IATF-EID Resolution No. 165-F, S. 2022

April 6, 2022

IATF-EID RESOLUTION NO. 165-F, 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.l.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 upon the recommendation of the Technical Working Group, the IATF approves the following:

A. Rapid Antigen Tests administered by healthcare professionals shall hereinafter be acceptable for purposes of entry, testing, and quarantine protocols of international arriving travelers. As such, all relevant issuances such as but not limited to IATF Resolution Nos. 160-A, 160-B, and 165, as amended, shall be further amended as follows:

Present a negative Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test taken within forty-eight (48) hours or a negative Rapid Antigen Test administered and certified by a healthcare professional in a healthcare facility, laboratory, clinic, pharmacy, or other similar establishment, taken within twenty-four (24) hours prior to the date and time of departure from the country of origin/first port of embarkation in a continuous travel to the Philippines, excluding lay-overs; provided, that, he/she has not left the airport premises or has not been admitted into another country during such lay-over.

B. The national COVID-19 vaccination certificate of the following countries, namely, Bangladesh, Mexico, Panama, and Slovak Republic shall be accepted/recognized for purposes of arrival quarantine protocols as well as for inter-zonal/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.

RESOLVED FURTHER, that the IATF Secretariat shall re-publish relevant IATF resolutions 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 April 6, 2022, via ad referendum.

(SGD.) FRANCISCO T. DUQUE IIISecretary, Department of Health

(SGD.) DELFIN N. LORENZANASecretary, Department of National Defense

ATTACHMENT

Certification

This is to certify that:

1. I am presently an OIC-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. IATF Resolution No. 165-F was unanimously approved and adopted via ad referendum;

6. The foregoing resolution has been signed by Secretary Francisco T. Duque III and Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana 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 6th day of April 2022, Manila.

(SGD.) ATTY. CHARADE B. MERCADO-GRANDEOIC-Undersecretary of Health