EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE 
S. No. 1 442
art-
Senate
of tljf SfrtiTtni’p
20 APR 27 rA10 *44
Introduced by Senator PIA S. CAYETANO
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF ADDITIONAL 
QUARANTINE STATIONS, GROUNDS AND ANCHORAGES IN ALL STRATEGIC 
AREAS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the need for proper health infrastructure to 
manage and prevent the spread of diseases. Quarantine facilities serve as a control 
measure to curb the spread of contagious diseases like the Severe Acute Respiratory 
Syndrome (SARS), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV), and COVID-19. To 
quarantine means the separation of people who have been exposed to an illness, usually 
an infection, but are not ill or have not yet shown any sign of the illness. The movements 
and interaction of these people are restricted during the quarantine period which is 
equivalent to the incubation period of the disease. Those who get ill during the quarantine 
period are immediately isolated.1
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the country had eighteen (18) provincial 
quarantine stations.2 This number is woefully inadequate to cover the many points of 
entry in the country. The establishment of quarantine facilities to house COVID-19 
patients may help boost this number, but they need to be strategically located and have 
the necessary equipment that is not only specific to COVID-19.
1 Section 6, Implementing Rules and Regulations of Quarantine Act of 2004 (Republic Act No. 9271).
2 Provincial Quarantine Stations, (n.d.). Retrieved April 25, 2020, from https://quarantine.doh.gov.ph/bureau- 
q u a ra ntine-stations/.


Upon the instructions of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, the government mobilized 
a team to put up 2,780 temporary quarantine facilities across the country as of 17 April 
2020, in anticipation of more than 167,000 patients.3 However, these are temporary in 
nature, thus the need for this measure.
Under Section 6 of the Quarantine Act of 2004, the Director of the Bureau of 
Quarantine has the authority to establish additional quarantine stations, grounds and 
anchorages if, in his judgment, these are necessary to prevent the introduction of 
diseases of international concern to the country. However, this authority may be limited 
due to the Bureau of Quarantine's budgetary constraints.
Through the initiative of Representative Angelina "Helen" Tan, M.D. with a similar 
bill in the House of Representatives, this measure seeks to preempt the spread of 
communicable diseases that pose a significant threat to public health by establishing 
additional quarantine facilities under the Department of Health.
In view thereof, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly sought.
PIA S. CAYOTANO
3 News, ABS-CBN. {2020, April 17). PH now has 2,780 quarantine facilities for suspected, 'mild' cases of COVID- 
19. Retrieved April 26, 2020, from https://news.abs-cbn.eom/news/04/17/20/ph-now-has-2780-quarantine- 
facilities-for-suspected-mild-cases-of-covid-19.


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
Ml
of tlje B>ecrctm-p
SENATE
S. No. 1442
RECEIVED B
Introduced by Senator PIA S. CAYETANO
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF ADDITIONAL 
QUARANTINE STATIONS, GROUNDS AND ANCHORAGES IN ALL STRATEGIC 
AREAS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Establishment of Additional Quarantine Stations, Grounds and
2 
Anchorages. - There shall be established pursuant to Section 6 of Republic Act No. 9271,
3 
otherwise known as the " Quarantine Act of2004', additional quarantine stations, grounds
4 
and anchorages in all strategic areas throughout the country.
5 
Sec. 2. Additional Quarantine Stations, Grounds and Anchorages under the
6 
Department of Health. - The Secretary of Health shall include in the Department's
7 
programs the establishment of additional quarantine stations, grounds and anchorages,
8 
including the expansion of existing quarantine facilities.
9 
Sec. 3. Coordination Measures. -The Secretary of Health shall establish adequate,
10 
effective, responsive and enabling mechanisms and support systems that shall strengthen
11 
the coordination of relevant agencies of government and the private sector to ensure the
12 
safety of persons under investigation, health workers, and the community.
13 
Sec. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary of Health, in
14 
consultation with appropriate government agencies, shall promulgate the necessary rules
15 
and regulations for the implementation of this Act within sixty (60) days from its
16 
effectivity.
1


1 
Sec. 5. Repealing Cause. - All other laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations,
2 
other issuances, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
3 
repealed or modified accordingly.
4 
Sec. 6. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
5 
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation,
Approved,