Directing the Secretary of Health and the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government to Jointly Lead the National Anti-Sars Consciousness and Clean-Up Campaign

April 24, 2003

MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 98

DIRECTING THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO JOINTLY LEAD THE NATIONAL ANTI-SARS CONSCIOUSNESS AND CLEAN-UP CAMPAIGN

WHEREAS, it is the National Policy to protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them;

WHEREAS, local government units are mandated by law to promote and ensure the health and safety of its inhabitants;

WHEREAS, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) has caused an alarming number of deaths, monitored by the World Health Organization (WHO) to have totaled one hundred forty-four (144) in twenty three (23) countries believed to be SARS-infected or suspected of having probable cases of SARS as of 14 April 2003;

WHEREAS, it has become essential and timely to develop an integrated and comprehensive health plan to combat SARS or reduce the number of SARS cases reported;

WHEREAS, the dissemination of accurate information about SARS and its prevention is vital and should be undertaken at the soonest possible time, while health and social services are rendered responsive to the country and its people's health needs and problems; and

WHEREAS, addressing this concern may be efficiently undertaken through the joint efforts of the national and local government through the Department of Health and the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. The Secretary of Health and the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government shall jointly lead the National ANTI-SARS Consciousness and Clean-Up campaign and shall issue necessary and appropriate circulars for its effective implementation.

SECTION 2. The Secretary of Health and the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government are hereby authorized to call on any department, bureau or agency of the government for assistance, as may be needed in the said campaign.

SECTION 3. All Provincial Governors, City and Municipal Mayors and Punong Barangay are hereby directed to ensure that the campaign is efficiently and effectively undertaken within their respective jurisdictions.

SECTION 4. The Secretary of Health and the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government shall jointly prepare and submit a monthly report to the Office of the President, through the Presidential Management Staff (PMS), on the accomplishments and actions taken in compliance with this Memorandum Order.

SECTION 5. This Memorandum Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 24th day of April, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Three.