QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 11534)
It applies to all urban pest control operators, urban pest control applicators, and owners/operators/administrators of land, places, buildings, residences, public places and public places establishments, food establishments, ports, airports, vessels, aircraft, and other similar conveyances/establishments.
It is a pest control approach using several different methods and procedures that complement each other, such as pesticides, environmental sanitation measures, and natural as well as mechanical and biological control.
Only when it has a sanitary permit issued by the local health officer.
The establishment must employ an accredited urban pest control applicator.
The sanitary permit is valid for one (1) year ending on the last day of December of each year, and it must be renewed at the beginning of each year thereafter.
They must record: (1) name and address of permit holder; (2) location of establishment; (3) nature/kind of business; (4) date first issued and renewal dates; (5) every change of ownership; (6) sanitary conditions under which permit was issued/renewed; and (7) revocation of the sanitary permit.
The person must first secure a health certificate (EHS Form 102-B) from the city/municipal health officer of the locality where the establishment is located.
It must be clipped visibly on the upper left front portion of the uniform and bear the employee’s picture while working; it must be renewed at least every year.
Health certificates are non-transferable.
The accredited applicator must have direct supervision over service technicians and workers, and the actual presence of the accredited applicator is required during pesticide application by technicians/workers.
Includes annual medical check-up; PPE; first aid and pesticide safety training; advanced plans for accidents; first aid/emergency facilities and equipment; separate storage facilities for pesticides; and adequate water supply/washing facilities and lavatories/bathrooms.
No poison baits shall be exposed in food processing, food manufacturing, food establishments, food storage, and other places selling/serving/storing food (including hospitals, hotels, eateries, etc.).
Pesticides and their containers must be disposed through chemical alteration, burying, incineration, or wastewater treatment systems equipped to treat such wastes; pesticides shall not be flushed down sanitary sewers.
Each pesticide container must be appropriately, permanently, and legibly labeled at all times; transfer from original containers to another is prohibited, except transfer to a small container with proper precautions and labeling when not possible.
It must be community-wide with community participation; technically coordinated; continuing; a partnership between private and government sectors; and preferably use indigenous technology/resources for self-reliance.
It is unlawful to have, keep, maintain, cause, or permit any collection of standing water or flowing water, wastes, and other harborages where vermin may be propagated.
They must keep tight-fitting screens for processed foods; not keep items where flies, rats, and roaches may breed; use odor control methods; provide insect/fly-proofing facilities for food handling/sale/service (e.g., air curtain, gauge no. 16 wire mesh screens, food display cabinets); cover overflow pipes with screens; ensure septic tanks are watertight with screened cleanouts; prohibit discharge of sullage into curbs/open canals/storm gutters; and provide rat-proofed containers for biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste management.
At least once every three (3) months.
When non-complying items are found, the health officer issues a sanitary order with a grace period. If not complied, a second notice may be served, including a notice of hearing (EHS Form No. 118) for the holder to show cause. After prior notices/hearing and if not excusable, the local health officer recommends revocation to the local health authority; after second sanitary order extension and still non-compliance, revocation is recommended without delay.
Violators are guilty of misdemeanor and upon conviction may be punished by imprisonment not exceeding six (6) months or a fine not exceeding ₱1,000.00, or both, at the court’s discretion; interference/hindrance or defacing/altering placards/notices is similarly punishable.