Implementing Rules for School Sanitation

Defines key terms such as Children's Institution, Department (DOH), Day Care Center, Egress, Emotional Environment, Establishment, Foreign School, Formal/Non-formal Education, Health Care Facility, Health Certificate, Infestation, Kindergarten School, Local Health Authority, Local Health Officer, Nursery School, Pathological Waste, Physical Environment, Preschool Service, Private/Public School, Refuse/Solid Waste, Regional Director, Safety, Sanitary Engineer, Sanitation Inspector, Sanitary Permit, Secretary (Health), Sectarian School, School Administrator, Special School, Student, Techn/Vocational School, Vermin and Vermin Abatement Program.

Site clearance required from the regional health office before construction.
School sites should avoid steep slopes, nuisances, noise above prescribed levels, pollution sources, and should be accessible with water supply.
Required distances between school sites and various potential nuisances (e.g., cemeteries, bars, jails) specified.
Topography should be level with no hazardous materials.

Buildings must maximize natural light; supplementary artificial lighting required.
No dual-use (residential or other) that interferes with school function.
Effective ventilation, fire protection, acoustic considerations.
Compliance with National Building Code.
Floors smooth, clean, impervious; walls and ceilings light-colored to promote light reflection.
Ventilation standards including air space per pupil and window/opening size.
Minimum illumination levels specified per room type.
Classroom dimensions and seating arrangements to reduce overcrowding and optimize lighting and acoustics.
Playground facilities and school grounds standards provided.

Adequate and separate male/female toilet facilities accessible to students and personnel;
Toilets must be lighted, ventilated; pre-school toilets adapted for size and accessibility.
Lavatories to be maintained with water, soap, and sanitary drying facilities.
Water supply to meet potable standards, with minimum daily per capita volume.
Food establishments within schools must follow existing sanitation codes.
Proper sewage disposal, grease traps for school food outlets.
Solid waste managed with segregation, container standards, and daily collection.
Vermin control programs mandatory with specific measures.
Housekeeping activities scheduled daily, weekly, and monthly with proper cleaning protocols.

Stairways, corridors, elevators, and fire escapes meeting minimum width and safety standards.
Fire prevention measures including panic locks, outward opening doors, fire extinguisher availability, and regular drills.
Electrical safety and proper storage of combustibles mandated.

Laboratories must have adequate size, ergonomic furniture, proper ventilation, emergency equipment, and safety standards especially when handling hazardous materials.
Gymnasiums and auditoriums located away from classrooms, acoustically treated and adequately sized.
School quarters/dormitories to be fire safe, properly equipped with toilets, drinking water, and lighting.
Computer rooms to have ergonomic equipment and controlled temperature.
Swimming pools to comply with public swimming place regulations.
Libraries and other facilities to conform with building, fire, plumbing, and sanitation codes.

Organ Donation Act and relevant laws apply for human organs and remains.
Conditions specified for use of unclaimed cadavers including certification, embalming, and clearance for medico-legal cases.
Morgue and dissection rooms have detailed size, ventilation, sanitation, and security requirements.

Annual medical, physical, and dental exams required for school personnel and pupils.
Health certificates mandatory for employment.
Health certificates displayed during food handling.
Provision of guidance and counseling services.
Establishment of school clinics with appropriate facilities, equipment, and qualified health personnel during class hours.
First aid kits with detailed required contents must be available and managed by trained personnel.

Quarterly inspections conducted by city/municipal health officers; additional inspections as needed.
Inspection process requires mission orders, uniforms, and usage of standard forms and equipment.
Sanitary inspections scored with a standardized rating system and a color-coded rating sticker posted.
Reports and sanitary orders issued with reasonable periods for compliance.
Re-inspections ensure compliance; violations may lead to permit revocation after hearings.
Immediate suspension possible for substantial public health hazards.
Appeals and due process accorded.
Power of entry granted to inspectors with proper credentials during reasonable times.

School administrators must maintain healthful environments, secure permits, supervise cadaver use in special schools, implement vermin control, maintain clinics, report diseases, assist health authorities, and comply with sanitations rules.
Regional directors issue site clearances.
Local health officers conduct inspections, issue permits, and enforce sanitation rules.
Local government units manage school site lands, enforce environmental health measures, and assist health officers.

Violations punishable by misdemeanor penalties: imprisonment up to six months or fines up to Php 1,000, or both.
Obstruction of health officers or tampering with notices similarly penalized.

Rules take effect 15 days after publication in the official gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.