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Republic of the Philippines ‘S RECEIVED ©
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Ss « ray
Quezon City, Metro Manila fre PATE: MAY 19 a i
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EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS “4
First Regular Session
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House to. _678

Introduced by Honorable Joaquin M. Chipeco, Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The onslaught of the Covid-19 pandemic has caught the Philippine health
authorities ill-prepared. Soon realizing that the hospitals are being overwhelmed with
no adequate and suitable quarantine facilities to isolate infectious cases from the
yopulation, there have been frenetic but haphazard construction of
s throughout the country. This has however compromised not only
the convenience but also the safety of patients as well as of our health workers.

It is against this backdrop that this measure is being filed - to launch the
systematic construction of quarantine facilities in every region of the country. Even as
the current contagion is still a long way off from ceasing, there is absolutely no
assurance as to when the next epidemic, if ever, would occur. On the other hand, any
stoppage of Covid-19 should always guard against any “second wave” thereof or its re-
emergence in various forms. Finally, it goes without saying that adequate quarantine
facilities is companion to adequate testing facilities in combating aggressive forms of
contagious diseases.

In view of the foregoing reasons, the urgent passage of this bill is earnestly

sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

Introduced by Honorable Joaquin M. Chipeco, Jr.

6760

House Bill No.

AN ACT REQUIRING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF QUARANTINE FACILITIES IN EVERY
REGION IN THE COUNNTRY, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND 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 of 2020.”

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 national 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 Department
of 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 easily accessible to a DoH hospital and shall be strategically
located to ensure the safety of the community.

The DPWH, in coordination with the 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 of 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, DILG, and DENR, in consultation with the relevant
stakeholders, shall issue the implementing rules and regulations of this Act.

Sec. 7. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act is held
unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions thereof which are not affected shall
continue to remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws inconsistent with this law are hereby
repealed. All other laws, decrees executive order, rules and regulations, or parts or
provisions thereof which are not affected shall continue to remain in full force and
effect.

Sec. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following
completion of its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,