EXECUTIVE BRIEFER

I. Subject National Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (EREID) Program

II. Premise Executive Order No. 168 - Creating the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of
Emerging Infectious Diseases in the Philippines
Administrative Order No. 10 s. 2011 - Creating the Philippine Inter-Agency Committee on
Zoonosis, Defining Its Powers, Functions, Responsibilities, Other Related Matters and
Providing Funds Thereof
Other Related Issuances/ Guidelines
Administrative Order no. 2012-0022 - National Policy for the Implementation of on
International Health Regulation and Asia Pacific Strategy for Emerging Diseases in the
Philippines
Department Memorandum No. 2017- 2558 - Creation of Functional Groups for the National
EREID Program
Department Personnel Order No. 2005-1585 - Creation of a Management Committee on
Prevention and Control of Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (DOHMC-PCREID)
Department Memorandum No. 2017 - 0348 - Interim Technical Guidelines, Standards and
other Instructions in the Implementation of Enhanced Human Avian Flu Surveillance,
Management, and Infection Control in the Health Care Setting
Department Memorandum No. 2016 - 0169 - Interim Guidelines on the Clinical Management
of Zika Virus Infection
Department Memorandum No. 2014 - 0257 - Preparedness and Response Plan for the
Prevention and Control of Ebola Virus Disease
Department Memorandum No. 2014 - 0075 - Interim Guidelines on the Preparedness and
Response to MERS-CoV
Department Memorandum No. 2009 - 0144 - Technical Guidelines, Standards and other
Instructions for Reference in the Pandemic Response to Influenza A H1N1
Department Memorandum No. 2009-0250 - Interim Guidelines on the Prevention of
Leptospirosis through the use of Prophylaxis in Areas affected by Floods
Department Memorandum No. 2005-0021 - Case Guidelines on the Management and
Control of Meningococcal Disease

III. Background
The Philippines, considering its geographical location along the equator and its inherent
climate makes it susceptible to outbreaks of infectious diseases. Through history many
outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases have been recorded. May lives are at stake by the
rise of re-emerging infectious diseases such as meningococcemia, measles, and polio. It is but
prudent to emphasize the importance of preparedness at all levels of government not only at
the local and national but also at the international level against future pandemics.
Novel pathogens will continue to emerge may it be caused by climate change or deliberate
acts of terrorist such as an act of bioterrorism that may spread across regions. These may
cause countless morbidities and mortalities, disrupting trade and negatively affect the
economy. For that reason, improved logistics and rigorous research and development are
warranted. This program emphasizes the importance of inter-agency and international
relations to foster information and technology sharing.
The emergence of novel pathogens can be directly linked to social factors present in a
specific geographical location at a specified time. These factors are population and density,
domestic and international travel, human and wildlife migration, and environmental factors.
The emergence and spread of infectious diseases are unpredictable creating a missing link
between planning and taking action. For this reason, the Philippine government emphasized
the importance of proactive measure that ensures the preparedness and timely response of
different government institutions like the DOH, Bureau of Quarantine, DFA, Department of
Agriculture etc. in times of the rise of infectious diseases in pandemic proportions. Preventive
and multi-agency preparedness must be taken into action to mitigate the impact of those
public health threats.
IV. Issues or 1. To develop policies to provide legal mandate for budget and resource allocation
Problems that o Legal mandate
proposal seeks to o Standardization
address o Specific guidelines
2. To improve resource management and mobilization
o Additional funding
o Clear delineation of roles to avoid overlap
 o To capacitate health facilities to effectively handle EREID
3. To create linkages for proper implementation and execution of policy
4. To improve the logistics management to comply with national and local regulation
5. To improve risk communication and advocacy

V. Resources needed  The Department of Health as the lead agency

(budget, logistics, o DOH EREID hospitals
HR) o RITM/SNL
o Private hospitals
 Congress
 DBM, DA, OCD, DENR, NGO
 Media
 Academe
 Community
VI. Recommendation 1. The formulation of EREID 5-year strategic plan (2018-2022). The distribution and
orientation to the plan among health care providers once available.
2. Coordination with the DBM and congress for the financial aspect of the plan (GAA and
investment plan) for additional funding and to improve/capacitate the health facilities in
managing EREID cases. To reorient the health care workers regarding EREID management.
o Formulation of directory and MOA for specialized transport of patients/
specimens. (example: Negative pressure ambulances/isolation rooms)
3. Health human resource training and acquisition of plantilla positions. Provision of quality
EREID supplies, preparedness kits, transport of specimens and IATA accredited transport
couriers.
4. Development of standard case definitions, improvement of EREID confirmation
capability(SNL) and reporting mechanism
5. Development of algorithm for information dissemination and appointment of point person
on the office of public relation
VII. Prepared by: John Allen E. Alcantara, MD

Noted by:

MARIA ROSARIO S. VERGEIRE, MD, MPH, CESO IV

Assistant Secretary
Office for Health Regulation
Department of Health