Powers and Functions of Secretary of Health
- Granted authority to prevent, contain, and control SARS spread until declared non-threatening.
- Key responsibilities include:
- Screening and quarantine at ports of entry to prevent imported SARS.
- Establishment and enforcement of triage, contact tracing, quarantine, and isolation systems.
- Development of medical capacity for clinical management, research, and referral centers.
- Nationwide public education and awareness campaigns to mitigate fear and promote health.
- Coordination to address economic and labor impacts of SARS.
Interagency Assistance and Support
- Secretary of Health may call on various government departments and agencies for support including Defense, PNP, Coast Guard for quarantine enforcement and transport of patients.
- All government agencies must provide information aiding SARS prevention and control.
Funding Allocation
- Up to One Billion Pesos allocated from Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office funds to support the Executive Order.
Classification of SARS as Quarantinable Disease
- SARS is officially declared a quarantinable disease due to high contagion risk and public health threat.
Quarantine and Surveillance Responsibilities
- Bureau of Quarantine and International Health Surveillance (BQIHS) is tasked with examining vessels/aircraft, enforcing quarantine measures, and issuing health certificates under Secretary of Health's supervision.
Treatment and Containment Regulations
- Secretary of Health to promulgate rules regulating hospital and community-based SARS case management respecting patients' and contacts' welfare.
Authority of the Department of Education
- Authorized to close or suspend classes in educational institutions, public or private, and utilize facilities for SARS management.
- Disseminate health warnings and advisories during the crisis.
Role of the Department of the Interior and Local Government
- Mobilize and supervise police forces and local governments to enforce quarantine and maintain order.
- Implement measures such as checkpoints to control movement within affected areas.
- Transport and isolation of SARS patients supported, with respect for constitutional rights and lawful quarantine orders.
Responsibilities of Department of Labor and Employment
- Provide SARS-related information to departing overseas Filipino workers.
- Monitor and potentially restrict departures and entries for public health protection.
Responsibilities of the Department of Foreign Affairs
- Coordinate with foreign missions to issue travel advisories and prevent entry of suspected SARS cases.
Role of Department of Transportation and Communications
- Provide infrastructure at airports, seaports, and terminals for SARS measures.
- Control entry and exit of transportation to prevent SARS spread when required.
Responsibilities of the Department of Trade and Industry
- Prevent profiteering and unscrupulous conduct harmful to the public during the SARS crisis.
Role of the Bureau of Immigration
- Conduct rigorous screening of travelers from affected countries.
- Maintain passenger arrival and departure records and share relevant information with the Secretary of Health.
Role of National Security Agencies
- Provide intelligence coordination and strategic assessments of SARS threat to assist health authorities.
Role of the Office of the Press Secretary
- Support the public SARS awareness campaign implemented by the Department of Health.
Philippine Health Insurance Corporation's Responsibility
- Develop an insurance package covering hospitalization and medical costs for health workers contracting SARS in the line of duty.
Sanctions and Penalties
- Violations of lawful orders and directives related to SARS control will be punished in accordance with existing laws and regulations.
Effectivity
- The Executive Order takes immediate effect upon approval, emphasizing urgency in SARS response measures.