IATF-EID Resolution No. 164, s. 2022

March 10, 2022

IATF-EID RESOLUTION NO. 164, 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 National Task Force Against COVID-19 National Vaccination Operations Center, IATF Resolution No. 163 (s.2022) providing for, among others, the criteria for the deescalation of provinces, highly urbanized cities, and independent component cities to Alert Level 1 shall be amended, as follows:

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):

1. Low to minimal risk case classification;

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

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

4. Full vaccination of seventy percent (70%) of its Priority Group A2 (Senior Citizens) target population (denominator is 85% of A2 population).

B. In consideration of the deescalation of the National Capital Region and other provinces, highly urbanized cities, and independent cities to Alert Level 1 which allows for the full seating capacity for public transportation, Section E (3) of IATF Resolution No. 101 (s.2021) dated 26th of February 2021, is rescinded effective 24 March 2022. For the National Capital Region, all buses bound for provinces shall not be required to use the Integrated Terminal Exchange as the central hub for transportation.

C. Upon the recommendation of its Technical Working Group, the national/state COVID-19 vaccination certificate of the following countries/territories/jurisdictions namely, Croatia, Cyprus and Nepal 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.

D. Upon appeal of the local government unit and confirmation of the sub-Technical Working Group on Data Analytics that the prescribed criteria for deescalation to Alert Level 1 have been met, Iloilo City shall be deescalated to Alert Level 1 effective immediately and until 15 March 2022. This is without prejudice to the deescalation of other provinces, highly urbanized cities, and independent component cities from being deescalated upon confirmation that the prescribed metrics have been met.

E. The recommendations of the Commission on Higher Education for the conduct of limited face-to-face classes for higher educational institutions operating in areas under Alert Level 1 is hereby approved, with the following key points:

1. On the requirement for HEIs before operations in areas under Alert Level 1, they shall take the self-assessment checklist as per CHED-DOH Joint Memorandum Circular No. 004-2021, and operate under self re-opening. However, they can continue to get technical assistance from their respective Local Government Units, the local IATF, CHED Regional Offices, and/or CHED Experts Group.

2. On the determination of required programs to conduct limited face-to-face classes, it is in the discretion of the HEIs to choose which learning modalities should they operationalize, as long as there will be continuity of learning under any flexible learning modality subject to the condition that the HEIs may require.

3. On who may participate in the limited face to face classes, HEIs shall continue to observe the applicable guidelines for areas under Alert Level 2 in the Guidelines for Nationwide Implementation of Alert Level System for COVID-19 Response, as amended, wherein only fully vaccinated teaching, non-teaching personnel, and students shall be allowed in the premises, while unvaccinated or partially vaccinated students shall continue under flexible learning modalities.

4. On classroom capacity, the allowable seating capacity in classrooms of HEIs in areas under Alert Level 1 is at a maximum of 100% capacity.

5. On the operations of student dormitories, there will be no restriction as to operation, however, the HEI should coordinate with the LGU concerned before opening.

6. On the requirement of medical insurance coverage for students, relative to Section IV, Item H of CHED-DOH JMC No. 2021-004, HEIs shall ensure that students who will participate in the conduct of limited face-to-face classes are registered with PhilHealth, or with equivalent medical insurance which covers medical expenses related to COVID-19, as either direct or indirect contributor. The TWG recommended that students above twenty-one (21) years of age may enroll in PhilHealth as Indigent Members, with the basis that the student has no visible means of income. Otherwise, students below twenty-one (21) years of age may be classified as dependents of their parents/legal guardians.

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

APPROVED during the 164th Inter-Agency Task Force Meeting, as reflected in the minutes of the meeting, held this March 10, 2022, via video conference.

(SGD.) FRANCISCO T. DUQUE IIISecretary, Department of HealthIATF 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;

5. In the Regular Meeting of the IATF held on 10 March 2022 via teleconference during which a quorum was present and acted throughout, IATF Resolution No. 164 was unanimously approved and adopted;

6. The foregoing resolution has been signed by Secretary Francisco T. Duque III 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 10th day of March 2022, Manila.

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