IATF-EID Resolution No. 133, s. 2021

August 12, 2021

IATF-EID RESOLUTION NO. 133, 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 have detected B.1.1.7 (Alpha), B.1.351 (Beta), and P.1 (Gamma) variants of SARS-CoV-2 in the Philippines. The DOH, UP-PGH, and UP-NIH have likewise confirmed the presence of the B.1.617 (Delta) variant that was 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: CAIHTE

A. Upon the recommendations of the Department of Health and its Technical Advisory Group, the travel restrictions currently in place in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia shall be extended until 31 August 2021.

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

1. In order not to disenfranchise any Filipino citizen who may wish to file their certificates of candidacy for the 2022 National Elections even during the state of a national public health emergency, persons over the age of sixty-five (65) who are going out of their residences to personally file their certificates of candidacy in the national office and designated field offices of the Commission on Elections shall be recognized as Authorized Persons Outside of Residence from 01 to 08 October 2021, regardless of community quarantine classification and vaccination status.

2. Upon the positive endorsement of the Department of Transportation and its One-Stop-Shop, the request of the airlines to resume international transit hub operations is approved. These international hub operations shall be limited to airside transfers between Terminals 1 and 2, and within Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, and further limited for countries/jurisdictions/territories in the Green List. Protocols for the controlled movement of passengers and health and safety protocols within the terminals shall be strictly observed. Any traveler who may exhibit symptoms shall comply with isolation and quarantine protocols which shall be for the account of the sponsoring airlines. The Department of Foreign Affairs, Bureau of Quarantine, and the Bureau of Immigration are directed to formulate the necessary protocols for the issuance of appropriate visas for this purpose applicable on a case-to-case basis.

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 133rd Inter-Agency Task Force Meeting, as reflected in the minutes of the meeting, held this August 12, 2021, via video conference.

(SGD.) FRANCISCO T. DUQUE IIISecretary, Department of Health

(SGD.) KARLO ALEXEI B. NOGRALESSecretary, Office of the Cabinet Secretariat

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 12 August 2021 via teleconference during which a quorum was present and acted throughout, IATF Resolution No. 133 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; DETACa

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 12th day of August 2021, Manila.

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