Objectives of the Implementing Rules and Regulations
- Define standards for quarantine operations for domestic and international concerns.
- Strengthen disease surveillance, prevention, and control.
- Implement pro-active measures for Public Health Emergencies of International Concern (PHEIC) at ports and airports.
- Harmonize public health protection with minimal disruption to trade and travel.
- Applies to all vessels, aircraft, crew, passengers, and cargo entering or leaving Philippine seaports and airports.
Coverage and Jurisdiction
- Applies to all vessels and aircraft and their personnel entering or departing Philippine territory.
- Bureau of Quarantine is the health regulatory authority at ports and airports.
Enforcement Policies and Functions
- Conduct surveillance and infection control to prevent disease entry and spread.
- Provide technical and advisory services on health and sanitation.
- Conduct medical exams for aliens for immigration.
- Manage vaccination requirements for international travel.
- Ensure sanitary conditions of food establishments and conveyances.
- Authorized to utilize at least 50% of income to support quarantine operations.
- Imposes stiff penalties to protect public health security.
Legal Provisions
- Separability Clause: Invalid provisions do not affect the remaining law.
- Repealing Clause: Revokes inconsistent previous orders.
- Effectivity: 15 days after publication.
Definitions Key to Interpretation
- Extensive definitions cover terms such as aircraft, barrier nursing, communicable disease, quarantine, quarantine medical officers, quarantine and detention procedures, among others.
- Aligns with WHO International Health Regulations (IHR).
Quarantine Inspection and Clearance for Vessels Arriving from Foreign Ports
- All foreign vessels undergo quarantine inspection at Philippine ports.
- Vessels fly a yellow quarantine flag until cleared.
- Masters must provide Maritime Declaration of Health, deratting certificates, passenger and crew list, voyage details, clinical records.
- Types of pratique issued: Free, Provisional, Controlled Free, Radio, and Controlled Radio pratiques, each with specific conditions.
- Yellow fever vaccination certificates required for travelers from affected areas.
- Quarantine Medical Officer inspects health status, sanitation, cargo, and validity of certificates.
- Boarding and disembarkation restrictions apply during quarantine.
- Incident plans for radiological, biological, and chemical threats.
- Outgoing quarantine clearance required for vessels departing foreign-bound.
Domestic Vessel Requirements
- Domestic vessels with disease or deaths onboard require quarantine inspection.
- Similar document and inspection protocols as foreign vessels.
- Quarantine Medical Officers or designated physicians conduct inspections.
- Boarding restrictions during quarantine apply.
Quarantine Requirements of Vessels While in Port
- Rat guards mandatory on mooring lines.
- Cargo nets and gangways to prevent rodent access.
- Vessels must maintain distance from docks and prevent rodent transfer.
- Garbage disposal requires proper containment and regular removal.
- Rat inspections and deratting certifications mandatory.
- Fumigation imposed if rodent or plague conditions warrant.
Aircraft Quarantine upon Arrival from Foreign Airports
- All arriving international aircraft inspected.
- Advance notification of estimated time of arrival required.
- Aircraft commanders must report infectious disease cases, deaths, and provide passenger manifests.
- Boarding restrictions and quarantine for suspected infected aircraft.
- Aircraft disinsection and vector control following WHO/ICAO standards.
- Outgoing quarantine clearance required before international departure.
Domestic Aircraft Quarantine
- Domestic aircraft with infectious disease or deaths onboard also inspected.
- Similar notification, document requirements, and boarding restrictions apply.
Detention of Conveyances Under Quarantine
- Infected vessels or aircraft may be detained.
- Movement allowed only with Director of Quarantine permission.
- Yellow quarantine flag flown while detained.
- Persons aboard subject to quarantine restrictions.
Sanitation and Food Safety for Domestic Vessels and Port Facilities
- Bureau ensures sanitation of vessels, ports, food establishments.
- Requires potable water storage, GMP for food, hygiene facilities, proper waste disposal.
- Food safety programs include Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) audits.
- Physical and medical exams required for food handlers.
Regulation of Cargoes and Materials for Medical Purposes
- Cargoes from plague-infected ports must be fumigated.
- Hazardous cargo subject to strict quarantine controls.
- Medical transplant/research materials require quarantine permits.
- Non-infectious specimens require protocols and permits.
Clearance of Human Remains
- Foreign human remains require accompanying health and official documents.
- Cremation or sealed coffin required for infectious diseases.
- Quarantine permits mandatory for shipment.
Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) Management
- Bureau of Quarantine institutes control measures for PHEICs.
- Recommendations for isolation, surveillance, quarantine of affected areas.
- Secretary of Health authorized to mobilize other agencies.
Management Protocols for Cholera, Plague, Yellow Fever
- Specific procedures for identifying infected conveyances.
- Measures for disinfection, isolation, treatment, surveillance of cases.
- Vaccination and vector control mandated where applicable.
Medical Examination of Foreigners for Immigration
- Bureau of Quarantine conducts medical exams for visa issuance.
- Foreigners classified by health status affecting immigration disposition.
- Only certified Regular Quarantine Medical Officers may issue clearances.
- Required tests include chest X-ray, serology, stool, urine, among others.
Utilization of Income
- 50% of quarantine income retained as Trust Fund for Bureau maintenance and capital outlays.
- Trust Fund excludes salaries and similar payments.
- Separate accounting and auditing required.
- Income sources include fees, fines, penalties.
- Interest from fund remitted to Bureau of Treasury.
Administrative Proceedings and Penalties
- Bureau investigates and hears complaints, imposes fines for violations.
- Penalties escalate from warnings to fines up to P500,000 and operation withholding.
- Appeals may be filed to Department of Health Secretary within 15 days.
- Criminal penalties include fines and/or imprisonment for violators.
Supplementary and Effectivity Clauses
- WHO International Health Regulations supplement this IRR.
- Invalid provisions do not affect overall validity.
- Previous inconsistent regulations repealed.
- IRR effective 15 days post-publication in national newspapers.