Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HousEBi`Li-No.5913
Introduced by Representative CIRIAC0 8. GATO, JR. MD. FPSO-HNS
AN ACT CREATING TIIE PHILIPPINE CHNTER FOR DISEASE PREVENTION
AND CONTROL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THHREFOR
HXPLANATORY NOTE
The Philippines has  a high burden of infectious diseases].  The polio  disease reappeared
nineteen  years  after  our  country  was  declared  polio-free`  In  2019,  we experienced  the  worst
dengue  and  measles  outbreaks.  It  was  also  in  the  same  Year  when  we  had  the  highest  TB
incidence  in Asia with  554  cases  per  100,000 people.2  In July of this year,  while we are still
reeling  from  the  COVID-19  pandemic,  the  first  case  of  monkey  pox  in  the  country  was
confirmed.  With these constant threats to  public health and  safety,  we need  to  centralize the
country' s disease prevention  efforts under a specialized  institution with the  competencies  and
authority to implement a comprehensive public health management framework.
The  Philippine  Center  for  Disease  Control  and  Prevention  (CDC)  will  serve  as  the
countTy`s  premiere  public  health  institution  dedicated  to  the  monitoring,  prevention.  control,
and management of infectious and communicable diseases. It will conduct disease surveillance,
develop, and update strategies in dealing with new and emerging health threats.  The CDC will
also  help  build  the  capacity  of  local  communities  to  respond  to  public  health  emergencies
through the establishment of regional CDCs in all regions in the country.
With a constantly  changing public health  landscape, the establishment of our own data-
driven  CDC  will  enable  us  to  effectively  contribute  to  the  global  fight  against  diseases  and
other future threats to public health.
Infectious disease crisis in the Philippines -The Lancet Infectious Diseases [lntemet]. [cited 2021  Apr 23].
Available from:https://www.thelancet.com/joumais/laninf/artiele/Plls1473-3099(19)30642-5/fulltext
2 WHO. Global tuberculosis report 2020.
https://www.who.int/teams/global-tuberculosis-programmeftb+eports/global-tuberculosis-report-2020
0ct 14. 2020.  Date acoessed: October 6, 20211 https://doh. gov.ph/press-release/DECLINE-lN-FiEPORTED-TB-
CASES-AN-EFFECT-OF-THE-PANDEMIC-
DOH#:~:text=ln%202019%2C%20the%20Philippines%20had°/o20the%20highest%20TB,top%2010%20causes%20
of%20death%20in%20the%20country.
1


The next pandemic might come sooner than we think. According to studies, there is a 47 to
57 percent chance of another global  pandemic  as  deadly  as  COVID  occurring in the next 25
years.  Vulnerable  countries  are  also  at  higher  risk  for  spillover  events  and  less  equipped  to
respond.3    While the  pandemic  may have rendered  our already  vulnerable  healthcare  system
even more vulnerable, we can maximize the lessors we learned from the crisis to protect public
health and strengthen our preparedness and response capabilities in the face of emergencies.
3 Center for Global Development, Smitham and Glassman,The Next Pandemie Couid Come Soon and Be Deadler,
AUGUST 25, 2021,   httos:/^^Mrv.cadev. ora/blog/the-next-Pandemic-could-come-soon-and-be-deadlier
2


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HousEisl£I:No.5913
Introduced by Representative CIRIACO 8. GATO, JR. MD. FPSO-IINS
AN ACT CREATING THE PHILIPPINE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND
PREVENTION, DEFINING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS
Be  it enacted  by the  Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippine jn Congress
assembled:
ARTICLE I
TITLE AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES
SEcryoIV J.  ri.//a - This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Center for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) Act.`.
SEcrTOIV 2.  Dec/¢rfllfo;! a/Po/i.ey.  -It is the policy of the State to protectand
promote  the   right  to  health  of all  Filipinos  and  instill  health  consciousness  among  them.
Towards this end, the State shall adopt an integrated, comprehensive, and evidence-informed
approach consistent with the direction under Republic Act (RA) No.  11223, or the Universal
Health  Care (UHC)  Act,  and  adopt a framework that fosters  a whole-of-system,  whole-of-
govemment,  and  whole-of-society  approach,  ensuring  clear  delineation  of tasks  between
existing agencies and   maximizing current mandates. The State shall also allot the necessary
support  and  institutional  resources  to  provide  for  effective disease  control  and  prevention
through a high-levelpublic institution imbued with the capacity. competence, and authority to
confront global and local public health risks.
L9EC7`JOIV 3. 04jcct.vcs. -The objectives of this Act are the following:
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a)          Protect   the   Filipino   people   from   the   impact   of  communicable   and   non-
communicable diseases of public health importance:
b)         Develop policies,  plans,  and protocols to improve on all identified areas in the
lnternational Health Regulations (lHR) hazards;
c)          Clarify    governance,    decision-making,     communication,    and    coordination
processes and protocols related to identifying. diagnosing, forecasting, preventing, controlling,
eliminating and eradicating. and monitoring diseases of public health importance;
d)         Ensure  swift,  coordinated,  and  data-driven  surveillance  and  response  throuch
Epidemiology and Surveillance Units (ESUs), public health laboratory systems. points of entry,
and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) for Health system;
e)          Provide   the   overall   national   framework   and   strategic   direction   for   the
establishment of a health laboratory system;
I)          Maintain a pool  of in-house experts that shall  serve as  the technical  authority
who  will  provide  evidence-informed  guidance  on  standards,  technologies,  and  analytics  for
epidemio]ogy,    disease    control,    prevention,    elimination,    eradication,    health    emergency
preparedness and response; and
g)          Ensure  the   development   and   implementation   of  a   shared   risk   and   crisis
communication   plan   with   the   Department   of  Health   (DOH)   and   the   Food   and   Drug
Administration a7DA).


ARTICLE 11
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Lt'EC7YOIV 4. Defl"i./I.OJI a/ rermT. -  As used in this Act, the following terms shall
mean:
a)          Communicable   diseases   -   refer  to   infectious   diseases   or  illnesses   due  to
infectious  agents  or  their  toxic  products,  which  may  be  transmitted  from  a  reservoir  to  a
susceptible host,  either directly  from  an infected  person or animal  or indirectly through the
agency  of an  intermediate  plant  or  animal  host,  vector,  or  the  inanimate  environment,  or
coming from laboratories intentionally or unintentionally.
b)          Disease  -  refers  to  an  illness  due  to  a  specific  toxic  substance,  occupational
exposure  or  infectious   agent,   which  affects   a  susceptible   individual,   either  directly   or
indirectly,  as  from  an  infected  animal  or person,  or indirectly through  an intermediate host,
vector` or the environment.
c)          Disease  control  -   refers  to  the  reduction  of  disease  incidence.   prevalence.
morbidity,  or  mortahty  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 in terms of epidemics, emergencies,
and disasters.  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
prevention and control activities.
e)          Emerging or  re-emerging  infectious  diseases  (EREID)  -refer to  diseases that
fulfill any of the following conditions:
i)
ii)
isolated areas;
iii)
iv)
have not occurred in humans before;
have occurred previously but affected  only small numbers of people in
are caused by previously undetected or unknown infectious agents;
are due to mutant or resistant strains of a causative organism; or
5


v)          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.
D           Epidemiological investigation -refers to an inquiry to the incidence, prevalence,
extent, source, mode of transmission, causation of, and other information pertinent to a disease
occurrence.
g)          Health  Research  -research  or  research-related  activities  that  seek  to  provide
timely  and  quahty  evidence  to  address   knowledge  gaps  on  areas  related  to  identifyring,
diagnosing,  forecasting,  preventing,  controlling,  eliminating and  eradicating,  and  monitoring
diseases of public health importance.
h)          International  Health  Regulations  (IHR)  -refers to  an  international  agreement
managed by the World Health Organization (WI.IO) and focused on addressing serious public
health threats that have the potential to spread beyond a country`s borders to other parts of the
world  and  define the  standards  that  countries  must  meet to  be  able  to  prevent`  detect,  and
respond to public health threats
i)          Public health emergency -refers to an occurrence or imminent threat of   b    an
illness or health condition that:
Is caused by any of the following:
1 )          Bioterrorism;
2)          The appearance of a novel or previously controlled or eradicated
infectious agent or biological toxin;
3)           A natural disaster;
4)          A chemical attack or accidental release;
5)          A nuclear attack or accident; or
6)          An attack or accidental release of radioactive materials; and
ii)          Poses a high probability of any of the following:


1 )         A large number of deaths in the affected population;
2)           A large number of serious injuries or long-term disabilities in the
affected population;
3)          Widespread exposure to an infectious or toxic agent that poses a
significant risk of substantial harm to  a large number of people in the affected
population;
4)           International exposure to an infectious or toxic agent that poses a
significant risk to the health of citizens of other countries; or
5)           Trade and travel restrictions.
j)           Public  health  event  -refers  to  either  a  public  health  emergency  or  a public
health threat due to biological, chemical, radio-nuclear, and environmental  agents.
k)          Public  health laboratories  -are  facilities  responsible for providing timely  and
reliable diagnostic results primarily for improvement of patient outcomes, disease prevention,
control.  surveillance, population-based interventions,  and outbreak emergency response.  They
shall  perform  core public  health  and  environmental  activities,  including  reference  tests  for
diseases of public health importance.
I)           Public health threat -refers to any situation or factor that may present a danger
to the health of the people.
in)        Non-communical)le diseases  -refer to chronic diseases  or those which tend to
be   of  long   duration   and   are   the   result   of  a   combination   of  genetic,   physiological,
environmental, and behavioral factors.
n)          Notifiable  disease  -  refers  to  a  disease  that,  by  legal  requirements,  must  be
reported to the public health authorities.
o)         Quarantine -refers to the restriction of activities and/or separation from others
of suspect persons who are not ill, or of suspect baggage, containers, conveyances, or goods, in
such a manner as to prevent the possible spread of infection or contamination.


p)         Response -refers to the implementation of specific activities to control  further
spread of infection, outbreaks, or epidemics and prevent reoccurrence.  It includes verification,
contact    tracing,    rapid    risk    assessment,    case    measures,    treatment    of   patients,    risk
communication, the conduct of prevention activities, and rehabilitation.
ARTICLE Ill
CREATION AND FUNCTIONS 0F TIIE PHILIPPINE CENTER FOR DISEASE
CONTROL AND PREVENTION
SECTION 5. Creation Of tJ.e Philippine Center for Disease Control andptevelitton.
- There is hereby established an agency to be known as the Philippinecenter  for  Disease
Control  and  Prevention,  hereinafter  referred  to  as   "CDC."  The  CDC  shall  be an agency
directly under the Office of the Secretary of the DOH.
9EcrJOIV 6.  F%ilcffom^q a/lrfee CDC'.  -The CDC shall be the technical authority on
forecasting,  analysis, strategy,  and standards development for the   prevention and control of
communical]le   and   non-communicable  diseases   of  public  health  importance   and   health
security  events,  whether domestic or international  in  origin.  The  CDC  shall  coordinate  with
global CDCs and act as the national focal point (NFP) of the Philippines for II-IR concerns.
The functions of the CDC include the following:
a)        Develop strategies, standards, and policies for disease control and   prevention;
b)        Implement disease surveillance and field epidemiology activities;
c)        Perform data collection and analytics;
d)        Establish and strengthen public health laboratories;
e)        Recommend    actions    for    public    health    threats    to    appropriate    national
government bodies;
I)        Lead public health and risk communications;
g)        Conduct and manage health research and evidence synthesis;
h)        Build local capacity for surveillance and health research;
i)         Promote  scientific  integrity  by  ensuring  that  all  its  products  are  technically
accurate.  scientifically  and  ethically  sound,  and  useful to the goverrment and the  intended
population through the institutionali7.ati on of appropriate meehanisms and bodies.
8


The  CDC  shall  perform such other  functions  as  may  be  mandated  by  law  or  duly
delegated by relevant authorities, as well as those that may be necessary or expedient for the
performance of its functions under this Act.
The CDC shall submit annual detailed cost work plans relating to its functions to the
Secretary of Health (SOH) for approval.
SECTION 7. Structure Of the CDC. -
a)        The CDC shall have established centers that shall lead and coordinate the major
functions of the CDC, especially during public health events and emergencies and disasters,
and   in  this   capacity,   establish   strategic   linkages   and   partnerships   to   fulfill   the  stated
functions.  In  line  with their functions,  each  of the  following  centers  shall  be  headed  by  a
Director:
i)         Center   for   Health   Statistics   (CHS).   The   CHS   shall   provide   the   national
leadership in health statistics, data analytics, and health information systems management of
non-epidemiologic surveys in coordination with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and
shall  complement  the  roles  and  responsibilities  of the  DOH  related  to  seetoral  policy  and
planning  by  providing relevant  health  statistics.  It shall  likewise progressively develop  and
expand  its  methodological  and   analytical  capacity;   its  use  of  informatics,  diedtal  tools,
innovations,  etc.;  and expand its portfolio  of national health-related surveys  it develops and
manages  to  complement existing national  health  surveys  being  managed  by other national
agencies.
ii)        Center  for  Epidemiology  and  Surveillance  (CES).  The  CES  shall  lead  and
execute  a  national  public  health  surveillance  strategy  in  line  with  the  existing  Regional
Epidemiology and Surveillance Units (RESUs), and consistent with the provisions of RA No.
I 1332,  "Mandatory  Repordng  of Notifiable  Diseases  and  Health  Events  of Public  Health
Concern  Act,"  and  RA  No.11223.  It  shall  progressively  enhance  its  epidemiology  and
surveillance functions to further develop its overall analytical capacity; to expand the scope
of surveilled  events and  diseases; to  set standards for and continually  expand tools for data
management and surveillance systems; to expand the scope of data collected; to lead in the
development  of  epidemiology   and   surveillance   capacities,   including   noncommunicable
diseases  and  social  determinants  of health;  to  lead  in  implementing  lnternational  Health
9


Surveillance and  IIIR processes;  and to expand  its technical expertise to include other and
emerging   branches   and   types   of  epiderfuology   and   relevant   epidemiologically   related
approaches.
iii)      Center  for  Health  Evidence  (CHE).  The  CHE  shall  be  established  to  lead
evidence-informed policy-making for the prevention and control of communicable and non-
communicable  diseases`  through  the  synthesis  of available  evidence,  the  conduct  of high-
quality  health  research,  the development  of evidence-informed  strategies  and  standards  of
care,   the   provision   of   scientific   inputs   to   guide   the   development,   evaluation,    and
improvement of public health progranis, and the development of science-informed standards
to address public health threats`  in partnership with academe, professional societies, research
bodies, National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Department of Science and Technology
(DOST).
iv)       Center for Health Laboratories (CHL).  The CHL shall develop and provide the
overall  strategic  direction,  policies,  and  plans  in  the  implementation  of the  PHLS  and  the
institutionalization   of  stand-alone   CDC   public   health   laboratories,   including   national,
subnational,  and regional  public  health laboratories  (RPHLs).  It  shall  promote and  develop
innovative  science,  technologies`  and  processes  that  support  CDC's  ability  to  protect  the
Philippines from health, safety, and security threats, both foreign and local.
b)       The CDC shall have an Administrative and Finance office, which shall report
to  the  Deputy  Director General,  as  provided  under  Section  12  of this  Act,  and  will  be  in
charge of the following functions, among others:
i)          Human Resource Management;
ii)          Property and Logistics Management:
iii)        Engineering and Maintenance;
iv)         Legal service;
v)          Assets and Financial Management; and
vi)        Information and communication Technology.
c)        Additional offices may be created in accordance with the mandate of the CDC,
upon  the  assessment  and  recommendation  of the  Director  General,  approval  of the  SOH,
availability of funds, and in view of emerging needs of the health sector.
d)       The CDC shall have regional counterparts of its CHL, CHS, and cEs to form
the  Regional  CDCs  separately  from  DOH  Regional  Offices.  Further,  additional  regional
10


counterparts may be created in view of Sec. 7 (c) and subsumed under the Regional CDCs.
e)        The   CDC   shall   have   oversight   over   the   Research   Institute   for  Tropical
Medicine (RITM) which shall be institutionahzed to perform the following functions:
i)           Undertake research activities in the diagnosis, control, and prevention of
infectious and tropical disease of public health importance including EREID;
ii)         Conduct training courses for medical and paramedical personnel in the
diagnosis, control and prevention of infectious and tropical disease including EREID;
iii)        Provide  high  quality  tertiary  care  to  both  inpatients  and  out-patients
suffering from infectious and tropical diseases especially those within the scope of the
lnstitute' s research acti vities:
iv)        Act   as   national   reference   laboratory   for   communicable   diseases
including EREID; and
v)          Produce biologicals for the control of infectious and tropical diseases
ARTICLE IV
OPERATIONAL STRUCTURE, MANAGEMENT, AND STAFF OF THH CENTER
SECTION  8.  Harmoi.ization  witl.  the  DOH  Regional  Oof:fiices  and  the  I,ocal
Governnuent Units (LGUs).
a)        General  Health.  The DOH shall  develop operational  and  intersectoral  policies
to support implementation of strategies and standards developed by the CDC.  The CDC, as
an  agency  directly  under  the  Office  of the  Secretary  to  the  DOH,  shall  ensure  effective
prevention and control strategies, surveillance, health emergencies preparedness and response
by  coordinating  with  national,  regional,  and  province-wide  Disaster  Risk  Reduction  and
Management Centers (DRRMCs), and LGUs. In addition, the  CDC shall:
i)         Govern and build country capacity through the creation of Disease surveillance
Officers  (DSOs)  and  field  epidemiologist  positions  and  ensure the  country tralns  sufficient
epidemiolodsts;  Provided,  that  funding of such  shall  be charged  against the  LGU fund  in
accordance with RA 7160 otherwise known as the "Local Government Code of 1991" with
augmentation of funding as necessary; and
ii)       Govern, build, and strengthen the NRLs, SNLs, and RPHLs through the CHL
b)       During state of public Health Emergencies,  DSOs,  ESUs,  CDC  Laboratories,
PHLs,  and  those  employed  by  the  local  government  units  involved  in  surveillance  and
11


response shall directly report relevant information to the CDC as necessary.
SECTION 9. Tranrfer Of Agencies. ~
a)        Restructuring of Affected offices and units.  The following offices,  including
their administrative units,  shall  be restructured to  ensure that the CDC  and  DOH shall co-
exist synergistically and facilitate full operations of the CDC.
i)          The RITM shall be transferred under the administrative oversight of the
CDC.
ii)          The  EB  shall  be  transitioned  to  the  CHS   and  CES  in  phases.   All
previous functions of the National Epidemiology Center or the EB and all disease and
public  health  sur`'eillance  functions  assigned  to  the  DOH  by  law  shall  likewise  be
transferred  to  the  CES.  In  line  with this,  all  RESUs  and  FHSIS  Units  of the  DOH
Regional  Offices  (Centers  for  Health  Development)  shall  be  transferred  to  and  be
under  the  sole  supervision  and  control  of the  Regional  CDCs  upon  the  effective
transition of the EB to the CDC.
1)         The   Knowledge   Management   and   Information   Technology
Service (KMITS) of the DOH shall restructure and rationalize its functions to
eliminate or minimi7,e overlaps and duplication with the standards and sectoral
policy function of the CHS.
2)         The     policymaking,     standards     setting,     and     international
coordination functions of the International Health Surveillance Division of the
BOQ shall  be transferred to the CES.  However, the screening and  quarantine
processes for inbound and outbound international passengers as provided for in
Sections 4 and 5 of RA No. 9271 or the "Quarantine Act of 2004" shall remain
with the BOQ, subject to the standards promulgated by CES.
iii)        The   Office  for  Health   Laboratories   (OHL)   of  the   DOH  shall   be
transitioned  to  the  CHL.  In  line  with  this,  identified  national  reference  laboratories
shall also be transferred the administrative oversight to the CDC CHL.
iv)        The  disease  prevention   and   control   policy,   standard,   and   strategy
development functions  of the DOH Disease Prevention and Control Bureau (DPCB)
shall be transferred to the CHE; and the remaining functions shall be retained with the
12


DOH to be renamed as the Public Health Strategy and Management Bureau (PHSMB).
The    PHSMB    shall    lead    the    operationalication    of    policies    and    standards,
implementation of integrated programs and projects on disease prevention and control,
provision of assistance to LGUs, as well as the development of plans and projects for
disease prevention and control.
v)        The communications  office (CO)  of the DOH shall  be  institutionalized  as  a
shared service among all DOH offices, including FDA and CDC:
1 )          Develop  strategic  communication  plans,  including  but  not  limited  to
corporate risk and crisis communication plans:
2)          Manage  and  implement  risk  communication  activities  and  initiatives,
such as, but not be limited to development and issuance of information and education
communication  (IEC)   materials,   events,   stakeholder  meetings,   and   other  media
engagement activities;
3)          Manage and activate crisis communication protocol for health risks and
hazards, and institutional reputational risks;
4)          Develop  and  implement  corresponding  capacity-building  activities  in
relation to corporate risk and crisis communications;
5)          Perform internal communication functions within the institution;
6)         Develop  and  facilitate  the  approval  of communication  materials  and
policies as aligned with the approved communication plans;
7)         Manage    different    platforms    of   the    institution    for    release    of
communication materials; and
8)         Foster,   maintain,   and   continuously   build   extemal   partnership   and
communication networks with public and private health institutions.
b)       Transfer of Material. The offices affected by the transfer of agencies shall also
transfer applical.]e funds  and  appropriations,  records,  equipment,  and property to the CDC
subject to a multi-year transition plan.
i)          As  a result  of the reorganization under this Act,  the Department shall
evaluate credentials, skills and experiences of all employees in affected offices/bureaus
and shall conduct matching to positions within the new officesroureaus created based
on the set qualification standards.  The Department shall develop  a technical working
group  to  ensure that  RA  6656  shall  be properly  observed  towards  the  protection of
tenure of affected  employees and shall  institute mechanisms for retooling.  There shall
13


be no diminution of salaries and benefits of affected employees.  Affected employees
may opt to  choose voluntary  separation from service within six (6) months  from the
effectivity of this  Act and  shall  be entitled  to receive separation and  early retirement
benefits and other benefits under applicable laws and issuances such as RA No.  6656
within ninety (90) days from the date of effectivity of their separation.  Provided they
are  not  entitled  to  said  benefits,  employees  concerned  shall  be  paid  a  separation
gratuity in the amount equivalent to one (1 ) month salary for every year of service;
ii)         The  CDC  shall  employ  scientific,  technical,  and  non-technical  staff
where a compensation and accountability mechanism shall be created for all in-house
experts   employed  in  highly  technical   positions.   Correspondingly`   the  DOH   shall
endorse the salary and compensation for positions developed for the CDC to the DBM
for review and approval.
I)         The   salary   and   compensation   of  all   employed   staff  under
managerial,   technical,    and    administrative   positions    shall    be   subject   to
prevailing Civil Service Commission (CSC) standards and regulations.
2)         The  compensation  mechanism  for  the  expert  pool  shall  be  in
accordance with the rules  and  regulations in this Act and its  IRR and  shall  be
exempt from prevailing CSC standards and regulations.
3)         All in-house experts shall be allowed to practice their profession
while being engaged with the CDC per approval of the SOH.
4)          All  employed  staff and  engaged  in-house  experts  shall  submit
declaration of conflict-of-interest (Col), non-disclosure agreement (NDA),  and
other    pertinent documentary requirements as may be deemed necessary.
iii)        Transfer  of applicable  funds  and  appropriations,  records,  equipment,
and  property to  the CDC,  among  others,  shall  commence within two  (2) years  after
effectivity of this Act to enable the smooth transfer of the sane from the DOH.
SECTION 10. Structure and Staf i iing Patteri.. ~ Shh.Jest to the [ewiow arid approval
of  the  Department  of  Budget  and  Management  (DBM),  the  SOH  shall  determine  the
organizational  structure and  staffing pattern of the CDC,  in accordance with existing Civil
Service laws, rules and regulations.
SEC7lTOIV JJ. Respo„se F#mcft.o#s.  - In case of public health emergencies due to
14


biological,   chemical,   and   toxic  events,   the  following  offices   shall  have  the  following
functions:
a)        The  DOH,  throuch  the  PHSMB.  shall  develop  operational  and  intersectional
strategies guided by the strategies, standards and policies developed by the CDC.
b)       The National  Disaster Risk Reduction and  Management council  (NDRRMC)
shall  lead and coordinate national government response where the DOH through the Health
Emergency  Management  Bureau   (HEMB)  shall   coordinate  the  guided   health   response
throuch policy directions set by the Interagency Task Force for the Management of Emerging
Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) and the Office of the President;
c)        The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management councils (RDRRMCs)
shall carry out the directives on national government response from the NDRRMC while the
regional counterpart of HEMB shall link the RDRRMCs and the Regional CDCs.
d)        The CHL  shall  activate the public  health laboratory response network during
health   emergencies   and   continuously   provide   high-level   coordination   of  policies   and
guidance  for core laboratory programs  in  quality  management,  enhancement  of laboratory
medicine   and   safety   and   security   programs,   laboratory   information   management   and
surveillance, research and development and training.
e)        The  CES  shall  provide  standards  and  overall  guidance  to  the  BOQ  for  the
institution  of disease  surveillance  at  points  of entry.  The  Regional  CDCs  shall  likewise
provide  guidance  and   assistance  to   quarantine   stations   within   their  jurisdiction   in  the
implementation of surveillance and response.
SECTION 12. Director General (DG) and Deputy Director General. -
a)        Appointment  of the  Director  General  (DG).  The  CDC  shall  be  headed  by  a
Director  General  (DG),  with  the  rank  of Undersecretary,  who  shall  be  appointed  by  the
President,  upon  the  recommendation  of the  SOH.  based  on  technical  expertise.  academic
background, and appropriate experience.
b)       Appointment of the Deputy Director General. The DG shall be assisted by one
(1)  Deputy  Director  General,  with  the  rank of Assistant  Secretary,  who  shall  oversee the
functions  of the  Administrative  and  Finance  Office,  and  any  additional  offices  created  in
accordance  with  Sec.   7  (c)  of this  Act.  The  Deputy  Director  General  shall  likewise  be
appointed  by  the  President,  upon  the  recommendation  of  the  SOH,  based  on  technical
expertise, academic background, and appropriate experience.
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c)         Eligibility.
i)           The  DG  shall  be  a  public  health  professional,  preferably  a  Medical
Doctor, with at least  I 5 years of post-graduate combined experience in relevant fields
of medicine, public health, research, and managerial positions.
ii)         The   Deputy   Director   General   shall   possess   a  master's   degree   in
accounting,   management,    economics   or   any   business   course,    and   must   have
management experience in a position related to histher field of discipline or profession.
iii)        The Director of each center shall  possess  third  level  service eligibility
with management experience in a position related to fields of medicine, public health,
and research; Provided, that if the current officers applying for the above positions lack
the required third level civil service eligibility, they will have to comply with the said
requirement within three (3) years from their appointment, otherwise their appointment
shall be revoked immediately.
d)        Powers and Functions.
i)           Provide  leadership,  policy  guidance,  coordination,  technical  expertise`
and  services  to  promote  the  development  and  implementation  of  CDCs  national
programs;
ii)         Certify in confidentiality to the SOH the occurrence of a public Health
Emergency.
I )         Immediate hiring, transfer, and deployment of health personnel:
2)         Implementation    of   inter-agency    public    health    emergency
preparedness  and  response  in  cooperation  with  the  NDRRMC,  DILG,  and
LGUs; and
3)         Strict  enforcement  and  augmentation  of  border  control   and
surveillance in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and
DOH Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ);
4)         Commissioning of research in coordination with DOH and
DOST
iii)        Notify the wHo and other Focal points of any public health emergency
or incident  in  accordance to  IHR guidelines,  and  lead  in  the  coordination  of public
health response with said bodies and National Focal Points;
iv)        Recommend to the president, through the SOH, the exercise of special
16


powers in the case of an epidemic;
v)          Provide technical recommendations to the lATF;
vi)        Certify the terminalon of a public Health Emergency which may serve
as basis for the de-escalation and eventual termination of response;
vii)       Develop policies with provisions on penalties for local implementation
and enforcement:
1)         The  Director  cieneral,  upon  consultation  with  the  SOH,  shall
provide recommendations on the corresponding rules and regulations,  as well
as  penalties,  for  local  implementation  and  enforcement  that  are  necessary  to
control and prevent diseases within the country and to prevent the introduction,
transmission, or spread of communicable diseases from other countries into the
Philippines or from one domestic seaport/airport to another; and
2)          For  purposes  of implementing  these  regulations,  the  Director
General upon consultation with the SOH, shall provide public health preventive
measures and intervention strategies such as health education,  promotion,  and
advisories,     isolation,     quarantine,     inspections,     fumigation.     disinfection.
disinfestation,  vector control,  pest extermination,  vaccination for international
travel, medical examination of aliens/foreigners, and destruction of animals or
articles  found  to  be infected or contaminated as  to be sources  of infection to
human beings in coordination with other concerned quarantine agencies such as
veterinary   quarantine,   plant   quarantine,   and   other   measures   as   may   be
necessary;
viii)      Establish  or  create  containment  for  inland  contagion  or  community
transmission of public health threats and shall coordinate these with the SOH. During
public health emergencies,  DOH HEMB shall also  expand and  coordinate with Ports
and Airports Health Services Division of the DOH BOQ on controlling, directing, and
managing  all  quarantine  stations,  grounds,  and  anchorages,  and  in  designating  their
boundaries  in  accordance  with  Section  6  of RA  No.  9271   or  also  known  as  the
Quarantine Act of 2004;
ix)        Provide  or  obtain  technical  assistance  for  regional  and  local  health
departments,  private  agencies,  and  iutemational  and  supranational  agencies  before,
during, and after an epidemic;
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x)          Develop a shared risk communication plan in coordination with the
DOH and the FDA;
xi)         Liaise  with  other government agencies`  non-government  organi7jations
(NG0s),  international  organizations,   including  the  WHO,  leaning  and   academic
iustitutious, and other pertinent groups or entities in the conduct of activities relating to
disease prevention and control;
xii)       Coordinate with appropriate DOH offices regarding administrative and
program matters;
xiii)      Appoint  eligible  employees  of CDC  in  accordance  with  Civil  Service
Law, rules and regulations, and this Act;
xiv)      Delegate  the  powers  vested  under  this  Act  to  the  Deputy  Director
General; and
xv)       Perform such other functions as may be mandated by law. or as may be
delegated by the SOH and/or the President.
ARTICLE V
SUPPLEMENTAL FUNCTIONS AND POWERS OF THE CDC
SECTION 13. Public Hcatth Surve.illance Progrounrne. -
a)        The Director General shall identify priority health problems for prevention and
control.  The  Director  General  shall  also  institute  public  health  surveillance  programs  in
accordance with RA  11332  or also  known  as  "Mandatory Reporting  of Notifiable Diseases
and Health Events of public Health Concern Act".
b)        For  the  purpose  of any  public  health  surveillance  program,  apidemiological
investigation, or survey under this Act, the Director General may issue an order requiring any
person to furnish CDC` within the period stated therein, with:
i)           Such information as may be required; and
ii)         Any sample of any  substance or matter in the possession or control of
that  person,  whether  taken  pursuant to  this  Act  or otherwise,  as  may  be  considered
necessary or appropriate.
c)        The Director General should link the different disease-related programs of the
DOH  for  both  communicable  and  non-communicable  diseases  with  the  Public  Health
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Laboratories   in  relation  to   diagnosis,   disease   and   laboratory-based   surveillance,   health
emergency preparedness and response, and outbreak investigation.
d)       The CDC  shall perform the functions and obligations of the EB and the DOH
under  Sections  5,  6,  and  8  of RA  No.11332  or  the  Mandatory  Reporting  of Notifiable
Diseases and Health Events of public Health Concern Act. As such:
i)           All  public  and  private  hospitals,  clinics,  health  facilities,  laboratories,
institutions, workplaces, schools, prisons, ports, airports, establishments` communities,
other  government  agencies,  and  NG0s  are  required  to  accurately  and  immediately
report notifiable disease and public health events to CDC. The CDC shall prescribe the
minimum mandatory information to be reported and form of reporting of these entities.
ii)          All  public  and  private  hospitals,  clinics,  health  facilities,  laboratories
shall be required to submit health and health-related data, which shall include, but not
be  limited  to.  administrative,  public  health.  medical.  pharmaceutical,  and  financing
data to CDC.
iii)        The Director-General may request the philippine National police or the
National  Bureau  of  Investigation  to  locate  any  patients  or  persons  suspected  of
contracting a communicable disease.
iv)        During a state of public Health Emergency, the Director-General  may
likewise     request     the     National     Telecommunications     Commission     and     any
telecommunications   entity   as   defined   under   RA   No.   7925   to   provide   location
information of patients or persons suspected of contracting a communicable disease.
v)          Failure  of said  establishments  to  report  to  the  CDC  shall  constitute
violation of Section 9 (d) and (e) of RA No.  I 1332.
SECTION 14. Ijaboratories in the Philippine Health lnboratory System. (PHIJ§). -
a)        Establishment.   There  shall  be  an  established  Philippine  Health  Laboratory
System   by   unifying   all   dingnostic   tests   and   surveillance  of  diseases   of  public  health
importance into stand-alone laboratories across the nation.
b)        Oversight and Governance.  The CDC  shall  exercise supervisory and  oversight
functions over the development of all Public Health Laboratories in the PHLS, and oversee
their functions and performance throuch the CHL.
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SECTION  15.  Intergovernl'i'Iatal  Collaliorative  Activities.  -  The  Seorefhary  o{
Foreign Alfairs  and  the  SOH are jointly  mandated  to  review  and  recommend  to  the  CDC
multilateral   and   bilateral   agreements   which  the   country   may   adopt  to   strengthen   its
collaborative mechanisms with other countries, in accordance with RA No.10173, otherwise
knovun as the "Data Privacy Act of 2012".
ARTICLE VI
MISCELIANEOUS PROVISIONS
LTEC770IV /6.  rr¢#Sltory ProtJi.sfom -The CDC. in coordination with the DOH and
LGUs,  shall  craft  a multi-year  plan to  ensure  the  timely  implementation  and  progressive
realization of this Act. Towards this end, the multi-year plan shall include, but not be limited
to:
a)        Phased expansion of the capacity of the cDc to cover other health conditions
or threats in view of the needs of the Philippine health sector;
b)        Requiring  that  every  province  and  city-wide  health  system  have  full-time
DSOs,   without  prejudice  to  the  need   for   DSOs   in  municipalities,   as   may   be  deemed
necessary;
c)        Establishing sNLs and RPHLs; and
d)        Emergency funding and procurement of commodities and hiring during  public
Health E mergencies
e)        Establishment of infrastmcture to house the national offices under CDC
The DOH, upon coordination with CDC, shall submit the funding requirements with
corresponding annual targets for the implementation of the multi-year plan to the DBM and
concerned   agencies,   for   the   determination   of   appropriate   national   budget   allocation;
Provided,  that  for  local  budget  allocation,  the  LGUs  shall  also  appropriate  the  necessary
funds 1,o ensure the proper implementation of this Act, in relation to their devolved functions
under the UHC Act and other existing laws.
SECTION   17.   Modernization   ltogram.   -   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
20


?`
the CDC, which is the key component of the country's disease control and prevention 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.
The  modemization  program  shall  be  implemented  over  a period  of five  (5)  years.
Appropriations for the modemiration program shall  be charged  against the  annual General
Appropriations Act (GAA).
SECTION 1 8. Autl.ority to Solicit, Negotiate, and Receive Donations, Grants, Gifes,
£cgrct.es,  E«dr"wze«fs,  a7zd Co7!trl.bq/foils.  - 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.
SECITOIV  J9.  A"##¢/ Report  -  The  CDC  shall  submit  to  Congress  and  the
Office of the President an annual report containing  evaluation of the current and  emerging
threats to health in the country and progress to IHR commitments, initiatives undertaken to
address these and recommend legislative measures as may be necessary.
^`'EC77(JIV   20.    Apprt7prl.flfro#^f.    -    The    amount    necessary    for    the    initial
implementation  of this  act  shall  be  charged  against the  current year appropriations  of the
offices and agencies  concerned.  Thereafter, the funding requirements for the ensuing years
shall be included in the annual GAA.
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.
SECTION 21. Irr.plernenting Rules and Regulations. -The DOH shdil promulgafue
the necessary implementing rules and regulations within ninety (90) working days from the
effectivity of this Act.
SEC7TOIV 22.  Sap¢"[bj./rty  CJfllise  -  If any  provision  of this  Act  is  declared
unconstitutional or otherwise invahd, the validity of the other provisions shall not be affcoted
thereby.
L`'EC7TtJIV 23. Rquefl[/I.#g C7¢#^ge. - All laws, decrees. orders. rules and regulations.
other  issuances,  or pats  thereof,  inconsistent  with  any  provision  of this  Act,  are  hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.
L9EC7TOIV 24.  E/7rect.tu.fy.  -This  Act  shall take effect  fifteen  (15)  days  after   its
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,
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