Scope and Jurisdiction
- Applicable to all vessels, aircraft, crews, passengers, and cargo entering or departing Philippine ports and airports
- Bureau of Quarantine issues quarantine certificates, bills of health, and sanitation requirements
- Enforces international and domestic quarantine rules
Regulatory Authority and Definitions
- Bureau of Quarantine under Department of Health is the regulatory health authority
- Extensive definitions provided for terms such as quarantines, conveyances, communicable diseases, passengers, crew, and public health emergencies
Vessel Inspection Upon Foreign Entry
- All foreign vessels subject to quarantine inspection at Philippine ports
- Conditions for issuance of different types of pratique such as Free, Provisional, Controlled Free, and Radio Pratique depending on health status and voyage history
- Required documentation includes Maritime Declaration of Health, deratting certificates, passenger and crew lists, voyage memos, and clinical records
Immunization Requirements
- Mandatory valid immunization certificates for diseases like yellow fever for travelers from infected areas
- Director of Quarantine may impose additional immunization requirements based on public health conditions
Quarantine Inspection Procedures
- Inspection assesses health of crew/passengers, sanitation status, validity of certificates, and cargo type
- Boarding and disembarkation protocols specified for suspect infectious cases and public health emergencies
- Measures for chemical, biological, and radiological incidents are incorporated
Requirements for Outgoing Vessels
- Outgoing vessels must secure quarantine clearance before departure to foreign destinations
- Clearance is prerequisite for customs clearance
Domestic Vessel Requirements
- Domestic vessels with infectious conditions or death on board are subject to quarantine inspection and clearance
- Similar documentation and procedures apply as with foreign vessels
- Cooperation with local health authorities where quarantine officials are absent
Vessel Sanitation and Food Safety
- Requires rat guards on mooring lines, control of pests and vermin, and proper disposal of garbage
- Adoption of food safety standards such as Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP)
- Sanitation requirements imposed on terminals, catering points, and food establishments at ports and airports
Aircraft Inspection Upon Foreign Entry
- All foreign aircraft subject to quarantine inspection at Philippine airports of entry
- Requirements include prior notification to Bureau of Quarantine, submission of aircraft General Declaration, and reporting health conditions on board
- Pratique clearance required before disembarkation allowed
Aircraft Vector Control and Disinfection
- Aircraft must undergo disinsection according to WHO and ICAO standards
- Monitoring and control of mosquito vectors within protective areas surrounding airports
Domestic Aircraft Requirements
- Domestic aircraft with infectious cases or deaths are subject to quarantine inspection and clearance
- Similar procedures as foreign aircraft, coordinated with local health authorities as necessary
Detention of Conveyances
- Vessels or aircraft with infections or public health emergencies may be detained under quarantine
- Conveyances under detention must fly yellow quarantine flag and are restricted from moving without authority
- Persons on such conveyances are subject to imposed restrictions
Cargo and Materials Regulation
- Cargo from infected areas or harboring vectors must be fumigated or otherwise managed
- Strict controls over importation/exportation of human organs, tissues, microbes, and hazardous materials require quarantine permits
Clearance of Human Remains
- Importation requires death certificate, consular certification, embalming or cremation certificates, and health certificates verifying no pestilence
- Special conditions apply if death caused by an infectious disease
Public Health Emergencies of International Concern (PHEIC)
- Bureau of Quarantine to enforce preparedness, surveillance, and response protocols
- Authority to apprehend, isolate, or surveil suspect cases
- Secretary of Health empowered to mobilize agencies to prevent spread
Disease-Specific Management Protocols
- Cholera: Disinfection, isolation and treatment of cases, medical examination of crew/passengers
- Plague: Surveillance and fumigation measures, isolation and treatment
- Yellow Fever: Mandatory vaccination certificates and vector control, quarantine of non-compliant arrivals
Medical Clearance of Foreigners for Immigration
- Bureau of Quarantine conducts medical exams of foreigners seeking residency
- Diseases classified into three classes affecting disposition by Bureau of Immigration
- Only Regular Quarantine Medical Officers may issue clearances
Utilization of Bureau Income
- At least 50% of income from quarantine fees forms a Trust Fund for Bureau operating expenses excluding salaries
- Proper accounting and reporting required
Administrative Proceedings and Penalties
- Bureau may initiate investigation and impose fines for violations from P100,000 to P500,000
- Penalties escalate with repeated offenses, including public censure and withholding operation
- Criminal penalties include fines up to P50,000 or imprisonment up to 1 year
Appeals
- Decisions may be appealed to the Secretary of Health within 15 days
- Appeal includes review of case files and hearings
General Provisions
- International Health Regulations of WHO supplement these rules
- Severability and repealing clauses provided
- Effectivity upon publication in newspapers
Specialized Annexes
- Protocols for Radiological, Biological, Chemical (RBC) incidents
- Measures for outbreaks of PHEIC including health checks, communication, PPE use, and surveillance
- Quarterly reporting templates for income
This comprehensive regulation provides detailed legal frameworks for quarantine management, inspection, certification, disease control, and penalties to safeguard Philippine public health in alignment with global health standards.