Reorganization and Rules of Bureau of Quarantine

Responsible for examination of incoming and outgoing vessels and aircraft at Philippine ports and airports.
Oversees sanitary conditions of vessels/aircraft, cargoes, passengers, crew, and personal effects.
Issues quarantine certificates, bills of health, or equivalent documents.
Authority extends to both foreign and domestic vessels including military (army and navy), their wharfage and anchorage, aircraft, and airports.

Secretary of Health and Public Welfare is authorized to reorganize the Bureau upon recommendation of the Director.
Rules and regulations for Bureau operation can be promulgated in this process.
Officers and employees from the U.S. Public Health Service engaged in quarantine work as of July 4, 1946, automatically transferred and appointed in the Bureau, with service considered continuous for civil service benefits.
Transferred employees enjoy rights and benefits equal to Civil Service employees, including insurance, pension, retirement, and other allowances.

Director of Quarantine holds a rank of colonel or higher.
Quarantine officers under the Director hold ranks such as lieutenant colonels, majors, captains, and lieutenants.
Appointment and commissioning of officers are by the President upon recommendation of the Director and approval of the Secretary of Health and Public Welfare.

Director of Quarantine can promulgate and enforce rules necessary to prevent the introduction, transmission, or spread of quarantinable diseases.
Powers include inspections, fumigation, disinfection, sanitation, pest extermination, destruction of infected or contaminated animals or articles.
Measures do not include apprehension, detention, or conditional release of individuals except to prevent specified quarantinable diseases.
Mandatory immunization against quarantinable diseases may be required for all arrivals.
Regulations for apprehension and examination of individuals infected or exposed on vessels and aircraft entering ports can be prescribed.
Infected or dangerous contacts may be detained aboard vessel, hospital, quarantine detention station, or isolation.

Director may recommend to the President, through the Secretary, an executive order to suspend introduction from foreign countries with quarantinable disease threat.
Suspension aims to protect public health by prohibiting persons and properties from such countries.

Director controls and manages all quarantine stations, grounds, and anchorages with designated boundaries.
With Secretary's approval, may establish additional quarantine stations, hospitals, dispensaries, and treatment stations deemed necessary.

Vessels or aircraft departing foreign ports for Philippine ports must obtain prescribed forms from designated officers.
Required certificates must be delivered to quarantine boarding officers at Philippine ports of entry.

Unlawful for vessels or aircraft from foreign countries to discharge cargo or land passengers without quarantine officer's certificate confirming compliance.
Such certificate is required before Customs clearance.

Vessels or aircraft leaving Philippine seaports or airports must procure a sanitary port statement certifying compliance with quarantine laws.
This certificate is required for Customs clearance.

Violations of regulations on quarantine procedures or unauthorized entry/departure from quarantine zones punishable by a fine up to PHP 2,000, imprisonment up to one year, or both.
Vessels or aircraft violating any provision of the Act may be fined up to PHP 10,000, with a lien placed on the vessel.

Previous provisions of the Revised Administrative Code (Sections 1130 to 1136) and any inconsistent laws, rules, or regulations concerning quarantine are repealed.