included in the annual GAA.
SEC. 20. Transitory Provisions . -


SEC.  23. j}cpe¢/7.#g  C/¢wLr€.  -  All  laws,  decrees,  orders, rules,  and regulations  or other issuances  or
parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC.  24. F#ecj/.vJ.ty. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,