Sanitation Rules for Rest Areas and Terminals

Clarifies terms such as building, bus stop, bus terminal, department (DOH), establishment, health certificate, infestation, local health authority/officer, operator, overcrowding, nuisance, regional director, rest area, safety, sanitary engineer, sanitation inspector, sanitary permit, secretary, service facilities, service stations, vermin, vermin abatement program, waiting area, and waiting shed.

Establishments must secure a sanitary permit before operating.
Extensions or alterations require new sanitary permits.
Applications/renewals filed with city/municipal health offices, issued after satisfactory sanitary inspection.
Permit fee set by local ordinance.
Ownership changes must be noted within 14 working days.
Permits valid until December 31 each year, subject to suspension or revocation upon violations.
Permit must be posted conspicuously.
Records of permits maintained by local government units.

Mandatory health certificates for all employees, issued by local health officers after medical exams and immunizations.
Certificate must bear employee’s photo and be visibly displayed during work.
Includes bus operators, mechanics, terminal personnel, and workers within establishment premises.
Certificates renewed annually and are non-transferable.
Food handlers must comply with food establishment sanitation rules.
Personnel must observe hygiene, wear uniforms, and refrain from smoking at work.

Facilities must provide sanitary conveniences, lighting, ventilation per DOH standards.
Rest areas and bus stops spaced at intervals of at least one rest area per two hours travel, minimum 30 km apart.
Waiting sheds accommodate minimum 30 persons with smooth concrete floors and seating.
Vermin control programs mandatory; failure by operators results in local health agency intervention.
Public vehicle seats and headrests must be disinfected periodically.
Only pre-packed food from ambulant vendors allowed.
Parking for rest areas and terminals must accommodate at least 5 buses or 250 sq. meters.
Solid waste and sewage must be disposed of properly at designated facilities.
All internal stalls must comply with DOH, Building Code, Fire Code, and other laws.

Adequate male/female toilets with lavatories, well-lit, ventilated, properly maintained.
Toilet bowl/urinal/lavatory counts based on number of users.
Minimum spatial and structural requirements for toilets.
Hand-washing lavatories conveniently located with soap and hygienic drying facilities.
Drinking facilities provisioned at specified ratios.
Water supply must meet potable water standards, be adequately pressurized, and have certificates of potability.
Sewage connected to approved systems; stormwater properly discharged.
Establishments with food outlets require grease traps.
Solid waste must be segregated into biodegradable and non-biodegradable, collected daily, stored properly, and vermin harborage prevented.
Vermin abatement includes screening, rat-proofing, vegetation control, and pest control by accredited applicators.
Adequate lighting and ventilation standards established to ensure comfort and safety.
Overcrowding prevented by setting minimum space per person standards.
Change rooms with lockers required for employees, with gender separation for more than 4 persons.

Rest Areas: Sanitary facility counts per commuter number; parking space; maintenance responsibilities; vendor restrictions; adequate waiting sheds.
Bus Terminals: Similar sanitation facilities; waiting areas for at least 150 passengers; designated bus parking; food establishments must have satisfactory sanitation ratings; ventilation to eliminate bus emissions.
Bus Stops: Required sanitary facilities and refuse receptacles; food vendor restrictions; proper waste segregation.
Service Stations: Located per zoning laws; refuse and sanitation facilities as required; grease traps mandatory; food establishments comply with food-related rules.

Local health officers conduct quarterly inspections, additional as necessary.
Mission orders required for inspections.
Inspection fees imposed by local ordinance.
Inspectors wear uniform and carry required equipment and forms.
Findings recorded using inspection forms and rated by sanitation standards with color-coded ratings.
Non-compliance results in sanitary orders with corrective instructions and grace periods.
Re-inspections to verify compliance.
Sanitary permit may be suspended or revoked following due process including notices and hearings.
Summary suspension possible for immediate health hazards.
Appeals process available but local health authority’s decision is final.
Inspectors have power of entry for inspection with credentials.

Operators must maintain cleanliness, support inspections, promote health campaigns, regulate bus driver behavior, maintain refuse receptacles and cleanliness, enforce no smoking, and comply with sanitation rules.
Local health officers must inspect regularly, advise operators, prevent disease spread, validate permits and health certificates, conduct rating, recommend closures, and enforce rules.
Local government units must regulate stops, require sanitary facilities, support local health offices, disseminate sanitation information, and direct enforcement.

Violations punishable by misdemeanor with imprisonment up to 6 months and/or fines up to Php 1,000.
Obstruction of health officials or tampering with notices is similarly punishable.

Separability clause ensures validity of remaining provisions if any part declared invalid.
Repeals inconsistent previous rules.
Rules take effect 15 days after publication.