Republic of the Philippines  
Department of Health  
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY  
 
 
 
Building I, San Lazaro  Compound , R izal Av·enue, Sta .Cruz, 1003 Mani  la • Trunk  Line  651-7800 • Direct Line: 7 1 1-9501 
Fa x: 743-1829, 743-1786 • URL: http://www.doh.gov.ph  • e-mail: osec@doh.gov.ph  
 
 
 
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER 
No. ____________________  
 
 
SUBJECT:  Guidelines on the R egulation of Operators of Pest Control, 
Certification  of Pesticide Handlers, and Accreditation of Their 
Training Providers  
 
 
I. RATIONALE  
 
Pursuant with the provisions of Republic Act (RA) No.  9711 , otherwise known as the 
“Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Act of 2009”,  and its implementing rules and 
regulations, the FDA hereby set the guidelines  on the regulatio n of pest control operators, 
certifica tion of  pesticide handlers, and accreditation of their training providers . 
 
The human health problems caused by pests, mostly insects and rodents, are very 
significant in the Philippines. Public health pesticides have a huge role to play in the  the 
prevention and control of vector -borne  diseases that it is important that household pesticide 
products  used in public health programs must be cost effective, efficacious and operationally 
acceptable. Pesticides are toxic compounds, and long term sustainability of public health 
programs is threa tened  by the development of  insecti cide resistance and the depleting  supply 
of less hazardous and cost effective household pesticide products . 
 
Licensing commercial pesticide control operators contributes to the protection of 
public health and safety, by i nstituting mechanisms and standards that reduce the human and 
animal health risks due to the improper and uncontrolled application of household pesticide  
product s. This policy includes guidelines on the p roper handling, application,  storage, 
transport , and  disposal  of pesticides, as part of sound management of pesticide  product s. 
 
II. OBJECTIVES  
 
1. To establish standard regulatory procedure s in the regulatio n of pest control operators, 
certification  of pesticide handlers, and accreditation of their training provi ders. 
2. To provide guidelines in the licensing of establishments as pest control operators , 
certification  of pesticide handlers, and accreditation of their training providers . 
3. To establish health and safety provisions in the conduct of pest control to protec t the 
pesticide handlers , and the public.  
 
III. SCOPE  
 
These guidelines shall apply to all government and private establishments engaged in 
the busine ss, service , or commercial application of household pesticide  product s for purposes 
of non-agricultural  pest co ntrol , all government and private individuals employed or seeking 
employment as pesticide handlers to be employed by operators for pest control,  and all 
providers  of training programs for  pesticide handlers.   
 
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IV. DEFINITION OF TERMS  
 
1. Accreditati on – means a third party attestation related to conformity assessment body 
conveying formal demonstration of its competence to carry out specific conformity 
tasks.  
 
2. Certification – means third party attestation related to products, processes, systems or 
persons.  
 
3. Fumiga tion – means a process where a fumigant can exist in gaseous state in 
sufficient concentration which will be lethal to given pest organism.  
 
4. Fumigant – refers to a chemical compound used in its gaseous state as a pesticide.  
 
5. Health Certificate – refers to a certification in  writing using the prescribed f orm 
issued by the city/municipal  health office or any government health facility  to a 
person after pa ssing the FDA required physical, medical  and laboratory  examinations.  
 
6. Household Pesticide – also known as  “household/urban pesticide”, refer s to a non -
agricultural pesticide used for the control of pests in homes, yards and gardens, 
domestic and/or commercial establishments such as schools, malls, condominiums, 
hospitals, buildings, manufacturing sites, wareh ouses, g olf courses, among others,  but 
shall exclude chemicals used in commercial agricultural production. The term also 
refers to a product  used for the co ntrol of insect pests, rodents , and weeds that are 
found in places of human habitation, work and rec reation. Examples of insect pests 
are flies, mosquitoes, cockroaches, ants, termites, bedbugs, and others.  
 
Household pesticides shall include products such as, but not limited to, insecticides, 
rodenticides, herbicides, larvicides, termiticides, wood pre servative, baits, and 
repellents . 
 
For the purpose of this AO, the term household pesticide shall not include 
disinfectants.  
 
Household pesticides can be classified as follows:  
 
a. For Professional Use – refer to household pesticide products used in the 
contr ol of pests of public health significance and intended to be used or 
applied by a trained FDA -certified pesticide handler under the supervision of a 
FDA -licensed Pest Control Operator  to institutions such as but not limited to 
schools, malls, condominiums,  hospitals, buildings, manufacturing sites, 
warehouses, golf courses, etc. because of its higher risk/probability to cause 
unreasonable adverse effects to man.  
 
b. For General Use – refer s to household pesticide products intended to control 
pests in the house hold and its surroundings which when applied in accordance 
with its direction for use, will generally not cause unreasonable adverse effects 
to man.  
  
 
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 7. Licensing – means the process of approval of an application to operate or establish an 
establishment prior  to engaging in any activity involving commercial application of 
pesticides for extermination and/ or fumigation  work . 
 
8. Pesticide Handlers – refer to individuals  including but not limited to drivers, 
warehousemen, mixers, applicators,  who have completed the  basic training course on 
household pesticides conducted by an FDA -accredited pesticide training provider.  
 
9. Pesticide Management – refers to the regulatory control, proper handling, import, 
supply, transport, storage, application, and disposal of pesticide s to minimize adverse 
environmental effects and human exposure.  
 
10. Pest Control – refers to pest control activities in all habitable areas but not to include 
agricultural pest control activities . 
 
11. Pest Control Operator – refers to establishments or entities engaged in the application 
of pesticides or any other methods or services for pest control or implementation of a 
vermin abatement program . 
 
12. Supervising Pesticide Handler –refers to an individual who, after completion of the 
training course and passing the  examination provided by an FDA -accredited training 
provider, is authorized to use or supervise the use of pesticides or any methods or 
services for pest control or implementation of a vermin abatement program.  
 
V. GENERAL  GUIDELINES  
 
All applicable provision s of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Chapter X VI 
-  “Vermin Control ” of the Code on Sanitation of the Philippines ( Presidential Decree 856 ), 
and other related laws and issuances are hereby adopted for compliance by all covered 
establishments, ent ities and individuals.  
 
A. Licensing of  Pest Control Operators  
 
1. All establishments which are engaged in the business, service, or commercial 
application of household pesticide  products for purposes of pest control shall secure 
the appropriate License to Opera te (LTO)  as Pest Control Operator  from FDA.  
 
2. All e stablishments, institutions or entities with in -house capability for pest control 
services as well as national and local government agencies providing such services as 
part of their functions, programs or s trategies shall secure the appropriate License to 
Operate (LTO)  as Pest Control Operator  from FDA.  
 
3. Pest control operators  shall maintain a pesticide handling and application management 
system  such that they are able to demonstrate their  capacity to assure  the safety of the 
pesticide handler and the public.  
 
4. Pest control operators shall only use FDA -registered household pesticides in their pest 
control activities.  
 
5. Pest control  operators shall  have at least one (1) regularly employed FDA -certified 
supervisi ng pesticide  handler in the main office and one (1) in every branch office , if 
any.  
 
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6. The pest control operator shall have the sole responsibility  to inform the FDA of any 
changes in  its supervising pesticide handler or pesticide handler.  
 
7. Pest Control Oper ators shall be subject to the authority of t he FDA which shall 
include but not limited to the  (1) inspection of the establishment  prior to or after the 
issuance of the LTO  and/or (2) the verification of documents submitted to FDA in 
support of its applicat ion for license.  
 
8. Pest control operators  shall  continuously comply with the existing requirements, 
regulations and standards  of the FDA , otherwise , they shall be ordered closed and/or 
their licenses suspended or revoked motu proprio , or upon peti tion by an y affected 
person. A confirmed v iolation with any of the terms and conditions of the LTO shall  
result in the suspension, revocation or cancellation of the LTO, or disapproval of its 
application for renewal.  
 
B. Certification  of Supervising  Pesticide Handler a nd Pesticide Handler  
 
1. Supervising pesticide handlers and pesticide handlers shall be certified  by FDA upon 
completion of the FDA -accredited training course and passing the examination to be 
given by a third party training provider.  
 
2. The supervising pestici de handler and pesticide handler who shall be certified by the 
FDA shall be issued an identification card (ID). 
  
3. The certified  supervising pesticide  handler shall be required in the main office and                                                                            
every branch, if any, of all licensed pest control operators . 
 
4. The certified  supervising pesticide  handler  shall have direct supervision  over the 
certified pesticide handlers . The actual presence of the certified  supervising pesticide 
handler shall be required throughout the pest control activity . 
 
5. The certified supervising pesticide handler shall have sole responsibility over any 
household  pesticide -related incidents, issues and concerns.  
 
C. Accreditation of Training Providers for Pest Cont rol Operators, Supervising 
Pesticide Handlers, and/or Pesticide Handlers  
 
1. The FDA shall prescribe the required training programs for pest control operators, 
supervising pesticide handlers and/or pesticide handlers, in coordination with 
technical experts in  the field of pesticide management, which shall contain the latest 
trends, practices and technology in the proper handling, application, transport, 
storage, and/or disposal of household pesticides . 
 
2. Training provider s shall  apply for FDA accreditation befo re conducting  continuing 
training programs for supervising pesticide handlers and pesticide handlers.  
 
D. Health and Safety Provisions  
 
1. The pest control operator shall be required to provide the following:  
  
 
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 1.1 Pre- and post -employment medical examination of its supervising pesticide 
handler, pesticide handlers and other personnel  (see Annex A ). 
 
1.2 Annual medical check -up and regular health monitoring for its supervising 
pesticide handler, pesticide handlers and other personnel.  
 
1.3 Appropriate personnel protective equ ipment (PPE) for personnel engaged in pest 
control services.  
 
1.4 First aid, Basic Life Support (BLS) , emergency procedures,  and pesticides safety 
training at the beginning of employment followed by training programs at regular 
intervals.  
 
1.5 Advanced plans and p rocedures for handling or referral of accidents and 
casualties.  
 
1.6 An area for first aid procedures, emergency facilities, equipment and supplies.  
 
1.7 Separate secure storage  facilities for pesticides in all its branches.  
 
1.8 Adequate water supply and washing faci lities for cleaning the premises and 
equipment as well as enough lavatories and bathrooms for the workers.  
 
2. The pest control operator shall be required to p rovide appropriate waste disposal plan.  
Pesticides and their containers shall be disposed in accorda nce with the existing 
guidelines of Republic Act (RA) 6969, otherwise known as the “Toxic Substances 
and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act of 1990” and its Implementing Rules 
and Regulations (IRR).  
 
3. No person shall be employed by the pest control op erator without first securing a 
health certificate from the city/municipal health office or any government health 
facility of the locality where the establishment is located.  
 
4. The supervising pesticide handler  employed by the pest control operator shall pr ovide 
technical supervision to pesticide handlers . 
 
5. Every vehicle or conveyance transporting household pesticide materials shall carry an 
emergency water supply for washing off corrosive and toxic materials, facilities for 
washing eyes, such as fixed or po rtable eyewash fountains, all purpose gas masks, 
goggles and protective clothing (gloves, boots, coat, etc.) for protection.  
 
6. Every container of pesticide shall be appropriately, permanently and legibly labeled at 
all times and any transfer from original c ontainers to another shall be prohibited . 
 
VI. SPECIFIC GUIDELINES  
 
All covered establishments, individuals or training providers shall submit the 
applicable licensing, certification or accreditation requirements (see Annexes B to D) 
as specified  by and in acc ordance with the existing rules of  the FDA , accordingly . 
 
 
  
 
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 A. Issuance, Validity and Renewal of LTO, Certification ID, or Accreditation  
 
1. Establishment, individual, or training provider intending to secure the necessary 
license, certication or accreditation , respectively , shall satisfactorily  meet all the 
requirements set forth in this Order.  
 
2. The initial or renewal of license, certification ID, or accreditation shall only be 
granted after evaluation and/or inspection by the FDA and confirmed compliance to 
FDA laws, rules and regulations.  
 
3. Initial license, cer tification and accreditation shall be valid for three (3) years and 
shall be renewed within ninety (90) days before its expiration.  
 
4. Renewed  license, certification , or accreditation, upon compliance to th e requirements 
set forth in this Order, shall be valid for three (3) years.  
 
5. The FDA -certified supervising pesticide handler or pesticide handler shall undergo a 
refresher course as a requirement for the renewal of his/her certification.  
 
B. Conduct and Compl etion of Training Course for Supervising Pesticide Handlers 
and Pesticide Handlers  
 
1. The required training course for supervising pesticide handlers and pesticide handlers  
shall be conducted by an independent third party training provider duly accredited by  
FDA.  
 
2. Only those applicants who complete the required training course and pass the 
examination shall be certified as supervising pesticide handler or pesticide handler 
accordingly.  
 
C. Accreditation of Training Providers for Supervising Pesticide Handlers, o r 
Pesticide Handlers  
 
1. An FDA -prescribed and/or approved course of stu dy shall be used or followed by all 
accredited training provider s. Any deviation from the prescribed training course must 
be duly approved and recognized by the FDA.  
 
2. The FDA -accredited t raining provider shall  provide the training facilities, equipment, 
materials, manuals, modules, and other training resources and/or paraphernalia.  
 
D. Duties and Responsibilities of the FDA -Accredited Training Provider  
 
1. The FDA -accredited training provider sh all d evelop, conduct, monitor and evaluate 
their training  courses for  supervising pesticide handlers or  pesticide handlers on the 
proper handling, application, transport, storage, and/or disposal of household 
pesticides and pesticides for non -agricultural use. 
 
2. The FDA -accredited training provider shall notify the FDA of any topic updates on 
the training course which shall be subject to review and approval prior to the conduct 
of the training activity.  
 
  
 
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 3. The FDA -accredited training provider shall  submit to FDA the following 
requirements:  
 
a. Annual calendar of training activities ; 
b. Training report to inc lude the directory of attendees,  course evaluation , and results 
of examination  after the conduct of every training ; 
c. Any updates on the topics of the training cou rse (if any).  
 
E. Requirements for National or Local Government Agency or Government -Owned 
and Controled Corporation Engaged in Pest Control Services for Non -
Commercial Purposes  
 
All the requirements set forth in this Order shall be applicable to any national  or local 
government agency or government -owned and controled c orporation  engaged in pest 
control services, with the exception of the requirement for submission of business 
registration.  
 
In lieu of the business registration, the applicant agency or corpor ation shall submit 
the law creating such agency  or corporation , if with original charter, or its Certificate 
of Registration issued by the S ecurities and Exchange Commission (S EC) and 
Articles of Incorporation, if without original charter.  
 
F. Post-Marketing Sureveillance  
 
All covered establishments, individuals, or entities shall be subject to post -marketing 
surveillance activities of the FDA.  
 
G. Fees and Charges  
 
The schedule of fees  for the issuance of license, certification, and accreditation  is 
provided und er Annex E of this Order.   
 
VII. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES  
 
 A technical committee on the regulatio n of pest control operators, pesticide handlers  
and their training providers  shall be composed of the following:  
 
1. Food and Drug Administration  
- Formulate, develop , establish and enforce policies, guidelines and standards 
implementing this Order.  
 
2. Disease Prevention and Control Bureau, Departnment of Heatlh  
- Provide coordination, technical assisrtance, capability building, consultancy and 
advisory services related to  disease prevention and control and health protection.  
 
3. Health Human Resource Development Bureau, Department of Health  
- Provide technical assistance in the development of relevant training programs for 
pest control operators, supervising pesticide handlers and pesticide handlers, as 
may be applicable.  
 
 
  
 
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 4. Household Pesticide Expert Panel / Academe  
- Provide technical expertise in the review and development of strategic policy 
direction and guidance on pest control operators, supervising pesticide handlers, 
and pesticide handlers.  
 
VIII.  TRANSITORY PERIOD  
 
 A transitory period of not more than three (3) months from the date of effectivity of 
this Order shall be provided to allow all covered establishments to comply with the new 
guidelines.  
 
IX. PENALTY CLAUSE  
 
The FDA shal l impose sanctions and penalties on pest control operators, pesticide 
handlers , and their training providers found in violation of the provisions of this 
Administrative Order, RA 9711 and other applicable laws, rules and regulations implemented 
by the FDA.  
 
X. REPEALING CLAUSE  
 
This Order effectively repeals AO 2014 -0038 entitled “Rules and Regulations 
Governing Household/Urban Pesticides Licensing of Establishments and Operators, 
Registration of Their Products and for Other Purposes” . All other a dministrative  issuances, 
bureau circulars and memoranda and other regulations inconsistent with this Order are hereby 
withdrawn, repealed and/or revoked accordingly.  
 
XI. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE  
 
If any part, term or  provision of this Order shall be declared invalid or unenfor ceable, 
the validity or enforceability of the remaining portions or provisions shall not be affected and 
this O rder shall be construed as if it did not contain the particular invalid or unenforceable 
part, term or provision.  
 
XII. EFFECTIVITY  
 
This Administrati ve Order shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in two 
newspapers of general circulation and submission of a copy hereof to the Office of the 
National Registry of the University of the Philippines Law Center.  
 
 
 
         FRANCISCO T. DUQUE I II, MD, MSc.  
                                                                                          Secretary of Health  
 
Office  FDA  HRT  HPDPB/OHS  OSEC  
 
 
 
Initial   
 
NELA CHARADE G. 
PUNO, RPh.  
Director General   
 
ROLANDO ENRIQUE D. 
DOMINGO, MD, DPBO  
Under secretary   
 
MAYLENE M. BELTRAN, 
MPA, CESO III  
Director IV   
 
ATTY. FATIMA P. 
LAPERAL  
Head Executive Assistant  
Date      
 
 Keywords  Household pesticide, Pest Control Operator, Pesticide Handler, PCO  
Related Issuances, Laws, Directives  RA 9711 , AO 2014 -0038