Law Summary
Definitions
- Provides extensive definitions related to quarantine and public health terms such as communicable diseases, infectious diseases subject to regulations, vectors, quarantine measures, health authority, isolation, deratting, disinfection, fumigation, and types of pratique (clearance).
- Clarifies terms for operational use including quarantine medical officers, ports/airports of entry, domestic/foreign/infected ports, quarantine inspection, and public health emergency of international concern.
Inspection and Clearance of Vessels from Foreign Ports
- All foreign vessels are subject to quarantine inspection upon entry.
- Vessels fly yellow quarantine flag until clearance (pratique) is given.
- Masters must provide various documents: Maritime Declaration of Health, passenger/crew lists, voyage details, clinical records, and certificates like deratting.
- Specifies types of pratique: free, provisional, controlled free, radio pratique for military, and controlled radio pratique for cruise vessels.
- Immunization certificates such as yellow fever vaccine are mandatory for travelers from infected areas.
- Provides detailed procedures for quarantine inspection including health evaluation of passengers and crew, sanitation conditions, rat infestation, and cargo inspection.
- Boarding of vessels under quarantine is strictly controlled, with no disembarkation or boarding allowed without authorization.
Requirements and Inspection of Domestic Vessels
- Domestic vessels with infectious disease cases or deaths on board undergo quarantine inspection and clearance.
- Similar quarantine procedures as foreign vessels apply, including flying yellow quarantine flag and documentation requirements.
- Coordination with local health authorities when no quarantine personnel are available.
- Measures for boarding and isolation of suspects parallel foreign vessel procedures.
Vessel Sanitation and Rat Control in Port
- Requires rat guards on mooring lines, secured gangways, and specified distance from docks to prevent rodent access.
- Prohibits garbage dumping in harbors; mandates proper waste disposal in line with environmental and health laws.
- Rat inspections mandatory for vessels without valid deratting certificates or with infestation.
- Fumigation required for vessels with plague or rodents, including cargo from plague-infected ports.
Aircraft Quarantine Inspection and Clearance
- All foreign aircraft are subject to quarantine inspection at the first airport of entry.
- Airlines must notify the Bureau of Quarantine 48 hours before estimated arrival with detailed flight and passenger information.
- Aircraft commanders must report disease cases, deaths, and provide passenger manifests.
- Controls boarding and disembarkation of aircraft under quarantine similar to vessel procedures.
- Requires aircraft disinsection (insect vector control) following WHO and ICAO guidelines.
- Departure clearances required before aircraft are allowed to leave Philippine airports.
Requirements and Inspection of Domestic Aircraft
- Domestic aircraft with infectious disease or death on board undergo quarantine inspection.
- Commands and protocols mirror those for foreign aircraft with coordination with local authorities as needed.
Detention of Conveyances Under Quarantine
- Vessels or aircraft with infectious disease or public health emergency cases may be detained.
- No movement permitted without quarantine authority approval; yellow quarantine flags required.
- Persons on detained conveyances are subjected to quarantine restrictions.
Sanitation and Food Safety for Domestic Vessels and Ports
- Bureau of Quarantine oversees sanitation in domestic ports, inter-island vessels, airport terminals, and food service establishments.
- Requires potable water storage, sewage disposal, pest control, and adequate facilities on vessels.
- Enforces compliance with the Sanitation Code of the Philippines and National Building Code in port and terminal facilities.
- Food safety programs must adopt HACCP and GMP standards; mandatory medical exams and health certificates for food handlers.
- Bureau conducts monitoring and evaluation, maintaining records and verifying regulatory compliance.
Regulation of Cargoes and Medical Materials
- Cargo that may harbor disease vectors (e.g., from plague infected ports) must be fumigated.
- Hazardous cargo (radiological, biological, chemical wastes) strictly controlled.
- Import/export of human tissues, live microbes, or vectors require specific permits.
- Non-infectious medical research specimens require quarantine clearance and relevant documentation.
Clearance of Human Remains
- Regulates admission of human remains with required documentation: death certificates, consular and health certifications, embalming or cremation certificates.
- Human remains with infectious disease causes face special restrictions, including mandatory cremation or sealed caskets with rapid burial.
- Requires quarantine permits for transport within and outside the country.
Management of Public Health Emergencies of International Concern (PHEIC)
- Bureau of Quarantine to establish preparedness and response protocols for PHEIC at points of entry.
- Includes case definitions, communication systems, traveler screening, isolation, and collaboration with various government agencies and international health organizations.
- Secretary of Health may mobilize government agencies to prevent disease spread.
Disease-specific Protocols under IHR
- Cholera: designates infected vessels/aircraft; requires disinfection, patient isolation, surveillance, and safe disposal of waste.
- Plague: defines infected/suspected cases; protocols for medical examination, isolation, quarantine, and fumigation.
- Yellow Fever: vaccination requirements; isolation of suspected cases; disinsection of vectors; handling of cargo and personnel exposure.
Medical Clearance of Foreigners for Immigration
- Bureau of Quarantine required to conduct medical evaluation for foreign residents.
- Classification of medical conditions affecting admission into the country (Class A, B, C).
- Only qualified quarantine medical officers may issue clearances.
- Examination includes chest X-ray, serology, stool, urine, and other tests as necessary.
Income Utilization
- Bureau authorized to retain 50% of quarantine income as a trust fund for maintenance, operations, and capital outlays.
- Trust fund excludes payment of salaries and benefits.
- Income sources include vaccination and lab fees, deratting fees, service fees, fines, and penalties.
- Accounting and utilization subject to accounting rules and approval by Director of Quarantine.
Administrative Proceedings, Penalties, and Appeals
- Bureau of Quarantine may investigate complaints and impose fines ranging from P100,000 to P500,000 based on severity and public health impact.
- Penalties escalate with repeated offenses and may include public censure and withholding of operations.
- Appeals against Bureau decisions must be filed within 15 days with the Secretary of Health.
- Criminal penalties include fines and/or imprisonment for violations of quarantine laws.
Supplmentary Provisions and Effectivity
- International Health Regulations supplement these rules.
- Invalid provisions do not affect the remainder of the regulations.
- Conflicting orders or rules are repealed.
- Implementing Rules take effect 15 days after publication.
Preparedness and Response to Radiological, Biological, and Chemical Incidents
- Bureau roles include protocol development, surveillance, preparedness, and response at ports and airports.
- Coordination with other agencies and compliance with WHO guidelines.
- Guidelines for chemical and biological terrorism responses in aviation and shipping.
Summary
These regulations comprehensively govern the quarantine processes for vessels and aircraft entering or traveling within the Philippines, focusing on disease prevention, control, and response to legitimate public health threats with coordinated efforts among authorities consistent with international standards.