IATF-EID Resolution No. 160-D, s. 2022

February 10, 2022

IATF-EID RESOLUTION NO. 160-D, S. 2022

WHEREAS, Section 2 (c) 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 local spread of emerging infectious diseases (EID) in the country through the establishment or reinforcement of a system in screening possible patients infected with EID, contact tracing, identification of the mode of the exposure to the virus, and implementation of effective quarantine and proper isolation procedures;

WHEREAS, on 10 September 2021, the President issued Proclamation No. 1218 (s. 2021) further extending the period of the State of Calamity throughout the Philippines until 12 September 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), B.1.617 (Delta), and B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variants of SARS CoV-2 in the Philippines;

WHEREAS, in order to minimize the cross-border transmission of SARS CoV-2, there is a need to adopt border control and quarantine measures for all passengers entering the Philippine territory by sea or by air.

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

I. Upon the recommendations of the Department of Foreign Affairs, the national COVID-19 vaccination certificate of the following countries, namely Brazil, Israel, South Korea, and Timor Leste shall be accepted/recognized for purposes of arrival quarantine protocols as well as for interzonal/intrazonal movement, in addition to such other countries/territories/jurisdictions whose proofs of vaccination the IATF has already approved for recognition in the Philippines, and without prejudice to such other proofs of vaccination approved by IATF for all inbound travelers.

The Bureau of Quarantine, the Department of Transportation — One-Stop-Shop, and the Bureau of Immigration are directed to recognize only the proofs of vaccination thus approved by the IATF.

II. Upon the recommendations of the Technical Working Group, the entry, testing, and quarantine protocols for foreign nationals arriving from abroad under the following provisions of IATF Resolution No. 160-B, dated 03 February 2022 are hereby amended as follows:

A. Section A (1) (f) is amended to read as follows:

"A. Foreign Nationals Entering the Philippines Visa-Free

xxx xxx xxx

f. Except for foreign spouses and/or children of Filipino citizens and former Filipino citizens with balikbayan privilege under Republic Act No. 9174, including their foreign spouse and/or children who: (i) are not balikbayans in their own right and (ii) are traveling with them to the Philippines, have valid tickets for their return journey to the port of origin or next port of destination not later than thirty (30) days from date of arrival in the Philippines;"

B. Section C is hereby amended to read as follows:

"C. Foreign Nationals Entering Through 9(a) Visa

1. Foreign nationals covered by Section A(1)(b) intending to stay beyond thirty (30) days for purposes other than tourism or leisure, or not covered or qualified under Section A(1)(a) or Section A(1)(b) above, or foreign nationals from visa-required countries or restricted foreign nationals, may enter the Philippines through an entry exemption document (EED) issued under existing IATF rules and regulations, provided:

xxx xxx xxx

2. Foreign spouses and children of Filipino citizens who: (i) are not nationals of E.O. 408 countries, whether or not traveling with said Filipino citizen; or (ii) are from visa-required countries; or (iii) who are restricted nationals may enter the country without need of an entry exemption document (EED), provided they have been issued a 9(a) visa with the appropriate visa notation. These foreign nationals are likewise required to comply with the provisions of Section A(1)(c) to A(1)(h).

3. Once admitted into the country, they are no longer required to observe facility-based quarantine but shall self-monitor for any sign or symptom for seven (7) days with the first day being the date of arrival. However, they are required to report to the local government unit (LGU) of their destination should they manifest any symptoms.

4. Foreign nationals who are found not compliant with the condition set forth in Section A(3) above shall be required to undergo facility-based quarantine until the release of their negative RT-PCR test taken on the fifth (5th) day. After which, they shall be required to undergo home quarantine until their fourteenth (14th) day, with the date of arrival being their first day.

The local government units of destination and their respective Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams are tasked to monitor those arriving passengers undergoing home quarantine."

RESOLVED FURTHER, that this resolution shall supersede Section C of IATF Resolution No. 128, dated 22 July 2021. Other previous IATF resolutions inconsistent herewith are deemed modified accordingly;

RESOLVED FURTHER STILL, that the IATF Secretariat re-publish IATF Resolution No. 160-B, dated 03 February 2022, incorporating the amendments herein made, for the reference of the general public;

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 February 10, 2022, 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);

1. n  The IATF Secretariat holds office in the DOH Main Office, San Lazaro Compound, Tayuman, Sta. Cruz, Manila;

1. I am the custodian of the records of the IATF, including the Minutes of Meetings and Resolutions;

2. IATF Resolution No. 160-D was unanimously approved and adopted;

3. 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;

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

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto affixed my signature this 3rd day of February 2022, Manila.

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

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