pd856.san.code
pd856.san.code
Manila
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 856 December 23, 1975
CODE ON SANITATION
Note: Text in red font may require the full attention of Registered and Licensed Architects (RLAs) in the preparation of the
architectural plans and designs of the buildings and grounds of their projects.
WHEREAS, the health of the people, being of paramount importance, all efforts of public services should
be directed towards the protection and promotion of health; and
WHEREAS, with the advance in the field of sanitation in recent years, there arises the need for updating
and codifying our scattered sanitary laws to ensure that they are in keeping with modern standards of
sanitation and provide a handy reference and guide for their enforcement;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers
vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby order and decree the following Code on Sanitation:
CODE ON SANITATION OF THE PHILIPPINES
CHAPTER 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 1. Title The title of this Code is "Code on Sanitation of the Philippines".
Section 2. Definition of Terms Whenever any of the following words or terms is used herein or in any rule
or regulation issued under this Code, it shall have the meaning given it in this section, as follows:
(a) Code Code on Sanitation of the Philippines.
(b) Department The Department of Health.
(c) Secretary The Secretary of Health.
(d) Regional Director an official who heads a Regional Health Office.
(e) Local Health Authority an official or employee responsible for the application of a prescribed
health measure in a local political subdivision.
(f) Health Officer Provincial, City or Municipal Health Officer.
(g) Engineer A Sanitary Engineer.
(h) Section any section of this code unless the term refers to other statutes which are specifically
mentioned.
Section 3. Functions of the Department of Health The Department shall have the following powers and
functions:
(a) Undertake the promotion and preservation of the health of the people and raise the health
standards of individuals and communities throughout the Philippines;
(b) Extend maximum health services to the people in rural areas and provide medical care to those
who cannot afford it by reason of poverty;
(c) Develop, administer and coordinate various health activities and services which shall include
public health, preventive, curative and rehabilitative programs, medical care, health and medical
education services;
(d) Upgrade the standards of medical practice, the quality of health services and programs to
assure the people of better health services;
(e) Assist local health agencies in developing public health programs including medical care, and
promote medical and public health research;
(f) Issue permits to establish and operate government and private hospitals, clinics, dispensaries,
schools of nursing, midwifery, and other para-medical course, puericulture centers, clinical
laboratories and blood banks;
(g) Prescribe standard rates of fees for health, medical, laboratory, and other public health
services; and
(h) Performs such other functions as may be provided by law.
Section 4. Authority of the Secretary In addition to the powers and authority of the Secretary which are
provided by law, he is likewise empowered to promulgate rules and regulations for the proper
implementation and enforcement of the provisions of this Code.
Section 5. Authority of the Bureau of Directors The Bureau Directors shall be responsible for staff activities
involving the development of plans, programs, operating standards and management techniques in their
respective field of assignment.
Section 6. Authority of the Regional Directors The Regional Directors shall administer health functions in
their regions, implement policies, standards and programs involving health services; and enforce the
provisions of this Code and the rules and regulations promulgated by the Secretary under this Code.
P.D. No. 856 (CODE ON SANITATION) page 1 of 24
Note: Text in red font may require the full attention of Registered and Licensed Architects (RLAs) in the preparation of the architectural plans and designs of the
buildings and grounds of their projects.
Section 7. Authority of the Health Officers The health officers shall administer health functions in areas
under their jurisdiction and enforce the provisions of this Code and the rules and regulations promulgated
by the Secretary under this Code.
Section 8. Miscellaneous Provisions
(a) International treaties, agreements and conventions The Republic of the Philippines recognizes
international treaties, agreements and conventions on public health. Their provisions may be
considered parts of this Code provided they do not contravene the Constitution, existing laws or
any provision of this Code.
(b) Rights and proceedings Any proceeding which has commenced or any right which has accrued
upon the effectivity of this Code shall not be affected by any of its provisions. However, matters of
procedure and rights arising after the date of effectivity of this Code shall conform to the provisions
hereof.
(c) Delegation of power and assignment of duty Whenever a power is granted or a duty is assigned
to any public health officer in this Code, the power may be exercised by a deputy or agent of the
official pursuant to law, unless it is expressly provided otherwise in this Code.
(d) Language required Any notice, report, statement or record required or authorized by this Code,
shall be written in English or Pilipino.
(e) Mailing of notices Unless otherwise expressly provided, any notice required to be sent to any
person by any provision of this Code, shall be sent through the postal service. The affidavit of the
official or employee who mailed the notice is prima facie evidence that the notice was sent as
prescribed herein.
(f) Condemnation and seizure of property When any property is officially condemned or seized by
government authorities in the interest of public health, the owner thereof shall not be entitled to
compensation.
(g) Command responsibility When a duty is expressly vested in a health officer as provided in this
Code, it shall be understood that it shall likewise be the concern of the superiors of the health office
under the principle of command responsibility.
CHAPTER II
WATER SUPPLY
Section 9. Prescribed Standards and procedures
Standards for drinking water and their bacteriological and chemical examinations, together with the
evaluation of results, shall conform to the criteria set by the National Drinking Water Standards. The
treatment of water to render it safe for drinking, and the disinfection of contaminated water sources together
with their distribution systems shall be in accordance with procedures prescribed by the Department.
Section 10. Jurisdiction of the Department
The approval of the Secretary or that of his duly authorized representative is required in the following
cases:
(a) Sites of water sources before their construction;
(b) Delivery of water to consumers from new or recently repaired water systems;
(c) Operation of a water system after an order of closure was issued by the Department;
(d) Plans and specifications of water systems of subdivisions and projects prior to the construction
of housing units thereat; and
(e) Certification of potability of drinking water.
Section 11. Types of Water Examinations Required
The following examinations are required for drinking water:
(a) Initial examination The physical, chemical and bacteriological examinations of water from newly
constructed systems or sources are required before they are operated and opened for public use.
Examination of water for possible radio-active contamination should also be done initially.
(b) Periodic examination Water from existing sources is subject to bacteriological examination as
often as possible but the interval shall not be longer than six months, while general systematic
chemical examination shall be conducted every 12 months or oftener. Examination of water
sources shall be conducted yearly for possible radioactive contamination.
Section 12. Examining Laboratories and Submission of Water Samples
The examination of drinking water shall be performed only in private or government laboratories duly
accredited by the Department. It is the responsibility of operators of water systems to submit to accredited