Republic of the Philippines

CORDILLERA ADMINISTRATIVE REGION

REGIONAL INTER-AGENCY TASK FORCE

REGIONAL TASK FORCE
JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 01
Series of 2022

A RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS OF THE

CORDILLERA ADMINISTRATIVE REGION TO ENACT THEIR RESPECTIVE ORDINANCES
ON THE ENHANCED VACCINATION MANDATE TO REGULATE THE MOBILITY OF
UNVACCINATED INDIVIDUALS IN THE REGION

WHEREAS, it has been established worldwide that COVID-19 vaccines can greatly
reduce the chances of infected individuals from getting serious illness, hospitalization and
even death;

WHEREAS, COVID-19 vaccines are thus effective against the virus including the
Omicron variant in preventing severe infection cases and averting the need for hospital care;

WHEREAS, there is an array available COVID-19 vaccines in the Cordillera and more
than fifty-two (52%) of the region’s eligible population are now fully vaccinated. However,
despite the availability of vaccines, there is a number of individuals who adamantly opt not
to be vaccinated and thus, become more susceptible to severe cases of COVID-19 infection
which will in turn require hospital care thereby unduly burdening the health care facilities
to the detriment of public health;

WHEREAS, due to the new, fast-spreading Omicron variant of the coronavirus, the
region is now recording high number of positive cases resulting to the elevation of alert level
particularly in the City of Baguio thereby necessitating adoption of more aggressive
measures to ensure that all eligible population, including those ages 12 to 17 are fully
vaccinated;

WHEREAS, Republic Act No. 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable

Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act declares that it is the policy of the
State “to protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health
consciousness among them” and that the State “recognizes epidemics and other public health
emergencies as threats to the public health and national security, which can undermine the
social, economic and political functions of the State”;

WHEREAS, Section 16 of Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Code of
1991 allows every local government unit to exercise the powers necessary, appropriate or
incidental for its efficient and effective governance, and those which are essential to the
promotion of general welfare and to ensure promotion of health and safety of its
constituents;

WHEREAS, the Guidelines on the Nationwide Implementation of Alert Level System

for COVID-19 Response as of December 14, 2021 prescribes that under Alert Levels 2 to 4.
Intrazonal and interzonal movement of persons shall be allowed and that reasonable
restrictions may be imposed by Local Government Units;
 WHEREAS, in order to avert community transmission of the virus to include the
Omicron variant especially to unvaccinated individuals who are highly at risk of
experiencing severe symptoms and not to overwhelm our healthcare facilities so as to ensure
treatment of equally critical medical needs and so as to likewise encourage all eligible
population including those ages 12 to 17 to get fully vaccinated, there is an urgent need for
the Local Government Units of the Cordillera to enact their respective ordinances on the
enhanced vaccination mandate to regulate the mobility of unvaccinated individuals in the
regions;

WHEREAS, President Rodrigo Duterte has now ordered local government officials to
make sure unvaccinated persons don’t leave their homes except for essential activities and
the same shall be enforced nationwide regardless of the alter levels over an area;

WHEREAS, the restriction of mobility of unvaccinated individuals is intended for the

protection of public health and promotion of general welfare and also to accelerate the
growth of the economy;

NOW THEREFORE, RESOLVED, AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED that the Cordillera

Regional Inter-Agency Task Force (RIATF), pursuant to the provisions of the Guidelines on
the Nationwide Implementation of Alert Level System for COVID-19 Response as of
December 14, 2021 of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging
Infectious Diseases, encourage the Local Government Units of the Cordillera to enact their
respective ordinances on the enhanced vaccination mandate to regulate the mobility of
unvaccinated individuals in the region for the protection of public health, promotion of
general welfare and accelerate the growth of the economy;

RESOLVED further, that hereunder provisions of may be adopted by the Local

Government Units of the Cordillera in enacting their respective ordinances;

1. Only vaccinated individuals shall be allowed outside their residences;

2. For unvaccinated individuals, they may be allowed outside their residences only
when they are procuring essential goods and services such as, but not limited to,
food, water, medicine, medical services, public utilities and energy, work, medical
and dental necessities and processing of passports subject to the production of
proof to support and justify such travel;

3. Unvaccinated individuals shall likewise be prohibited in:

a. Indoor and outdoor/ al fresco dining in restaurants and other food
establishments;
b. Leisure or social trips to malls, hotels, event venues, sports and country
clubs;
c. Similar facilities in accordance with guidelines of the LGUs and concerned
establishments; and

4. For working unvaccinated individuals, they shall be required to undergo a

Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain reaction (RT-PCR) test every two (2)
weeks at their personal expense and present a COVID-19 negative result prior to
being admitted for work onsite consistent with the guidelines, rules and
regulations issued by the IATF and the Department of Labor and Employment.
Provided, however, that in the event that the RT-PCR test and/or result is/are not
immediately available, a Rapid Antigen Test or Saliva COVID-19 Test may be
utilized in lieu thereof;