Recommendations Relative to the Management of the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation

April 13, 2020

IATF-EID RESOLUTION NO. 023, S. 2020

RECOMMENDATIONS RELATIVE TO THE MANAGEMENT OF THE CORONA VIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19) SITUATION

WHEREAS, on March 8, 2020, recognizing that the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic requires the mobilization of a whole-of-government response, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte declared a State of Public Health Emergency in the entire Philippines through Proclamation No. 922;

WHEREAS, on March 16, 2020, to prevent the sharp rise of COVID-19 cases in the country, the President placed the entirety of Luzon under Enhanced Community Quarantine until April 12, 2020;

WHEREAS, to mitigate and contain the transmission of COVID-19, and to mobilize the provision of basic necessities to sectors adversely affected by the Enhanced Community Quarantine, Congress enacted Republic Act No. 11469, or the "Bayanihan to Heal as One Act";

WHEREAS, on April 7, 2020, upon the recommendation of the IATF, the President extended the implementation of the Enhanced Community Quarantine over the entirety of Luzon until April 30, 2020;

WHEREAS, as of April 13, 2020, there are four thousand nine hundred and thirty-two (4,932) confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Philippines.

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

A. All medical and allied healthcare professionals with perfected and signed overseas employment contracts as of March 8, 2020 shall be allowed for deployment abroad as an exception to the application of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Governing Board Resolution No. 09, series of 2020, upon the execution of a Declaration signifying their knowledge and understanding of the risks involved as advised by the Philippine Government.

Subject to the evaluation of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the Department of Health (DOH) is directed to facilitate the emergency hiring of additional healthcare workers to assist in the local healthcare system;

B. The following recommendations of the National Task Force (NTF) COVID-19 as revised and presented are hereby approved:

1. Designating the Chairperson of the Metro Manila Development Authority and the Chief Minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao as chair of the Regional Task Force in their respective regions as established pursuant to IATF Resolution No. 16, series of 2020. For all other regions, the Office of Civil Defense through its regional offices shall act as chair; and

2. Establishing a Sub-Task Group (STG) for the Repatriation of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) under the NTF Task Group on Response Operations to facilitate and implement the mandatory fourteen-day facility quarantine requirement of all repatriated OFWs, whether sea-based or land-based. For this purpose, a one-stop-shop shall be established and maintained at the port of entry. The STG shall be composed of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) as chair, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) as co-chair, and the DOLE, DOH, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Philippine National Police, the Department of Tourism (DOT), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ), and such other agencies as may be determined by the NTF, as members.

 The Department of Health is hereby directed to update its guidelines for this purpose.

C. Pursuant to the updated guidelines of DOH on the classification of individuals for the surveillance and management of the COVID-19 health event, all agencies and Local Government Units (LGUs) are directed to apply said classification in all subsequent issuances related to COVID-19, as well as to update existing issuances in accordance therewith;

D. The evaluation tool for the assessment of the demographic vulnerabilities of communities to the COVID-19 health event, as presented by the Commission on Population (POPCOM), is hereby adopted. LGUs, including the BARMM, are enjoined to implement such tool to assess communities in their respective jurisdictions, subject to guidelines as may be jointly issued by the DOH, DILG, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), and the POPCOM;

E. The Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur is directed to coordinate with the Sabah National Security Council (SNSC) for the requested return of stranded thirty-eight (38) Malaysian nationals to Sandakan. In the meantime, the DFA is directed to submit the information of the Malaysian nationals to the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA); and

F. The Interim Guidelines for the Granting of Special Authorization for the Limited Practice of Medical Graduates as presented by the DOH is hereby adopted. Provided, that special authorizations shall only be issued as a last resort. Provided, further, that any authorization shall only be effective for the duration of the State of Public Health Emergency in the Philippines unless earlier withdrawn by the IATF upon recommendation of the DOH.

APPROVED during the 23rd Inter-Agency Task Force Meeting, as reflected in the minutes of the meeting, held this 13th of April, 2020 via video conference.

FRANCISCO T. DUQUE IIISecretary, Department of Health

EDUARDO M. AÑOSecretary, Department of the Interior and Local Government

BERNADETTE ROMULO-PUYATSecretary, Department of Tourism

SILVESTRE H. BELLO IIISecretary, Department of Labor and Employment

MENARDO I. GUEVARRASecretary, Department of Justice

GREGORIO B. HONASAN IISecretary, Department of Information and Communications Technology

TEODORO LOCSIN, JR.Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs

ARTEMIO U. TUAZONUndersecretary, Department of Transportation

Conforme:

KARLO ALEXEI B. NOGRALESCabinet Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat of the Philippines

HERMOGENES C. ESPERONSecretary, National Security Council

CARLITO G. GALVEZ JR.Secretary, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process

JOSE RUPERTO MARTIN M. ANDANARSecretary, Presidential Communications Operations Office

RAMON M. LOPEZSecretary, Department of Trade and Industry

WILLIAM D. DARSecretary, Department of Agriculture

ROY A. CIMATUSecretary, Department of Environment and Natural Resources

LEONOR M. BRIONESSecretary, Department of Education

DELFIN N. LORENZANASecretary, Department of National Defense

ADORACION M. NAVARROUndersecretary, National Economic and Development Authority

BAYANI H. AGABINUndersecretary, Department of Finance

DANILO G. PAMONAGUndersecretary, Department of Social Welfare and Development

RICARDO P. BERNABE IIIUndersecretary, Office of the Executive Secretary

DARREN L. SALIPSIPAssistant Secretary, Office of the Chief Presidential Legal Counsel

ROLANDO U. TOLEDOAssistant Secretary, Department of Budget and Management

RICARDO B. JALADAdministrator, Office of the Civil Defense

ARCHIE FRANCISCO F. GAMBOAChief, Philippine National Police

FELIMON T. SANTOS, JR.Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines

JOEL S. GARCIACommandant, Philippine Coast Guard

DANILO D. LIMChairman, Metro Manila Development Authority

JEREMIAH B. BELGICADirector-General, Anti-Red Tape Authority