IATF-EID Resolution No. 154, s. 2021

December 14, 2021

IATF-EID RESOLUTION NO. 154, 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 following:

A. Upon the recommendations of the Task Force on COVID-19 Variants, the temporary suspension of testing and quarantine protocols for countries/jurisdictions/territories classified as "Green" is hereby lifted. For this purpose, the testing and quarantine protocols of international arriving passengers coming from Green List countries/jurisdictions/territories shall comply with the latest testing and quarantine protocols approved by the IATF.

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

1. Provided that there are no objections from the local government units where the activity may take place, operation of cockpits and traditional cockfighting shall be allowed in areas under Alert Level 2, subject to the strict observance of the following specific protocols:

i. Maximum of fifty percent (50%) venue capacity for fully vaccinated individuals only;

ii. All on-site workers/employees of these establishments are fully vaccinated against COVID-19;

iii. Betting shall be cashless and shall use technology-based platforms only i.e., no physical exchange of cash anywhere in the cockpit and no oral placing of bets;

iv. Minimum public health standards and technology-based betting shall be strictly enforced by the local government unit where such traditional cockfighting shall be conducted, and monitored by the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

2. The prohibition on the inbound travel of unaccompanied minors stated in the 15 January 2021 Memorandum from the Office of the Executive Secretary is hereby reiterated, as follows:

i. All unaccompanied minor Filipino citizens coming from "Red List" countries/jurisdictions/territories shall not be allowed boarding by the airlines, except if such minors are returning through the repatriation program of the national government, non-government initiated repatriation, and Bayanihan Flights. Upon arrival in the Philippines, the repatriated minors shall be turned over to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration house parent who, in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), shall ensure the minors' safety and their observance of quarantine protocols.

ii. Unaccompanied minor Filipino citizens who land on Philippine airports notwithstanding the foregoing prohibition against boarding shall not be sent back to their port of departure, but shall be turned over to an authorized DSWD officer who can ensure their safety and observance of quarantine protocols. This is without prejudice to penalties that may be imposed on the airline that allowed them to board, as provided in the applicable laws and rules including those issued by the Department of Transportation and its attached agencies.

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

APPROVED during the 154th Inter-Agency Task Force Meeting, as reflected in the minutes of the meeting, held this December 14, 2021, via video conference.

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

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 14 December 2021 via teleconference during which a quorum was present and acted throughout, IATF Resolution No. 154 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 14th day of December 2021, Manila.

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

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