Philippine Quarantine Authority Act of 2025

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session 25 JL -D P4:16 SENATE S. No. 317 Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid STRENGTHENING AND RATIONALZZANG THE REGULATORY CAPACITY OF THE BUREAU OF QUARANTINE (BOQ), RENAMING IT TO PHILIPPINE QUARANTINE AUTHORITY (PQA), REPEALING REPUBLIC ACT 9271 (RA 9271), AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the critical importance of a robust and adaptive public health infrastructure. As we continue to grapple with the repercussions of the global health crisis, it becomes evident that the existing mechanisms for managing outbreaks and epidemics in the Philippines require reinforcement and modernization. In response to these pressing challenges, this bill seeks to transform the Bureau of Quarantine into the Philippine Quarantine Authority (PQA) and restore the military ranks to its officials to fortify their authority in dealing with outbreaks and public health emergencies. The proposed conversion to the PQA is grounded in the recognition of the need for a certain level of coercive authority to effectively manage and mitigate the impact of outbreaks and public health emergencies. By returning military ranks to quarantine officials, the PQA will be empowered to act swiftly and decisively, ensuring the immediate implementation of quarantine measures and the enforcement of public health protocols. The bill acknowledges the valuable lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the importance of managing the ingress and egress of

individuals and goods to prevent the entry and spread of potential health hazards. The PQA will play a pivotal role in safeguarding the nation by implementing rigorous quarantine measures, thereby minimizing the risk of infectious diseases entering the country. The creation of the PQA is complementary to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) Act. While the CDC focuses on policy and research activities, the PQA will serve as the implementing agency responsible for executing and enforcing these policies on the ground. This synergy ensures a comprehensive and coordinated approach to public health management, aligning research efforts with practical measures for effective disease prevention and control. In conclusion, the conversion of the Bureau of Quarantine into the Philippine Quarantine Authority (PQA) is a crucial step towards building a resilient public health infrastructure. By learning from the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, this bill seeks to equip the country with the necessary tools and authority to effectively manage outbreaks and epidemics, protecting the health and well-being of our citizens. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session JIL -D P4:16 SENATE S. No. 317 Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid AN ACT STRENGTHENING AND RATIONALIZING THE REGULATORY CAPACITY OF THE BUREAU OF QUARANTINE (BOQ), RENAMING IT TO PHILIPPINE QUARANTINE AUTHORITY (PQA), REPEALING REPUBLIC ACT 9271 (RA 9271), AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Quarantine

Authority Act of 2025".

SECTION 2. Change of Name. - The Bureau of Quarantine is hereby renamed

9 as the Philippine Quarantine Authority (PQA).

SECTION 3. Declaration of Policy. - It is the declared policy of the State to

improve the delivery of health care services to the people, and to protect the people from public health threats during public health emergencies through the efficient and effective response system for emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, diseases for elimination and eradication, epidemics, and health events, including chemical, biological, radio-nuclear and environmental agents of public health concern. Pursuant to this policy, the State must enhance the regulatory policy to strengthen its capability with regard to the inspection, surveillance, apprehension, and detention of any public health threats.

SECTION 4. Reinstitution of Military Rank of Commissioned Officers of the PQA.

2 - The Director General shall have the rank of Rear Admiral or higher and all quarantine 3 medical officers, including other allied health officers, under him shall have the ranks 4 of Commodore, Captain, Commander, Lieutenant Commander, Lieutenant (senior 5 grade), Lieutenant (junior grade). Such quarantine officers shall be commissioned by the President, upon the recommendation of the Director General of the PQA with the 7 approval of the Secretary of Health.

SECTION 5. The Director General and Other Officers of PQA. - The following

are the officers of PQA and their qualifications: a. The PQA shall be headed by a Director General, with the rank of Undersecretary, who must be a Doctor of Medicine, preferably with a relevant master's degree in public health. In addition, he or she shall have management experience in his or her field or discipline or profession and in any development, surveillance, or regulatory work as covered in this Act. b. The Director General shall be assisted by two (2) Deputy Director Generals, one for Field Regulatory Operations and another for Administration and Finance. c. The Director General and Deputy Director Generals shall be appointed by the President of the Republic of the Philippines from among the flag officers in the PQA. d. The Deputy Director General for Field Regulatory Operations of the PQA, with the rank of Assistant Undersecretary, must be a Doctor of Medicine, preferably with a relevant master's degree in public health. In addition, he or she shall have management experience in his or her field or discipline or profession and in any development, surveillance, or regulatory work as covered in this Act. e. The Deputy Director General for Administration and Finance of the PQA, with the rank of assistant secretary, shall be a lawyer, certified public accountant or shall possess a master's degree in accounting, management, economics or any

business course, and have management experience in a position related to his or her field of discipline or profession. f. Each field operation cluster and finance and administrative cluster shall be headed by a Director who shall be assisted by an assistant director. These directors shall be appointed by the President upon the recommendation of Secretary of Health. g. The existing Directors and Division Chiefs shall be given preference in the appointment as Deputy Director General, provided that if the current officers of the PQA applying for the above positions lack the required third level civil service eligibility, they will have to comply with the said requirement within three (3) years from the appointment, otherwise their appointment shall be revoked immediately; h. The Director General shall control, direct and manage all quarantine stations, grounds, anchorages and designate their boundaries. With the approval of the Secretary of Health, he shall establish such additional quarantine stations, grounds and anchorages. The Director General, in the same manner, may also order the closure of non-functional quarantine stations, grounds and anchorages; and i. The Director General has the authority to appoint personnel from assistant director and below, as deemed necessary, subject to the requirements and guidelines provided by law.

SECTION 6. Jurisdictions of the PQA. - The following are the jurisdictions of the

23 PQA: a. The examination at points of entry and exit in the Philippines of incoming and outgoing vessels and aircrafts, the necessary surveillance over their sanitary conditions, as well as over their cargoes, passengers, crews, and all personal effects, and the issuance of quarantine certificates, bills of health, or other equivalent documents;

b. The examination of interisland ports of entry and exit in the Philippines of incoming and outgoing vessels and aircrafts, their sanitary conditions, and the necessary surveillance on passengers and crew. In the event of quarantine certificates, bills of threat, examination over their cargoes, all personal effects, the issuance of quarantine certificates, bills of health, or other equivalent documents shall be vested in and be conducted by the PQA; c. The PQA shall have jurisdiction over incoming and outgoing vessels and aircrafts, both domestic and foreign, private and government-owned, including those of the armed forces; d. Authority over quarantine stations nationwide; e. The wharfage, seaport, and airport terminals, including the 400-meter controlled perimeter for vector management program; f. Food service establishments, service provider for food and water supplies at seaport and airport terminals and inside perimeter; and g. Authority over designated national quarantine facilities for international travelers.

SECTION 7. Authority to Promulgate and Enforce Rules and Regulations. -

(a) The Director General with the approval of the Secretary of Health, is authorized to promulgate and enforce rules and regulations as in his judgment are necessary to prevent the introduction, transmission or spread of "public health emergencies of international concern" from foreign countries into the Philippines or from one (1) domestic seaport/airport to another. For purposes of implementing these regulations, the Director General may provide intervention strategies such as health education and advisories, inspections, fumigation, disinfection, pest extermination, vaccination for international travel, medical examination of aliens/foreigners for immigration purposes and destruction of animals or articles found to be infected or contaminated as to be sources of infection to human beings in coordination

with other concerned quarantine agencies such as veterinary quarantine, plant quarantine, etc. and other measures as in his judgment may be necessary. (b) Regulations prescribed under this section shall provide for the apprehension, detention or surveillance for the purpose of preventing the introduction, transmission or spread of such public health emergencies of international concern as may be specified from time to time in Department Orders by the Secretary of Health upon the recommendation of the international health surveillance. (c) Whenever it is deemed necessary for the protection of the public health of the nation from public health emergencies of international concern, immunization and other preventable measures against these diseases shall be mandatory on all persons arriving at any seaport/airport of entry in the Philippines. (d) The Secretary of Health, upon the recommendation of the Director General, may prescribe examination of any individual believed to be infected with a disease of international concern on board vessels and aircraft entering any seaport or airport in the Philippines. Such rules and regulations may provide that if upon examination, any such individual is found to be infected or has been exposed to infection considered as dangerous contact, he may be isolated aboard a vessel, in a hospital with facilities for infectious diseases, at a quarantine station, or at any isolation facility, and in such a manner as may be proscribed by the said regulations.

SECTION 6. SEC. 5. Prohibition of Entry of Hazardous Cargo and Materials. -

Whenever the Director General determines that there is an existence of any public health emergency of international concern in a foreign country, and that there is imminent danger of the introduction of hazardous cargoes or materials into the Philippines, he, in coordination with the Bureau of Customs and other concerned agencies, may recommend to the President, through the Secretary of Health, the 29 prohibition of its entry for public health interest.

SECTION 6. Powers and Functions. - The PQA, with the category of a first-class

line agency under the Department of Health, shall have the following powers and 3 functions: a. Implement our international commitments in accordance with the International Health Regulations (IHR) of the World Health Organization (WHO); b. Conduct surveillance, apprehension, and detention of any individuals and goods considered as imminent public health threat; c. Uphold preventive care to travelers by formulating policies and guidelines on core components of travel medicine and code of ethical practice of travel medicine in the country; d. Establish and maintain quarantine facilities nationwide with international ports; e. Grant, within its capabilities and consistent with its mandate, request for assistance of other government agencies in the performance of their functions; f. Detain and hold all passengers, vessels, aircrafts, and cargoes found violating quarantine laws of the Philippines; and g. Perform such other functions that may be necessary in the attainment of the objectives of this Act.

SECTION 8. Quarantine Documentary Requirements and Bills of Health. -

a. All vessels or aircraft from foreign ports arriving at any port of the Philippines shall be required to submit the required maritime declaration of health and general declaration and other documents as prescribed by the regulations; b. All ocean-going vessels or international aircraft from foreign seaports or airports calling at any seaport or airport in the Philippines to disembark its passengers or discharge its cargo, or for other purposes must secure a

quarantine clearance in compliance with the health regulations. This quarantine certificate or clearance (Pratique) shall be a prerequisite to customs clearance; c. After compliance with the quarantine laws and regulations, all vessels or aircraft leaving any seaport or airport of the Philippines shall secure quarantine outgoing clearance. This certificate or clearance shall also be a prerequisite to customs clearance of outgoing vessels and aircraft; d. Subject to quarantine laws and regulations, all vessels or aircraft entering and leaving any domestic seaport or airport of the Philippines shall secure quarantine documents during outbreak or regional public health emergency; e. Subject to quarantine laws and regulations, during outbreak or national public health emergency, for local and international travel, individuals shall secure applicable bills of health; and f. Such other documents which may be required by WHO and other international and national regulatory bodies relating to the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 9. Penalties. -

a. Penalties for persons violating quarantine laws i. Whoever violates or refuses to comply with the provisions of this Act or whoever enters or departs from the limits of any quarantine stations, grounds or anchorages without prior compliance with the quarantine rules and regulations or without permission from the quarantine officer in charge, shall be punished by a fine of not less than Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php50,000.00) but not more than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php100,000.00), or by imprisonment of not more than one (1) year, or both, at the discretion of the court. ii. If the act or omission penalized by this Act be committed by an association, partnership, corporation or any other institution, its managing

head, directors or partners shall be liable to the penalties provided in this Act for the offense. ili. Criminal action arising from a violation of the provisions of this Act may be commenced by the PQA either under this Act, or in appropriate cases, under the Revised Penal Code. Provided, that such criminal action may be filed by the PQA in the city or municipality where the PQA Quarantine Station is located if the violation was committed within its territorial jurisdiction or in Metro Manila, at the option of the PQA. b. Administrative Penalties i. The PQA shall, motu proprio or upon a complaint or charge by any = individual, corporation, association, or organization, against any person, vessel or aircraft or any of its personnel who violated the provisions of this Act, its Implementing Rules and Regulations, terms and conditions, orders, instructions or rules and regulations of PQA, investigate and verify if such person vessel, aircraft or any of its personnel, is guilty of the charges or complaints. ii. Any person who violated or otherwise failed to comply with the terms and conditions, orders, instructions or rules and regulations of the PQA shall be subject to a fine of at least Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php50,000.00) but not exceeding One Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php100,000.00), and the PQA is hereby authorized and empowered to impose such fine, after due notice and hearing. iii. Any vessel or aircraft who violated or otherwise failed to comply with the terms and conditions, orders, instructions or rules and regulations of the PQA shall be subject to a fine of at least Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php50,000.00) but not exceeding One Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 100,000.00), and the PQA is hereby authorized and empowered to impose such fine, after due notice and hearing.

iv. The fines so imposed shall be paid to the PQA, and failure to pay the fine in any case within the period specified in the order or decision of the PQA shall be deemed good and sufficient reason for withholding the operation of the vessel or aircraft until payment shall be made. Payment may also be enforced by appropriate action brought in a court of competent jurisdiction. The remedy provided in this section shall not be a bar to, or affect any other remedy provided in this Act but shall be cumulative and additional to such remedy or remedies. v. Implementation of the orders or decisions of the PQA may also be enforced by mandamus or injunction in appropriate cases, or by action to compel the specific performance of the orders or decisions so made, or of the duties imposed by this Act upon such person, vessel or aircraft.

SECTION 10. Fees and Other Incomes -

a. Upon the sole approval of the Secretary of Health, the authorization and other fees shall be reviewed by the PQA every three (3) years. b. There shall be determined and constituted additional fees such as sale of publications and services, assessment fees, fines, penalties, and other fees and charges outside the usual fees such as but not limited to vaccination, laboratory, quarantine permits; to be known as "other related regulatory fees". c. The Director General of the PQA, upon approval of the Secretary of Health, shall be authorized to promulgate rules and regulations governing the collection of the "other related regulatory fees".

SECTION 11. Authority to Utilize Income. - The PQA may be authorized by the

President, through the Secretary of Health, to retain and/or use not less than fifty percent (50%) of its income generated subject to accounting and auditing rules and regulations. All such incomes allowed to be retained shall be deposited in an authorized government depository bank as a special regulatory fund. Any interest earned by such

fund shall form part of the retained income. Such fund shall be used to augment the MOOE and Capital Outlay requirements for existing items in the PQA's budget.

SECTION 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The PQA shall promulgate

4 the implementing rules and regulations of this Act within sixty (60) days after the enactment of this Act.

SECTION 13. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation

of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations for the Bureau of Quarantine. Thereafter, the amount necessary for the continuous implementation 9 of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA).

SECTION. 14. Separability Clause. - In the event any provision of this Act or

the application of such provision to any person or circumstances is declared invalid, the remainder of this Act or the application of said provisions to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected by such declaration.

SECTION 15. Repealing Clause. - This act explicitly repeals R.A. No. 9271, or

the Quarantine Act of 2004. All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, memorandum orders, memorandum circulars, administrative orders, ordinances, and other issuances, or any part thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby revoked, amended, or modified accordingly.

SECTION 16. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

20 complete publication in the Official Gazette or at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. Approved,