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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO. +7243

Introduced by HON. JUMEL ANTHONY I. ESPINO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Epidemic can overwhelm a hospital’s capacity to deliver health care services. Hospital
systems are designed for average patient loads and not for epidemics. We are experiencing and
witnessing our health care system stretched beyond their capacity. And when containment fails,
the exponential growth of infectious cases can transform a public health emergency into an
operational crisis and disaster

This is why, local government units should be preparing as first responders and establish
localized centers for disease control and preventive health facilities in their community within
twenty-four (24) hours from the time an infectious disease outbreak is declared as a public health
emergency by the Department of Health. These would provide health system support to medical
hospitals and remove bottlenecks in providing critical care.

Given the importance of this bill, its immediate consideration is hereby sought.

2” District, Pangasinan


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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSEBILLNO.__-__7243
Introduced by HON. JUMEL ANTHONY I. ESPINO

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING LOCAL CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTIVE
HEALTH FACILITIES IN EVERY LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT IN THE
PHILIPPINES WITHIN TWENTY-FOUR HOURS FROM THE TIME AN
INFECTIOUS DISEASE OUTBREAK IS DECLARED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH.

Be enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled.

SECTION 1. There is hereby established Local Centers For Disease Control and Preventive
Health Facilities in every Local Government Unit in the Philippines within twenty-four (24)
hours from the time an infectious disease outbreak is publicly declared by the Department of
Health,

SECTION 2. These localized centers shall undertake the following efforts and activities :

a.) Closely collaborate with the Department of Health and local hospitals in case of
detection, isolation and treatment;

b.) Mobilize multi-disciplinary effort among health professionals in the community:
physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, hysical therapists, environmental services
personnel, barangay health workers, midwives, nutritionists and dieticians and other
support staff;

c.) Maintain quarantine facilities in the community for suspected and under monitoring
cases;

4.) Implement quarantine protocols and other pre-cautionary measures in the community;

¢.) Undertake real-time testing for diagnosis;

f.) Provide diagnostic care;

g,) Issue health declarations, travel restrictions and certifications to community members;


h.) Message health advisories to the community.

SECTION 3. The Secretary of Health shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for the
effective implementation of this Act.

SECTION 4. The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be charged against
the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund of the Local Government Unit.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect after completion of its publication in the Official Gazette
or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation,

Approved.