Enhanced and General Community Quarantine Order

Article II, Section 15 of the Constitution declares a State policy to protect and promote the right to health of the people.
Proclamation No. 929 (s. 2020) declared 3 State of Calamity throughout the country and imposed ECQ in the entire Luzon due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Republic Act No. 11469 (“Bayanihan to Heal as One Act”) grants the President temporary authority to carry out measures necessary to mitigate and contain COVID-19 transmission and prevent overburdening of the healthcare system.
Republic Act No. 11469 authorizes the President to ensure LGUs act within the letter and spirit of national rules, regulations, and directives relative to COVID-19, implement standards consistent with the national government, and fully cooperate toward unified implementation.

The Order anchors quarantine implementation on the need to protect public health while complementing measures that strengthen healthcare system capacity in hospitals, medical facilities, and LGUs.
The Order adopts a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach through a science-based risk classification methodology.
The Order recognizes that unilateral closure of territorial boundaries and restriction of movement of workers and cargoes compromise collective national interests.

Section 1 imposes ECQ from 12:01 a.m. of 01 May 2020 to 11:59 p.m. of 15 May 2020 in the entirety of the following geographic areas, including all provinces, HUCs, ICCs, CCs, and municipalities situated therein:
- National Capital Region;
- Region III (Central Luzon), except Aurora Province;
- Region IV-A (CALABARZON);
- Benguet Province;
- Pangasinan Province;
- Iloilo Province;
- Cebu Province;
- Bacolod City; and
- Davao City.
Section 1 imposes GCQ for the same period in all other areas of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, provided that minimum health standards are achieved and continuously observed.
Any existing community quarantine imposed by an LGU, regardless of nomenclature, ceases to take effect on 12:01 a.m. of 01 May 2020 and is superseded by the ECQ or GCQ set by the Order.
Section 1 authorizes the IATF to lift the GCQ in low-risk areas after 15 May 2020, provided that no deterioration in risk level occurs.

Beginning 16 May 2020, Section 2 provides that all decisions to impose, lift, or extend a community quarantine in provinces, HUCs, and ICCs rest with the IATF.
Despite this, upon effectivity of the Order, provincial governors are authorized to impose, lift, or extend ECQ in CCs and municipalities upon the concurrence of the relevant regional counterpart body of the IATF.
Mayors of cities and municipalities are authorized to impose, lift, or extend ECQ in barangays upon the concurrence of the relevant regional counterpart body of the IATF.
Section 2 preserves the IATF’s authority to directly impose, lift, or extend ECQ in these areas when circumstances require it.
No LGU may declare its own community quarantine, regardless of nomenclature, without observing the procedures set by Section 2.

Section 3 confirms and adopts the Omnibus Guidelines on the implementation of Community Quarantine in the Philippines as approved and recommended under IATF Resolution No. 30.
Any amendment or modification of the Omnibus Guidelines may be approved by the IATF without need of further approval by the President.
The Omnibus Guidelines apply to the implementation of the ECQ and GCQ under this Order.

Section 4 directs all government departments, agencies, and instrumentalities—including state colleges and universities, GOCCs, government financial institutions, and LGUs—to render full assistance and cooperation with each other.
Section 4 requires mobilization of the necessary resources to implement the ECQ and GCQ pursuant to Executive Order No. 112.

Section 5 provides separability: if any part of the Order is held unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining provisions remain in full force and effect.
Section 6 repeals, amends, or modifies all orders, rules, regulations, issuances, or parts thereof inconsistent with the Order.
Section 7 provides that the Order takes effect immediately upon publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.