IATF-EID Resolution No. 100, s. 2021

February 18, 2021

IATF-EID RESOLUTION NO. 100, S. 2021

WHEREAS, Section 15, Article II of the 1987 Constitution states that the State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them;

WHEREAS, Section 2 (b) of Executive Order No. 168 mandates the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases to prevent and/or minimize the entry of suspected or confirmed patients with emerging infectious diseases into the country;

WHEREAS, on September 16, 2020, the President issued Proclamation No. 1021 (s. 2020) extending the period of the State of Calamity throughout the Philippines until September 21, 2021;

WHEREAS, the Department of Health received reports regarding a new variant of the SARS-CoV-2 (B.1.1.7 or VUI 2020/12/01) spreading in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (United Kingdom) and another variant identified in South Africa (501.V2);

WHEREAS, Memoranda of the Executive Secretary provided for additional measures to be observed relative to the SARS-CoV-2 Variant detected in the United Kingdom including the imposition of travel restrictions on countries/jurisdictions where the new COVID-19 variants were officially reported, and subjected Filipino citizens coming from the same countries/jurisdictions to an absolute 14-day quarantine period notwithstanding a negative Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test result;

WHEREAS, the continued implementation of proactive measures is necessary to ensure the utmost protection of the health of the Filipino people;

WHEREAS, as of February 18, 2021, there are a total of Thirty-One Thousand One Hundred Fifteen (31,115) active COVID-19 cases in the Philippines;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, as it is hereby resolved, that the IATF approves the following recommendations of the IATF Technical Working Group, the specifics of which are as follows:

A. To harmonize the provisions of the Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine in the Philippines on mass gatherings in areas under General Community Quarantine with the businesses, industries, and activities that have since been allowed by subsequent IATF resolutions, Section [4], Paragraph 12 of the Omnibus Guidelines shall be amended, to wit:

12. Except as may be authorized by IATF resolutions, mass gatherings shall be prohibited. Gatherings that are for the provision of critical government services and authorized humanitarian activities while adhering to the prescribed minimum health standards shall be allowed. Religious gatherings in areas under General Community Quarantine shall be allowed up to fifty percent (50%) of the seating or venue capacity. Provided that, religious gatherings shall be limited to the conduct of religious worship and/or service; Provided further, that there is no objection from the local government unit where the religious gathering may take place. The religious denominations should strictly observe their submitted protocols and the minimum public health standards, particularly the social distancing measures and non-pharmaceutical interventions such as the obligatory wearing of face masks and immediate availability of hand hygiene necessities in the premises.

B. To ensure the health and safety of senior citizen pensioners as well as their continuous access to their pensions during the state of a national public health emergency, pension-issuing agencies and their servicing banks, quasi-banks, and other financial institutions are mandated to adopt alternative modes of validation for senior citizen pensioners in lieu of personal appearances or submission of documents that require personal appearances before a notary public, after the necessary public consultations with their respective stakeholders. The relevant government agencies shall issue the corresponding memorandum circulars for the implementation of the foregoing by March 01, 2021.

C. The reckoning period of March 20, 2020, in Paragraph B (1) of Resolution No. 98 dated February 4, 2021, shall be deleted and the provision shall now read as follows:

1. Effective immediately, the following shall be included/added to the list of foreign nationals allowed to enter the Philippines:

a. Those with valid and existing visas at the time of entry, and who were not permitted to enter the country under previous IATF resolutions; and

b. Holders of valid and existing Special Resident and Retirees Visa (SRRV) and Section 9(A) visas, provided they present an entry exemption document to the Bureau of Immigration upon arrival.

The foregoing is without prejudice to immigration laws, rules, and regulations such that the Commissioner of Immigration shall have the exclusive prerogative to decide on waiver or recall of exclusion orders for all foreign nationals authorized entry under relevant IATF resolutions, subject to regular reporting to the IATF Secretariat at the end of each calendar month.

RESOLVED FURTHER, that the Chairperson and the Co-Chairperson shall be duly authorized to sign this Resolution for and on behalf of the Inter-Agency Task Force.

APPROVED during the 100th Inter-Agency Task Force Meeting, as reflected in the minutes of the meeting, held this 18th of February 2021 via video conference.

(SGD.) FRANCISCO T. DUQUE IIISecretary, Department of HealthIATF Chairperson

(SGD.) KARLO ALEXEI B. NOGRALESSecretary, Office of the Cabinet SecretariatIATF Co-Chairperson

ATTACHMENT

Certification

This is to certify that:

1. I am presently an Assistant Secretary of the Department of Health;

2. I am the interim OIC-Head of the Secretariat of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases created under Executive Order No. 168, series of 2014 and chaired by the Department of Health (DOH);

3. The IATF Secretariat holds office in the DOH Main Office, San Lazaro Compound, Tayuman, Sta. Cruz, Manila;

4. I am the custodian of the records of the IATF, including the Minutes of Meetings and Resolutions;

5. In a regular meeting of the IATF, the IATF Resolution No. 100 was unanimously approved and adopted;

6. The foregoing resolution has been signed by Secretary Francisco T. Duque III and Secretary Karlo Alexei B. Nograles upon the authority of the IATF Members;

7. The aforesaid resolution has not been altered, modified nor revoked and the same is now in full force and effect;

8. I am executing this Certification for whatever legitimate purpose this may serve.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto affixed my signature this 18th day of February 2021, Manila.

(SGD.) ATTY. CHARADE B. MERCADO-GRANDEOIC-Head of the Secretariat, IATFAssistant Secretary of Health