IATF-EID Resolution No. 144-D, s. 2021

October 18, 2021

IATF-EID RESOLUTION NO. 144-D, 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 10, 2021, the President issued Proclamation No. 1218 (s. 2021) further extending the period of the State of Calamity throughout the Philippines until September 12, 2022, unless earlier lifted or extended as circumstances may warrant;

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 IATF approved under IATF Resolution No. 136-A (s. 2021), the shift in the policy of classifying Provinces, Highly Urbanized Cities (HUCs), and Independent Component Cities (ICC) for purposes of community quarantine wherein the new classification framework focuses on the imposition of granular lockdown measures and having an alert-level system (Alert Levels 1 to 4) with each alert level limiting restrictions only to identified high-risk activities. The National Capital Region was designated as the pilot area of implementation with the nationwide implementation subject to its successful implementation.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, as it is hereby resolved, that the IATF approves that beginning 20 October 2021, the pilot area of implementation of the Alert Levels System shall be expanded to the following provinces, HUCs, and ICCs:

1. The following provinces, HUCs, and ICCs shall be placed under Alert Level 4 until 31 October 2021:

a. Region VII: Negros Oriental; and

b. Region XI: Davao Occidental.

2. The following provinces, HUCs, and ICCs shall be placed under Alert Level 3 until 31 October 2021:

a. Region IV-A: Cavite, Laguna, Rizal; and

b. Region VII: Siquijor;

c. Region XI: Davao City and Davao del Norte.

3. The following provinces, HUCs, and ICCs shall be placed under Alert Level 2 until 31 October 2021:

a. Region IV-A: Batangas, Quezon Province, and Lucena City;

b. Region VII: Bohol, Cebu City, Lapu-lapu City, Mandaue City, Cebu Province; and

c. Region XI: Davao de Oro, Davao del Sur, and Davao Oriental.

RESOLVED FURTHER, the metrics for placing provinces, HUCs, and ICCs under Alert Level 1 are amended to include the full vaccination of at least seventy percent (70%) of their A2, A3, and eligible population.

RESOLVED FURTHER STILL, that the Guidelines on the Pilot Implementation of Alert Levels System for COVID-19 Response, as amended, shall be observed in the foregoing provinces, HUCS, and ICCs supplemented by the IATF Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine in the Philippines, as amended.

RESOLVED FINALLY, 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 this October 18, 2021, via ad referendum.

(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 Undersecretary 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. IATF Resolution No. 144-D was unanimously approved and adopted via ad referendum;

6. The foregoing resolution has been signed by Secretary Francisco T. Duque III and/or 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 October 2021, Manila.

(SGD.) ATTY. CHARADE B. MERCADO-GRANDEUndersecretary of Health