IATF-EID Resolution No. 125, s. 2021

July 8, 2021

IATF-EID RESOLUTION NO. 125, 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 (s. 2014) mandates the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) 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 (DOH), the University of the Philippines-Philippine Genome Center (UP-PGC), and the University of the Philippines-National Institutes of Health (UP-NIH) biosurveillance has detected B.1.1.7, B.1.351, P.1, and P.3 variants of the COVID-19;

WHEREAS, the Department of Health (DOH), the University of the Philippines-Philippine Genome Center (UP-PGC), and the University of the Philippines-National Institutes of Health (UP-NIH) biosurveillance has likewise received information on the existence of B.1.617 variant first detected in India;

WHEREAS, the continued implementation of proactive measures and restrictions must be put in place to slow down the surge in COVID-19 cases, stop further spread of variants, buy time for the health system to cope, and to protect more lives;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, as it is hereby resolved, that the IATF approves the following:

A. In areas under Modified General Community Quarantine and General Community Quarantine except those under heightened restrictions, children five (5) years old and above may be able to go to outdoor areas as defined below, provided that the child is supervised by adult/s and is in observance of minimum public health standards such as the wearing of face masks and social distancing. Provided further, that the local government units concerned may increase the above age restriction of children depending on the COVID-19 situation in their respective jurisdictions. Outdoor areas are those that allow free air movement from all directions and may be covered by a roof, supported by posts, and not surrounded by walls and shall be limited to the following: (i.) parks, (ii.) playgrounds, (iii.) beaches, (iv.) biking and hiking trails, (v.) outdoor tourist sites and attractions as may be defined by the Department of Tourism, (vi.) outdoor non-contact sports courts and venues, and (vii.) al fresco dining establishments in the above-listed areas. These outdoor areas shall not include mixed-use indoor/outdoor buildings, facilities, such as malls and similar establishments;

B. The recommendations of the IATF Technical Working Group, the specifics of which are as follows:

1. Approving the request of Uniprom, Inc. to hold the Binibining Pilipinas 2021 Coronation Night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum strictly following the submitted health and safety protocols. Further, all participants and guests shall be required to undergo COVID-19 Reverse-Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction Test forty-eight (48) hours prior to the event.

2. Clarifying the allowed movement of fully vaccinated individuals, paragraphs B, and D of IATF Resolution No. 124-B is hereby amended to read as follows:

"B. The intrazonal movement of fully vaccinated senior citizens within areas under General Community Quarantine and Modified General Community Quarantine shall continue to be allowed, subject to the presentation, of (i) a COVID-19 vaccination card duly issued by a legitimate vaccination establishment/authority, whether local or foreign; or (ii) certificate of quarantine completion showing the holder's vaccination status as may be issued by the Bureau of Quarantine, whichever is applicable. Provided that strict observance of minimum public health standards shall continue."

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"D. For interzonal travel allowed under the pertinent resolutions of the IATF and provisions of the Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine in the Philippines, as amended, local government units may accept (i) a COVID-19 vaccination card duly issued by a legitimate vaccinating establishment/authority whether local or foreign; or (ii.) certificate of quarantine completion showing the holder's vaccination status as may be issued by the Bureau of Quarantine, whichever is applicable, as an alternative to RT-PCR testing requirement (before travel or upon arrival) which the local government unit may require."

Considering the ongoing improvements on the system for verifying COVID-19 vaccination cards, COVID-19 vaccination cards duly issued by legitimate vaccination establishments/authorities shall be sufficient proof of vaccination. Any individual who shall present forged and/or falsified vaccination cards shall be dealt with in accordance with law.

3. Authorizing the conduct of special commercial flights to bring home stranded Filipinos in Oman, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and such other countries where travel restrictions may be imposed, subject to the following guidelines:

a. A Special Working Group (SWG) is hereby created to be composed of the Department of Health, Bureau of Quarantine, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Transportation and its One-Stop-Shop, Philippine Coast Guard, and the Department of Tourism to determine the implementing protocols for the special commercial flights, in coordination with the concerned airlines;

b. Commercial flights shall be exclusive for Filipinos, provided that the flights shall have prior approval from the SWG;

c. The Guidelines on the implementation of exemptions for the Philippine government, and non-Philippine government repatriation as prescribed under IATF Resolution No. 119 (s. 2021) shall be followed.

4. Authorizing Philippine Overseas Labor Offices to verify the vaccination status of spouses, children, and/or parents of Overseas Filipino Workers. For this purpose, the pertinent provision of IATF Resolution No. 124-A is hereby amended to read as follows:

"RESOLVED FURTHER, the option of presenting Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) validations as proof of vaccination status is exclusive to Overseas Filipinos Workers (OFWs) and their spouse, children and/or parent/s traveling with them."

5. Recognizing that the conduct of Foreign Service Officers Examination (FSOE) is part of essential government operations, the Department of Foreign Affairs may conduct their FSOE Oral Tests on 28-30 July 2021 for their twenty-six (26) examinees to be held at different venues within the DFA Building.

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 125th Inter-Agency Task Force Meeting, as reflected in the minutes of the meeting, held this July 8, 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 Head of the Secretariat of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases created under Executive Order No. 168, (s. 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 the Regular Meeting of the IATF held on 08 July 2021 via teleconference during which a quorum was present and acted throughout, IATF Resolution No. 125 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 8th day of July 2021, Manila.

(SGD.) ATTY. CHARADE B. MERCADO-GRANDEAssistant Secretary of Health