FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
i" "3 
., 
SENATE 
, 
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S NO 
\-1 {.'"* 1 
.. _---
Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Sanitary inspectors or sanitarians play an important role in the prevention and control of diseases 
from spreading in the community, Sanitarians primarily initiate the proper implementation of 
environmental sanitation making their roles with regard to the health of the community 
indispensable, 
Since sanitarians work closely with the community they are in a very crucial position to effect 
change in the sanitary habits and practices of the community, They also are the authority when it 
comes to addressing the health hazards and dangers that may put the community at risk 
Moreover, sanitarians are the ones to translate sanitary principles and theories as well as 
disseminate and explain health rules to the community. Sadly, there is no government agency 
tasked to regulate the practice of sanitation and hygiene which may put in jeopardy the health of 
the public. 
This bill seeks to establish a Board under the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) 
professionalizing the practice of sanitation and hygiene, Also, this bill shall institute mechanisms 
to guarantee the fitness of individuals engaged with the sanitation profession, 
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought 
~~l' . 
'JNTim;O "SONNY" F. TRILLANES IV 
Senator 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
,;, '13 
i 
, '; 
SENATE 
S. NQ. _-",3,-",2,-,7~ 
.. ~. 
Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING 
FOR 
THE 
REGULATION, 
SUPERVISION 
AND 
PROFESSIONALIZATION OF THE PRACTICE, LICENSING, AND REGISTRATION 
OF SANITARIANS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
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ARTICLE I 
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TITLE AND DEFINITION OF TERMS 
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SECTION 1. Title. -
This Act shall be known as the "The Sanitarians 
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Professionalization Act. " 
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SEC. 2. Statement of Policy. - The State recognizes the vital role of sanitarians in 
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promoting the health and general welfare of the people. Towards this end, the State shall ensure 
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and promote the professionalization of sanitary inspection; and (b) the supervision and licensing 
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of sanitary inspectors/sanitarians. 
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SEC. 3. Objectives. -
The Act has the following objectives: (a) the promotion, 
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development and professionalization of sanitary inspection; and (b) the supervision and licensing 
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of sanitary inspectors/sanitarians. 
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SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall mean: 
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(a) "Sanitation and Hygiene Profession or Practice of Sanitation and Hygiene" - refers to 
the profession concerned primarily with education, prevention, and control of 
diseases and other public health concerns using scientific methods and paramedical 
measures related to sanitation and hygiene, 
(b) "Sanitarians" - any person engaged in the practice of Sanitation and Hygiene 
Profession, This can be used interchangeably with the term "Sanitary Inspector" 
currently used by the government in the classification of position title. 
( c) "Board" - refers to the Board for Sanitarians duly established and constituted under 
this Act. 
(d) "Commission" - refers to the Professional Regulation Commission. 
SEC. 5. 
Description and Scope of Work of Sanitary Inspectors, - The Sanitary 
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Inspectors field of work shall involve the education and research, technical supervision, 
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inspection of establishment and public places, monitoring, issuance of permits, control and 
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prevention in the fields of: 
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l. Waste management; 
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2. Food and water supply sanitation; 
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3 . Vermin and vector control; 
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4. Industrial hygiene; 
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5. Epidemiology; 
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6. Pollution control; 
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7. Environmental health planning and program development and implementation; and 
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8, Other community level activities that pertain to public hygiene. 
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ARTICLE II 
BOARD FOR PROFESSIONAL SANITARY INSPECTORS 
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SEC. 6. Creation and Composition of Board. - Within sixty (60) days after the approval 
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of this Act, there shall be created a Board for Professional Sanitary Inspectors, a collegial body 
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under the general supervision of the Professional Regulation Commission, herein referred to as 
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the Board, to be composed of a Chairman and three (3) members, who shall be appointed by the 
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President among the recommendees chosen from the list of nominees selected by the accredited 
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association of Sanitary Inspectors, Provided, That the members of the First Board appointed 
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shall be automatically registered as Sanitarians and issued with certificate of registration and 
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professional license upon payment of the fees for registration and other fees prescribed by the 
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commission. 
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The Chairman and the members ofthe Board shall hold office for a term of term of three 
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(3) years or until their successors shall have been appointed and shall have duly qualified. The 
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first members of the Board shall hold office for the following terms: one member for one (1 year; 
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one member for two (2) years; one member for three (30 years. Each member of the Board shall 
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qualify upon taking the proper oath of office before entering the performance of his duties. 
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Vacancies in the Board shall be filled for the unexpired term. 
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SEC. 7. Powers and Duties of the Board. - The Board shall have the following powers 
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and duties: 
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( a) Promulgate, administer, and enforce rules and regulations necessary for carrying out 
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the provisions of this Act in accordance with the charter of the Professional 
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Regulation Commission; 
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(b) Prepare a curriculum for the sanitation and hygiene degree to be officially known as 
the "Bachelor of Science in Sanitation and Hygiene" (BSSH) and prescribe the 
syllabi of the subjects and their relative weight in the licensure examination; 
(c) Prepare examination questions, and determine and fix the frequency, dates and places 
of examination, appoint supervisors, proctors and other personnel as needed who 
shall be entitled a daily allowance as determined by the Board; 
(d) Issue, suspend, or revoke certification of registration for the practice of sanitation and 
hygiene; 
(e) Promulgate rules and regulations including a Code of Ethics, administrative policies, 
orders and issuances to carry out the provision of this Act; 
(f) Administer oaths in connection with the administrative of this Act; 
(g) Supervise and regulate the registration, licensure, and practice of professional 
sanitation in the Philippines; 
(h) Adopt an official seal of the Board; 
(i) Investigate the violations of this Act; and 
(j) Discharge such other powers, duties, and functions as the Board may deem necessary 
for the practice of the sanitation and hygiene profession and upgrading, enhancement, 
development, and growth of sanitarians. 
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SEC. 8. Qualifications of Chai1:man and Board Members. - The Chairman and each 
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member of the Board must at the time of his appointment: 
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(a) Be a Filipino citizen and resident of the Philippines for at least five (5) consecutive 
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years; 
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(b) Be at least thirty-five (35) years of age, of proven integrity and high moral turpitude; 
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(c) Not have been convicted by final judgment of any offense involving moral turpitude; 
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(d) Be a holder of degree of Bachelor of Science in Sanitation and Hygiene (BSSH) form 
a university, school, college, academy, or institutions duly constituted, recognized, 
and accredited by the Philippine government: Provided, That this provision shall not 
apply within the first fifteen (15) years after the approval of this Act; 
( e) Be a registered Sanitarian with a valid Certificate of Registration and a valid license 
to practice sanitation and hygiene; 
(t) Have practiced sanitation and hygiene for a period of not less than ten (10) years prior 
to his appointment; and 
(g) Not be an official member. of the faculty, nor have a pecuniary interest III any 
university, college, school, or institution conferring a bachelor's degree in sanitation 
and hygiene or its equivalent for at least three (3) years prior to his appointment, nor 
connected with any review center or with any group where lectures in preparation for 
the licensure examination are offered or conducted. 
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SEC. 9. Remol'al of the Members of/he Board. - The Chairman and any member of the 
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Board may be removed by the President of the Philippines, upon the recommendation of the 
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Commissioner for neglect of duty, incompetence, unprofessional, unethical, immoral or 
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dishonorable conduct, commission or tolerance of anomalies in the examination, after having 
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been given the opportunity to defend himself in a proper administrative investigation. 
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SEC. 10. Compensation of the Chairman and the Board Members. - The Chairman 
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and the members of the Board shall 'receive compensation comparable to the compensation 
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received by existing regulatory boards under the Professional Regulation Commission, computed 
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in the basis of the number of examinees or candidates. 
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SEC. 11. Supervision of the Board and Custodian of its Records, - The Commissioner 
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shall be the executive officer ofthe Board and shall conduct the examination given by the Board, 
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He shall designate any subordinate officer of the Commission to act as secretary and custodian of 
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all records including all examination papers and minutes of the deliberations of the Board, 
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ARTICLEllI 
EXAMINATION AND REGISTRATION 
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SEC. 12. Examination, Registration and Licensed Required, - Except as otherwise 
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specifically allowed under the provisions of this Act, all applicants for registration as 
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professional sanitarian shall be required'to undergo a written examination which shall be at least 
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once a year in such places and on dates as the Board may determine upon approval by the 
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Commission, A valid certificate of registration and a valid professional license from the 
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Commission shall be required before any person is allowed to practice sanitation and hygiene in 
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the Philippines except as otherwise allowed under this Act. 
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SEC. 13. Examination Fees, - All applicants for written examination for registered 
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sanitary inspectors shall be subject to payment offees prescribed by the Commission. 
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SEC. 14. Scope of Examination, - The examination to be given to the applicants for 
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licensure shall include the Code of Sanitation and its implementing rules and regulations together 
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with topics on Arithmetic, Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Bio-Statistics 
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and Epidemology, Food and Milk Sanitation, Household and Industrial Hygiene, Waste 
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Management, Environmental Health Planning, Pollution Assessment and Control, Occupational 
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Health, Practical Problems and Others determined by the Board, 
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SEC. 15. Qualification Requirements of Applicants. - No applicant shall be admitted to 
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take the examination unless, on the date of filing of the application, he shall have the established 
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to the satisfaction of the members of the Board that he possesses the following qualifications: 
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(a) A citizen of the Philippines or an alien whose country has reciprocity with the 
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Philippines in the practice of sanitation and hygiene; 
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(b) At least twenty (20) years of ~ge; 
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(c) In good health and good reputation with high moral values; 
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(d) Not finally convicted by final judgment by the court of any offense involving moral 
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turpitude; and 
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(e) A holder of the degree of Bachelor of Science in Sanitation and Hygiene (BSSH) 
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from a university, college, school, academy or institution duly constituted, recognized 
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and accredited by the Philippine government. Towards this end, all government 
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universities and state colleges are encouraged to offer this course. 
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SEC. 16. Report of Results of Examination. - The Board shall, within one hundred 
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twenty (120) days after the examination, report the ratings obtained by each candidate to the 
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Commission. 
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SEC. 17. Re-examination. - An applicant, who for the third time fails to pass the 
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examination, shall not be allowed to take another examination, except upon showing to the 
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members of the Board a certificate of attendance of review classes and a certificate of attendance 
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of review classes and a certificate duly signed by the proctors that he obtained at least seventy 
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percent (70%) passing mark of all the review examinations. 
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SEC. 18. Oath. - All successful candidates in the examination shall be required to take a 
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professional oath before the Board. 
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SEC. 19. Issuance of Certificate of Registration and Professional Licenses. - The 
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registration as a sanitarian shall commence from the date his name is entered in the roll of 
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registrants or licenses for his profession. 
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A professional license signed by the Commission and bearing the registration number and 
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date of issuance and date of expiry shall be issued to every registrant who has paid the annual 
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registration fees for three (3) consecutive years. This license shall serve as evidence that the 
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license can lawfully practice his profession until the date of expiry. 
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SEC. 20. Integration of Sanitary Profession. - The sanitary profession shall be 
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integrated into one national organization which shall be recognized by the Board as the sole 
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integrated and accredited association of registered sanitarian, Memberships in the integrated 
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organization shall not be a bar to membership in other associations. 
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A professional sanitarian shall receive the benefits and privileges appurtenant to their 
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membership in the said integrated and accredited organization only upon payment of the required 
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fees and dues. 
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SEC. 21. Revocation of the Certificate of Registration, Suspension from the Practice of 
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the Sanitary Profession and Cancellation of Temporary or Special Permit.- The Board shall 
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have the power, upon proper notice and hearing, to suspend or revoke the certification of any 
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registrant, to reprimand or to cancel the temporary/special permit to a holder thereof who is 
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exempt from registration, for any ofthe following causes: 
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(a) Conviction for any criminal offense involving moral turpitude by any court of 
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competent authority; 
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(b) Immoral, unprofessional and dishonorable conduct; 
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( c) Violation of any ofthe provisions of this Act, rules and regulations and other policies 
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of the Board and the Code of Professional Ethics; 
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(d) Declaration by a court of competent authority for being mentally unsound or insane; 
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(e) Chronic inebriety or habitual use of drugs; and 
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(f) Malpractice of the profession. 
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The decision of the Board to revoke or suspend a certificate shall be final and executor 
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unless appealed by the respondent to the Commission within fifteen (15) days from the receipt of 
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such decision. The Board's or Commission's decision I appealable by the respondent to the 
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regional trial court of the place where the Board or Commission holds office within twenty (200 
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days from receipt of said decision or of the denial of the motion for reconsideration filed in due 
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time. 
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SEC. 22. Re-issuance of Revoked Certificates and Replacement of Lost Certificate. -
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The Board, subject to the approval of the Commission, may after one (1) year after revocation of 
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the Certificate of Registration may re-issue such certificate on the same manner as application 
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for an original one. It, however, may exempt the applicant from the necessity of undergoing an 
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examination. 
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A new certificate of registration may be issued to replace any certificate that jas been lost 
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destroyed, mutilated, subject to the rules issued by the Board. 
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SEC. 23. Roster of Professional Sanitarians. - A roster of professional sanitarians 
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containing the names and addresses of the professional sanitarian, date of registration or issuance 
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of certificate and other date which in the opinion of the Board is pertinent shaH be maintained. 
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Copies of the roster shall be provided by the Commission to the Board, the Department of 
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Education, and the integrated and accredited organization of professional sanitarians. 
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. ARTICLE IV 
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PROVISIONS RELATIVE TO THE PRACTICE OF THE SANITARY PROFESSION 
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SEC. 24. Field of Practice. - The filed of practice for sanitarian shall include the sole 
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authority to sign and seal sanitary plans, etc. and to practice sanitation and hygiene in its full 
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scope as defined in Article I of this Act. 
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SEC. 25. Prohibition Against tlie Practice of the Sanitarian and Hygiene Profession. -
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Except as otherwise allowed under this Act, no person shall practice or offer to practice the 
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Sanitation and Hygiene Profession in the Philippines without having previously obtained a valid 
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certificate of registration and a valid professional license from the Commission. 
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SEC. 26. Personnel Required. - Except as otherwise provided in this Act, every 
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industrial plant or factory, commercial establishment or any government institution which shall 
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require the services of a sanitarian, a duly registered sanitarian shall be employed for the purpose 
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to ensure safe operation and safeguard public welfare, health and hygiene. 
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SEC. 27. Enforcement of the Act by Officers of the Law. - It shall be the duty of all 
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constituted officers of the law of the national government, or any provincial, city or municipal 
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government to prosecute any person violating the provisions of this Act. The Secretary of Justice 
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or his assistant shall act as legal adviser of the Board and render such legal assistance as may be 
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necessary in carrying out the provisions of this Act. 
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SEC. 28. Penalty Clause. - Any person who shall violate any provisions of this Act shall 
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be guilty of misdemeanor and shall upon conviction, be sentenced to a fine of not more than One 
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Hundred Thousand Pesos (PlOO,OOO.OO) but not less than Ten Thousand Pesos (PIO,OOO.OO) 
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and/or imprisonment for a period of not less than Ten Thousand Pesos (PlO,OOO.OO) and/or 
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imprisonment for a period of not less than thirty (30) days but not more than two (2) years at the 
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discretion of the court. 
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SEC. 29. Appropriations. - The sum of Ten Million Pesos (P10, 000,000.00) is hereby 
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initially appropriated out of any funds in the National Treasury not otherwise appropriated to be 
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disbursed by the Chairman of the Board in accordance with provisions of this Act. Thereafter, it 
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shall be in the General Appropriations Act. 
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SEC. 30. 
Implementing Guidelines. - The Board shall formulate and adopt the 
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necessary guidelines for the effective implementation of the provisions of this Act within ninety 
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(90) days of its approval. 
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SEC. 31. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, orders, issuances, and other regulations 
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pertaining to the examination for sanitarians are deemed repealed or modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 32. Separability Clause. - If any part of this Act is declared unconstitutional or 
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invalid, the remainder of this Act shall not be affected thereby. 
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SEC, 33. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
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full publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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