Bill filed authorizing DOH to lockdown areas, suspend classes

MANILA, Philippines — Amid the rise of confirmed coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the Philippines, Senator Francis Tolentino has filed a bill seeking to give the Department of Health (DOH) the power to lock down infected areas and suspend classes in times of public health emergencies.

Tolentino filed Senate Bill No. 1408 which seeks to amend Republic Act No. 9271 or the “Quarantine Act of 2004.”

“Just as how viruses are incessantly changing due to genetic mutation, we must adapt and change our DNA on how we combat infectious diseases,” Tolentino said in the bill’s explanatory note.

The bill, according to the senator would empower the DOH, through the Bureau of Quarantine, to impose a lockdown of infected areas, to order the suspension of classes and to order the examination of persons in infected areas so as to contain the spread of the disease.

Under the present law, the Bureau of Quarantine is authorized to conduct examinations of incoming and outgoing vessels and aircraft, cargoes, passengers, crews and all personal effects at ports of entry and exit in the country.

However, Tolentino said the bill seeks to expand this authority by including within its jurisdiction the examination of all people in infected areas, not only of the travelers and the crew in the ports or airports.

“This is so we can contain the spread of infectious diseases wherever these may have occurred and not just limited to those who traveled,” he said.

The bill would further empower the health department to designate the hospitals to be used as facilities for referral of persons under investigation of having contracted infectious diseases in times of public health emergencies.

It also authorizes the agency to establish quarantine centers in addition to quarantine stations which are managed by the Bureau of Quarantine, the senator added.

Tolentino said the measure would also enhance the role of the local government units (LGUs) in the fight against the spread of the infectious diseases by including the Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary in the formulation of rules and regulations for the prevention of public health emergencies of international concern undertaken by Director of the BOQ and health secretary.

“By ourselves, we cannot hope to fight against the spread of infectious diseases but together, we can achieve more to minimize the contagion, lower its cases and ultimately, ensure the public health of the Filipino people,” Tolentino, chair of the Senate local government committee, said.

The DOH has so far confirmed 33 cases in the country, which is now under a state of public health emergency.

EDV