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WHEREAS, Article II, Section 15 of the Constitution provides that the State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them;

WHEREAS, Proclamation No. 922 (s.2020) declared a State of Public Health Emergency in recognition of the COVID-19 public health event as a threat to national security, and to prompt a whole-of-government approach in addressing the COVID-19 outbreak in the country;

WHEREAS, Proclamation No. 929 (s. 2020) declared a State of Calamity in the entire country for a period of six (6) months, and enjoined government agencies and local government units (LGUs) to render full assistance to and cooperation with each other and mobilize the necessary resources to undertake critical, urgent and appropriate disaster response aid and measures in a timely manner;

WHEREAS, the COVID-19 outbreak is unlike any other calamity or emergency that confronted our country in recent years, as it has already dealt an incomparable blow to the overall health and security of the population and the economy, and continues to threaten more lives and livelihoods; and

WHEREAS, it is imperative to reinforce non-pharmaceutical interventions, such as minimizing face-to-face interaction, wearing of face masks and face shields, and observing social distancing, to complement our healthcare facilities and support our health workers in containing the further spread of the COVID-19 virus;

NOW,THEREFORE, the following are hereby ordered:

1. The following agencies shall coordinate and pool their resources and efforts into the production of face masks and their expedited distribution to the public free of charge:

a. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI);

b. Department of Health (DOH);

c. Department of Budget and Management (DBM);

d. Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA);

e. Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD); and

f. Presidential Management Staff (PMS).

2. Consistent with their respective mandates, and subject to applicable laws, rules and regulations, the foregoing agencies are specifically directed as follows:

a. The DTI shall be the lead implementing and coordinating agency relative to the production and procurement of face masks. In this regard,the DTI shall consolidate various Micro,Small and Medium Enterprise producers, cooperatives and community organizations relative to the production of the face masks.The DTI shall likewise support the TESDA in gaining access to production networks and supplier markets for the raw materials and finished goods to attain the objectives of this Order;

b. The DOH and DTI shall determine the minimum, most cos-efficient and good quality specifications necessary for the face masks to be effective in protecting against the transmission of COVID-19;

c. The DBM-Procurement Services (PS) shall assist in the procurement of the face masks. The funds required for the said procurement shall be charged against the available released allotments of the DOH. For this purpose, the DBM shall provide technical assistance in the appropriate downloading and utilization of the funds, subject to existing budgeting, accounting and auditing rules and regulations;

d. In view of providing livelihood and assistance to the learners of the TESDA, the DTI and DBM-PS shall coordinate with the TESDA for the procurement of face masks produced by said learners, as may be consistent with the prescribed specifications;

e. The DSWD shall utilize its networks and facilities for the identification of and distribution to the priority beneficiaries of the face masks, such as those who are financially disadvantaged and persons with disability, including the partner-beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), among others; and

f. The PMS Assistant Secretary for Regional Concerns shall lead in monitoring the progress of the distribution of face masks and submit a report thereon to the President.

3. All other departments, agencies and offices of the government, including government-owned or -controlled corporations, government financial institutions and state universities and colleges are directed, and LGUs are enjoined, to cooperate and render full assistance to ensure the prompt and effective implementation of this Order.

This Order shall take effect immediately.

Manila, 16 September 2020

 

By Authority of the President:       (SGD.) SALVADOR C. MEDIALDEA   Executive Secretary