Category Archives: Obiter / News

ECQ Bubble for NCR, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal: Resolution No. 106-A (Full Text)

[In its Resolution No. 106-A dated 27 March 2021, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infections Disease (IATF) placed certain areas under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), effective immediately until 4 April 2021. These areas are: (1) Bulacan; (2) Cavite; (3) Laguna; (4) Rizal; and (5) the highly urbanized cities of the National Capital Region and the municipality of Pateros. The full text of Resolution No. 106-A is reproduced below.]

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National Vaccination and Vaccine Cards: Primer on the COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021 (Republic Act No. 11525)

The policy directives and general guidelines for the COVID-19 Vaccination Program are contained in Republic Act No. 11525, also known as the “COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021.” R.A. 11525 was signed by the President on 26 February 2021. All vaccines procured by any entity must be registered with the Philippine Food and Drug administration (FDA), as evidenced by a valid Certificate of Product Registration or Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). COVID-19 vaccines imported shall be exempt from import duties, taxes and other fees. Here are the salient points of RA 11525.

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Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2: Joint Implementing Guidelines for the Implementation of the Social Amelioration Program for the Second (2nd) Tranche

[JMC 2-2020 was issued by the Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DWSD), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Finance (DOF), Department of National Defense (DND), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). See Summary. The full text of JMC 2-2020 is reproduced below.]

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Rules on Mass Gatherings During GCQ and MGCQ

There are specific rules for various activities, depending on the quarantine classification of an area. The existing quarantine classification for all areas in the Philippines is either General Community Quarantine (GCQ) or Modified General Quarantine (MGCQ). Here are the rules governing MASS gatherings in both GCQ or MGCQ:

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Covid-19 Unemployment Reduction Economic Stimulus (CURES) Act of 2020: Salient Points of House Bill No. 6920

On 5 June 2020, the House of Representatives approved, on third and final reading, House Bill No. 6920 (in substitution of House Bill No. 6709), proposing a law to be known as The Covid-19 Unemployment Reduction Economic Stimulus (CURES) Act of 2020. Here are the salient features of engrossed copy of House Bill No. 6920:

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Transportation Guidelines for Cebu City during General Community Quarantine (GCQ)

With more businesses and establishments allowed to operate during the General Community Quarantine (GCQ), public transportation is crucial. Officials say that companies should provide transportation solutions for their employees. This is a heavy burden for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), especially considering that these MSMEs are already suffering from severe financial strain brought about by the lockdown. Each LGU has its unique traffic or transportation concerns. Metro Manila has its Modified Number Coding Scheme, but this will most likely be insufficient to address the transportation shortage. On the other hand, Cebu City has provided its own guidelines, basically allowing ALL public transportation and ALL private vehicles of employees working in permitted establishments.

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MMDA: Number Coding Scheme in Metro Manila Suspended Until Further Notice

The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has announced that the Modified Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) or “Number Coding Scheme” for Metro Manila will take effect on 8 June 2020 (the full text of MMDA Regulation No. 2020-001 is reproduced below). Update (7 June 2020): Number Coding Scheme suspended until further notice, per the MMDA.

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When Travel Pass is Needed for Interzonal Travel during Community Quarantine

From day one of the quarantine, we have always maintained that it is way much better to reduce the quarantine-related rules in black and white to avoid confusion. The general guidelines are set forth in the Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) revised Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine in the Philippines. There are, however, a lot of gray areas that caused, and will continue to cause, confusion. 

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