Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNo.__ 6871

Introduced by Representative Luisa Lloren Cuaresma

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to establish an infectious disease hospital and research
center with quarantine facilities in every region around the country.

The outbreak of the pandemic disease caused by the severe acute
respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) or COVID-19, has affected
many countries globally.

On March 9, 2020, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte declared a state of
public health emergency, as the first case of local transmission has been
recorded and cases of individuals with confirmed COVID-19 continue to
increase day by day. COVID-19 has so far infected more than four million
people worldwide and killed more than three hundred thousand individuals. In
the Philippines as of May 21, 2020, there are more than thirteen thousand
confirmed cases of COVID-19, and more than eight hundred have died from the
disease. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a tremendous public health
crisis.

The sudden rise of COVID-19 cases, as well as the response of the
government to the threat of COVID-19, exposed the lack of preparedness and

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incapacity of our public health care system to effectively prevent and control
epidemics and highly infectious diseases.

At present, the number of hospitals in the Philippines are not sufficient or
inadequate to accommodate all COVID-19 patients. Both private and public
hospitals are taking the initiative of establishing makeshift clinics where
infected patients may be admitted and treated. However, there is no contingency
plan in case the number of infected patients increased beyond the capacity of
these makeshift clinics.

This pandemic taught us the importance of a dedicated hospital and
research center catering to the treatment, prevention, control, and study of
existing and emerging highly infectious diseases to prepare us for the next
deadly outbreak.

The establishment of the Infectious Disease Hospital and Research Center
with quarantine facilities in every region will enable the country to be better
equipped and ready in times of disease outbreak or pandemic. It will also
provide a faster and systematic response during the health crisis, and lessen the
cases of hospitalization and death.

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

a Sein Lecacwme
ISA LLOREN CUARESMA



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Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No._ 6871

Introduced by Representative Luisa Lloren Cuaresma

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING AN INFECTIOUS DISEASE HOSPITAL AND
RESEARCH CENTER WITH QUARANTINE FACILITIES IN EVERY
REGION IN THE COUNTRY

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 “Infectious
Disease Hospital and Research Center Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to improve
the delivery of health care services, protect the public from health threats, and
prevent the spread of highly contagious diseases. Towards this end, there is a
need to establish an infectious disease hospital and research center with
quarantine facilities in every region in the country that specializes in the
treatment of infectious, contagious, and communicable diseases to protect and

promote the health and well-being of the Filipino people.



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SEC. 3. Infectious Disease Hospital and Research Center. — An
Infectious Disease Hospital and Research Center (IDHRC), under the
supervision and control of the Department of Health, is hereby established in
every region in the country. The IDHRC shall be the principal facility
responsible for the treatment, control, and prevention of highly communicable
diseases in the region. It shall specialize in the research into and treatment of
emerging infectious diseases and pandemic outbreaks in the country.

The IDHRC shall have quarantine facilities to prevent the spread of
emerging or re-emerging infectious diseases in accordance with the
international standards and guidelines set by the World Health Organization.
The quarantine facilities must be supplied with the necessary equipment and
provisions to address the needs of individuals who may be isolated or
quarantined for a long period of time, such as adequate food, clothing, means of

SEC. 4. Functions. — The IDHRC shall exercise the following functions:

(a) Undertake research activities on the diagnosis, control, and
prevention of infectious diseases that are the primary causes of mortality and
morbidity in the country;

(b) Conduct clinical trials to understand and control infectious
diseases:

(c) Conduct regular training courses for medical and paramedical

personnel in the control of common infectious diseases in the country;


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(@) Provide high-quality tertiary care for both in-patients and out-
patients suffering from infectious diseases included within the scope of the
functions of the research center;

(ec) Participate in the technical cooperation program with other
research institutes in research activities on the diagnosis, control, and prevention
of infectious diseases;

(f) Accept grants and donation of funds, equipment, materials, and
services needed for the development of the IDHRC;

(g) _ Establish procedures for systematic searching, collecting, collating,
and analyzing information and data to identify emerging health threats in the
country;

(h) Provide information, expertise, advice, and risk assessment to local
government units in the control and prevention of infectious diseases;

(i) Formulate an early warning and response system to make available
information for the general public;

(j) Promote and initiate scientific studies necessary for the prevention
and control of infectious diseases;

(k) Ensure that the techniques in the research involving infectious
diseases are clearly consistent with the standards established under the
applicable law;

(1) Conduct surveillance and clinical researches on important

pathogens, including bacteria, mycobacteria, fungi, and viruses;


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(m) Establish a mechanism for the dissemination and utilization of
research on infectious diseases;

(n) Serve as the primary repository of all data for researches on
infectious diseases; and

(0) Perform such other related activities as may be assigned by the
Secretary of Health.

SEC. 5. Administration. — Every IDHRC shall be headed by a director
who shall be appointed by the Secretary of Health. The director shall
administer, direct, coordinate, and control the affairs of IDHRC. The director
shall receive compensation based on existing laws and shall enjoy the rank and
privileges of a director in a government hospital. The Secretary of Health shall
appoint two (2) assistant directors to help the director in the management and
administration of the IDHRC.

To be eligible for appointment, the director and assistant directors, must
possess the technical expertise, academic background and appropriate work
experience necessary for the position.

SEC. 6. Powers and Functions. — The director shall have the following
powers and functions:

(a) Exercise over-all supervision on the implementation of all the
activities, operation, development programs, and researches of the IDHRC;

(b) Certify to the existence of an epidemic which must be treated as a

public health emergency;


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(c) Coordinate with other government agencies, international
organization, academic institutions, and learning institute and other pertinent
groups in the conduct of activities relating to disease prevention and control;

(d) Execute contracts, incur obligations, acquire and dispose of assets
and deliver documents on behalf of the IDHRC;

(ce) Approve the organizational structure, staffing patterns, operating
and capital expenditures of the IDHRC;

(f) Recommend the appointment of officers and employees on the
basis of the highest possible standards of merit and fitness for public servants
subject to the civil service laws, rules and regulations;

(g) Implement and enforce policies, decisions, orders, rules and
regulations issued by the Department of Health; and

(h) Exercise such other powers and functions and perform such other
duties as may be authorized, delegated, or assigned by the Secretary of Health.

SEC. 7. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the implementation
of this Act shall be charged against the current appropriations of the Department
of Health. Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary for the continued
operation and maintenance of the IDHRC shall be included in the annual
General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90)
days from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Health shall issue the

necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.


SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. — All law, decrees, orders, rules and
regulations and other issuance, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.

SEC. 10. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,