Implementing Rules: Camps and Picnic Grounds Sanitation

Coverage and scope of establishments

These rules apply to all camps and picnic grounds intended for public or commercial use, including cottages and recreational places or facilities located therein.
These rules apply regardless of the operator being individuals, organizations, corporations, partnerships, government agencies, or instrumentalities, or institutions.
The rules treat an establishment as a collective system that includes camps and picnic grounds, their premises, facilities, equipment, and appurtenances.

Key definitions for compliance

“Camps” are grounds/spot where tents, caravans/mobile homes, cottages, or other shelters with sanitary and recreational facilities are temporarily or permanently constructed and located.
“Caravan/Mobile Home” is a structure designed/adapted for human habitation capable of being moved by towing/transport on a vehicle or trailer; it may be classified as Contained-Type, Uncontained-Type, or Stationary-Type.
“Picnic Ground” is a place with amenities including picnic facilities, sanitary facilities, restaurants, sundry shops, and recreational facilities.
“Operator” is the owner, manager, administrator, or actual holder of the sanitary permit.
“Sanitary Permit” is the written certification by the local health officer (or, in his absence, the chief/head of sanitation division/section/unit) attesting compliance with sanitation requirements upon evaluation/inspection.
“Local Health Authority” is the governor for provinces and the mayor for cities/municipalities.
“Sanitation Inspector” is a government official/personnel of the LGU enforcing sanitary rules and implementing environmental sanitation activities under the supervision of the local health officer/sanitary engineer.
“Vermin Abatement Program” is a series of preventive and control procedures/activities for vermin control in the establishment.

Sanitary permit: requirement and validity

An establishment must secure a sanitary permit (EHS Form No. 101) issued by the local health officer before it may operate for public use.
Any extension, additional construction, or alteration requires a new sanitary permit before operation.
Permit application or renewal must be filed with the local health office having jurisdiction, using EHS Form No. 110.
A sanitary permit is issued only upon compliance to at least a satisfactory rating using the sanitary inspection form (EHS Form No. 103-B).
Fees for application, renewal, and noting of sanitary permit are paid to the local government office, and the amount is set through city or municipal ordinance.
Within 14 working days after any change in ownership or occupancy, the new operator must apply for noting in records and permit certificate and pay the corresponding fee.
The sanitary permit is valid from the date of issuance until the last day of December of the same year, and it must be renewed at the beginning of every year thereafter.
Upon recommendation of the local health officer, the permit is suspended or revoked by the local health authority for violation of sanitary rules and regulations.
The permit must be posted in a conspicuous place for public information and must be available for inspection by authorized health and other regulatory personnel.
Every local health office must keep a record of permits and renewals showing, among others, the actual operator, location, kind of business, dates of issuance/renewal, changes in management/occupation, sanitary conditions of issuance/renewal, and revocation; the record must be available for inspection by authorized DOH or LGU officers at all reasonable times.

Personnel sanitation and hygiene duties

Any person intending to operate or work in the establishment must secure a health certificate (EHS Form No. 102-A or EHS Form No. 102-B) from the local health officer.
The health certificate must be renewed at least once a year or as often as required by local ordinance.
Health certificates must be clipped visibly on the employee’s uniform/garment on the upper left front portion; where not practical, the certificate must be available upon inspection.
Health certificates are non-transferable.
Employees must observe good personal hygiene, including wearing clean appropriate working garments and washing hands with soap and water at specified times (including before/after working, after smoking, after using the toilet, after coughing or sneezing into hands, or as often as necessary).
Employees must observe personal health and safety practices including no smoking, no drinking of alcoholic beverages, no spitting or blowing of nose, and no littering, plus other practices required by the nature of work.
Workers suffering from communicable/contagious diseases must be immediately reported to the operator and referred for treatment.
Operators must provide necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and ensure workers use it in line with the Industrial Hygiene chapter of P.D. 856 and related occupational safety standards under the Labor Code through DOLE-formulated standards.

Site, water, toilets, waste, and vermin control

Establishments must be located only in places designated under existing zoning laws and ordinances; if no zoning exists, the local health authority approves the location upon recommendation of the local health officer.
Establishments must be located where pollution, noise, offensive odors, dust, and other nuisances are within standards set by the DENR and other existing environmental laws and regulations.
Establishments must be at least 300-meter (984 feet) radial distance away from densely populated areas (commercial, residential, institutional, and industrial areas).
No establishment may be located within earthquake faultline, landslide or flood-prone area, lahar-paths, places within volcanic activity, or any other external hazard source.
A buffer zone of at least 5 meters (16.4 feet) width must exist on all boundaries, planted with trees spaced at least 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) apart.
Property lines must be at least 3 meters (9.84 feet) from any road alignment.
Internal road systems must have proper width/gradient, storm culverts of sufficient size, and a shoulder of at least 60 centimeters (2 feet) on each side; roads must be well maintained with an all-weather surface.
Road gradients must not exceed 6%, and roads must meet minimum width and curvature tables: Table 1 (minimum road width) and Table 2 (minimum road curvature).
Drinking water supply must comply with the Water Supply chapter of P.D. 856 and drinking water standards, and all drinking water sources must have a certificate of potability issued by the Secretary of Health or authorized representative.
Operators must submit water samples annually for physical and chemical examinations and every 6 months for bacteriological examinations (or more frequently as determined by the sanitary engineer/sanitation inspector).
Water sources must supply daily water consumption; required water rates must be applied using Tables 3 and 4 (including Tent Camps: 135 liters (30–35 gallons) per person per day; Picnic Grounds: 40 liters (10 gallons) per person per day).
Plumbing for water supply must comply with the National Plumbing Code of the Philippines.
Drinking water not supplied through piped systems must be handled/transported/dispensed in sanitary manner and stored in a separate tank/reservoir/container approved by the local health officer.
If drinking fountains are provided, they must be of approved angle-jet type.
If bottled water is served, it must come from an approved source, comply with DOH Administrative Order No. 18-A, s. 1993 (“Bottled Drinking Water”), and be dispensed only from the original container filled by the supplier.
Ice used must be produced from an approved potable water supply; ice-making and storage/dispensing must be sanitary, with ice storage bins used only for their intended purpose.
Food dispensing within the establishment must comply with the Food Establishments chapter of P.D. 856 and its implementing rules.
Service buildings housing toilet facilities must be within 25 meters (82 feet) of the service area.
Adequate plumbing fixtures must be provided based on Tables 5 and 6 for tourists/guests and for personnel, with separate clearly-marked male and female toilets.
Toilet and bathroom facilities must have minimum floor area 1.2 square meters (12.91 square feet) and minimum dimension 0.9 meter (2.95 feet), with required clearances and correct measurements.
Toilets and bathrooms must be properly located, lighted, and ventilated for easy access, and must be maintained through regular cleaning and disinfecting.
Toilet paper/paper holders, soap/soap dispensers, and paper towels must be supplied at all times; hand drying must use paper towels or mechanical dryers, and mirrors must be installed in toilet rooms.
A centralized dishwashing facility must be constructed in camps and picnic establishments.
Laundering must be done in separate laundry facilities; no person may put up a temporary clothesline in non-designated facilities.
Suitable storage facilities (lockers) must be provided to personnel, and separate male and female changerooms must be provided.
Sewage must be discharged to the public sewer system or, in its absence, in a manner complying with the Sewage Collection and Disposal, Excreta Disposal and Drainage chapter of P.D. 856 and implementing rules.
The sewage disposal system and storm water drainage must comply with the National Plumbing Code, and storm water must be discharged to a separate storm drainage system where one exists.
Restaurants and dishwashing facilities must have properly sized grease traps.
Refuse segregation, storage, collection, transport, and disposal must follow the Refuse Disposal chapter of P.D. 856 and its implementing rules.
An information and awareness program on proper disposal must include color coding of trash bags; trash bags must be thick enough to avoid rupture during handling.
Refuse containers must be strategically located, firmly secured to avoid accidental knockdown, emptied daily or more frequently as needed, thoroughly cleaned (and preferably disinfected) after emptying, and cleaned wash water must go to proper wastewater disposal.
Separate storage room/bin must be provided for dry and wet refuse; storage must be inaccessible to vermin.
Littering prohibition must be strictly enforced and signboards must be placed on conspicuous parts of the establishment.
Operators must maintain a vermin abatement program consistent with P.D. 856’s Vermin Control chapter and implementing rules.
Cabins/cottages or enclosed shelters used for habitation must be screened with No. 15-mesh screen unless air-conditioned.
Bush, weed, and grass growth must be controlled to prevent vermin breeding and harborage.
The establishment must run an awareness program on dangerous and poisonous insects and animals and elimination of their hiding/nesting places.
No stray animal must be allowed to loiter inside the establishment.
Excessive noise must be abated consistent with the Nuisances and Offensive Trades chapter of P.D. 856, its implementing rules, and other laws.

Structural, lighting, ventilation, and safety standards

Building plans and construction/maintenance must comply with the National Building Code of the Philippines (P.D. 1096), civil law principles, and local laws/ordinances.
Before constructing/operating/altering/renovating, the operator or entity must submit sanitary plans and specifications to the local health officer for review/approval in duplicate copies.
The establishment must be built according to approved plans unless written approval is obtained for sanitation-related changes, and the operator must notify the local health officer at predetermined construction stages and upon completion for inspection.
A new establishment must not operate until inspections show compliance with these rules.
Interior sanitary facility walls/partitions must use smooth, impervious materials up to 1.80 meters (6 feet) height; portions above that height must be painted light-colored or have light-colored smooth non-toxic coverings.
Partition walls between water closets must be at least 2 meters (6.56 feet) high and end 30 centimeters (1 foot) above the floor.
Kitchen and dishwashing facility walls and floors must be durable and non-absorbent; walls/wall coverings must not have open spaces/cracks that provide vermin harborage.
Ceilings must be light-colored, smooth, and non-toxic.
Rooms without artificial ventilation must have windows with opening space not less than 10% of the room floor area opening to a clear space.
Toilet room windows must be above eye-level and provided with No. 15-mesh screen unless air-conditioned; doors must be easily cleaned, light-colored, smooth, and non-toxic.
Floors in sanitary facilities must be concrete or impervious, easily cleaned, non-toxic material; approved fastening and maintenance rules apply to wood/tiled and similar floor coverings.
Effective natural or mechanical ventilation must be provided; windowless bathrooms must have mechanical exhausts connected to the light switch.
Mechanical ventilation minimums are required when natural ventilation is ineffective, including specified horsepower/BTU and exhaust fan sizing/air-change equivalencies by room type.
Air circulation must ensure personnel/tourists/guests are not subjected to air velocities exceeding 1.02 meter per second.
Lighting must provide minimum illumination standards using Table 7 (e.g., Hallways/exits/stairways/dining rooms: 20 Foot-candles (215.2 Lux); Bedrooms/locker rooms/toilets/bathrooms: 10 Foot-candles (106.7 Lux); Outdoor pathways: 2 Foot-candles (22 Lux)).
Lighting must be glare-free and evenly distributed without shadows, maintained at 76.20 centimeters (30 inches) above the floor, with adequate lighting for dark places and conveniently located switches.
The operator must give utmost consideration to safety and comfort and provide emergency medicines, medical supplies, and equipment according to worker-count tables (Tables 8, 9, and 10).
Any medicine or medical supply listed in the tables may be substituted with comparable effectiveness, and must be replaced with the same quantity immediately after consumption.
Emergency telephone and communication equipment must be provided with line numbers for ambulance services, doctors, and hospitals and must be conspicuously posted.
The establishment must maintain emergency readiness with appropriate maintenance facilities and adequate personnel for emergencies and repairs.
Establishments near cliffs, steep hills, streams, rivers, or fall-risk areas must provide handrails, wire fence, or similar barriers.
Entrance and exit points must be well lighted and clearly marked, and there must be emergency exits, emergency lights, and power supply.
During emergencies/calities/possible drinking water contamination, water must be made safe by boiling for at least 2 minutes or by chemical/other approved disinfection methods.
Pesticide application/handling/storage must follow P.D. 856 vermin control requirements and implementing rules.
Fire protection systems and safety instructions must comply with the Fire Code (P.D. 1185) and implementing rules, plus accepted practices to prevent forest and bush fires (Annex I).
Electrical systems must comply with the Philippine Electrical Code, under Republic Act No. 184 and implementing rules; mechanical systems must comply with the Philippine Mechanical Engineering Code, under Commonwealth Act No. 294 and implementing rules.
Accessibility requirements for differently-abled persons must comply with Batas Pambansa Blg. 344 and its implementing rules.

Special rules for caravan, tents, and picnic grounds

A caravan/mobile home camp must have a land area of not less than 1 hectare.
Clearance rules apply: caravans/mobile homes near structures or between adjacent trailers must keep at least 3 meters (9.80 feet) clearance, and must not be closer than 6 meters (19.7 feet) from roads, paths, or other public areas.
Camping density and area guidelines must follow Table 11, including 30–60 emplacements per hectare and specific square meter per emplacement standards for tent camps and caravan/mobile home camps.
The trailer emplacement number must not be less than the number of caravan/mobile homes, and must be located within the camp either separately or in association with each trailer emplacement or in areas designated as parking.
Only one (1) stationary caravan/mobile home per every ten (10) trailer emplacements is allowed, and stationary units must be located in designated areas only.
An open space for recreation must be provided: not less than 8% of the establishment area but not less than 240 square meters (2582 square feet).
Stationary caravan/mobile homes must be structurally sound and use non-toxic, fire-resistant materials, with bedding/furniture in good order; each person must have one (1) bed and each bed must have one mattress; hanging space for clothing; and at least one (1) table with seating for persons capable of being accommodated.
Trailer emplacements must be clearly delineated and numbered, with numbers prominently displayed.
Existing trees must be retained as far as possible, and additional planting of new trees and shrubs must be conducted.
Each trailer emplacement must have a water supply connection, with a caravan/mobile home tapping connection having at least 20 millimeter (3/4 inches) diameter pipe projecting at least 10 centimeters (3.90 inches) above ground.
The water distribution system must be designed for peak demand; for contained caravans, the system is regarded with four (4) fixture units per space, with each fixture unit taken as 28.5 liters per minute (7.4 U.S. gallons per minute).
For each contained caravan/mobile home, a minimum sewer connection of 100 millimeter (4 inches) diameter must connect to a sewer line extending 100 millimeters (4 inches) from ground, with each provided with a P-trap, and sewer lines must be installed at least 1 meter (3.28 feet) away from water lines.
Caravans/mobile homes must be preferably furnished with tapping points for electricity and telecommunication lines.

Tent camps and picnic ground rules

Tents may not be erected within a caravan/mobile home camp.
Clearance for tents: there must be at least 2 meters (6.56 feet) between adjacent tents, and roads/pathways/public gathering areas must not be closer than 6 meters (19.70 feet) to tent emplacements.
A tent may not be erected within 3 meters (9.80 feet) from any building; tent ropes/fastening materials must not be placed closer than 1 meter (3.28 feet) to any building, fence, or public facility.
Tents may be placed under wooded sites if low-lying branches hindering/injuring campers are cut or trimmed, subject to existing local laws/ordinances on tree cutting.
Tent floorings must be smooth, non-absorbent, and free from holes/crevices/cracks preventing moisture entry.
Dilapidated/unsightly/unsuitable tents that do not provide privacy must not be permitted.
A sanitary hand-type pump or faucet with proper wastewater drainage must be within 25 meters (82 feet), at a ratio of one (1) outlet per every ten (10) tent emplacements.
Campers must not dig, trench, cut, or disturb ground near the camp except with consent of the operator or for drainage of rainwater around the tent.
Campfires and cooking must be properly controlled and done only in designated places.
Campers must provide necessary clothing/materials to protect them from extreme weather conditions.
A picnic ground must have a minimum area of 1000 square meters.
Each individual picnic facility must provide minimum spaces using Table 12 (e.g., individual picnic facility 5 square meters (53.8 square feet); single table 2 square meters (21.5 square feet); bench/seat space per person 0.6 square meters (2 square feet)).
There must be at least 3 meters (9.84 feet) clearance between adjacent sheds or any individual picnic facility.
Structures must be on preferably leveled grounds or on grounds with gradient not exceeding 6%.
Floors of individual picnic facilities, sheds, fireplaces, roasting/barbecue places, and other picnic structures must be concrete or impervious, non-toxic, easily-cleaned material free from cracks/crevices; they must extend at least 100 millimeters (4 inches) from the ground to facilitate sanitation during rainy season and must be maintained in good order.
Picnic tables, barbecue grills, walls, and floorings must be cleaned and disinfected at least once a month and maintained in sanitary condition.
Chimneys, fireplaces, and barbecue/roasting places must follow the National Building Code (P.D. 1096) and implementing rules and other local laws/ordinances.

Cottages, recreation, and animal-related requirements

Cottages and similar dwelling houses inside the establishment must be constructed, operated, and maintained in accordance with the Hotels, Motels, and Apartments, Lodging, Boarding or Tenement Houses, and Condominiums chapter of P.D. 856, its implementing rules, and the National Building Code (P.D. 1096) and implementing rules, and other local laws/ordinances.
Beds and blankets must be provided in every sleeping room; bed spacing rules apply, including that beds or similar facilities must not be closer than 1 meter laterally and end-to-end; beds must be elevated at least 0.3 meter (1 foot) from the floor.
Double-deck bed spacing must follow specified lateral and end-to-end clearance and vertical clearance rules; triple deck beds are prohibited.
Amusement/recreational facilities must be located at least 6 meters (19.68 feet) from any individual picnic facility and at least 25 meters (82 feet) from any tent or trailer emplacement, cottage, and similar dwelling house.
Exotic and display animals must comply with the Nuisances and Offensive Trades chapter of P.D. 856.
No animal stockade may be located within 25 meters (82 feet) from any food establishment or where food is prepared and served, or any place/room used for habitation.
Swimming pools or establishments near bathing facilities must comply with the Public Swimming or Bathing Places chapter of P.D. 856 and its implementing rules and other local laws.
Cooking shelters/roasting/barbecue places/fireplaces must be located/constructed/maintained/used to prevent fire and excessive smoke on adjoining property and must comply with P.D. 1096 and implementing rules and local laws; no open fire may be permitted or left unattended except in facilities provided for.
The establishment must have at least one (1) sundry shop and one (1) restaurant.

Inspection process, sanitation rating, and enforcement

The local health officer must inspect and evaluate every establishment requiring a sanitary permit at least every three (3) months, and conduct additional inspection/re-inspection whenever needed.
Fees for inspections must be prescribed by local ordinance.
For every sanitation inspection, the local health officer or chief of the sanitation division/section/unit must issue a mission order (EHS Form No. 112) to the sanitation engineer/sanitation inspector.
The mission order must contain the date, mission order number and series, inspector’s name and ID number, business names, addresses, establishment categories, and scheduled inspection dates, and must be shown to the operator before inspection.
Sanitary inspections without a mission order are prohibited.
The operator must report unauthorized inspections to the local health officer or chief of the sanitation unit/division/section.
Sanitation inspectors must wear the prescribed uniform with proper identification and carry required inspection equipment, forms, and reference materials.
Inspections must be conducted at least once every three (3) months.
Sanitary engineers/sanitation inspectors must keep records of inspections using EHS Form No. 103-B, provide the original report to the operator, and use demerits to determine ratings.
The inspection form has 20 items; non-complying items are indicated with (X) and each such item carries a demerit of five (5), resulting in a sanitation rating computed as 100 less (number of demerits x 5), expressed as a percentage (%) rating.
Sanitation standard equivalents are: 90%–100% (Excellent) with Luminous Green, 70%–89% (Very Satisfactory) with Luminous Yellow, and 50%–69% (Satisfactory) with Luminous Red.
Establishments with a percentage rating below 50% must be recommended for suspension of operation until compliance.
A Sanitation Standard Rating Sticker (SSRS) (EHS Form No. 104-A to 104-C) must be posted in a conspicuous area, preferably at the door, and must be updated once every three (3) months unless revoked earlier.
The local health officer/chief of the sanitation unit/division/section must evaluate the average sanitation standard of every establishment at the end of each year for improvement/maintenance rating.
Upon inspection, the sanitary engineer/sanitation inspector must complete the report and, when non-complying items exist, must notify the operator of specific corrections and set a reasonable period for compliance inclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
The inspector must prepare a sanitary order (EHS Form No. 107) for approval by the local health officer or chief of the sanitation unit/division/section.
Within 48 hours after inspection or evaluation, the original inspection report (EHS Form No. 103-B) and the sanitary order must be furnished and acknowledged by the operator, via personal delivery or postal service with registered mail and return card.
If correction is not effected by the deadline, re-inspection must result in a report to the local health officer recommending revocation of the sanitary permit.
The local health office must file and keep copies of the inspection form and any notices for inspection by authorized officials.

Notice, grace periods, hearings, and permit revocation

When an inspection/evaluation indicates non-complying items, the local health officer must serve a sanitary order requiring remedial action within the order-stated grace period.
If the operator fails to comply with the first sanitary order, the local health officer may serve a second sanitary order.
If the operator needs additional time, the operator must request in writing for an extension of grace period before the first sanitary order’s expiration.
The local health officer must act on the extension request upon recommendation of the sanitary engineer/sanitation inspector who conducted the inspection.
The local health officer must issue a Notice of Hearing (EHS Form No. 118) requiring the operator to show cause at a time and place stated, why the permit should not be revoked.
After prior notices and hearing, if the local health officer is satisfied that the terms of the two notices are not complied with or the failure is not excusable, the local health officer must recommend to the local health authority revocation of the sanitary permit.
After a second sanitary order with extended grace period, if