EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

House Bill No._7076

Introduced by Representative Victor A. Yap

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a global health crisis which upended lives and
disrupted economic activities around the world. The consensus among scientists estimate that it
would take up to eighteen (18) months for a vaccine to be developed and made available to the
public.

To address the spread of the disease, the World Health Organization (WHO) suggested
implementing public health measures that include quarantine, which involves the restriction of
movement, or separation from the rest of the population, of healthy persons who may have been
exposed to the virus, with the objective of monitoring their symptoms and ensuring early detection
of cases.’ In fact, the Philippine government has implemented community quarantine measures at
the onset of the spread of the virus.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the need for proper health infrastructure to manage
and prevent the spread of diseases. In fact, Republic Act No. 9271 or the “Quarantine Act of 2004”
has mandated the Department of Health (DOH) to establish additional quarantine stations, grounds
and anchorages to prevent the introduction of diseases of international concern into the country,
Presently, the Philippines has eighteen (18) provincial quarantine stations under the management of
DOH?

Clearly, these facilities are inadequate to cover all eighty-one (81) provinces of the country,
which may be affected by the spread of the disease.

This legislation seeks to establish quarantine facilities in all regions in the country in order

to prevent the spread of communicable diseases such as COVID-19, and to provide adequate
healthcare infrastructure throughout the country.

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

vIgTOR A. YAP
Representative, 2nd District of Tarlac

!Retrieved at bttps:/Awww. the guardian com/world/2020/apr/06/when-will-coronavirus-vaccine-be-ready on 19 May 2020.
*Rerieved at hsps/Avwrw. wh, in pnb ctions-detail/consdertions-for-quarantne-of-individvals-n-the-contextocontainment-
for-coronavins-dissate-covid-19)on 19 May 2020

Retrieved at hip /quarantin. doh gov ph/bureau-quarantinestations/on 19 May 2020.


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EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES _)
Second Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

House Bill No, 2976

Introduced by Representative Victor A. Yap

AN ACT
REQUIRING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF QUARANTINE FACILITIES IN EVERY
REGION IN THE COUNTRY, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

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 "Mandatory Quarantine Facilities
Act."

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy.-It is the declared policy of the State to improve the delivery
of health care services to the people, and to protect the people from public health threats during
public health emergencies through the efficient and effective response system for emerging and re~
emerging infectious diseases, diseases for elimination and eradication, epidemics, and health events
including chemical, radio-nuclear and environmental agents of public health concern.

SEC. 3. Establishment of Quarantine Facilities. There shall be established quarantine
facilities in every region in the country. The quarantine facilities shall be fully equipped to include
the needs of individuals who are quarantined including, but not limited to, adequate food, clothing,
means of communication, and competent medical care.

Each location for every quarantine facility shall be identified by the Departmentof Health (DOH) in
close coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and local
government units (LGUs) concerned; Provided, that the quarantine facilities shall be casily
accessible to a DOH hospital and shall be strategically located to ensure the safety of the
community.

The DPWH, in coordination with LGUs, shall be in charge of the construction of quarantine
facilities, formulation of building specifications based on standards, issuances and other guidelines.

SEC. 4. Operations and Management of the Quarantine Facilities. - The DOH shall be
primarily responsible for the operation, supervision, and management of the quarantine facilities
established under this Act. The DOH shall issue guidelines on the procedure and proper use of
quarantine facilities within thirty (30) days from the effectivity this Act.

SEC. 5. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to establish and operate quarantine
facilities shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the approval
of this Act, the DOH, DPWH, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and


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Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), in consultation with relevant
stakeholders, shall issue the implementing rules and regulations of this Act.

SEC. 7. Separability Clause. - Any portion or provision of this Act that is declared
‘unconstitutional shall not have the effect of nullifying other portions or provisions hereof as long as
such remaining portions can still subsist and be given effect in their entirety.

SEC. 8. Repealing Clause.- All laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, other issuances or parts
thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after itspublication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,