Question & AnswerQ&A (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 856)
The title of Presidential Decree No. 856 is the "Code on Sanitation of the Philippines."
The Department of Health undertakes promotion and preservation of health, extends health services especially in rural areas, develops and coordinates health programs, upgrades medical practice standards, assists local health agencies, issues permits for health establishments, prescribes health service fees, and performs other functions as provided by law.
Regional Directors administer health functions in their regions, implement policies, standards, and programs, and enforce the Code. Health Officers administer health functions in their jurisdictions and enforce the Code's provisions and rules.
Standards for drinking water, including bacteriological and chemical examinations, shall conform to the National Drinking Water Standards. Water treatment and disinfection must follow Department-prescribed procedures.
Yes, no person or entity shall operate a food establishment for public patronage without securing a sanitary permit from the local health office, and the permit must be posted conspicuously at the establishment.
Food handlers must have a Health Certificate issued by the local health authority, wear clean working garments, use prescribed caps or hairnets, maintain good personal hygiene, and wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water before handling food and after using the toilet.
The local health authority must inspect markets and abattoirs to ensure adequate sanitation, supervise proper use and care, prohibit living quarters in markets, enforce meat examination laws, supervise sanitary disposal of wastes, and ensure only healthy animals are slaughtered using proper methods.
Unless otherwise provided, violations of rules and regulations under the Code are misdemeanors punishable by imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of up to one thousand pesos, or both, at the court's discretion.
Cadavers with large amounts of radioactive isotopes must be properly labeled, and the Radiation Health Officer must be notified before autopsy. Radiation precautions must be enforced, and normal burial can proceed only after radioactivity decays to a safe level.
Yes, unclaimed remains may be used by medical schools and scientific institutions for studies and research subject to rules and regulations prescribed by the Department of Health.