QuestionsQuestions (DOH ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 186, S. 2004)
To implement R.A. 9271 (Quarantine Act of 2004) by setting standards for quarantine operations that protect public health against the introduction/spread of diseases, while harmonizing such protection with minimal disruption of trade and travel, consistent with WHO’s International Health Regulations (IHR).
They apply to all vessels and aircraft, including their crew/passengers and cargoes (government or private), that enter and depart seaports or airports within Philippine territory.
The Bureau of Quarantine (Department of Health) exercises regulatory functions as the health authority under the IRR in its area of responsibility.
Pratique is the permission granted to a ship/aircraft to enter port/airport, disembark persons, and commence operations after compliance with health requirements. Free pratique is pratique granted to vessels/aircraft that have complied fully with quarantine rules.
When there are isolation/quarantine/medical surveillance needs for suspect or actual cases, or when cargo may pose a public health threat (e.g., certain plague-infected port cargo needing fumigation, hazardous materials), or when the deratting/deratting exemption certificate has expired, or when exposed to a radiological/biological/chemical incident.
Duly accomplished Maritime Declaration of Health; deratting/deratting exemption certificate; passenger and crew list; voyage memo/ports of call; clinical record of cases treated during the voyage (if any); and other documents deemed necessary by the QMO for compliance.
Notify the Bureau of Quarantine at the next port of call/station as soon as practicable and take measures to prevent spread of disease as the Bureau directs.
Considered in quarantine until given a pratique; fly a yellow flag at its foremast; drop anchor at the quarantine anchorage; put down the accommodation ladder; and wait for the QMO.
No one may embark except the QMO and/or duly accredited assistants; passengers and crew disembarkation is not allowed until quarantine clearance is granted; suspect cases must be evaluated on board and transported to a designated referral hospital for isolation; potentially exposed crew/passengers may be isolated or undergo voluntary home confinement.
No vessel may depart to a foreign destination without securing an outgoing quarantine clearance from the Director of Quarantine (or authorized representative). The clearance is required for granting customs clearance.
No aircraft may depart for foreign destinations without an outgoing quarantine clearance from the Director of Quarantine or authorized representative, which is also a requirement for customs clearance.
They must inform the Bureau of Quarantine prior to arrival of (1) infectious disease cases subject to the Regulations/emerging diseases/PHEIC at the airport of origin; (2) ill or suspected persons on board; (3) deaths on board; (4) medically evacuated patient-passengers (Medevac) regardless of case nature; and provide passenger lists and seat numbers, cargo manifest, aircraft configuration, to facilitate medical examination.
State of health of passengers and crew; existence/non-existence of reportable infectious disease/emerging disease/PHEIC from origin/previous ports; sanitary conditions on board; validity of deratting/deratting exemption certificate and state of rat life; and type/tonnage of cargo.
It requires maintaining sanitary environment and compliance with PD 856 (Sanitation Code), particularly Chapter XV on Port, Airport, Vessel and Aircraft Sanitation, and includes sanitation facility requirements and food safety provisions.
Adoption of HACCP audit system and mandatory compliance with GMP/HACCP provisions and guidance values as standards for assessing sanitary quality of food served.
They must be fumigated prior to unloading if vulnerable cargo comes from plague-infected ports and is wrapped in materials like gunny/jute sacks, unless covered by a valid fumigation certificate.
They must be accompanied by: (1) death certificate (or true copy) with proper translation certified by appropriate authorities; (2) certification from the Consul; (3) certification that there is no existence of a pestilence from the health authority of the country of origin; (4) embalming certificate stating proper embalming and hermetically sealed (airtight and waterproof) casket; and (5) cremation certificate when applicable, stating cremation and placement of ashes in a hermetically sealed urn or similar container.