Arroyo Defines Government Agencies' Functions on SARS

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, April 26, 2003

Arroyo Defines Government Agencies' Functions on SARS

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Friday issued an executive order defining the powers, functions and responsibilities of government agencies in response to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

The order grants Philippine Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit, the SARS Crisis Management Committee chairman, such powers and authorities as would be necessary in order to contain, control, prevent and restrict the spread of SARS in the country until he declares the country free from the contagion.

Arroyo also set aside one billion pesos (18.87 million US dollars) as standby fund for purposes of the order.

The order provides that unless otherwise declared by Dayrit, the examination of incoming and outgoing vessels and aircraft, including the detention, isolation, and quarantine of cargoes, passengers, crews, and all personal effects, shall be vested in the Bureau of Quarantine.

The order also authorized Secretary of Education Edilberto Jesus to order the closure of schools and the suspension of classes and authorize the use of school buildings and edifices for purposes of containing or managing the SARS epidemic upon the advice of Dayrit.

The order also provides that Secretary of the Interior and Local Government Jose Lina, upon the determination and advice of Dayrit, shall mobilize the Philippine National Police and exercise control and supervision over local governments for the duration often crisis.

The authorities include the isolation and control of quarantine areas, the setting up of checkpoints and other means of curtailing the movements of people, vehicles and animals, and the maintenance of peace and order related to the management of the areas affected by SARS.

The Department of Labor shall be responsible for providing information to those leaving for the countries affected by SARS, or monitoring, advising, controlling the entry of overseas Filipino workers who may be deemed as a danger to public health.

The Department of Foreign Affairs shall coordinate with the various embassies and consulates, provide them with adequate information, release travel advisories to minimize the entry into the country of persons suspected of having contracted SARS.

Government owned and controlled media establishment and outlets shall support the public information campaign and dissemination through a sustained and continuing media information in coordination with the Crisis Committee.

Arroyo said the Department of Trade and Industry is also tasked to monitor the prices of masks and other anti-SARS paraphernalia.

Arroyo said in a separate statement she would propose the creation of an ASEAN Health Emergency Fund when she attends the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit on SARS scheduled for April 29 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Philippines' Biggest Airlines Suffers from SARS Scare

Arroyo Confirms First SARS Case in Philippines

>> Full Coverage

China to Send Lunar-Probe Satellite in 3 Years: Expert ( 2 Messages)

Analysis: Germany Softening Anti-War Tone as It Enters UN Security Council ( 3 Messages)

Chinese Premier Pledges to Improve SARS Control ( 2 Messages)

China Launches First "Indigenous" Management Theory ( 9 Messages)

China Protects Safety of People from Overseas ( 3 Messages)