QuestionsQuestions (DOH)
It is an IRR issued by the Department of Health to carry out Chapter XVIII “Refuse Disposal” of the Code on Sanitation of the Philippines under P.D. 856.
They apply broadly to essentially all persons/entities generating refuse or waste and those involved in its generation, storage, collection, transport, processing, treatment, utilization, and disposal—covering occupants, owners, tenants, LGUs, government agencies, private firms, institutions, refuse collectors, disposal area operators, junk dealers, scavengers, and other related parties.
Two key permits: (1) an Operating Permit (from the regional health office) and (2) a Sanitary Permit (from the city/municipal health officer).
Those owning, managing, or operating: (a) refuse collection services; and (b) refuse disposal areas and facilities must first secure an Operating Permit from the regional health office.
A letter of application, project description, locational plan, and technical specifications/descriptions of facilities/equipment.
Through the sanitary engineer, it conducts evaluation and site validation before issuing the Operating Permit.
Examples in the text include: (a) industrial/commercial establishments operating their own collection service entirely for their benefit and disposing at a public disposal area; (b) farm owners collecting/disposing on their premises or at a public refuse disposal area; (c) dwelling unit owners/occupants feeding table scraps/swills/garbage to animals on their premises or transporting such refuse to a public disposal area using a vehicle owned/operated by them; (d) junk dealers and scavengers; (e) persons operating feeding platforms for feeding garbage/swills to swine; and (f) domestic garbage grinder installation/operation.
No. Section 3.2.1 states that no person/entity shall operate or manage refuse collection service, refuse disposal area/facilities, swill collection, junk dealership, private scavenging, or a swine feeding platform without a sanitary permit.
The text provides: Black—non-biodegradable general waste; Green—biodegradable general waste; Yellow—infectious/pathological waste; Orange—radioactive waste; Red—sharps and pressurized containers; Yellow with black band—chemical waste.
There must be separate containers for each type of waste; containers must be properly marked (or color-coded/linked to plastic bags); they must be sufficient in number/size for the 2–3 day collection period; have tight closings/hinged lids; be leak-proof and non-corrosive; and (for >38 kg capacity) equipped with handles or rollers.
They must refrain from, among others: placing refuse in streets/alleys/sidewalks/public places except immediately prior to collection; causing unsanitary conditions or vermin harborage; burning refuse producing excessive smoke/toxic substances/noxious odor; burying garbage or swill in undesignated areas; picking over/sorting without the necessary permit as junk dealer or food salvage operator; feeding animals with uncooked offal/viscera from specified sources; and throwing/depositing refuse in sewer manholes or stormwater catch basins or bodies of water/esteros.
Collectors must have an up-to-date health certificate, wear proper protective equipment, be oriented on segregation and color-coding, and may not collect unsorted/refuse not properly segregated. They must empty/return containers carefully, prevent spills and noise, clean spilled refuse, return containers properly, and comply with reporting/records requirements.
Vehicles must be approved by the local health officer. Preferably they have two compartments: biodegradable waste painted green and non-biodegradable painted black. If not possible, refuse must be separately placed within the vehicle or collected on separate schedules; special types of waste require separate vehicle collection with precautions.
Open dumping is prohibited (and existing open dumps must be strictly supervised until converted). Dumping refuse into bodies of water is prohibited. Outdoor open burning of waste and burning of open waste dumps is prohibited.
There must be no dwelling unit closer than 200 meters to any portion of the premises designated as a landfill area.
All refuse/solid wastes must be covered with fill of earth or other acceptable material within 24 hours upon arrival at the disposal area, with minimum soil cover depth of 15 centimeters (6 inches) and proper placement to prevent cracks or extrusion.
Violation of any provision is a misdemeanor punishable upon conviction by imprisonment not exceeding six (6) months or a fine not exceeding Php 1,000, or both, at the court’s discretion.