Powers and Functions of the Secretary of Health
- Granted broad authority to contain, control, prevent, and restrict SARS spread.
- Responsibilities include:
- Screening at ports of entry to prevent imported cases.
- Implementing surveillance, alert, and quarantine systems.
- Establishing triage, contact tracing, and outbreak response teams.
- Enforcing quarantine and isolation, including community containment.
- Managing clinical treatment, capacity building among medical personnel, designating referral centers, and supporting research.
- Conducting public education campaigns to promote health and alleviate public anxiety.
- Coordinating with other agencies to mitigate economic and social impacts, especially on tourism, trade, labor, and overseas Filipino workers.
Government Agencies’ Assistance and Support
- Secretary of Health may call upon various government agencies including:
- Departments: Interior and Local Government, Foreign Affairs, Transportation and Communications, Education, Labor and Employment, Tourism, Trade and Industry, Social Welfare and Development.
- Entities: Bureau of Immigration, airport and seaport authorities, National Security Council, Office of the Press Secretary.
- Empowered to enlist Armed Forces, Police, and Coast Guard to enforce quarantine and transport SARS patients.
- All government agencies must provide relevant information to assist containment measures.
Funding Allocation
- Allocated up to Php 1,000,000,000 from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office funds for implementation expenses.
Classification of SARS as Quarantinable Disease
- Officially designated as a quarantinable disease due to its highly contagious nature and threat to public health.
Examination and Quarantine Procedures
- Bureau of Quarantine and International Health Surveillance (BQIHS) responsible for sanitary examination and quarantine at all ports and airports.
- BQIHS continues exercising powers under existing laws, supervised by the Secretary of Health.
Treatment and Containment Regulations
- Secretary of Health to issue rules regarding treatment and containment in medical and community settings.
- Emphasis on protecting SARS patients, contacts, and surrounding communities.
Authority of the Department of Education
- May order school closures, suspension of classes, or repurpose educational facilities for SARS containment as advised by Health Secretary.
- Responsible for disseminating information and health advisories during the crisis.
Role of the Department of the Interior and Local Government
- Mobilizes PNP and supervises local governments for managing quarantine areas and maintaining order.
- May enforce checkpoints and restrict movements with respect for constitutional rights.
- Supports transport and isolation of SARS patients.
- Arrests/detentions only lawful upon court orders or Health Secretary quarantine directives.
Responsibilities of the Department of Labor and Employment
- Provides information to departing Filipinos bound for SARS-affected or at-risk countries.
- May restrict departures from affected areas when necessary for public safety.
- Monitors returning overseas Filipino workers for health risks.
Role of the Department of Foreign Affairs
- Coordinates with embassies and consulates to provide travel advisories and prevent entry of suspected SARS cases from abroad.
Functions of the Department of Transportation and Communications
- Provides necessary infrastructure at airports, seaports, and terminals.
- Controls entry and exit of transportation modes as required to prevent SARS spread.
Duties of the Department of Trade and Industry
- Prevents profiteering and unscrupulous practices detrimental to public welfare during the epidemic.
Bureau of Immigration Duties
- Performs strict inspections of passengers from SARS-affected regions.
- Maintains records and provides data to the Health Secretary.
National Security Adviser and National Security Council
- Facilitates intelligence gathering and sharing of strategic assessments about the SARS threat.
Role of the Office of the Press Secretary
- Supports the Department of Health’s public SARS awareness campaign.
Philippine Health Insurance Corporation
- Develops insurance coverage for public health workers to cover hospitalization and medical expenses related to SARS.
Sanctions and Penalties
- Violations of lawful directives under this Executive Order are punishable by law and applicable regulations.
Effectivity
- The Executive Order takes immediate effect upon approval, dated April 26, 2003.