Title
Creation of Manila Dept. of Health and Welfare
Law
Commonwealth Act No. 561
Decision Date
Jun 7, 1940
Commonwealth Act No. 561 establishes the Department of Health and Welfare in Manila, granting the city health officer authority over public health and sanitation, while the city engineer is responsible for engineering and public works.
A

Creation and Appointment of City Health Officer

  • A city health officer position is established with a salary of 6,000 pesos per annum.
  • Appointment is by the President of the Philippines with the National Assembly's Commission on Appointments consent.
  • City health officer heads the Department of Health and Welfare.

Powers and Duties of the City Health Officer

  • Supervision of city health and sanitation including public buildings, cemeteries, markets, stockyards, slaughterhouses, restrooms, waste disposal.
  • Authority to charge fees for sanitation services supplied to private entities, with rates approved by the Municipal Board and Department Head.
  • Oversight of puericulture centers and social services.
  • Power to declare nuisances or health hazards related to stagnant water or unsanitary conditions on any property and to report to the Mayor.
  • Enforcement of all public health laws, ordinances, and regulations.
  • Authority to recommend public health ordinances to the Municipal Board upon Director of Health's approval.
  • Prosecution of sanitary law violations.
  • Conduct of sanitary inspections, aided by police-designated sanitary officers.
  • Additional duties as directed by the Director of Health with technical appointments made in consultation with the Director.
  • Director of Health retains technical supervision over city's health work and assumes full control during epidemics.

Repeal of Conflicting Provisions

  • Section 2456 of the Administrative Code is repealed to effectuate the new organization.

Duties and Powers of City Engineer

  • City engineer heads Department of Engineering and Public Works.
  • Responsible for all surveying, public works projects, and maintenance including buildings, streets, bridges, docks, wharves.
  • Care and custody of public buildings and infrastructure including markets, slaughterhouses, and lighting systems.
  • Enforcement against encroachments on public spaces.
  • Regulation of private building construction and numbering.
  • Maintenance and sanitation responsibilities including garbage and waste disposal.
  • Management of public docks, wharves, waterways, and water supply not under the Metropolitan Water District.
  • Preservation of office records including maps and plans.
  • Supervisory authority over industrial appliances and safety-related building measures.
  • Power to impose charges for sanitation and transportation services subject to Board and Department Head approval.

Financial Responsibilities for Department Operation

  • Operational expenses and personnel salaries of the Department of Health and Welfare are charged to the City of Manila budget.

Effective Date and Presidential Authority on Reorganization

  • Act takes effect on July 1, 1940.
  • Presidential power to delay implementation if public interest requires.

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