PROVIDING FOR THE QUARANTINE OF SUSPECTED SARS-INFECTED PERSONS, IMPOSING SANCTIONS FOR VIOLATION THEREFORE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES, INCLUDING HUMANITARIAN CONSIDERATIONS.

Sponsored by: MASS MOTION

Be it enacted by the Sangguniang Bayan of Maribojoc, Bohol, that:

SECTION 1. Title.- This ordinance shall be known as the Anti-SARS Ordinance of 2003.
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy.- It is hereby declared policy of the LGU-
Maribojoc, Bohol to promote and ensure the protection of the health and safety of its inhabitants from all forms of diseases, especially those of epidemic proportions.

Based on the report of the World Health Organization (WHO), the SARS virus has caused an alarming number of deaths in about twenty-seven (27) countries, believed to be SARS-affected or suspected of having probable cases of SARS. On the other hand, the Department of health (DOH) has declared that the SARS virus is now in the country and is classified as a quarantinable disease because of its highly contagious nature and considering the danger it poses to public health.

As such, and pursuant to their powers under Sec. 16 and 17 of the Local Government Code, it is imperative that Local Government Units (LGUs) take measures in order to prevent, abort or minimize the entry and spread of the said disease in the locality and to provide a mechanism for the quarantine of residents who are suspected to have been infected with deadly virus.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms.- For purpose of this Ordinance, the terms hereunder mentioned shall be defined as follows:

a) SARS – Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome also known as a typical pneumonia. It is caused by a new form of corona virus, related to the virus which causes flu. A confirmed case of SARS is one who has a fever of more than 38 degrees centigrade, develops body weakness, and respiratory signs and symptoms like cough, sore throat and shortness of breath and had signs and symptoms like cough, sore throat and shortness of breath and had traveled to SARS-inferced countries or had close contact with a confirmed SARS victim. A suspected case is one who has lived with, cared for, or closely worked with a confirmed case and who also develops cough, sore throat and shortness of breath.

b) QUARANTINE – Detention or isolation for the purpose of preventing the spread of epidemic diseases.

SECTION 4. Qurantine of Suspected SARS Victim.- Pursuant to Executive Order 201 of the President, any individual who is identified or determined by the DOH or the local health officials to be suffering from the symptoms of the SARS virus, shall be required to undergo testing and be quarantined in either the San Lazaro Hospital in Manila or the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in Muntinglupa or in such other places or institutions that may be designated as quarantine areas by the DOH or the local health officials until such time that the DOH issues a SARS-negative clearance.

All family member or other persons who have been in contact with the suspected SARS victim shall be reuired to undergo home confinement or be quarantined in places or institutions as may designated quarantine areas by the DOH or the local health authorities until such time that the DOH issues a SARS-negative clearance.

While under quarantine, suspected SARS victims shall be prevented from making personal contact with other individuals except the medical personnel treating them, until a SARS-negative clearance is issued for their discharge from quarantine .

For the effective implementing of this provision, the Municipal Mayor or his representative, particularly the Municipal health Officer, may call on the local PNP to ensure that the above persons shall remain in quarantine or in their area of confinement until the necessary clearance is issued by the DOH.

SECTION 5. Other Preventive Measure Against the Spread of SARS .- In order to prevent the entry and spread of SARS in the community, the Mayor shall measures against the spread of SARS to include but not limited to the following:

a) The conduct of massive information drive to raise the consciousness of the constituents on SARS and how it could affect their day-to-day activities.

The information drive maybe in the form of flyers, leaflets, and other information materials on SARS prevention for distribution to the public through the help of barangay health workers, other officials and members of the barangay, public and private school teachers, officials and members of the Sangguniang Kabataan, and members of non-government organizations in the area. Owners of cinemas may also be requested to allow the showing of informercials on SARS preventive measures for a certain period, as maybe agreed upon.

b) Mandatory requirement for all personnel and staff of public and private hospitals to wear personal protective equipment such as masks and apparel while on duty.
c) Mandatory requirement for all owners / proprietors / administrators of private establishments, including private hospitals, to formulate their own safety measures to protect their employees and the general public from the threat brought about by SARS and inform the Provincial Health Office of their SARS prevention plan.
d) Mandatory requirement for crematoriums, funeral and embalming establishments to provide for the immediate cremation/burial of any person confirmed or suspected to have died of SARS. These establishments are further required to coordinate with the DOH or local health authorities in formulating measures for the safe handling of the remains of persons confirmed or suspected to have died of SARS.
e) The conduct of clean-up drive in the barangays, regularly, but not less than once a week, to include households, esteros, rivers and riverbanks, drainage, streets, alleys, pathways, and other public places. All barangays officials shall be required to take the lead in the massive clean-up operations in the barangays.

The Mayor through the Municipal Health Officer may promulgate or issue such other rules and regulation consistent with this Ordinance.

SECTION 6. Monitoring Team .- There is hereby constituted a Municipal SARS Monitoring Team specifically tasked to monitor the ingress and egress or presence in the municipality of all persons who may have come SARS-infected places.

The team shall be composed of the following:

Team Leader – Municipal Health Officer
Assistant Team Leader – Chief of Police –PNP
Members – All Barangay Captains
– Chairman Committee on Health, SB
– Social Worker, DSWD

The Mayor is further to constitute monitoring teams down to the barangay level to be headed by their respective Municipal Health Officer.

SECTION 7. Humanitarian Considerations.- In view of the precariousness of the situation involving SARS cases, the following humanitarian consideration are hereby mandated.

a) The Mayor and their health and social welfare officials shall help ensure the procurement and provision of basic necessities to quarantined individuals, families, or communities.
b) Local health, police, and social welfare authorities are tasked to ensure that no person or group of persons are unduly discriminated, ostracized, oppressed, or unnecessarily humiliated by reason of being suspected as SARS-infected.

SECTION 8. Funding.- The appropriate funding needed for the implementation of this Ordinance shall be taken from funds of the Municipal coffers. The Calamity Fund of the Municipality may be utilized for this purpose; however, to existing guidelines prescribed under the rules and regulations and other issuances implementing Republic Act No. 8185 governing the allocation and utilization of the local calamity fund.

SECTION 9. Sanctions.- Any person who violates the requirement for home confinement as provided for in the second paragraph of Section 4 hereof shall be subject to forced confinement in any of the quarantine areas designated by the DOH until the necessary clearance is issued by the latter.

Any crematorium or funeral or embalming establishments offering cremation services who refuse to cremate any person confirmed or suspected to have died from SARS shall be subject to closure and cancellation of their business and mayor’s permit. In addition, the owners, proprietors and managers of the said establishments shall be penalized with a fine not exceeding Two Thousand Five Hundred Pesos (P2,500.00) or imprisonment for a period not exceeding one (1) year, or both, at the discretion of the court.

SECTION 10. Separation Clause.- If any provision of this Ordinance is declared invalid or unconstitutional, other parts or provisions hereof, which are not affected thereby, shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 11. Repealing Clause.- All ordinances found to be inconsistent with this Ordinance are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 12. Effectivity.- This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon approval hereof, except the second paragraph of Section 9 which shall take effect only after the posting of this entire ordinance in three (3) conspicuous places in the municipality and every Barangay Hall in the barangays.

Approved: June 20, 2003

I HEREBY CERTIFY TO THE CORRECTNESS
OF THE ABOVE QUOTED ORDINANCE:

PHILIP R. MEDEQUISO
Municipal Vice Mayor
Presiding Officer

ATTESTED:

ALBERTO E. ARANGOSO
SB Secretary

APPROVED:

ENGR. GABINO C. REDULLA
Municipal Mayor
Date signed: July 01, 2003