PNoy creates task force vs. infectious diseases

President Benigno Aquino III has created an inter-agency task force that will manage all emerging infectious diseases in the Philippines.

 

Executive Order No. 168, signed by the President last May 26, creates the Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (EID).

 

It said the Task Force shall be in charge of establishing a system to identify, screen, and assist Filipinos suspected or confirmed to be infected with EID.  

 

It shall also be in charge of preventing the spread of the said diseases and the entry of patients with EID into the country.

Among the EIDs cited by EO 168 are: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Avian Influenza, Ebola, and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS CoV).

 

According to the order, the Task Force shall also develop an EID Preparedness Manual, which will address government response and protocol in managing EID cases.

 

It said the Task Force shall be chaired by the Department of Health with the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Justice, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Tourism, and the Department of Transportation and Communications as members.

 

It said the Health secretary may also recommend to the President the enlistment of the Armed Forces to supplement the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies for the purpose of enforcing the quarantine of specific areas or facilitating the transport of EID patients. — Kimberly Jane Tan/RSJ, GMA News