IATF-EID Resolution No. 166, s. 2022

April 12, 2022

IATF-EID RESOLUTION NO. 166, 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, workplaces shall continue reporting COVID-19 cases to their respective Local Epidemiology and Surveillance Units pending the completion of the pilot implementation of the sentinel surveillance systems. For this purpose, the Guidelines on the Nationwide Implementation of Alert Level Systems for COVID-19 shall hereby be amended as follows:

SECTION [6] GUIDELINES FOR AREAS UNDER ALERT LEVEL 1. — The following protocols shall be observed in areas placed under Alert Level 1, except for portions thereof under granular lockdown, and without prejudice to the minimum public health standards and health and safety protocols issued by the national government agencies specific to their sector:

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II. DETECT

A. Contact Tracing

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"5. COVID-19 reporting to the Local Epidemiology and Surveillance Units and the Epidemiology Bureau of the DOH will continue until the establishment of a sentinel surveillance system for workplaces. Guidelines for this system shall be provided once the COVID-19 surveillance has fully transitioned to sentinel surveillance"

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B. Pursuant to the issuance of Executive Order (EO) No. 166, s. 2022, the IATF hereby adopts the Ten-Point Policy Agenda on Economic Recovery. In this regard, all government agencies are directed to ensure all related policies, measures, and programs are aligned with the Ten-Point Policy Agenda. Local Government Units (LGUs) are likewise enjoined to adopt the same policies, measures, and programs. The National Economic and Development Authority shall ensure and monitor the compliance of government agencies with the Ten-Point Policy Agenda on Economic Recovery and shall periodically report the same to the President through the Office of the Executive Secretary.

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 166th Inter-Agency Task Force Meeting, as reflected in the minutes of the meeting, held this April 12, 2022, via videoconference.

(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 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 12 April 2022 via videoconference during which a quorum was present and acted throughout, IATF Resolution No. 166 was unanimously approved and adopted;

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 12th day of April 2022, Manila.

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