IATF-EID Resolution No. 163, s. 2022

February 24, 2022

IATF-EID RESOLUTION NO. 163, S. 2022

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 (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 exposure to the virus, and implementation of effective quarantine and proper isolation procedures;

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), B.1.617 (Delta), and B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variants of SARS-CoV-2 in the Philippines.

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

A. Upon the recommendations of the Sub-Technical Working Group on Data Analytics, the metrics for determining alert level classifications of provinces, highly urbanized cities (HUCs), and independent component cities (ICCs) shall be amended as follows:

1. The Alert Level Matrix as determined by the sTWG on Data Analytics shall continue to use the cross-tabulation of case classification and total COVID-19 beds utilization and shall be revised as follows:

a. Cutoffs for the average daily attack rate shall be revised as follows:

i. Less than six (6) for Low Risk;

ii. Six (6) to eighteen (18) for Moderate Risk; and

iii. More than eighteen (18) for High Risk.

b. Provinces, highly urbanized cities, and independent component cities shall be deescalated to Alert Level 1 upon meeting all of the following criteria, amending for this purpose, IATF Resolution No. 146-D (s.2021):

i. Low to minimal risk case classification;

ii. Total bed utilization rate of less than fifty percent (<50%);

iii. Full vaccination of seventy percent (70%) of its target population (denominator is (80%) of its total population); and

iv. Full vaccination of eighty percent (80%) of its Priority Group A2 (Senior Citizens) target population (denominator is 85% of A2 population).

2. These revised metrics shall be applied in determining the alert level classification of provinces, highly urbanized cities, and independent component cities beginning 01 March 2022.

B. Upon the recommendation of its Technical Working Group, the national/state COVID-19 vaccination certificate of the following countries/territories/jurisdictions namely, Romania and British Virgin Islands shall hereinafter be accepted/recognized for purposes of arrival quarantine protocols as well as for interzonal/intrazonal movement. The following countries/territories/jurisdictions shall be in addition to such other countries/territories/jurisdictions whose proof 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.

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 163rd Inter-Agency Task Force Meeting, as reflected in the minutes of the meeting, held this February 24, 2022, 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;

5. In the Regular Meeting of the IATF held on 24 February 2022 via teleconference during which a quorum was present and acted throughout, IATF Resolution No. 163 was unanimously approved and adopted;

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

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto affixed my signature this 24th day of February 2022, Manila.

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