The Code on SANITATION of the

Philippines
 Presidential Decree No. 856
Code on Sanitation
• Dec 23, 1975
– Promulgation of the Code on Sanitation by President Ferdinand E. Marcos
• Objective:
– Directing public health services towards protection and promotion of the health of the Filipinos
• 3 people that made an effort to codify our health laws and regulations
1. Dr. Mariano Icasiano
2. Dr. Amadeo Cruz – City Health Officer of Manila
3. Director of Health Services
• List of those with significant contributions in the development of the code
– Regional Provincial and City Health Offices
– National Environmental Protection Commission
– Metropolitan Water and Sewage System
– Population Commission
– Executive branch of the government: Labor, Natural Resources, Agriculture, Education, and Finance
– Philippine Public Health Association
– League of Public Health Engineers
– Philippine Society of Sanitary Engineers
 Department of Health
Functions:
1. Promotion and preservation of health and health standards
2. Extend maximum health services in rural areas and provide
medical care to people who cannot afford due to poverty
3. Develop, administer and coordinate health activities and services
4. Upgrade the standards of medical practice and quality of health
services
5. Assist local health agencies in developing public health programs
6. Issue permits to establish and operate hospitals, clinics, etc.
7. Prescribe standard rates of fees
8. Performed other functions provided by law
• The Republic of the Phils recognizes international treaties
agreements and conventions on public health.
• Proceedings and rights commenced and accrued upon the
effectivity of this code should not be affected by its provisions but
those arising after the date of effectivity should conform to the
provisions.
• Power delegated and duty assigned to a public health officer may
be exercised by an agent of the official pursuant to law.
• Notice, report, statement, or record should be written in English or
Pilipino and sent through postal service.
• No compensation for the owner whose property is officially
condemned or seized by government for the purpose of public
health
• Duty expressly vested in a health officer is the concern of the
superiors of health office (command responsibility)
 WATER SUPPLY
• Standards for drinking water; bacteriological and chemical
examinations; evaluation of results – conform to the National
Drinking Water Standards
• Treatment of water; disinfection of contaminated water
sources; distribution systems – conform with procedures of
DOH
• Sites of water sources; delivery of water to consumers;
operation, plans and specifications of water system; and
certification of potability of drinking water should be approved
by the Secretary of Health.
• Initial and Periodic examination are required for drinking water.
• Examination should be performed only in private and
government laboratories accredited by DOH
Prohibited:
• Washing clothes or bathing within a
radius of 25 m from any source of
drinking water.
• Construction of artesians or well within
25 m from any source of pollution.
• Storage of radioactive sources or
materials within a radius of 25 m from
any source of drinking water unless
safely enclosed by proper shielding.
• Physical connection between
distribution system and other water
supply unless reguarly examined and
found to be safe and potable.
• Installation of booster pump direct
from water distribution line.