1
Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Nineteenth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _____ 
Introduced by Representative Rudys Caesar G. Fariñas I 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill creates the Philippine Health Security Council (PHSC) as an inter-
agency body administratively attached to the Department of Health tasked to 
formulate and update the Philippine Health Security National Action Plan 
(PHSNAP), review existing programs, plans and activities, identify and prioritize 
activities, and implement evidence-based actions to improve international health 
regulations (IHR) capacities in health systems for health security. 
Among the salient provisions of this measure is the institutionalizing of 
preparing the PHSNAP, which aims to protect the physical and mental health of 
Filipinos, limit economic losses, and preserve confidence in the government by 
strengthening public health and healthcare systems to effectively and swiftly 
confront health risks, such as emerging infectious diseases, use of chemical, 
biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons, health-related cyber warfare, and 
catastrophic natural disasters and human-caused incidents. The Council will 
also prepare, mobilize, and coordinate the full spectrum of public health 
capabilities in a public health emergency, disaster, or attack. 
Hence, this representation seeks the passage of this measure.      
RUDYS CAESAR G. FARIÑAS I 
February 21, 2023
1:50 pm
7248


 2
Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Nineteenth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _____ 
Introduced by Representative Rudys Caesar G. Fariñas I 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE HEALTH SECURITY COUNCIL AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
CHAPTER I 
1 
PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS 
2 
3 
SECTION 1. Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Philippine Health 
4 
Security Act”. 
5 
6 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – Section 15 of Article II of the Constitution 
7 
of the Philippines declares that the State shall protect and promote the right to 
8 
health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. Section 11 of 
9 
Article XIII of the Constitution mandates the adoption of an integrated and 
10 
comprehensive approach to health development.  
11 
12 
By virtue of its obligations under the International Health Regulations 
13 
(IHR) 2005 of the World Health Organization (WHO), the Philippines is required 
14 
to build its core capacities in protecting its citizens, along with the citizens of 
15 
other countries, from the spread of diseases and other health hazards. 
16 
17 
Towards this end, the State shall: 
18 
19 
(a) Protect the physical and mental health of the Filipinos, limit economic
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losses, and preserve confidence in government by strengthening public 
1 
health and health care systems to effectively and swiftly confront the 
2 
devastating consequences of health risks, such as emerging infectious 
3 
diseases that could lead to a pandemic; use of chemical, biological, 
4 
radiological, and nuclear weapons; health-related cyber warfare; and 
5 
catastrophic natural disasters and human-caused incidents, through 
6 
multi-sectoral and multidisciplinary approaches for effective alert and 
7 
response systems; 
8 
      
9 
(b) Prepare, mobilize, and coordinate the whole-of-government and whole-
10 
of-society approach to bring the full spectrum of public health 
11 
capabilities in the event of a public health emergency, disaster, or 
12 
attack. 
13 
 
14 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act: 
15 
 
16 
(a) Cybersecurity refers to the collection of tools, policies, risk management 
17 
approaches, 
actions, 
training, 
best 
practices, 
assurance 
and 
18 
technologies that can be used to protect the cyber environment and 
19 
organization and user’s assets; 
20 
 
21 
(b) Cyber warfare refers to the use of technology to launch attacks on 
22 
nations, governments and citizens, causing comparable harm to actual 
23 
warfare using weaponry; 
24 
 
25 
(c) Emerging infectious diseases refer to newly identified diseases and  
26 
previously unknown infections that have not occurred in humans before 
27 
due to mutant or resistant strains of a causative organism which cause 
28 
public health problems either locally or internationally; 
29 
 
30 
(d) Health security refers to the activity required, both proactive and 
31 
reactive, to minimize the danger and impact of acute public health 
32 
events that endanger people’s health; 
33 
 
34 
(e) Health security interface refers to public health activities the 
35 
performance of which involves the security sector such as during 
36 
outbreak response operations in times of conflicts and wars, events 
37 
involving the intentional use of chemical or biological agents to cause 
38 
harm, issues related to mass gatherings like major sporting events, 
39 
festivals, and regular religious migrations; and activities that may arise 
40 
in the course of a natural disease outbreak; 
41 
 
42 
(f) International health regulations (IHR) refer to legally binding instruments 
43 
of international law that set standards and protocols to be observed by 
44 
states in order to prevent the spread of diseases and other health risks, 
45 
save lives, protect livelihoods and avoid the unnecessary curtailment of 
46 
international trade and travel; 
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1 
(g) National action plan for health security (NAPHS) refers to a country-
2 
owned, 
multi-year 
planning 
process 
that 
can 
accelerate 
the 
3 
implementation of IHR core capacities and is based   on one health and 
4 
whole-of-government approach for all hazards. It captures national 
5 
priorities for health security, brings sectors together, identifies partners, 
6 
and allocates resources for  health security capacity development. The 
7 
NAPHS also provides an overarching process to capture all ongoing 
8 
preparedness initiatives in a country along with a country’s governance 
9 
mechanism for emergency and disaster risk management; 
10 
 
11 
(h) One-health refers to an approach or design in implementing programs, 
12 
policies, legislation,  and research in which multiple sectors 
13 
communicate and work together to achieve better public health 
14 
outcomes. The areas of work in which a one-health approach is 
15 
particularly relevant include food safety, the control of zoonoses, and 
16 
combatting antibiotic resistance; 
17 
 
18 
(i) Pandemic refers to a widespread occurrence of an infectious disease 
19 
across international boundaries that is usually affecting a very large 
20 
number of people; 
21 
 
22 
(j) Public health emergency refers to an occurrence or imminent threat of 
23 
an illness or health condition that: 
24 
 
25 
(1) Is caused by any of the following: 
26 
 
27 
(i) Bio terrorism; 
28 
 
29 
(ii) Appearance of a novel or previously controlled or eradicated 
30 
infectious agent or biological toxin; 
31 
 
32 
(iii) A natural disaster; 
33 
 
34 
(iv) A nuclear attack or accident; or 
35 
 
36 
(v) An attack or accidental release of harmful chemicals or 
37 
radioactive materials; and 
38 
 
39 
(2) Poses a high probability of any of the following: 
40 
 
41 
(i) A large number of deaths in the affected population; 
42 
 
43 
(ii) A large number of serious injuries or long-term disabilities in 
44 
the affected population; 
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5
(iii) Widespread exposure to an infectious or toxic agent that poses 
1 
a significant risk     of substantial harm to a large number of 
2 
people in the affected population; 
3 
 
4 
(iv) International exposure to an infectious or toxic agent that 
5 
poses a significant risk    to the health of citizens of other 
6 
countries; or 
7 
 
8 
(v) Trade and travel restrictions; 
9 
 
10 
(k) Public health risk refers to an event: 
11 
 
12 
(a) That might adversely affect the health of human populations; 
13 
and 
14 
 
15 
(b) That satisfies any one or more of the following conditions where 
16 
the health effects of the event might:  
17 
 
18 
(i) spread within the Philippines; 
19 
 
20 
(ii) spread between the Philippines and another country; 
21 
 
22 
(iii) spread between two (2) other countries; or, 
23 
 
24 
(iv) present a serious and direct danger to public health; 
25 
 
26 
(l) Re-emerging infectious diseases refer to diseases which are known and 
27 
have occurred previously but affected only small numbers of people in 
28 
isolated areas or were once major health problems but have fallen to 
29 
levels so low that they were no longer considered a public health 
30 
problem. Re-emerging infectious diseases often reappear in epidemic 
31 
proportions; and, 
32 
 
33 
(m) Zoonoses refer to infectious diseases caused by an infectious agent, 
34 
such as a bacterium, virus, parasite, or prion that has transferred from 
35 
an animal to a human. 
36 
 
37 
SEC. 4.  National Action Plan. – There shall be established a Philippine 
38 
Health Security  National Action Plan (PHSNAP) to strengthen the country’s 
39 
institutional capacity to implement disease prevention, surveillance, control, 
40 
response systems and contingency plans to deal with public health  events and 
41 
emergencies, including deliberate release of biological or chemical agents 
42 
intended to harm civilian populations or attack to the health care delivery 
43 
system. 
44 
 
45 
CHAPTER II 
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6
PHILIPPINE HEALTH SECURITY COUNCIL 
1 
 
2 
SEC. 5. Creation. – There is hereby created the Philippine Health Security 
3 
Council (PHSC), which shall be an inter-agency body administratively attached 
4 
to the Department of Health (DOH) and tasked to formulate and update the 
5 
PHSNAP. It shall review all existing national programs, plans, and activities 
6 
pertinent to health security and public emergency, identify and prioritize 
7 
activities, and implement evidence-based actions for sustainable capacity 
8 
development to improve IHR capacities in health systems for health security. 
9 
 
10 
SEC. 6. Powers and Functions. – The PHSC shall have the following 
11 
powers and functions: 
12 
 
13 
(a) Formulate and operationalize the PHSNAP in collaboration with relevant 
14 
government agencies, civil society organizations (CSOs), and other 
15 
stakeholders; 
16 
 
17 
(b) Establish partnerships with foreign and international organizations that 
18 
enable the generation and exchange of vital information through 
19 
collaborative activities in research, data collection, and the provision of 
20 
essential services; 
21 
 
22 
(c) Prepare the policies and guidelines for the effective and efficient 
23 
implementation of the PHSNAP; 
24 
 
25 
(d) Institute efficient mechanisms to ensure the security of medical devices 
26 
and hospital networks  and prevent cyber-related breaches that may affect 
27 
the operation of medical devices and compromise the integrity of health-
28 
related information;  
29 
 
30 
(e) Ensure adherence by national government to the Philippines’ commitment 
31 
to the IHR 2005   of the WHO and take appropriate actions based on the 
32 
IHR Joint External Evaluation recommendations and the present situation 
33 
of the country; 
34 
 
35 
(f) Authorize concerned agencies to purchase, store, or distribute anti-toxins, 
36 
serums, 
vaccines, 
immunizing 
agents, 
antibiotics, 
and 
other 
37 
pharmaceutical agents or medical supplies and devices considered 
38 
advisable in the interest of preparing for or controlling a public health 
39 
emergency, with the right to take immediate possession thereof; 
40 
 
41 
(g) Monitor, assess, and evaluate the implementation of the PHSNAP; 
42 
 
43 
(h) Source funds for the PHSNAP; 
44 
 
45 
(i) Accept donations, whether from local or foreign sources, and ensure that 
46 
funded programs are aligned to the national response; 
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(j) Recommend to Congress the enactment of policies vital to the maintenance 
1 
of health security and ensure that all executive policy issuances are 
2 
aligned with the PHSNAP; 
3 
 
4 
(k) Assist Local Government Units (LGUs) in the formulation of their 
5 
respective Health Security Local Action Plans (HSLAP) in accordance with 
6 
Chapter III hereof;  
7 
 
8 
(l) Facilitate and support health security initiatives and activities of the 
9 
LGUs; and 
10 
 
11 
(m) 
Submit an annual report to the Office of the President and the 
12 
Congress. 
13 
 
14 
The member agencies of the PHSC under Section 7 of this Act shall 
15 
formulate and implement  their respective action plans pursuant to the PHSNAP.  
16 
 
17 
The Chairperson of the PHSC may call upon any government office or 
18 
instrumentality, including government-owned or -controlled corporations, 
19 
government financial institutions, LGUs, nongovernment organizations, and the 
20 
private sector for assistance during public health emergencies or as the 
21 
circumstances may require. 
22 
 
23 
The Chairperson of the PHSC may recommend to the President the 
24 
enlistment of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to supplement the Philippine 
25 
National Police and other law enforcement  agencies for the purpose of enforcing 
26 
the quarantine of specific areas or facilitating the transport of emerging 
27 
infectious disease patients, and for such other purposes for the effective 
28 
implementation of this Act. 
29 
 
30 
SEC. 7. Membership and Composition. – The PHSC shall be composed 
31 
of the following: 
32 
 
33 
(a) Secretary of Health; 
34 
 
35 
(b) Secretary of National Defense; 
36 
 
37 
(c) Executive Secretary; 
38 
 
39 
(d) National Security Advisor; 
40 
 
41 
(e) Secretary of Foreign Affairs; 
42 
 
43 
(f) Secretary of Interior and Local Government; 
44 
 
45 
(g) Secretary of Justice; 
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1 
(h) Secretary of Budget and Management; 
2 
 
3 
(i) Secretary of Trade and Industry; 
4 
 
5 
(j) Secretary of Agriculture; 
6 
 
7 
(k) Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources; 
8 
 
9 
(l) Secretary of Tourism; 
10 
 
11 
(m) 
Secretary of Transportation; 
12 
 
13 
(n) Secretary of Information and Communications Technology; 
14 
 
15 
(o) Secretary of Labor and Employment; 
16 
 
17 
(p) Secretary of Science and Technology; 
18 
 
19 
(q) Secretary of Public Works and Highways; 
20 
 
21 
(r) Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education; 
22 
 
23 
(s) Secretary of Education; 
24 
 
25 
(t) Secretary of Agrarian Reform; 
26 
 
27 
(u) Director General of National Economic and Development Authority; 
28 
 
29 
(v) Secretary of the Presidential Communications Operations Service; 
30 
 
31 
(w) Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines; 
32 
 
33 
(x) Chief of the Philippine National Police; 
34 
 
35 
(y) Director of the National Bureau of Investigation; 
36 
 
37 
(z) Director General of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency; 
38 
 
39 
(aa) 
    Director General of the Technical Education and Skills 
40 
Development Authority; 
41 
 
42 
(bb) Chairperson of the Civil Service Commission; 
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(cc)     Commissioner of the Bureau of Customs; 
1 
 
2 
(dd) Director General of the Philippine Information Agency; 
3 
 
4 
(ee)     Executive Director of the Philippine Council for Health Research 
5 
and Development; 
6 
 
7 
(ff)     President of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation;  
8 
 
9 
(gg) Director General of the Food and Drug Administration; 
10 
 
11 
(hh) Director of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine; 
12 
 
13 
(ii) 
President of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines; 
14 
 
15 
(jj) 
President of the League of Provinces of the Philippines;  
16 
 
17 
(kk) President of the League of Cities of the Philippines;  
18 
 
19 
(ll) 
President of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines;  
20 
 
21 
(mm) President of the Liga ng mga Barangay;  
22 
 
23 
(nn) President of the Government Service Insurance System;  
24 
 
25 
(oo) President of the Social Security System;  
26 
 
27 
(pp) Chairperson of the National Anti-Poverty Commission;  
28 
 
29 
(qq) Chairperson of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating 
30 
Council;  
31 
 
32 
(rr) Chairperson of the National Commission of Senior Citizens;  
33 
 
34 
(ss) Chairperson of the National Council on Disability Affairs;  
35 
 
36 
(tt) Chairperson of the Philippine Commission on Women; 
37 
 
38 
(uu) Presidential Adviser for Religious Affairs;  
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10
 
1 
(vv) Secretary General of the Philippine Red Cross; 
2 
 
3 
(ww) Four (4) representatives from the CSOs;  
4 
 
5 
(xx) Four (4) representatives from the private sector;  
6 
 
7 
(yy) Four (4) representatives from the health sector; and 
8 
 
9 
(zz) Four (4) representatives from the academe. 
10 
 
11 
The Secretary of Health shall be the permanent Chairperson of the PHSC 
12 
and the Secretary of                 National Defense its Co-Chairperson.  
13 
 
14 
The PHSC, upon the vote of 2/3 of all members present comprising a 
15 
quorum, shall be allowed to include additional members as it may deem 
16 
necessary. 
17 
 
18 
The President shall, upon the recommendation of the PHSC, appoint the 
19 
representatives of the CSOs and private sector based on a short list to be 
20 
provided by the members, in accordance with the criteria and mechanism to be 
21 
established by the PHSC. They shall serve for a term of three (3) years, renewable 
22 
upon the recommendation of the PHSC for a maximum of two (2) consecutive 
23 
terms. 
24 
 
25 
The Secretary of the member agencies shall designate a permanent 
26 
alternate member to the PHSC,      preferably an Undersecretary who is a certified 
27 
career service officer. 
28 
 
29 
The PHSC may invite the Administrator of the Supreme Court, the 
30 
Chairperson of the Committee on Health and Demography of the Senate of the 
31 
Philippines and the Chairperson of the Committee on Health of the House of 
32 
Representatives to its meetings. 
33 
 
34 
The PHSC shall convene not later than thirty (30) days after the date of the 
35 
enactment of this Act. It shall meet at least once every quarter on dates and in 
36 
places it shall determine. The Chairperson of the PHSC may call for a special 
37 
meeting as the need arises. The PHSC shall formulate internal rules to govern 
38 
the conduct of  its meetings.  
39 
 
40 
SEC. 8. Secretariat. – The Health Emergency Management Bureau 
41 
(HEMB) of the DOH shall serve as the Secretariat of the PHSC and perform the 
42 
following functions: 
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1 
(a) Coordinate and manage the day-to-day affairs of the PHSC; 
2 
 
3 
(b) Assist in the formulation, monitoring, and evaluation of the policies to 
4 
the PHSNAP; 
5 
 
6 
(c) Provide technical assistance, support, and advisory services to the 
7 
PHSC and its external partners; 
8 
 
9 
(d) Assist the PHSC in identifying and building internal and external 
10 
networks and partnerships; 
11 
 
12 
(e) Coordinate and support the efforts of the PHSC and its members to 
13 
mobilize resources; 
14 
 
15 
(f) Serve as repository of health security information; 
16 
 
17 
(g) Disseminate 
updated, 
accurate, 
relevant, 
and 
comprehensive 
18 
information about the country’s health security situation to PHSC 
19 
members, policy makers, and the media; and 
20 
 
21 
(h) Provide administrative support to the PHSC. 
22 
 
23 
The Secretary of Health, as Chairperson of the PHSC, may assign other 
24 
staff from the DOH to assist the HEMB in the performance of its functions as 
25 
Secretariat of the PHSC. 
26 
 
27 
CHAPTER III 
28 
HEALTH SECURITY AT THE REGIONAL AND LOCAL LEVEL 
29 
 
30 
SEC. 9. Health Security Management and Organization at the 
31 
Regional Level. – There shall be established a Regional Health Security Council 
32 
(RHSC) in every administrative region of the country which shall be responsible 
33 
in the development and implementation of the Health Security Regional Action 
34 
Plan.    
35 
 
36 
The RHSC shall establish an operating facility to be known as the Regional 
37 
Health Security Management Operations Center whenever necessary.  
38 
 
39 
The Regional Directors of the DOH shall serve as Chairpersons of the 
40 
RHSC. Its Vice Chairpersons shall be elected by the members. In the case of the 
41 
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the Chief 
42 
Minister shall be the RHSC Chairperson. The existing regional offices of the DOH 
43 
shall serve as secretariat of the RHSCs. The RHSCs shall be composed of the 
44 
executives of the regional offices and field stations at the regional level of the 
45 
government agencies and concerned institutions and authorities including 
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12
representatives from the CSOs, private sector, the academe, and the health 
1 
sector. 
2 
 
3 
SEC. 10. Organization at the Local Level. – Provincial, City, and 
4 
Municipal Health Security Councils shall be established. The Local Health 
5 
Security Council shall be composed of the Local Health Emergency Response 
6 
Team and concerned institutions and authorities, including representatives from 
7 
the CSOs, private sector, the academe, and the health sector.  
8 
 
9 
(a) Composition. The local health security councils shall be composed of 
10 
the following members: 
11 
      
12 
(1) Local Chief Executive, as chairperson; 
13 
 
14 
(2) Highest ranking officer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines assigned 
15 
in the province, city, municipality, or barangay, respectively; 
16 
 
17 
(3) Head of the Local Health Office; 
18 
 
19 
(4) Local Planning and Development Officer; 
20 
 
21 
(5) Head of the local Social Welfare and Development Office; 
22 
 
23 
(6) Head of the local Agriculture Office; 
24 
 
25 
(7) Head of the local Veterinary Office; 
26 
 
27 
(8) Head of the local Engineering Office; 
28 
 
29 
(9) Head of the local Budget Office; 
30 
 
31 
(10) Head of the Business Permit and Licensing Office; 
32 
 
33 
(11) Head of the Transportation Office; 
34 
 
35 
(12) Head of the Communication Affairs Office; 
36 
 
37 
(13) Head of the local Community Relations Department; 
38 
 
39 
(14) Head of General Services Department; 
40 
 
41 
(15) Head of Cultural and Tourism Affairs Office; 
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13
 
1 
(16) Head of Office of the Building Official; 
2 
 
3 
(17) Head of Public Order and Safety Office;  
4 
 
5 
(18) Head of Environmental Protection and Waste Management Office; 
6 
 
7 
(19) Head of the Housing and Community Development and Resettlement 
8 
Office;  
9 
 
10 
(20) Division or Superintendent of Schools of the DepEd, respectively; 
11 
 
12 
(21) Provincial Director/City/Municipal chief of the Philippine National 
13 
Police; 
14 
 
15 
(22) President of the Association of Barangay Captains; 
16 
 
17 
(23) Philippine National Red Cross; 
18 
 
19 
(24) Four (4) accredited CSOs; 
20 
 
21 
(25) Four (4) private sector representatives; 
22 
 
23 
(26) Four (4) representatives from the academe; and,  
24 
 
25 
(27) Four (4) representatives from health community. 
26 
 
27 
(b) The local health security councils shall have the following functions: 
28 
 
29 
(1) Develop, operationalize, and implement their respective HSLAP in 
30 
accordance with the PHSNAP and the provisions of this Act;  
31 
 
32 
(2) Localize public health emergency preparedness and ensure efficient 
33 
local response to assess, monitor, contain, control, and prevent the 
34 
spread of any potential epidemic or public health risks; 
35 
 
36 
(3) Support the health security initiatives of the national government; 
37 
 
38 
(4) Pass timely and relevant ordinances that will strengthen the provision 
39 
of health security; and 
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14
 
1 
(5) Convene the local health security council once every three (3) months 
2 
or as necessary. 
3 
 
4 
SEC. 11. Local Government Support and Cooperation. – During a state 
5 
of public health emergency, local government officials are hereby mandated to 
6 
provide all the necessary support and cooperation to the national government in 
7 
accordance with Section 105 of Republic Act No. 7160, or the Local Government 
8 
Code. 
9 
 
10 
The refusal of local government officials to provide support and 
11 
cooperation during public health emergencies shall constitute an offense and 
12 
shall be dealt with disciplinary action as provided for in the Local Government 
13 
Code. 
14 
 
15 
CHAPTER IV 
16 
PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY 
17 
 
18 
SEC. 12. Declaration of State of Public Health Emergency. – The 
19 
President, upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Health, may declare a 
20 
State of Public Health Emergency. The basis for such a declaration shall be made 
21 
public by the PHSC through the mass media and a written report   shall be 
22 
submitted to both Houses of Congress. 
23 
The State of Public Health Emergency shall last for a period of sixty (60) 
24 
days, unless extended   or terminated earlier by the Council. 
25 
During the State of Public Health Emergency, the PHSC may exercise, in 
26 
coordination with national government agencies, local governments, and other 
27 
organizations responsible for the implementation of the PHSNAP, the following 
28 
powers:  
29 
(a) To direct and compel the evacuation of, or to decontaminate or cause 
30 
to be decontaminated, or to close any facility of which there is reasonable 
31 
cause to believe that it may endanger the public health;  
32 
 
33 
(b) To require privately-owned health care facilities to provide services or 
34 
to allow the use of their facilities within reasonable and necessary grounds 
35 
for emergency response to a public health emergency; and, 
36 
 
37 
(c) To control, restrict and regulate the use and rationing of 
38 
pharmaceutical agents and/or  medical supplies and equipment it 
39 
considers essential during a public health emergency. 
40 
 
41 
CHAPTER V  
42 
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 
43 
 
44 
SEC. 13. Creation of Health Security Advisory Group. –  A Health 
45 
Security Advisory Group (HSAG) shall be established as an advisory body to the 
46 


 
 
 
15
PHSC and the President of the Philippines on matters of health security. The 
1 
HSAG shall consist of former health secretaries, public health specialists, 
2 
Filipino scientists and scholars, and other health professionals and experts that 
3 
the PHSC may deem necessary. All members who shall be appointed to the HSAG 
4 
must be of good moral character and of recognized probity and independence, 
5 
and have no pending case or criminal and administrative record. 
6 
SEC. 14. Appropriations. – The amount necessary to carry out the 
7 
provisions of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations 
8 
Act. 
9 
 
10 
SEC. 15. Annual Report. – The PHSC, through its Chairperson, shall 
11 
submit an annual report to the Office of the President, the Senate, and the House 
12 
of Representatives, within the first quarter of the succeeding year. 
13 
 
14 
SEC. 16. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The Secretary of 
15 
Health shall, in consultation with the members of the PHSC, issue the necessary 
16 
rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act within ninety 
17 
(90) days from its effectivity.  
18 
 
19 
SEC. 17. Congressional Oversight Committee. – There is hereby created 
20 
a Congressional Oversight Committee which shall monitor and review the proper 
21 
implementation of this Act composed    of five (5) members from the Senate of 
22 
the Philippines and five (5) members from the House of Representatives with the 
23 
Chairpersons of the Committees on Health of both the Senate and the House of 
24 
Representatives as joint Chairpersons of this Committee. The four (4) other 
25 
members from each Chamber are to be designated by the Senate President and 
26 
the Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively. The minority shall be 
27 
entitled to proportional representation but shall have at least one (1) 
28 
representative from each Chamber. 
29 
 
30 
SEC. 18. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, orders, issuances and 
31 
rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act 
32 
are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
33 
 
34 
SEC. 19. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act shall be held 
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unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not otherwise affected shall 
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remain in full force and effect. 
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SEC. 20. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
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Approved,