 HISTORY OF SANITARY ENGINEERING IN THE
PHILIPPINES
 SOLID WASTE
 CONTAMINATED WATER
 WATER SCARCITY
 WATER POLLUTION
 WASTEWATE
 DISEASES
 REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1364
 Known as “SANITARY ENGINEERING LAW”
 An act to regulate the practice of Sanitary Engineering
in the Philippines
 SANITARY ENGINEER
 A person duly registered with the Board of Examiners
for Sanitary Engineers as provided in R.A. 1364
 A branch of civil engineering concerned primarily with
the maintenance of the environmental conditions
(PURE WATER SUPPLY, WASTE DISPOSAL,
INSECT CONTROL, NUISANCE ABATEMENT)
conducive to public health
 PHILIPPINE SOCIETY OF SANITARY ENGINEERS INC.
(PSSE)
 the only professional organization of Sanitary
Engineers in the Philippines accredited by the
Professional Regulation Commision (PRC)
 ENGR. EMILIO LIZA EJERCITY SR.
 Acknowledge as “Father of Sanitary Engineering” in the
Philippines
 Earliest practitioner of Sanitary Engineering in the
Philippines
 Became the first Sanitary Engineer of Manila
BEFORE THE OUTBREAK OF WORLD WAR II (WWII)
 group of enterprising civil engineers with specialized studies in
Sanitary Engineering obtained in USA initiated the formation of
PSSE
 their collective effort was cut short by WWI
DURING 1943-1944
 When the Japanese forces allowed a select few colleges of
the University of the Philippines to open, Dr. Reynaldo M
Lesaca was appointed initially as assistant instructor of
Sanitary Engineering under Dr. Hilario Lara (Dean of Institute
of Hygiene)
BY THE EARLY FIFTIES
 A consensus emerged among the academicians and civil
engineers to recognize sanitary engineering as a separate ang
highly specialized field encompassing, as it did, BIOLOGY,
SANITARY CHEMISTRY AND WATER ANALYSIS, AND
RELATED WATER AND WASTEWATER AGAINST
POLLUTION
1951
 PSSE was revived through the efforts of Don Emilio L
Ejercito Sr. with the help of Engr. Antonio Menor, Engr.
Lamberto Un Ocampo
 They work for the propagation of formal course and enactment
law regulating the practice of sanitary engineering profession.
 Engr. Antonio Menor (then chief of Metropolitan Water
District) was elected president. He was succeeded by Engr.
Lamberto Un Ocampo and later on by Engr. Emilio L
Ejercity Sr.
1953
 After the election of President Ramon Magsaysay, MWD was
organized into the National Water Works and Sewerage
(NAWASA), mainly through the effort of Engr. Susano R.
Negado
 ENGR. SUSANO R. NEGADO - helped draft a law recognizing
Sanitary Engineering as a separate engineering specialty.
 - holds the SE Registation No. AS OF JANUARY 2022
0001  There are total of 3,923 registered Sanitary
Engineers pursuant to RA 1364
JUNE 18, 1955
 Passage of Republic Act 1364 “an act to regulate the practice SANITARY ENGINEERING
of SE in the Philippines.”  The recommended engineering course in our modern times.
 Environmental Engineering

As embodied in the By-laws of the PSSE as amended on December

03, 2015 and pursuant to Memorandum Circular No. 35 Series of  BASIC EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENT
2009, by the Commission on Higher Education.  4-year Baccalaureate program in Sanitary Engineering
The fields of Specialization of a Sanitary Engineers are: or Environmental and Sanitary Engineering
 Pass the Board Examination n Sanitary Engineering
1. Environmental Engineering
2. Environmental Management
3. Public health Engineering  COST OF EDUCATION
4. Plumbing and Fire protection  40,00 - 60, 000 per semester in private schools and
5. Solid Waste Engineering universities
6. Wastewater Engineering
7. Water Supply Engineering

AS OF SEPTEMBER 2017
 There are total of 3,265 registered Sanitary Engineers
pursuant to RA 1364
 There are 13 schools offering Baccalaureate degree in
Sanitary Engineering

 St. Paul University – Tuguegarao

 University of Northern Philippines – Vigan
 Technological Institute of the Philippines – QC
 National University – Manila
 Mapua University – Manila
 University of Baguio – Baguio
 University of Cordillera – Cordillera
 Dela Salle University – Cavite
 Batangas State University – Batangas
 Partido State University – Bicol Region
 University of SouthEastern Philippines
 Western Mindanao State University
 Manuel L Quezon University - QC
  REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1364
 ARTICLE 1: TITLE OF ACT AND DEFINITION OF TERMS
 SECTION 1: TITLE OF ACT - act shall be known as the
“Sanitary Engineering Law”
 SECTION 2: DEFINITION OF TERMS - the practice of
sanitary engineering within the meaning and intent of this Act
shall embrace the following activities:
a. Sanitary surveys, reports, deign, direction,
management, consultation and investigation of:
(1)
 WATER PURIFICATION PLANTS
 WATER COLLECTION AND DISTRIBUTION
SYSTEM
 SEWAGE DISPOSAL TANKS
 RESERVOIRS
 SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS
 DRAINAGE AND SEWER SYSTEMS
 OTHER STRUCTURES FOR PUBLIC HEALTH
AND WELFARE
 MALARIA CONTROL STRUCTURES
(2) Projects relating to:
 STREAM POLLUTION
 INSECTS AND VERMIN CONTROL AND
ERADICATION
 RURAL AND CAMP SANITATION
 MILK AND FOOD SANITATION
(3) Systems for the prevention of atmospheric pollution
or the control of indoor air, especially the air of working spaces in
industrial establishments (industrial hygiene engineering)
ARTICLE II - BOARD OF EXAMINERS FOR SANITARY
ENGINEERS
SECTION 3: COMPOSITION OF BOARD - Within thirty days from
the effectivity of this Act there shall be created a Board of Examiners
for Sanitary Engineers2, hereinafter referred to as the Board, to be
composed of a chairman and two members who shall be appointed
by the President of the Philippines* upon the recommendation of
the Commission of Civil Service3 from among such persons of
recognized standing in their profession as may be certified as having
practiced at least five years, and academically and morally fully
qualified by their respective bona fide sanitary engineering
associations. The members of the Board shall hold office for a term
of three years after appointment or until their successors shall
have been appointed and shall have duly qualified. The first members
of the Board appointed under this Act shall hold office for the following
terms: one member for one year; one member for two years; and
one member for three years. Each member of the Board shall
qualify by taking the proper oath of office before entering upon the
performance of his duties. Any member of the Board may be removed
by the President for neglect of duty, incompetence, malpractice,
unprofessional, unethical, immoral, or dishonorable conduct,
after having been given opportunity to defend himself in a proper
administrative investigation: Provided, That during the process of
investigation, the President* shall have the power to suspend such
members under investigation and shall appoint a temporary member
in his place. Vacancies in the Board shall be filled for the unexpired
term.
SECTION 4: POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE BOARD - The Board
of Examiners for Sanitary Engineers4 is vested with authority,
conformable with the provisions of this Act,
 to administer oaths, issue, suspend and revoke certificates of
registration for the practice of sanitary engineering, issue
certificates of recognition to sanitary engineers already
practicing prior to the effectivity of this Act for advanced
studies, research and/or highly specialized training in any
branch of sanitary engineering subject to the approval of the
President,
 to investigate such violations of this Act and the regulations
thereunder as may come to the knowledge of the Board and
for this purpose, issue subpoena duces tecum to secure
appearance of witnesses in connection with the charges
presented to the Board,
  to inspect, at least once a year, educational institutions
offering courses in sanitary engineering, to discharge such
other powers and duties as may affect ethical and
technological standards of the sanitary engineering profession
in the Philippines.
For the purpose of this Act, the Secretary of Health, and/or
his duly authorized representatives in the provinces and chartered
cities shall be ex officio agents of the Board, and as such it shall be
their duty to help in the enforcement of the provisions of this Act. If
any person shall refuse to obey any subpoena so issued or shall
refuse to testify or produce any book document, etc., the Board may
present its petition to the Court of First Instance, setting forth the facts
and thereupon such court shall, in a proper case, issue its subpoena
to such person, requiring his appearance before such court, and there
to testify or produce such books, papers, documents, etc., as may be
deemed necessary and pertinent by the Board. Any person failing or
refusing to obey the subpoena or order of the said court, may be
proceeded against in the same manner as for refusal to obey any
other subpoena or order of the court.
SECTION 5: QUALIFICATIONS OF BOARD MEMBERS - Each
member of the Board shall, at the time of his appointment:
a. Be a citizen and resident of the Philippines.
b. Be at least thirty years of age and of good moral character.
c. Be a graduate of sanitary engineering or a registered civil
engineer who has taken major subjects in sanitary
engineering from a recognized and legally constituted
school, institute, college or university and/or a registered
Civil Engineer who has passed the Civil Service
examination for Senior Sanitary Engineer.
d. Be a registered sanitary engineer duly qualified to practice
sanitary engineering in the Philippines and have practiced
sanitary engineering, with a certificate as such, for a period
of not less than five years prior to his appointment.
e. Not be a member of the faculty of any school, institution,
college or university where sanitary engineering course is
taught nor have a pecuniary interest in such institution.
f. No former members of the faculty of any school, institution,
college or university where sanitary engineering is taught can
become a member of the Board, unless he had stopped
teaching for at least three consecutive years prior to his
appointment.
SECTION 6: REGISTRATION AND EXAMINATION FEES - The
Board of Examiners shall charge for each application for examination,
the sum of thirty-five pesos and for each certificate of registration,
ten pesos.
SECTION 7: COMPENSATION OF BOARD MEMBERS - The
members of the Board shall each receive as compensation, the sum
of five pesos for each applicant examined. A sanitary engineer in
the service of the Government of the Philippines, appointed as
member of the Board shall receive the compensation as herein
provided in addition to his salary in the Government. All
authorized expenses of the Board shall be paid by the Bureau of
Civil Service. The Board, including the compensation provided for
hereinafter, shall be paid by the collecting and disbursing office
of the Bureau of Civil Service, out of such appropriation, as may be
made for the purpose.
SECTION 8: EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE BOARD -
SECTION 9: ANNUAL REPORT - The Board shall submit an annual
report to the President after the close of each fiscal year, giving a
detailed account of its proceedings during the year and making such
recommendations as may be deemed proper.
SECTION 10: ROSTER OF SANITARY ENGINEERS - A roster
showing names and place of business and permanent home
addresses of all professional sanitary engineers, shall be prepared by
the Commissioner of Civil Service during the month of July of every
year, commencing one year after the date this Act becomes effective.
Copies of this roster shall be mailed to each person so registered and
placed on file with the President*; and copies thereof, shall be
furnished to all Department Heads, to the mayors of all chartered
cities, to the Director of Public Works, to the Collector of
Customs, to such other bureaus, or government agencies and
provincial and municipal authorities as may be deemed necessary,
and to the public upon request.
ARTICLE III: EXAMINATION FOR REGISTRATION
SECTION 11: EXAMINATION FOR REQUIREMENT - All applicants
for registration for the practice of sanitary engineering, shall be
required to pass a technical examination as hereinafter provided.
SECTION 12: HOLDING OF EXAMINATION - Examination of
candidates desiring to practice sanitary engineering in the Philippines
shall be given in the City of Manila, beginning the last Monday of
January and August of each year, provided that such days do not
fall on official holidays, otherwise the examination shall be held on the
days next following.
SECTION 13: SUBJECTS OF EXAMINATION - Applicants for
certificates of registration as sanitary engineers shall be examined in
the following subjects:
 Mathematics: including Algebra, plane and spherical
trigonometry, Analytics. descriptive and solid geometry,
differential and integral calculus, and rational and applied
mechanics
 Hydraulics, topographic and hydrographic surveying;
 design and construction of wooden, masonry, reinforced
concrete, and steel structures as flumes, water towers
and drainage canals
 hydrology;
 water and sewage analysis;
 microbiology and bacteriology;
 design and construction of sewers, storm drains, water
purification plants, sewage treatment plants and
plumbing:
Provided, however, That duly registered civil engineers shall be
exempted from taking examinations in the following subjects:
(1) Mathematics, including algebra, plane calculus, rational and
applied mechanics;
(2) hydraulics;
(3) topographic and hydrographic surveying; and
(4) design and construction of wooden, masonry, reinforced
concrete and steel structures as flumes, water towers and
drainage canals.
SECTION 14: REPORT OF RATINGS - The Board of Examiners for
Sanitary Engineering shall, within one hundred and twenty days
after the date of completion of the examination, report the rating
obtained by each candidate to the Commissioner of Civil Service,
who shall submit such ratings to the President. *
SECTION 15: REEXAMINATION - An applicant who for the third
time fails to pass the examination for the same grade shall not be
allowed to take another until at least one year has elapsed after his
last examination.
SECTION 16: ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES - The President shall,
upon the recommendation of the Board, issue a certificate of
registration upon payment of the registration fee as provided in this
Act to any applicant, who, in the opinion of the Board and after
approval by the President, has satisfactorily met all the requirements
specified in this Act. All certificates of registration shall show the full
name of the registrant, shall have a serial number, and shall be
signed by all the members of the Board, the President and the
Commissioner of Civil Service and shall be attested by the
official seal of the same Board. The issuance of a certificate of
registration by the Board to a registrant shall be evidence that the
person named therein is entitled to all the rights and privileges of a
registered sanitary engineer, while said certificate remains unrevoked
and unsuspended, unless the same is revoked or suspended.
SECTION 17: QUALIFICATIONS FOR EXAMINATION - Any person
applying for admission to the sanitary engineering examination as
herein provided, shall, prior to the date of the examination, establish
to the satisfaction of the Board that he has the following qualifications:
a. Be at least twenty-one years of age;
b. Be a citizen of the Philippines;
c. Be of good reputation and moral character; and,
d. Be a graduate of a four-year course in sanitary engineering or
BSCE having taken major subjects in sanitary engineering from
a school, institute, college or university recognized by the
Government or the State wherein it is established.

SECTION 18: OATH OF SANITARY ENGINEERS - All successful
candidates shall be required to take a professional oath before the
Board of Examiners for Sanitary Engineers or other Government
officials authorized to administer oaths, prior to entering upon the
practice of the sanitary engineering profession.
SECTION 19: SEAL AND USE OF SEAL - All registered sanitary
engineers shall obtain a seal of such design as the Board shall
authorize and direct: Provided, however, That the serial number of the
certificate issued by the Board shall be included in the design of the
seal. Plans and specifications prepared by, or under the direct
supervision of a registered sanitary engineer shall be stamped with
the seal during the life of the registrants’ certificate, and it shall be
unlawful for anyone to stamp or seal any document with said seal
after the certificate of the registrant named therein has expired or has
been revoked, unless said certificate shall have been renewed or
reissued.
SECTION 20: EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION - Registration
shall not be required of the following persons:
a. Officers or enlisted men of the United States and Philippine
Armed Forces and civilian employees of the Government of the
United States stationed in the Philippines while rendering
sanitary engineering services for the United States and/or
Philippines.
`b. Foreign sanitary engineers or experts called in by the
Philippine Government for consultation for specific sanitary
engineering services as defined under this Act: Provided, that
this practice shall be limited to such work: And Provided, further,
That they do not engage in private practice at their own account
as sanitary engineers.
SECTION 21: REFUSAL TO ISSUE CERTIFICATE - The Board of
Examiners for Sanitary Engineers shall not issue a certificate to any
person convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction of any criminal
offense involving moral turpitude, or to any person guilty of immoral or
dishonorable conduct, or to any person of unsound mind. In the event
of a refusal to issue a certificate to any person, the Board shall give to
the applicant a written statement setting forth its reason for such
action, which statement shall be incorporated in the records of the
Board.
SECTION 22: SUSPENSION AND REVOCATION OF
CERTIFICATES - Subject to the approval of the President, the Board
shall have the power after due notice and hearing, to suspend or
revoke the certificate of registration for any cause mentioned in the
preceding section.
SECTION 23: RE-ISSUE AND REPLACEMENT OF CERTIFICATES
- The Board may, after the expiration of one year from the date a
certificate of registration is revoked and for reasons it may deem
sufficient, entertain an application for a new certificate of registration
from the registrant concerned. Such application shall be accomplished
in the same form prescribed for examination, but the Board may, in its
discretion, exempt the applicant from taking the requisite examination.
SECTION 24: TRANSITORY PROVISIONS - Within one year, or as
soon as this Act takes effect, any person desiring to practice the
profession of sanitary engineering shall be required only to obtain a
certificate of registration in the manner and under the condition herein
provided:
1. All graduates of sanitary engineering or civil engineers who have
taken major subjects in sanitary engineers who have taken major
subjects in sanitary engineering from a recognized and legally
constituted school, institute, college or university, with at least two
years experience as sanitary engineers; all civil engineers in the
employ of the Philippine Government or in private practice in the
Philippines who have at least five years experience in sanitary
engineering services and civil engineers with no less than ten
years continuous practice as master plumbers, prior to the
approval of this Act; and,
2. All civil engineers who have passed the Assistant Sanitary
Engineer or Senior Sanitary Engineer Civil Service examinations and
have been practicing sanitary engineering for at least two years prior
to the approval of this Act.
ARTICLE IV: ENFORCEMENT OF ACT AND PENAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 25: ENFORCEMENT OF THE ACT AND BY OFFICERS
OF THE LAW - It shall be the duty of all duly constituted law officers
of the national, provincial, city and municipal governments or any
political subdivision thereof, to enforce the provisions of this Act
and to prosecute any person violating the same.
SECTION 26: REGISTRATION REQUIRED - Unless exempted from
registration, no person shall practice or offer to practice sanitary
engineering in the Philippines without having obtained the proper
certificate of registration from the Board of Examiners for Sanitary
Engineers.
SECTION 27: PENAL PROVISIONS - Any person who shall practice
or offer to practice sanitary engineering in the Philippines without
being registered in accordance with the provisions of this Act, or any
person presenting or attempting to use as his own the certificate of
registration of a registered sanitary engineer, or any person who shall
give any false or forged evidence of any kind to the Board, or any
person who shall impersonate any registrant sanitary engineer of
different name, or any person who shall attempt to use a revoked or
suspended certificate of registration, or any person who shall use in
connection with his name, or otherwise assume, use, or advertise any
title or description tending to convey the impression that he is a
sanitary engineer, without holding a valid certificate of registration, or
any person who shall violate any of the provisions of this Act, shall be
guilty of a misdemeanor and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced
to a fine of not less than five hundred pesos nor more than two
thousand pesos, or to suffer imprisonment for a period of not
less than six months nor more than one year, or both, in the
discretion of the court.
ARTICLE V: MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
SECTION 28: FIELD OF ACTION AUTHORIZED FOR SANITARY
ENGINEERING PROHIBITIONS - It shall be unlawful for any person,
unless exempted from registration under section twenty of this Act:
a. To be in responsible charge of the preparation of plans,
designs, investigations, valuations, technical reports,
specification or estimates, or to be in performance of other
sanitary engineering service, either for himself or for others,
unless he holds a valid certificate of registration as sanitary
engineer.
b. To be in responsible charge of the construction, erection,
installation or alteration, or of the performance of sanitary
engineering service in connection with the manufacture, sale
supply or distribution of any sanitary engineering works,
projects or plant (as cited in article one, section two of this Act),
either for himself or for others, unless he holds a valid certificate
of registration as sanitary engineer.
SECTION 29: PREPARATION OF PLANS AND SUPERVISION OF
CONSTRUCTION BY REGISTERED SANITARY ENGINEERS
REQUIRED - It shall be unlawful for any person or firm to order or
otherwise cause the construction, erection, installation or alteration of
any sanitary engineering equipment, machinery or process for any
sanitary engineering work, project or plant, the cost of which exceeds
five thousand pesos, unless the design, plans, layouts, and/or
specifications have been prepared under the responsible charge of,
signed and sealed by a registered sanitary engineer, and/or alteration
thereof are executed under the responsible charge and direct
supervision of a registered sanitary engineer.
SECTION 30: FIRMS AND CORPORATIONS ENGAGED IN
SANITARY ENGINEERING PRACTICE - A firm, partnership,
corporation or association may engage in the practice of sanitary
engineering in the Philippines: Provided, That such practice is carried
out under the supervision of a sanitary engineer or sanitary engineers
holding valid certificates issued by the Board. No firm, partnership,
corporation or association, using the name of a person or persons as
in the name of firm, shall advertise as sanitary engineers unless said
person or persons are registered sanitary engineers.
SECTION 31: COLLECTION OF PROFESSIONAL FEES - It shall be
unlawful for any unregistered person to collect a fee for services
rendered except as an employee collecting a fee as representative
of a registered sanitary engineer.
SECTION 32: RECIPROCITY REQUIREMENTS - No person who is
not a citizen of the Philippines at the time he applies to take
examination shall be allowed to take it unless he can prove in the
manner provided by the Rules of Court that, by specific provision of
law, the country of which he is a citizen, subject, or national either
admits citizens of the Philippines to the practice of the same
profession without restriction or allows them to practice it after an
examination on terms of strict and absolute equality with citizens,
subjects, or nationals of the country concerned, including the
unconditional recognition of degrees issued by institutions of learning
duly recognized for the purpose by the Government of the Philippines:
Provided, That if he is not a citizen of the Philippines after December
eight, nineteen hundred and forty one, his active practice in that
profession, either in the Philippines or in the state or country where he
was practicing his profession, shall not have been interrupted for a
period of two years or more prior to July four, nineteen hundred
and forty-six, and that the country or state from which he comes
allows the citizens of the Philippines by specific provisions of law, to
practice the same profession without restrictions or in terms of strict
and absolute equality with citizens, subjects or nationals of the
country or state concerned.
SECTION 33: ACT NOT AFFECTING OTHER PROVISIONS
AND/OR TRADES - This Act shall not be construed to affect or
prevent the practice of any other legally recognized profession, and/or
trade nor shall it be construed to diminish the fields of practice already
embraced by civil engineers duly registered under the Civil
Engineering Law, Republic Act Numbered Five hundred and forty
four, or of those by duly licensed master plumbers under
existing law.
SECTION 34: CONSTRUCTION OF ACT - If any part or section of
this Act shall be declared unconstitutional, such declaration shall not
invalidate the other provisions hereof.
SECTION 35: EFFECTIVITY - This Act shall take effect upon its
approval. Approved, June 18, 1955.
 terminated.
 CODE OF ETHICS FOR SANITARY ENGINEERS
The Sanitary Engineer in the performance of his duties, deals with
clients, the general public and his fellow engineers. His conduct must
be guided by a set of principles designed to uphold the integrity and
the dignity of the profession, thus a Sanitary Engineer.
1. Shall discharge his duties faithfully, efficiently with fairness and
impartiality to all for the
benefit of God, his country, his fellowmen and lastly to himself.
2. Shall uphold the honor and dignity of the profession, maintain an
honest reputation,
broadens, public knowledge and appreciation to sanitary and
environmental engineering, its achievements and accomplishments.
3. Shall oppose any false and exaggerated statements not based on
facts regarding
engineering achievements, nor shall express an opinion on
engineering subject unless it is founded on adequate knowledge and
conviction on his part.
4. Shall act for his client or his employer in a professional manner as a
faithful agent or trustee
and in instances when in his judgment his client’s final decision may
defer from his own, he must explain the possible consequences.
5. Shall accept remuneration and compensation only from his client
for services actually rendered and in instances wherein the client and
payor are of different personalities, he must inform all parties
concerned.
6. Shall respect the opinion and work of another engineer for the
same client and shall not review the same without informing such
engineer or unless the relationship of the engineer and the client has
7. Shall maintain friendly relationship with his fellow engineers, and
shall not directly injure the business reputation or employment
position of another engineer.
8. Shall maintain fair play when competing for a job by not taking
advantage of his salaried position or exerting undue influence to offer,
solicit and accept compensation for the purpose affecting negotiations
for a professional engagement.
9. Shall advise his employer or client that the engagement of
professional services should not be based purely on monetary
considerations.
10. Shall avoid self-laudation in advertisement and make false
statements with respect to his qualifications and experience
 PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 856, s. 1975 - CODE
OF SANITATION
CHAPTER 1: GENERAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 1. TITLE - “Code on Sanitation of the Philippines”
SECTION 2. DEFINITION OF TERMS:
 CODE - code on Sanitation of the Philippines
 DEPARTMENT - The Department of Health
 SECRETARY - The Secretary of Health
 REGIONAL DIRECTOR - an official who heads
a Regional Health Office
 LOCAL HEALTH AUTHORITY - an official or
employee responsible for the application of a
prescribed health measure in a local political
subdivision
 HEALTH OFFICER - Provincial, City or
Municipal Health Officer
 ENGINEER - A Sanitary Engineer
 SECTION - any section of this code unless the
terms refer to other statues which are
specifically mentioned
SECTION 3. FUNCTIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH -
The Department shall have the following powers and functions:
a. Undertake the promotion and preservation of the health of the
people and raise the health standards of individuals and communities
throughout the Philippines;
b. Extend maximum health services to the people in rural areas and
provide medical care to those who cannot afford it by reason of
poverty;
c. Develop, administer and coordinate various health activities and
services which shall include public health, preventive, curative and
rehabilitative programs, medical care, health and medical education
services;
d. Upgrade the standards of medical practice, the quality of health
services and programs to assure the people of better health services;
e. Assist local health agencies in developing public health programs
including medical care, and promote medical and public health
research;
f. Issue permits to establish and operate government and private
hospitals, clinics, dispensaries, schools of nursing, midwifery, and
other para-medical courses, puericulture centers, clinical laboratories
and blood banks;
g. Prescribe standard rates of fees for health, medical, laboratory, and
other public health services; and
h. Performs such other functions as may be provided by law.
SECTION 4. AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY - In addition to the
powers and authority of the Secretary which are provided by law, he is
likewise empowered to promulgate rules and regulations.
SECTION 5. AUTHORITY OF THE BUREAU OF DIRECTORS - The
Bureau Directors shall be
responsible for staff activities involving the development of plans,
programs, operating
standards and management techniques in their respective field of
assignment.
SECTION 6. AUTHORITY OF THE REGIONAL DIRECTORS - The
Regional Directors shall
administer health functions in their regions, implement policies,
standards and programs
involving health services; and enforce the provisions of this Code and
the rules and
regulations promulgated by the Secretary under this Code.
SECTION 7. AUTHORITY OF THE HEALTH OFFICERS - The health
officers shall administer
health functions in areas under their jurisdiction and enforce the
provisions of this Code
and the rules and regulations promulgated by the Secretary under this
Code.
SECTION 8. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS :
a. International treaties, agreements and conventions – The
Republic of the Philippines
recognizes international treaties, agreements and conventions on
public health. Their
provisions may be considered parts of this Code provided they do not
contravene the
Constitution, existing laws or any provision of this Code.
b. Rights and proceedings – Any proceeding which has commenced
or any right which
has accrued upon the effectivity of this Code shall not be affected by
any of its
provisions. However, matters of procedure and rights arising after the
date of effectivity
of this Code shall conform to the provisions hereof.
c. Delegation of power and assignment of duty – Whenever a
power is granted or a duty
is assigned to any public health officer in this Code, the power may be
exercised by a
deputy or agent of the official pursuant to law, unless it is expressly
provided otherwise
in this Code.
d. Language required – Any notice, report, statement or record
required or authorized
by this Code, shall be written in English or Pilipino.
e. Mailing of notices – Unless otherwise expressly provided, any
notice required to be
sent to any person by any provision of this Code, shall be sent
through the postal
service. The affidavit of the official or employee who mailed the notice
is prima facie
evidence that the notice was sent as prescribed herein.
f. Condemnation and seizure of property – When any property is
officially condemned or
seized by government authorities in the interest of public health, the
owner thereof shall
not be entitled to compensation.
g. Command responsibility – When a duty is expressly vested in a
health officer as
provided in this Code, it shall be understood that it shall likewise be
the concern of the
superiors of the health office under the principle of command
responsibility.
CHAPTER II: WATER SUPPLY
SECTION 9. PRESCRIBED STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES -
Standards for drinking water and their bacteriological and chemical
examinations, together with the evaluation of results, shall conform to
the criteria set by the National Drinking Water Standards. The
treatment of water to render it safe for drinking, and the disinfection of
contaminated water sources together with their distribution systems
shall be in accordance with procedures prescribed by the Department.
SECTION 10. JURISDICTION OF THE DEPARTMENT - The
approval of the Secretary or that of his duly authorized representative
is required in the following cases:
a. Sites of water sources before their construction;
b. Delivery of water to consumers from new or recently repaired water
systems;
c. Operation of a water system after an order of closure was issued by
the Department;
d. Plans and specifications of water systems of subdivisions and
projects prior to the construction of housing units thereat; and
e. Certification of potability of drinking water.
SECTION 11. TYPES OF WATER EXAMINATIONS REQUIRED -
The following examinations are required for drinking water:
a. Initial examination. – The physical, chemical and
bacteriological examinations of
water from newly constructed systems or sources are required
before they are operated
and opened for public use. Examination of water for possible radio-
active contamination
should also be done initially.
b. Periodic examination – Water from existing sources is subject
to bacteriological
examination as often as possible but the interval shall not be longer
than six months,
while general systematic chemical examination shall be
conducted every 12 months or
often. Examination of water sources shall be conducted yearly for
possible radioactive contamination.
SECTION 12. EXAMINING LABORATORIES AND SUBMISSION
OF WATER SAMPLES - The examination of drinking water shall be
performed only in private or government laboratories duly accredited
by the Department. It is the responsibility of operators of water
systems to submit to accredited laboratories water samples for
examination in a manner and at such intervals prescribed by the
Department.
SECTION 13. OTHER PROTECTIVE MEASURES - To protect
drinking water from contamination, the following measures shall be
observed:
a. Washing clothes or bathing within a radius of 25 meters from any
well or other source of drinking water is prohibited.
b. No artesians, deep or shallow wells shall be constructed within 25
meters from any source of pollution.
c. No radioactive sources or materials shall be stored within a radius
of 25 meters from
any well or source of drinking water unless the radioactive source is
adequately and
safely enclosed by proper shielding.
d. No person charged with the management of a public water supply
system shall
permit any physical connection between its distribution system and
that of any other
water supply, unless the latter is regularly examined as to its quality
by those incharge
of the public supply to which the connection is made and found to be
safe and potable.
e. The installation of booster pump to boost water direct from the
water distribution line
of a water supply system, where low-water pressure prevails is
prohibited.
CHAPTER III: FOOD ESTABLISHMENT
SECTION 14. SANITARY PERMIT -