Title
Physician Required on Coastwise Vessels
Law
Republic Act No. 70
Decision Date
Oct 21, 1946
To ensure passenger safety, Republic Act No. 70 mandates that Philippine-registered coastwise trade vessels with a carrying capacity of fifty or more passengers and voyages lasting over twelve hours without touching port must have a physician on board, with violators subject to fines, imprisonment, or both.
A

Mandatory Inclusion of a Physician

  • It is unlawful for the described vessels to sail or attempt to sail without a physician on board.
  • The physician must be part of the vessel's complement or crew.

Enforcement and Oversight

  • The Bureau of Customs is tasked with enforcing the provisions of the Act.
  • The Bureau must ensure compliance by owners or agents of the vessels.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

  • Owners, charterers, agents, or masters found violating the requirement face penalties.
  • Punishments include a fine up to one thousand pesos, imprisonment up to two years, or both.
  • For corporations, associations, or partnerships, the president and every director or manager who knowingly allowed or failed to prevent the violation are held liable.

Effectivity

  • The Act becomes effective sixty days after its approval on October 21, 1946.

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