Personal Protective Equipment (Ppe) Stockpiling Act

Senate Office of the secretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 25 DEC 15 P1:14 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session RECEIVED BY: SENATE Senate Bill No. 1609 Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA AN ACT MANDATING THE STOCKPILING OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE On 30 January 2020, the first case of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) was confirmed and announced in the Philippines. On the same day, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), reflecting the seriousness of the threat posed by the rapidly spreading virus.' In anticipation of the escalating crisis and the risks it posed to public health and safety, the Philippine government, through Proclamation No. 922, declared a State of Public Health Emergency and subsequently imposed a Metro Manila-wide community quarantine on March 12, 2020. This measure introduced strict social distancing protocols and the suspension of classes to mitigate the transmission of the virus. Shortly thereafter, the entire island of Luzon was placed under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ). 3 The rapid transmission and global spread of COVID-19 led to widespread concerns, including severe supply chain disruptions and the overwhelming pressure on global production capacities for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). At the height of the pandemic, production backlogs extended to as long as four to six months, 1 World Health Organization. 100 days of COVID-19 in the Philippines: How WHO supported the Philippine response. Published on 9 May 2020. Available at https://www.who.int/philippines/news/feature- stories/detail/100-days-of-covid-19-in-the-philippines-how-who-supported-the-philippine-response (Accessed on 3 November 2025). 2 Presidential Communications Office. Gov't imposes community quarantine in Metro Manila to contain coronavirus. Published on 13 March 2020. Available at https://pco.gov.ph/news releases/govt-imposes- community-quarantine-in-metro-manila-to-contain-coronavirus/ (Accessed on 3 November 2025). 3 Daily Tribune. Five years since lockdown: A look back at the COVID-19 crisis in the Phl. Published on 16 March 2025. Available at https://tribune.net.ph/2025/03/16/five-years-since-lockdown-a-look-back-at-the-covid-19- crisis-in-the-phl (Accessed on 3 November 2025).

delaying the delivery of equipment that would protect the safety of our frontline workers. 4 In the Philippines, the shortage of PPE forced many health workers to take matters into their own hands and source for gloves and masks amid critically low supply levels. The scarcity of supplies has even led some frontline workers to use improvised protective gear and substitute materials such as raincoats for PPE.5 The situation and experiences of our citizens during the COVID-19 crisis underscores the need for proactive and institutional reforms to safeguard their welfare, especially health workers who serve at the frontlines during public health emergencies. To strengthen the country's preparedness and ensure that healthcare facilities are adequately equipped to respond effectively to present and future crises, the establishment of a PPE Stockpiling System is imperative. Thus, under this proposed measure, the Department of Health (DOH) shall be mandated to establish and maintain a national stockpile of PPE sufficient to meet the needs of healthcare workers and workers in critical industries for a period of at least ninety (90) days. All PPE included in the stockpile shall be new, unexpired, and unused, and the DOH shall ensure proper inventory management, procurement, and distribution in accordance with prescribed guidelines, to maintain at all times the quality and adequacy of supplies. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. брем- JOEL VILLANUEVA A 4 ADB Briefs. Global Shortage of Personal Protective Equipment amid COVID-19: Supply Chains, Bottlenecks, and https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publication/579121/ppe-covid-19-supply-chains-bottlenecks-policy.pdf Accessed on 4 November 2025. 5 Isiah Hospital and Medical Center. Frontliners in Romblon improvising PPEs amid lack of supply. Published on 19 March 2020. Available at https://isiahhospital.com/frontliners-in-romblon-improvising-ppes-amid-lack-of- supply/ (Accessed on 4 November 2025).

Senate Difice of the Secretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) ) DEC 15 P1:14 First Regular Session SENATE RECEIVED BY: 1609 Senate Bill No. _ Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA AN ACT MANDATING THE STOCKPILING OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "PPE Stockpiling

2 Act."

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the

4 State to adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development, 5 which endeavors to make essential goods, and health and social services available to all the people at an affordable cost. Towards this end, the State shall ensure 7 the availability, adequacy, and accessibility of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other critical and strategic materials during public health emergencies and other similar crises by establishing and institutionalizing a national stockpiling system. Such system shall guarantee that, in times of need, the supply of these materials shall remain sufficient, sustainable, and readily deployable to protect the health and safety of all workers and the public.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms

are hereby defined as follows:

a) Workers in Critical Industries refers to workers in critical establishments, such as, but not limited to, the following who are exposed to danger, contagion, virus, disease, or peril from health crises and natural calamities: (1) Hospitals, sanitaria, rural health units, main health centers, health infirmaries, barangay health stations, clinics, laboratories, and other health-related establishments; (2) Morgues and mortuaries; (3) Banks and other financial institutions providing money transfer services; (4) Convenience stores, grocery stores, public markets, and supermarkets; (5) Pharmacies, drugstores, or similar establishments authorized to dispense medicines; (6) Restaurants; (7) Food and medical manufacturing establishments; (8) Telecommunications and mass media companies; (9) Electric generation, transmission, and distribution companies; (10) Water distribution companies, including water delivery, and refilling stations; (11) Gasoline stations and oil companies; (12) Sanitation personnel; (13) Logistics and warehouse facilities; (14) Delivery and public transportation companies; (15) Civil aviation and maritime transport related companies; (16) Companies involved in the Philippine capital market, such as the Philippine Stock Exchange and Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corporation, among others; (17) Hotels and similar establishments, upon such terms and conditions as the appropriate agencies overseeing the calamity, disaster or public health emergency prescribe; and (18) Such other establishments which may be considered essential or critical considering the nature of the state of calamity or emergency or public health concern.

b) Healthcare worker means any worker who provides direct patient care and services including, but not limited, to physicians, pharmacists, clinicians, nurses, aides, technicians, janitorial and housekeeping staff, food services workers, and nonmanagerial administrative staff, regardless of status of employment; and C) Personal Protective Equipment or PPE refers to protective equipment designed to safeguard the eyes, face, head, and extremities, and includes protective clothing, respiratory devices, protective shields, and barriers, such as, but not limited to, the following: N95 and other filtering facepiece respirators; elastomeric air-purifying respirators with appropriate particulate filters or cartridges; powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs); disinfecting and sterilizing devices and supplies; medical gowns and apparel; face masks and surgical masks; face shields; gloves; and shoe coverings.

SEC. 4. PPE Stockpile. - The Department of Health (DOH) shall establish

and maintain a PPE stockpile that would be adequate for all workers in critical industries and healthcare workers for a period of ninety (90) days and upon such 17 guidelines as may be issued by the DOH, in coordination with proper government agencies. As far as practicable, the guidelines for the procurement, management, and distribution of PPEs shall take into account all of the following: a) The various types of PPE that may be required during a pandemic or other health emergency; b) The shelf life of each type of PPE and how to restock each type of PPE, ensuring that the supply consists of unexpired PPE; The quantity and amount of each type of PPE that would be required for all healthcare workers and essential workers during a pandemic or other health emergency; d) Instructions, guidelines, rules and regulations of the government on the procurement, management, and distribution of materials, supplies, and resources; e) Designation of storage of PPEs that is proper, safe, and accessible for use during emergencies;

f) The formulation of policies and standards for PPE surge capacity, to ensure the availability, adequacy, and accessibility of PPE for all workers during health crises and natural calamities; 9) The establishment of protocols for the prioritization of distribution in the event that the available supply of PPE is insufficient to meet the requirements of providers or employers of essential workers, taking into consideration the following factors: (1) Whether the concerned worker, facility, or establishment is located in an area with a high concentration of low-income residents or is otherwise classified as an underserved area; and (2) Whether the concerned worker, facility, or establishment is situated in a locality with a high infection rate or hospitalization rate attributable to the declared public health emergency. Private healthcare facilities shall also be required to establish and maintain a PPE stockpile to ensure their adequate supply of PPEs in times of national emergency or other public health emergency.

SEC. 5. Inventory Level of New and Unexpired PPEs. - In all cases,

all PPE maintained under the national stockpile shall be new, unexpired, and unused. The DOH shall implement a routine inspection and rotation system to ensure that PPE items are periodically assessed, replaced, and maintained in a state of readiness, thereby preventing expiration and deficiencies in stored supplies. In the event that the inventory of any type of PPE falls below the mandated minimum level as a result of its distribution to healthcare workers or workers in critical industries during a declared state of emergency, the DOH shall, as far as practicable, ensure the replenishment of such inventory to the prescribed level within thirty (30) days. In circumstances where a supply shortage or similar exigency prevents the timely replenishment of stockpiles, the DOH shall be authorized to undertake negotiated or emergency procurement, subject to existing laws, rules, and regulations governing such procurement processes.

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SEC. 6. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial

implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year's 3 appropriations of the DOH. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the 4 continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General 5 Appropriations Act.

SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days

from the effectivity of this Act, the DOH shall, in consultation with the relevant 8 government agencies and other stakeholders, promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to effectively implement the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 8. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is

declared unconstitutional, the remainder hereof or any provisions not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.

SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,

executive order, letter of instruction, rule, or regulation inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,