ORDINANCE NO: 2020-457 Authored by: Hon. Priscilla M. Fernandez "AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE GUIDELINES FOR NON-PHARMACEUTICAL INTERVENTIONS (NPI'S) MEASURES FOR NEW NORMAL TO PREVENT AND CONTROL COVID-19 WITHIN THE TERRITORIAL JURISDICTION OF PAGADIAN CITY; PROVIDING FUNDS THEREOF AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES" WHEREAS, on March 8, 2020, President Rodrigo R. Duterte declared a State of Public Health Emergency throughout the country due to COVID-19 and enjoined all Government Agencies and Local Government Units (LGU's) to render full assistance and cooperation and mobilize the necessary resources to undertake critical, urgent, and appropriate responses and measure to curtail and eliminate the COVID-19 threat; WHEREAS, on April 23, 2020, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) issued Resolution No. 28 which mandates that minimum public health standards must be specified by the Department of Health and adhered to by all sectors; WHEREAS, on April 27, 2020, the Department of Health issued Administrative Order No. 2020-0015 which sets the guidelines on the Minimum Public Health Standards for COVID-19 mitigation and serves as a guide in institutionalizing key Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions across different settings to combat COVID-19; WHEREAS, Section 16 of the Local Government Code of 1991 provides that local governments shall exercise powers necessary, appropriate or incidental for its efficient and effective governance, and those which are essential to the promotion of general welfare; WHEREAS, with these powers, the City Government of Pagadian implements the Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions Measures promulgated by the DOH under its Administrative Order No. 2020-0015 using this Ordinance's procedures and technical specifications necessary for this adaptation and transition to the "new normal"; NOW, THEREFORE, be it ordained by the Sangguniang Panlungsod (13th City Council) of Pagadian City in session assembled that: CHAPTER I TITLE Section 1. - Title. - This Ordinance shall be referred and known as "AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE GUIDELINES FOR NON-PHARMACEUTICAL INTERVENTIONS (NPI'S) MEASURES FOR NEW NORMAL TO PREVENT AND CONTROL COVID-19 WITHIN THE TERRITORIAL JURISDICTION OF PAGADIAN CITY." CHAPTER II DECLARATION OF POLICIES, OBJECTIVES AND DEFINITION OF TERMS Section 2. - Declaration of Principles and Policies. - It is the policy of Pagadian City to protect the lives of its residents and upholds the whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach in developing solutions and response to the COVID-19 health event. It recognizes policies, guidelines, and plans cognizant to the aim of achieving equity considerations and its implications to the different sectors of this society. The City of Pagadian joins the Department of Health and other National Government Agencies to institute an evidence-based policy development, decision-making, and implementation of Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions and other COVID-19 mitigation measures under the "new-normal" set-up. Section 3. - Objectives. - This policy aims to operationalize and maximize the implementation of "minimum public health standards" and other applicable laws and guidelines as part of the mitigation measures for COVID-19 response across different settings. The implementation of this Ordinance shall support the localization of the Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs) in consonance with DOH Administrative Order No. 2020-0015, entitled "Guidelines on the Risk-Based Public Health Standards for COVID-19 Mitigation." The Ordinance shall be guided by the following COVID-19 Mitigation Objectives: Increase Physical and Mental Resilience Reduce Transmission Reduce Contact Rates Reduce Duration of Infection Promote mental health Reduce exposure of vulnerable individuals Provide support for essential workforce Provide support for vulnerable groups Reduce the use of and exposure to tobacco products Promote Health-Enhancing Physical Activities Practice personal hygiene and proper cough etiquette Avoid spitting in public places Practice environmental hygiene Use of PPE and other medical-grade protective apparel Practice of physical distancing Provision for modified work structures and schedules and alternative work arrangements Limit non-essential services Restrict on mass gatherings Detect and Isolate symptomatic individuals Section 4. - Definition of Terms. - The following terms and phrases shall be construed to mean as follows, to wit: Administrative Control - refers to procedural interventions or modifications in policies, standards, and processes that are meant to reduce the frequency and severity of exposure to infectious diseases (e.g. hygiene and disinfection protocols, works shifting, etc). Engineering Control - refers to physical interventions or modifications in spaces or environments, that is meant to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases (e.g. use of physical barriers, exhaust ventilations, etc). New Normal - refers to a set of health behaviors and minimum public health standards to be observed and institutionalized to halt the spread of COVID-19 and shall be part of routine practices even after the pandemic. Non-pharmaceutical Interventions (NPI's) - refers to public health measures that do not involve vaccines, medications, or other pharmaceutical interventions, that individuals and communities can carry out in order to reduce transmission rates, contact rates, and the duration of infectiousness of individuals in the populations. Protective Personal Equipment (PPE) - refer to protective garments or equipment worn by individuals to increase personal safety from infectious agents. Vulnerable groups - refer to socially disadvantaged groups that are most susceptible to suffer directly from disasters and health events. These include senior citizens, immunocompromised individuals, women, children; Persons Deprived with Liberty (PDL), Persons With Disabilities (PWD), and members of Indigenous People (IPs) Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs), among others. CHAPTER III NON-PHARMACEUTICAL INTERVENTIONS/MEASURES FOR THE "NEW NORMAL" Section 5. - Promote Mental Health. - The City Government of Pagadian acknowledges that health emergencies may cause stress, anxiety, and depression. As such, interventions to deliver mental health services, psychosocial support, referral mechanism, and other essential services shall be made available to individuals who need help and support during the COVID-19 health event. Section 6. - Reduce Exposure of Vulnerable Individuals (Senior Citizens, Pregnant Women, Individuals with Comorbidity) to Prevent Infection. - The City Government of Pagadian shall adopt administrative controls to designate specific lanes or areas for vulnerable individuals in public places and establishments, which must be further supported by engineering controls such as, but not limited to, placement of temporary barriers and visual cues. Section 7. - Provide Support for Essential Workforce (Financial Aid, Lodging, Transportation to and from the Workplace, food, etc.). - Businesses, public and private offices, and other establishments authorized to operate during community quarantine shall provide services and other forms of support to its workforce such as, but not limited to, transportation services, financial aid, food and accommodations, and personal protective equipment. Section 8. - Provide Support for Vulnerable Groups (Social Amelioration Programs, Food Assistance, etc.). - The City Government of Pagadian shall ensure timely and adequate provision and distribution of services and benefits as mandated by applicable laws and guidelines to groups or individuals, particularly those identified to be vulnerable for the duration of COVID-19. Section 9. - Reduce the Use of and Exposure To Tobacco Products. - To protect the well-being of both smokers and non-smokers, the City Government of Pagadian prohibits the use of tobacco products in public places as stipulated in Executive Order No. 26. In enclosed spaces, including private offices and establishments, owners and administrators must designate specific smoking areas, however, signages including warning about the effects and risks of use of tobacco products shall be posted in such areas. Section 10. - Promote Health-Enhancing Physical Activities. - The City Government of Pagadian promotes the conduct of regular exercise and other physical activities in increasing physical and mental resilience during the COVID-19 health event, provided that individuals must adhere to the minimum public health standards. If there is a designated area for the conduct of outdoor physical activities, engineering and administrative controls such as, but not limited to, routine disinfections and sanitation, installation of handwashing stations and dispensers with alcohol-based solutions, placement of masks for physical distancing shall be implemented. Section 11. - Practice Personal Hygiene and Proper Cough Etiquette. - To promote proper hand hygiene and cough etiquette, the City of Pagadian shall install makeshift handwashing facilities and dispensers in public areas and other strategic locations, any such solution must be supported by placement of signages and visual cues to further encourage proper handwashing and cough etiquette. Section 12. - Avoid Spitting in Public Places. - The City of Pagadian prohibits the act of spitting in public places such as but not limited to street, road, alley, sidewalks, parks, parking lots, or other vacant public and private properties not owned or controlled by the individuals. Section 13. - Practice Environmental Hygiene. - Buildings, government offices, and private and public establishments are hereby directed to conduct routine disinfection of frequently touched surfaces and objects. All disinfection and sanitation procedures shall follow protocols and prescribed disinfection solutions stated in DOH Department Memorandum No. 2020-0157, as amended. Section 14. - Use of PPE and Other Medical-Grade Protective Apparel. - The City of Pagadian shall encourage all individuals to wear do-it-yourself facemasks, reusable masks, or disposable masks for non-health care workers, or other essential workers in order to ensure the steady supply of medical-grade masks and other protective apparel to be worn by health care workers, front-liners and other essential workers. Section 15. - Practice of Physical Distancing. - In a given space, the City of Pagadian shall enforce strict compliance with physical distancing protocols at least one (1) meter apart of side, front, and back. Establishments, markets, pharmacies, banks, public and private offices, and other services authorized to operate shall install visual cues, markings, and other signages within premises. Section 16. - Provision for Modified Work Structures and Schedules and Alternative Work Arrangements. - All businesses, establishments and private and public offices that are authorized to resume work operations shall modify work structures and provide alternative work arrangements such as work-from-home, working hour shifts, and on-rotation basis. All workplaces shall follow the guidelines for return to work set by the DOH Department Memorandum 2020-0220. Section 17. - Restriction on Mass Gatherings. - Mass gatherings shall be prohibited in accordance with the limitations provided across different community quarantine classifications. Fiestas, community assemblies, sporting events, and other events or activities that encourage gatherings of individuals that exceed the indicated maximum number of individuals allowed in a given setting, shall be prohibited. Section 18. - Detect and Isolate Symptomatic Individuals. - In order to facilitate prompt contact tracing procedures and immediate isolation of symptomatic individuals, all establishments, businesses, and public and private offices are required to implement standard temperature and other monitoring checks and establish the necessary mechanisms and networks to refer symptomatic individuals to the appropriate authority and/or facility. CHAPTER IV OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE; ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES; COMPOSITION Section 19. - Creation of an Oversight Committee; Its Roles and Responsibilities. - There shall be created an Oversight Committee who shall have an overall supervision and monitoring of government programs, and activities that ensures its appropriate implementation including but not limited to prescribing rules, guidelines, and conditions for the purpose of this Ordinance. Section 20. - The Oversight Committee shall be composed of the following: Chairman : The City Mayor Vice Chairman : The City Vice-Mayor Members : The Chairman, SP Committee on Health and Social Services The Chairman, SP Committee on Ways & Means The Chairman, SP Committee on Finance & Appropriations The Chairman, SP Committee on Barangay Affairs CHAPTER V APPROPRIATIONS Section 21. - Appropriations. - The minimum amount of One Hundred Thousand (P100,000.00) Pesos is hereby appropriated for the purpose of implementing this Ordinance to be included in the next Annual or Supplemental Budget of the City Government of Pagadian. CHAPTER VI MISCELLANEOUS PROVISION Section 22. - Modifications to Implementation of NPIs. - As science continues to evolve, the City of Pagadian shall periodically assess, evaluate, and modify provisions and guidelines on the implementation of NPIs in accordance with emerging evidence and practices and as may be deemed necessary by the DOH and other National Government Agencies. Section 23. - Transitory Provisions. - If implementation of the present policy would require a process of transition from pre-enforcement, to facilitate anticipated reforms in functions, resources, roles, and responsibilities, indicate in this section the timeline or conditions of the transition. Section 24. - Repealing Clause. - All existing City Ordinances which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby repealed, amended and/or modified accordingly. Section 25. - Separability Clause. - Any provision that may be declared by any competent court to be invalid shall not affect the rest of the provisions not so declared illegal. Section 26. - Effectivity Clause. - This Ordinance shall take effect after fifteen (15) days of posting in two (2) conspicuous places in the City of Pagadian. ENACTED AND APPROVED by the Sangguniang Panlungsod (13th City Council) during its 57th Regular Session on 28 October 2020 at the SP Session Hall, 4th Floor City Commercial Center (C3), Santiago District, Pagadian City.