DOH urges Marcos to certify disease control center bill as urgent

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday asked President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to certify as urgent the passage of a bill seeking the creation of the Philippine Centers for Disease Prevention and Control.

“We have requested the [CDC bill] to be certified as urgent by the President,” the DOH said in a statement.

The health department also said it is now working with the Presidential Legislative and Liaison Office to fast-track the passage of the CDC bill. 

Once signed into law, the CDC bill will be the legal basis for the unfettered implementation of the government’s COVID-19 vaccination program and response for other future public health emergencies without the need to declare a state of calamity.

The House of Representatives already passed House Bill No. 6552, creating the country’s version of the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control.

Congress, however, went on recess on December 17, and the Senate has not yet acted on HB No. 6522.

The call for the swift passage of the CDC bill comes after Marcos said he is “very, very hesitant” to extend the state of calamity in the country.

 gsg