Declaration of Public Health Emergency Due to COVID-19
- Proclamation No. 922 (s. 2020) declared a State of Public Health Emergency throughout the Philippines on March 8, 2020, in response to COVID-19.
- The emergency declaration remains effective unless it is officially lifted or withdrawn.
Authority for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) of COVID-19 Vaccines
- Executive Order No. 121 (s. 2020) authorized the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue Emergency Use Authorizations for COVID-19 vaccines.
- Such EUAs are valid only during the duration of the declared public health emergency.
Developments Leading to Response Adjustments
- Continuous immunization programs and significant decreases in COVID-19 cases led to government actions such as reopening international borders and easing health and safety protocols.
- Other countries have similarly relaxed their restrictions, reflecting a global shift in management of the pandemic.
Healthcare Capacity and Current COVID-19 Status in the Philippines
- Despite COVID-19 still posing serious risks to certain subpopulations, Philippine healthcare systems have maintained adequate capacity.
- Hospital bed utilization rates remain low even after the relaxation of COVID-19 protocols.
International Health Regulations and WHO Recommendations
- On May 4, 2023, the WHO Emergency Committee noted a decline in COVID-19 hospitalizations, deaths, and ICU admissions, coupled with high levels of population immunity.
- On May 5, 2023, the WHO Director-General agreed that COVID-19 no longer constitutes a public health emergency of international concern and recommended transitioning to long-term pandemic management.
Request for Lifting the Public Health Emergency
- On May 8, 2023, the Philippines' Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases passed Resolution No. 08 (s. 2023), requesting the lifting of the State of Public Health Emergency.
Official Lifting of the State of Public Health Emergency
- The President of the Philippines formally lifted the Public Health Emergency effective immediately as per the proclamation dated July 21, 2023.
Legal Effect of Lifting the Emergency Declaration
- All prior Orders, Memoranda, and issuances effective only during the State of Public Health Emergency are considered withdrawn, revoked, or canceled.
- EUAs issued by the FDA under EO No. 121 remain valid for one year post-lifting solely to allow use of remaining vaccines.
Obligations of Government Agencies Post-Lifting
- All government agencies are directed to review and adjust their policies, rules, and regulations in light of the lifted emergency.
- Agencies must amend existing issuances or promulgate new ones as necessary to conform to the new status.
Formalization of the Proclamation
- The proclamation is signed by the President and attested by the Executive Secretary.
- The official seal of the Republic of the Philippines is affixed to formalize the lifting of the public health emergency.