The Code on Sanitation of

the Philippines
(Presidential Decree No. 856)

Presented by:

NILO C. MARAYAG, CE, SE, MBA

Engineer IV

Head, Environmental and Occupational Health Cluster

CHD- Metro Manila, Department of Health
Date of Promulgation: December 23, 1975

What is PD 856?

A consolidation of what used to be a disparate

public health laws and regulations on sanitation.

Covered all present day business enterprises and

establishments.
Objective:

Improvement of the way of the Filipinos by

directing public health services towards the
protection and promotion of the health of our
people.
Contents:

It has 22 Chapters.
-General Provisions - Disposal of Dead
-Water Supply - Nuisance
-Food Establishments - Final Provisions
-Public Places Establishments
-Industrial Hygiene
-Vermin Control
-Sewage and Drainage
- Pollution of the Environment
- Refuse
General Provisions

1. Authority of the Secretary – to promulgate rules and

regulations.
2. Authority of the Bureau Directors – to develop plans,
programs, operating standards and management tech.
3. Authority of the Regional Directors – to administer health
functions and enforce the Code.
4. Authority of the Local Health Officers – to administer
health functions in areas under their jurisdiction and
enforce the law.
5. Miscellaneous Provisions –
>condemnation and seizure of property without
compensation of the owner.
Water Supply
1. Prescribed standards and procedures.
2. Jurisdiction of the Department
3. Types of Water Examination Required – initial
and periodic
4. Examining Laboratories – DOH accredited
5. Other protective measures
Food Establishment
1. Sanitary Permit Requirement
2. Health Certificates
3. Quality and Protection of Food
4. Structural Requirements for food establishments
5. Exclusive use of Food-Service Spaces
6. Food Handlers – sanitary/hygiene practices
7. Vermin control
8. Toilet and Washing Facilities
9. Disposal of Refuse
10.Equipment and Utensils
11.Washing of Utensils
12.Bactericidal Treatment
Food Establishments
12. Handling and Storage of Washed Utensils
13. Dry storage of non-perishable foods
14. Refrigerated storage of perishable foods
15. Food Servicing operations
16. Evaluation of Food Establishment
17. Special Provisions - ice plants, ambulant food vendors,
fish marketing areas
Markets and Abattoirs
1. Prescribed standards of construction
2. Responsibility of the local health authority
3. Responsibility of the local government and private
operators
Public Laundry
1. Sanitary permit
2. Structural requirements
3. Sanitary requirements
School Sanitation and
Health Services
1. Physical Environment
2. Emotional Environment
3. Health Services
4. Requirements for special school
Industrial Hygiene
1. Sanitary requirements
2. Responsibilities of the Employer and Employees
3. Environmental Provisions
4. Personal Protective Equipment
5. Health Services
Public Swimming and
Bathing Places
1. Sanitary Permit
2. Protection of Customers
• Rest Areas, Bus Terminals, Bus Stops and Service Stations

•Camps and Picnic Grounds

• Dancing schools, dance halls and night clubs

• Tonsorial and beauty establishments

• Massage Clinics and Sauna Bath Establishments

• Hotels, Motels and Apartments, Lodging, Boarding or

Tenement Houses and Condominiums
Port, Airport, Vessel and
Aircraft Sanitation
1. Port and Airport Sanitation - potable water, safe food,
medical and health services, vermin control
2. Vessel Sanitation – quarantine regulations
3. Aircraft sanitation – WHO guide to hygiene and
sanitation in aviation .
Vermin Control
1. Vermin abatement program

Sewage Collection and Disposal,

Excreta Disposal and Drainage
1. Scope of supervision of the Department – construction
of approved type of toilet, plans of individual sewage
disposal system and sewerage system, method of
disposal of sludge, discharge of untreated effluent
2. Requirements for operation of sewage treatment works
and sewerage and sewage treatment plants
3. Minimum requirements for septic tanks and disposal of
effluents.
4. Sanitary privy
5. Drainage – provision and maintenance of drainage system
by cities and municipalities

Refuse Disposal
1. Provision of refuse collection system by lgu
2. Provision of refuse receptacles by occupants of buildings
and residences
Nuisances and Offensive
Trades and Occupations
1. Types of nuisance and offensive trades
2. Sanitary permit requirements

Pollution of the environment

1. Adoption of other existing pollution laws
2. Authority of the Department to promulgate rules and
regulations for the control and prevention of
pollution.
Disposal of Dead Persons
1. Burial grounds requirements
2. Burial requirements
3. Disinterment requirements
4. Sanitary requirements for funeral and embalming
establishments
5. Licensing of Embalmers and undertakers
6. Autopsy and dissection of remains
7. Donation of human organs for medical, surgical and
scientific purposes
8. Use of remains for medical studies and scientific research
9. Special precautions for safe handling of cadavers
containing radioactive isotopes
10. Responsibility of the regional director
11. Responsibility of the local health authority
12. Responsibility of the local government
13. Penal provisions

Final Provisions
1. Penal provision - 6 months imprisonment or fine of
P1000.00 or both upon the discretion
of the court
Thank you!!!