Republic of the Philippines
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
(Kagawaran ng Enerhiya)
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. AO2020-05-0001
PROVIDING FOR A COVID-19 RESPONSE PROTOCOL IN THE ENERGY SECTOR
WHEREAS, Section 15 of Article Il of the Philippine Constitution sets forth the policy of the State to protect and promote the right to health of the people;
WHEREAS, Section 7 of Republic Act (RA) No. 11332 mandates the President of the Republic of the Philippines to declare a State of Public Health Emergency in the event of any epidemic of national and/or international concern which threatens national security for the purpose of mobilizing governmental and non-governmental agencies to respond;
WHEREAS, on 16 March 2020, the President issued Proclamation No. 929, Declaring a State of Calamity throughout the Philippines due to the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19);
WHEREAS, RA 11469 entitled "Bayanihan to Heal as On Act' was passed to provide a legal framework for addressing COVID-19;
WHEREAS, the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) was mobilized to provide the groundwork in addressing and combating COVID-19;
WHEREAS, the IATF-EID in Resolution No. 28 mandated the Department of Health (DOH) to specify Minimum Health Standards (MHS) for all sectors on top of the community quarantine imposed for the purpose of providing a framework to prevent spread of COVID-19;
WHEREAS, the DOH issued Administrative Order (AO) No. 2020-0015 entitled "Guidelines on the Risk-Based Public Health Standards for COVID-19 Mitigation", applicable to both the government and the private sector;
WHEREAS, pursuant to DOH AO No. 2020-0015, the DOE issued Department Order (DO) No. 2020-04-0007 entitled "Providing for Minimum Health Standards for Covid-19 Mitigation to DOE Personnel & Its Workplace and Share for Application to All Players and Stakeholders in the Entire Energy Industry', which provided that the DOE may issue additional or supplemental guidelines related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and that the Industries and the Private Sector are required to comply with the risk-based public health standards set by DOH, sector-specific policies and plans by other NGAs, and other relevant rules and regulations;
WHEREAS, there is a need to further provide for a comprehensive COVID-19 Response Protocol on top the Minimum Health Standards for the energy sector;
NOW, THEREFORE, premises considered and pursuant to its rule-making authority provided for by law, the DOE hereby promulgates a COVID-19 Response Protocol for the energy sector, as follows:
SECTION 1: SCOPE, APPLICATION AND COVERAGE
The policy shall apply to the DOE and its attached agencies, all energy industry players including, but not limited to energy and power companies; power generation, transmission, distribution, electricity market and supply sectors; exploration and energy resource companies in the upstream industry; coal and petroleum in the downstream industry; third party contractors and service providers; and the energy utilization sectors.
This COVID-19 Response Protocol or its updated and improved versions shall be followed and practiced by all concerned in the event of COVID-19 outbreak and other infectious diseases similar to COVID-19 as applicable.
SECTION 2: GENERAL POLICIES AND PRINCIPLES
The protocols and measures to be established, implemented, and maintained to address and manage COVID-19 in the entire energy sector shall be based on the following policies and principles:
- To protect the health and safeguard the life of the human being;
- To provide prevention mechanisms to avoid COVID-19;
- To enable effective ways of detecting COVID-19 and isolating those who are infected;
- To provide a system of immediate treatment and subsequent reintegration in the workforce; and,
- To adopt a new normal after COVID-19.
SECTION 3: THE COVID-19 RESPONSE PROTOCOL COVERAGE
This COVID-19 Response Protocol for the energy sector covers, without limitation, the following:
- Prevention;
- Detection;
- Isolation;
- Treatment;
- Reintegration; and
- Adopting to the "New Normal".
Attached hereto and made an integral part hereof are details of the protocol entitled "COVID-19 Response Protocol".
SECTION 4: IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROTOCOL
4.1. The Task Force on Energy Resiliency (TFER) is tasked to implement this protocol including the alignment of necessary funds and procurement of needed equipment and services and other necessary needs to implement it subject to applicable rules and regulations.
4.2. The TFER is also hereby directed to ensure compliance of this issuance and shall prepare daily monitoring toolkits or checklist including feedback mechanisms. The TFER shall give weekly reports to the Secretary.
4.3. The DOE and its attached agencies must prepare a Public Service Continuity Plan (PCSP) or its equivalent incorporating the COVID-19 Response Protocol.
4.4. The COVID-19 Response Protocol must also be incorporated in the Business Continuity Plan (BCP) or its equivalent of energy industry players regulated by the DOE.
4.5. The concerned bureaus and units of DOE shall assist the TFER and shall ensure that this issuance be adopted and implemented by all attached agencies and energy industry players under them.
SECTION 5: CONSTRUCTION OR INTERPRETATION
Nothing herein shall be construed as an impairment, restriction or modification of the provisions of the Constitution or existing laws. In the exercise of powers granted in this Circular, all concerned officials and personnel must act consistent with other existing laws, rules and regulations.
SECTION 6: SEPARABILITY CLAUSE
In case any provision in this Department Order is declared invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected.
SECTION 7: REPEALING CLAUSE
Any department issuance, contrary to or inconsistent with this Order is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.
SECTION 8: EFFECTIVITY
This Administrative Order shall take effect immediately upon its signing by the Secretary, Department of Energy.
Signed this day of MAY 21 2020 at DOE, Energy Center, Rizal Drive, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Metro Manila.
ALFONSO G. CUSI
Secretary