2020 Annual Report on the Human Rights Situation in the Philippines 21 to assess, monitor, contain, control, and prevent the spread of any potential epidemic in the Philippines. 46 The IATF-EID is composed of representatives from Department of Health (DOH) as the Chairperson and members from Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Tourism (DOT) and Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC). It is mandated to: a Establish a system to identify, screen, and assist Filipinos suspected or confirmed to be infected with EID; b Prevent and/or minimize the entry of suspected or confirmed patients with EID into the country. This should include rigid screening and identification of EID suspects, and the institutionalization of a surveillance, alert, and quarantine system in all ports of entry; c Prevent and/or minimize the local spread of EID in the country through the establishment or reinforcement of a system in screening possible patients with EID, contact tracing, identification of the mode of exposure to the virus, and implementation of effective quarantine and proper isolation procedures; d Prevent and/or minimize mortality through effective clinical management by capacitating healthcare facilities government and private medical practitioners, healthcare workers, and public safety enforcers; e Educate the public on EID and its prevention, control and management to promote positive health behaviors, and address public fear and anxiety through the conduct of a nationwide EID awareness campaign; f Adopt measures to strengthen the Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases Program of the DOH or its equivalent in other local health units; g Notify the WHO of the EID cases in the country and its assessment of the EID situation; h Submit to the Office of the President regular status reports in the monitoring of EID; i Formulate, develop, implement, and oversee the EID Preparedness Manual for the prevention and control of EID; and j Perform such other functions and activities as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Order, or as the President may direct. 47 Medical workers have received stigma, abuse, and discrimination from the public.85 86 87 As a response, the IATF urged the local government to investigate these discriminatory acts. The President has mobilized the security to address untoward behavior against medical workers. Metro Manila Council passed a resolution recommending the passage of local 85 See https://www.nst.com.my/world/world/2020/03/579698/COVID-19-philippines-health-care-workers-sufferabuse-stigma. 86 See https://www.ispionline.it/en/pubblicazione/COVID-19-and-discrimination-medical-personnel-philippines-25725. 87 See https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/stigmatisation-of-frontline-health-workers-appalling-inquirer.