Creating The Inter-Agency Task Force For The Management Of Emerging Infectious Diseases In The Philippines

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Executive Order No. 168

Creation and Composition of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (EID) in the Philippines (Section 1):
- Chaired by the Department of Health (DOH).
- Members include Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Tourism (DOT), and Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).
- The Task Force can call upon any government agency, GOCC, GFI, LGU, NGO, or private sector for assistance.
- The DOH Secretary can recommend enlisting the Armed Forces of the Philippines for enforcing quarantine, transporting EID patients, and other purposes.
- Member agency representatives must have a rank not lower than Assistant Secretary.

Functions of the Task Force (Section 2):
- Identify, screen, and assist Filipinos suspected or confirmed with EID. (Section 2a)
- Prevent and minimize the entry of suspected or confirmed EID patients into the country through screening, identification, surveillance, alert, and quarantine systems at ports of entry. (Section 2b)
- Prevent and minimize local spread of EID through screening, contact tracing, identifying exposure modes, and implementing quarantine and isolation procedures. (Section 2c)
- Prevent and minimize mortality through effective clinical management by capacitating healthcare facilities, medical practitioners, healthcare workers, and public safety enforcers. (Section 2d)
- Educate the public on EID prevention, control, and management, promote positive health behaviors, and address public fear and anxiety through a nationwide EID awareness campaign. (Section 2e)
- Adopt measures to strengthen the DOH's Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases Program or its equivalent in other local health units. (Section 2f)
- Notify the WHO of EID cases in the country and assessment of the EID situation. (Section 2g)
- Submit regular status reports to the Office of the President on monitoring of EID. (Section 2h)
- Formulate, develop, implement, and oversee the EID Preparedness Manual for prevention and control of EID. (Section 2i)
- Perform other functions and activities necessary to carry out the provisions of this Order or as directed by the President. (Section 2j)

Development of EID Preparedness Manual (Section 3):
- A comprehensive and sustainable EID Preparedness Manual shall be formulated and developed.
- The manual shall include but not be limited to:
- Quarantine and immediate containment of EID within ports of entry. (Section 3a)
- Epidemiological investigation and contact tracing. (Section 3b)
- Treatment of infected cases and containment of affected areas. (Section 3c)
- Formulation of a risk communication plan and EID materials for the general public. (Section 3d)
- Respective responsibilities of government agencies/instrumentalities. (Section 3e)

Funding (Section 4):
- Member agencies are authorized to charge against their current appropriations for implementation.
- Subsequent funding requirements shall be incorporated in the annual budget proposals through the General Appropriations Act.
- Additional funds and possible fund sources shall be identified and provided for by the Department of Budget and Management.

Separability Clause (Section 5):
- If any provision is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions shall remain valid and subsisting.

Repealing Clause (Section 6):
- All orders, proclamations, rules, regulations, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with any provisions of this Order are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Effectivity (Section 7):
- This Order shall take effect immediately upon publication in a newspaper of general circulation.