Question & AnswerQ&A (IRR OF Republic Act No. 9271)
They are known as the "Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Quarantine Act of 2004."
The main purpose is to protect and promote the health of the people by ensuring maximum security against the introduction or spread of diseases subject to the International Health Regulations, particularly emerging diseases and public health emergencies of international concern, from foreign countries into the Philippines and between ports within the country, while avoiding unnecessary disruption of trade and travel.
The Bureau of Quarantine of the Department of Health is the health authority exercising regulatory functions under these rules and regulations.
All vessels, aircraft, their crew or passengers, and cargoes, whether owned by government or private entities, entering or departing from any seaport or airport within Philippine territory are subject to quarantine inspection.
The master must provide a duly accomplished Maritime Declaration of Health, Deratting/deratting exemption certificate, Passenger and crew list, Voyage Memo/Ports of Call, Clinical record of cases treated during the voyage, and any other documents deemed necessary by the Quarantine Medical Officer.
Violations may result in administrative fines ranging from One Hundred Thousand pesos (P100,000) to Five Hundred Thousand pesos (P500,000) depending on the number and severity of offenses, public censure, and potential withholding of operation of the vessel or aircraft. Criminal penalties include fines from Ten Thousand pesos (P10,000) to Fifty Thousand pesos (P50,000) or imprisonment of not more than one year, or both, at the discretion of the court.
No person other than quarantine officers may embark; disembarkation of crew and passengers is prohibited until quarantine clearance is granted; suspected cases are medically evaluated on board and transported to designated hospitals for isolation; possibly exposed individuals may undergo isolation or voluntary home confinement; unauthorized boarding is subject to detention and quarantine; and the vessel or aircraft may be detained until properly cleared.
The Bureau must institute rules and regulations for control measures at ports and airports, recommend and implement measures such as apprehension, isolation, surveillance of suspect cases, declare quarantine in affected areas, coordinate with other DOH and government agencies, ensure communication and information dissemination, and mobilize agencies to prevent disease transmission and spread.
Travellers must present valid international certificates of vaccination against yellow fever if arriving within six days from the yellow fever-infected area. The certificate is valid for ten years starting ten days after immunization. Those without a valid certificate can be quarantined for up to six days from the last exposure or departure from the area.