WHEREAS,
public and private sectors have continuously contributed time, efforts
and funds in the promotion of tourism, sanitation and in beautification
campaigns throughout the land;chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
WHEREAS, results of surveys and observations along national highways
and roads leading to tourist resorts have indicated an increase in
private establishment and enterprises catering to local and foreign
tourist;chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
WHEREAS, the influx of tourists has spawned problems as a result of
insanitary conditions of physical facilities and lack of public
utilities in tourist resorts, bus stops and terminals and service
stations along national highways, includingrports and seaports;chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
WHEREAS, there is need of providing for an adequate number of rest
areas for passengers of public and private conveyances playing the
highways to cater to the comfort and personal conveniences and needs of
travellers; and
WHEREAS, it is the responsibility of Government to regulate necessary
the basic facilities for the health and convenience of tourist and
travellers in order to project a favorable image of our comfort and its
people; chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
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 and make as part of the law of the land following:cralaw:red
Section 1. The Department of Health, thru the
Regional Sanitation Committee, is hereby empowered to inspect
investigate and issue or revoke permits to operate rest areas service
stations, eating establishments and such other facilities or amenities
intended for the physical convenience of the travelling public.
Section 2. There are hereby created Regional
Sanitation Committees in each Health Region under the Department of
Health which will control, supervise and regulate the sanitation
requirements in public eating places, lounges, motels, hotels,
seaports,rports, and other similar establishments serving the
travelling public throughout the country composed of the following:cralaw:red
Director, Regional Office Chairman
Supervising Sanitary Engineer Vice-Chairman
Provincial Health Officers Members
City Health Officers Members
Section 3. The Regional Sanitation Committees, in
consultation with Provincial and City Health Officers, are hereby
vested with, but not limited to, the following powers and functions:cralaw:red
a) Require all business establishments catering to
the travelling public to have the necessary sanitary permits to
operate;chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
b) Require employees of such establishments to
possess health certificates issued by the local health
officials; chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
c) Require all public transportation companies
including hotels or tourist and travel agencies, with units playing the
highways, to provide their own rest areas as strategic places along the
National Highway to adequately accommodate the conveniences and
personal necessities of their passenger by the Department of Health;chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
d) Prohibit public and private conveyances to make
stops at points on the highways other than at the regular designated
rest areas for the purpose of satisfying the demand for personal
necessities of passengers;chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
e) Require all eating and recreational
establishments, rest areas, service stations, picnic grounds,rports,
seaports and other similar business establishments catering to the
travelling public to have adequate comfort rooms in conformity with the
sanitary standards promulgated by the Department of Health; chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
f) Construct rest areas with sanitary facilities and
maintain their operations in conformity with accepted health standards,
under maintenance of the Health Department or the Department of Public
Highways;chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
g) Make a classification of rating system for
establishments catering to the travelling public for tourists'
guidance, and to require the permanent or temporary closure of any
establishment not meeting the specifications of the Department of
Health;chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
h) Perform such other duties as may be necessary to
promote the convenience or comfort of the travelling public.
Section 4. The Department of Health is hereby
authorized to enlist the support of the Philippine Constabulary or any
government office for the enforcement or implementation of this
Decree. chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
Section 5. All establishments catering to the
travelling public are hereby given (90) days from the promulgation of
this decree within which to comply with the provisions thereof.
Section 6. Violations of this decree, as well as of
the rules and regulations issued by the Secretary of Health pursuant to
the preceding Section, shall be punished by a fine of not less than
P2,000 nor more than P5,000 or imprisonment of not less than 2 years
nor more than 5 years, or both, at the discretion of the Court, for the
first offense; for subsequent offenses, by both fine or imprisonment
and cancellation of the license or permit of the establishment. If the
offender is a corporate entity, the officers, manager or directors
shall be primarily liable. If the offender is an alien, he shall be
adopted immediately without further investigation.
Section 7. All laws, orders, rules and regulations
inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed, amended or modified
accordingly.
Section 8. This Decree shall take effect immediately.
DONE in the City of Manila,
this 30th day of July, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
seventy-four.
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