Definition of Terms
- Comprehensive definitions related to refuse disposal including types of waste (agricultural, biodegradable, chemical, hazardous, infectious, radioactive), refuse types (domestic, commercial, industrial), processes (composting aerobic/anaerobic, incineration), and roles (junk dealer, sanitary engineer, local health officer).
General Requirements
- Operating Permit: Required for owners/operators of refuse collection and disposal services, issued by regional health office.
- Sanitary Permit: Required for operation of refuse services, issued by local health officer.
- Exemptions: Certain residential and business self-collection and disposal activities are exempted from operating permit but must register.
- Permits require application, evaluation, renewal, posting, and record keeping.
Sanitary Requirements for Segregation and Storage
- Mandatory waste segregation into separate containers labeled or color-coded (e.g., black for non-biodegradable, green for biodegradable, yellow for infectious waste).
- Containers must be leak-proof, non-corrosive, with close-fitting lids and adequate capacity for 2-3 days accumulation.
- Specific handling instructions for bulk waste, ashes, tree trimmings.
Sanitary Requirements for Collection
- Refuse collection services must have operating and sanitary permits.
- Collectors must have health certificates and wear protective equipment.
- Collectors must follow segregation protocols and ensure containers are handled carefully without damage.
- Misconduct must be reported.
Sanitary Requirements for Transportation
- Vehicles must be approved and meet construction standards including separate compartments for biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste.
- Vehicles must be covered, clean, disinfected, and properly marked with refuse contractor details.
- Loading must prevent spillage or dispersal of waste.
Sanitary Requirements for Disposal and Waste Processing
- Disposal areas require operating and sanitary permits.
- Landfills must have adequate capacity, no dwellings within 200 meters, proper drainage, access roads, fire protection, equipment, and vermin control.
- Garbage grinders allowed only with adequate sewer infrastructure.
- Recycling to be promoted with appropriate segregation.
- Burying limited to biodegradable waste, feeding animals requires cooking.
- Open dumping, water dumping, and open burning prohibited.
- Other waste technologies subject to compliance and permits.
Sanitary Requirements for Recovered Materials
- Recovery operations only with local health office supervision and sanitary permits.
- Cleaning and disinfecting standards for reusable materials.
- Premises and operations of junk dealers must meet sanitation standards.
Biomedical Waste Management
- Must follow Department of Health's Manual on Hospital Waste Management.
Evaluation and Inspection
- Regular inspections every three months by local health officers.
- Use of mission orders for inspections, requiring proper identification.
- Inspection reports with demerit system and sanitation rating (Excellent, Very Satisfactory, Satisfactory).
- Sanitary orders issued for non-compliance with grace periods.
- Procedures for notices, hearings, revocation, appeals, and suspension of permits.
- Officials have power of entry for inspections.
Responsibilities of Owners and Occupants
- Maintain cleanliness, provide adequate containers, prevent unauthorized removal of refuse, avoid unsanitary conditions and nuisances.
- Prevent improper disposal such as dumping in sewers or public places.
Responsibilities of Idle or Vacant Lot Owners
- Maintain cleanliness to prevent vermin breeding; failure may lead to local government cleanup at owner’s expense.
Responsibilities of Refuse Collectors
- Provide regular collection schedules, prevent spillage, return containers properly, use protective equipment, submit reports.
Responsibilities of Regional Director
- Issue operating permits and ensure inspections and monitoring.
Responsibilities of Local Health Officer
- Conduct inspections, issue sanitary permits, engage with permit holders, recommend permit suspension or revocation, enforce rules.
Responsibilities of Local Government
- Provide refuse management system, maintain public cleanliness, promote resource recovery and recycling, allocate disposal land, conduct training, enforce laws, and pass local ordinances.
Penalties
- Violations punishable by up to six months imprisonment, fines up to Php1,000.00, or both.
- Obstruction of inspectors similarly penalized.
Separability Clause
- Invalidity of any part does not affect remaining provisions.
Repealing Clause
- Inconsistent prior rules repealed or amended.
Effectivity
- Effective fifteen days after publication in official gazette or newspaper of general circulation.