As COVID-19 strikes the Philippines, various government issuances were released beginning March 2020 COVID that changed the life of the Filipinos.
Here are some of the important government issuances that have a significant impact on the country and the way of living of its people.
MARCH 8, 2020 - Presidential Proclamation No. 922, series of 2020
President Rodrigo Duterte issued the Presidential Proclamation No. 22, series of 2020 declaring a State of Public Health Emergency throughout the entire Philippines in response to the confirmation of the Secretary of Health on the local transmission of COVID-19 in the Philippines. All government agencies and local government units (LGUs) were mandated to render full assistance and undertake appropriate response to curtail and eliminate the virus. The Secretary of Health may also call upon the PNP and other law enforcement agencies to assist in addressing the COVID-19 threat. On the other hand, residents, tourists, and establishment owners were urged to comply with lawful directives and advisories to be issued by appropriate government agencies.
MARCH 9, 2020 - Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) issued Resolution No. 10, series of 2020.
The IATF-MEID issued Resolution No. 10, series of 2020 recommending as among others the suspension of classes in all levels in Metro Manila while prohibiting mass gathering and imposing social distancing measures within the National Capital Region. It also encouraged the private sectors to provide alternative working arrangements among its employees, including social distancing at the workplace.
MARCH 12, 2020 - Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) issued Resolution No. 11, series of 2020.
The IATF-MEID issued Resolution No. 11, series of 2020 raising the Code Red Alert for COVID-19 to Sublevel 2, recommending to place the entire Metro Manila under community quarantine for thirty (30) days. It also encourages flexible working arrangements in the private sector, while mass transport continues operation. Domestic travels by land, air, and sea to and from Metro Manila will be suspended effective March 15, 2020. LGUs outside of NCR were given the discretion to suspend classes. Entry travel restriction from those traveling from countries with localized COVID-19 transmission was also imposed, except Filipino citizens, their spouse and children.
MARCH 13, 2020 - Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) issued Resolution No. 12, series of 2020.
The IATF-MEID issued Resolution No. 12, series of 2020 recommending the Social Distancing Measure within the NCR. Mass gatherings to be suspended and enhanced community quarantine will be imposed. Alternative work arrangements were encouraged within the private sectors.
MARCH 16, 2020 - Proclamation No. 929, series of 2020
President Rodrigo Duterte issued Proclamation No. 929, series of 2020 declaring a State of Calamity Throughout the Philippines due to COVID-19 for a period of six (6) months. The enhanced community quarantine will be imposed effective 12 midnight (March 17, 2020) until April 12, 2020 throughout Luzon.
A Memorandum from the Office of the Executive Secretary was also issued on the same day on guidelines for the enforcement of the ECQ which include as among others the suspension of classes, prohibition of mass gatherings, strict home quarantine, suspension of mass transport, restriction on travel by air, land, and sea, and the temporary closure of private establishments except those providing essential services.
MARCH 17, 2020 - Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) issued Resolution No. 13, series of 2020.
The IATF-MEID issued Resolution No. 13, series of 2020 on the guidelines for the implementation of the Enhanced Community Quarantine over Luzon. Among the recommendations include the preparedness of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) for the worst-case scenario and to develop a recovery plan. It also provides some modifications to the Memorandum issued by the Executive Secretary last March 16, 2020. Hotels and similar establishments were not allowed to operate with some exemptions.
MARCH 19, 2020 - DTI Memorandum Circular No. 202-06
The DTI issued M.C. No. 202-06 to provide the guidelines on the establishments that are considered as essentials to avoid hampering the movement of cargo and transit of personnel of the said business establishments. The covered enterprises include all manufacturers of food and essential products, medicine, medical supplies; retail establishments (groceries, supermarkets, convenience stores, drug stores, and pharmacies; Export companies and BPOs. Employees of the said companies are required to present a valid company ID, proof of residence, and Certificate of Employment.
The DTI also issued Memorandum Circular No. 2020-07 that limits the sale and purchase of certain goods while freezing the prices of the basic necessities to its prevailing price.
MARCH 20, 2020 - Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) issued Resolution No. 14, series of 2020.
The IATF-MEID issued Resolution No. 14, series of 2020 canceling the Visas issued to foreigners, accommodation of distressed OFWs and exemptions to the ECQ as among others.
MARCH 21, 2020 - DILG issued Memorandum Circular No. 2020-062
The Circular provides guidelines to the LGUs regarding the implementation of the ECQ and State of Public Health Emergency due to the COVID-19 threat. Among the general guidelines declared that:
MARCH 23, 2020 - Administrative Order No. 26, series of 2020
The Office of the President authorized the grant of Hazard Pay to all government personnel who physically report for work during the implementation of ECQ.
MARCH 21, 2020 - DILG issued Memorandum Circular No. 2020-062
The Circular provides guidelines to the LGUs regarding the implementation of the ECQ and State of Public Health Emergency due to the COVID-19 threat. Among the general guidelines declared that:
a. All LGUs, being charged with the promotion of health and safety within their jurisdiction, are to take the lead in the prevention and control of the spread of the COVID-19 at the local level.
b. Local Chief Executives must remain present in their areas of jurisdiction and all local officials, being frontliners in times of crises, are banned from traveling outside of the area.
c. LGUs must adhere to the guidelines and not overextend its implementation, nor deliberately leave out its explicit provisions.
d. LGUs must organize their Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERTs) by managing persons under investigation (PUIs) and those who came in contact with them.
e. LGUs shall establish checkpoints.
f. Local chief Executives must monitor the prices of items of necessity.
g. LGUs shall enforce the prohibition on mass gatherings.
h. LGUs shall not use DepEd schools as quarantine or isolation areas unless otherwise allowed by DepEd.
MARCH 23, 2020 - Administrative Order No. 26, series of 2020
The Office of the President authorized the grant of Hazard Pay to all government personnel who physically report for work during the implementation of ECQ.
MARCH 24, 2020 - Republic Act No. 11469 or the “Bayanihan to Heal As One Act,”
President Rodrigo Duterte signed the Bayanihan Act of 2020 enacted by the Philippine legislature giving the President special powers to respond to the COVID-19 situation in the country. The law mandates the executive branch to provide or carry-out the following, among others:
President Rodrigo Duterte signed the Bayanihan Act of 2020 enacted by the Philippine legislature giving the President special powers to respond to the COVID-19 situation in the country. The law mandates the executive branch to provide or carry-out the following, among others:
a. Emergency subsidy to 18million low income households for two (2) months not exceeding Php8,000;
b. Special Risk Allowance to public health workers;
c. Medical benefit to public and private health workers in case of exposure to work-related injury or disease;
d. Exposure compensation of Php100,000 and death benefit of Php1,000,000 to public and private health workers;
e. Enforcement of measures to protect the people from economic manipulations, such as hoarding, profiteering, injurious speculations, manipulation of prizes, product deceptions, cartels and monopolies or other combinations in restraint of trade that affect the supply, distribution and movement of food, clothing, hygiene and sanitation products, medicine and medical supplies, fuel, fertilizers, chemicals, building materials, implements, machinery, equipment and spare parts required in agriculture, industry and other essential services, and other articles of prime necessity, whether imported or locally produced or manufactured;
f. Hiring of temporary medical and allied medical staff to complement or supplement the current health workforce;
g. Availability of credit to the productive sectors of the economy in the countryside;
h. Liberalize incentives for the manufacture or importation of critical or needed healthcare equipment or supplies;
i. Adopt measures necessary to minimize disruption to the supply chain for basic commodities and services and ensure availability of essential goods, such as food and medicine;
j. Regulate and limit the operation of all sectors of transportation through land, sea or air, whether private or public;
k. Regulate traffic on all roads, streets and bridges, as well as prohibit and remove encroachments and illegal construction in public places;
l. Authorize alternative working arrangements for employees and workers;
m. Conserve and regulate the distribution and use of power, fuel, energy and water, and ensure their adequate supply;
n. Direct all unobligated allotments and savings from appropriated programs, projects or activities of any agency in the Executive branch, including GOCCs, in the 2019 and 2020 budget, whether released and unreleased, as well as reprogram, reallocate and realign from savings on other items of appropriation in the 2020 budget of the Executive department, to respond to COVID-19 emergency including social amelioration for affected communities, and the recovery of areas, sectors and industries severely affected;
o. Authority of the President to allocate cash, funds and investments, including unutilized or unreleased subsidies and transfers held by GOCCs or any national government agency;
p. Move deadlines for the payment of taxes, fees and other charges, and the timeliness for the filing and submission of any document, required by law;
q. Direct all banks, quasi-banks, financing companies, lending companies and other financial institutions, public and private, including GSIS, SSS, PAG-IBIG Fund, to grant a 30-day grace period for the payment of EVERY loan without incurring interests, penalties, fees and other charges;
r. Granting a minimum of 30-day grace period on residential rents without incurring interests, penalties, fees and other charges; and
s. Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program, whether in cash or non-cash.
The IATF also passed Resolution No. 15 on the same day directing the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to transfer about Php420million to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation to cover COVID-19 related packages.
March 27, 2020 - DILG issued Memorandum Circular No. 2020-063
The MC provides the guidelines on the Management of Human Remains for Patient Under Investigation (PUI) and Confirmed COVID-19 cases.
March 28, 2020 - Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1-2020 jointly signed by the Secretaries of DSWD, DOLE, DTI, DA, DBM, DOF and DILG.
The MC provides special guidelines on the Social Amelioration Measures to mitigate the socio-economic impact of COVID-19 health crisis especially to the most affected individuals, families and communities of the areas under ECQ.
The beneficiary/ies of these programs are:
(1) senior citizens; (2) persons with disability; (3) pregnant/lactating women; (4) solo parents; (5) overseas Filipinos in distress; (6) underprivileged sector and homeless families, indigenous people, and other vulnerable groups; (7) workers in the informal sector/self-employed individuals; (8) employers; and (9) rice farmers.
April 6, 2020 - Administrative Order No. 28, series of 2020
It grants the special risk allowance to frontline public health workers during the period of ECQ.
April 7, 2020 - Memorandum from the Executive Secretary
It issues the directive on the extension of the ECQ over the entire Luzon until April 30, 2020.
April 28, 2020 - IATF Resolution No. 29, series of 2020
The Resolution identifies the areas to be placed on ECQ until May 15, 2020 as follows:
- NCR
- Region III except the province of Aurora
- Region IV-A (Calabarzon)
- Province of Pangasinan
- Province of Benguet
- Baguio City
- Province of Iloilo
- Province of Cebu
- Cebu City
- Davao City
The places not covered by the ECQ will be placed on General Community Quarantine.
