Question & AnswerQ&A (DOH)
These rules apply to all public swimming or bathing places including pools, bathhouses, bathing beaches, and other natural bathing areas operated by individuals, corporations, partnerships, government agencies or instrumentalities, institutions or establishments, but exclude private swimming pools and private bathing places used for non-commercial purposes.
A Sanitary Permit is a certification in writing by the city or municipal health officer or the chief of sanitation division/section/unit that the establishment complies with existing sanitation requirements upon inspection or evaluation as per P.D. 522 and 856 and local ordinances.
The operator is the owner, manager, administrator, or the actual holder of the sanitary permit of the establishment.
For 51-100 persons: 2 water closets for males, 2 water closets for females, 2 urinals for males, 1 lavatory for males, 1 lavatory for females, 3 showers for males, and 3 showers for females.
Any person violating the rules shall be guilty of misdemeanor and upon conviction can be punished by imprisonment not exceeding six (6) months or a fine not exceeding Php1,000.00, or both at the court’s discretion.
A Sanitary Permit issued by the local health officer is required before operating a public swimming or bathing place for public use.
It is a written certification issued by the municipal or city health officer after the person passes physical and medical exams and is found free from communicable, contagious, or infectious diseases, qualifying the person to work in the establishment.
There must be an adequate number of trained lifeguards in constant attendance when the pool is in use, with adults accompanying children. Pools over 200 square meters require elevated lifeguard chairs or platforms.
Chlorine residual must be between 0.50 to 1.0 parts per million while the pH must range between 7.4 and 7.8 at all times during use.
The local health authority may suspend or revoke the sanitary permit and close the establishment, after proper notices and hearings as provided in the rules.
The total number of bathers shall not exceed one (1) person per 2 cubic meters of water, ensuring safe user loading.
The operator must maintain operational records for six months including health records of personnel, number of bathers, filter maintenance, water testing results, chemical usage, and other data as required by local health authorities.
The health officer may issue a second notice, call for a hearing to show cause why the permit should not be revoked, and upon continued non-compliance, recommend revocation of the permit to the local health authority.
All bathers must take a cleansing shower bath with soap and thoroughly rinse before entering the pool or bathhouse.
Each facility must have lifesaving equipment including light but strong poles, throwing ring buoys with ropes, ropes, and other necessary life-saving equipment proportionate to the water surface area.
The local health officer is responsible for inspection every three (3) months or more frequently if necessary, ensuring compliance with sanitary requirements.
Handling, storage, and serving of food and drinks must comply with Chapter III a "Food Establishments" of the Code on Sanitation and its implementing rules.
No, private swimming pools and private bathing places used exclusively by an individual, family, or house guests for non-commercial purposes are excluded from these regulations.
Similar to violation penalties, interfering with authorized officers carries a misdemeanor charge, punishable by imprisonment up to six months or a fine up to Php1,000.00, or both.