IATF-EID Resolution No. 151, s. 2021

November 28, 2021

IATF-EID RESOLUTION NO. 151, 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), P.1 (Gamma), and B.1.617 (Delta) variants of SARS-CoV-2 in the Philippines;

WHEREAS, with a new B.1.1.529 variant designated as Variant of Concern and named Omicron, proactive measures and restrictions must be put in place.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, as it is hereby resolved, that the IATF approves the recommendations of the Task Force on COVID-19 Variants to strengthen local COVID-19 response, the specifics of which are as follows:

A. To emphasize the need for active case finding, Local Government Units (LGUs) are strongly enjoined to heighten their alert for increasing and clustering of cases;

B. Immediate isolation and contact tracing of cases detected from case surveillance among the community, including domestic and international travelers;

C. To allow for whole-genome sequencing of collected samples, Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) testing shall be used;

D. The Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Units (RESUs) are directed to ensure targeted selection of samples for sequencing and address declining submissions of laboratories and regions from domestic and international travelers;

E. The Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) with the LGUs to identify and locate passengers who arrived within fourteen (14) days prior to 29 November 2021, from countries classified as Red, and require them to complete quarantine under a home quarantine set-up for fourteen (14) days from date of arrival and undergo RT-PCR if symptoms develop;

F. The LGUs and the DILG are directed to ensure strict implementation and adherence to the Prevent-Detect-Isolate-Test-Reintegrate strategy and adherence and compliance to minimum public health standards (MPHS). The Philippine National Police (PNP) is directed to enforce MPHS compliance;

G. The Department of Health is directed to ensure health system capacity is prepared to address increase of COVID-19 cases, if any; and

H. The Sub-Technical Working Group on Data Analytics is directed to begin preparing models to show potential impact of the Omicron variant to prevailing protocols and approvals of the IATF.

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 151st Inter-Agency Task Force Meeting, as reflected in the minutes of the meeting, held this November 28, 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 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;

1. n  In the Regular Meeting of the IATF held on 28 November 2021 via teleconference during which a quorum was present and acted throughout, IATF Resolution No. 151 was unanimously approved and adopted;

5. 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;

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

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto affixed my signature this 28th day of November 2021, Manila.

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

 

n Note from the Publisher: Copied verbatim from the official document. Irregular numerical sequence.