Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Eighteenth Congress
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 6998

Introduced by Representative AMIHILDA J. SANGCOPAN of Anak
Mindanao (AMIN) Party-List

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to require the owners, operators or administrators of
business establishments, such as shopping malls, hospitals, wholesale and retail
stores, drinking and dining establishments, hotels and similar businesses, movie
houses, supermarkets, gasoline and service stations, sea and land transport
terminals, office buildings, and the like, which are frequented by the public, to
install and maintain wash-hand stations for public use.

The health and safety of the people is one of the priorities when operating
a business. In order to protect their well-being, it is necessary to establish a
standard of cleanliness and prevent the spread of disease. The simple practice
of washing one’s hands could prevent the spread of disease and is crucial in
maintaining a healthy and reputable business.

On April 17, 2019, Republic Act No. 11311, otherwise known as the
“Land Terminal Improvement Act,” required owners, operators, or
administrators of land transport terminals to provide adequate sanitary facilities
for passengers which include, among others, running water supply, lavatory
with toilet paper, mirror, soap and hand dryer.


Likewise, a Global Handwashing Day is held every 15" day of October of
each year, as an annual global advocacy day initiated by the Global Public-Private
Partnership for Handwashing, that is being celebrated by various agencies and
offices such as the Department of Education, Department of Health, UNICEF,
German Development Cooperative (GIZ), Save the Children, International
Medical Corps, Procter and Gamble, Maynilad, Manila Water, local government
units and other stakeholders. Since the formation of the partnership in 2019, more
than thirty hand washing facilities or stations were built in several public schools
nationwide.

This bill intends to increase public awareness and understanding that
handwashing with soap is the most effective and affordable method to prevent
diseases and save lives, and address the recent threat of the coronavirus disease
2019 (COVID-19).

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is eamestly sought.

IDA J. SANGCOPAN

‘Anak Mindanao (AMIN) Party-List


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Eighteenth Congress
Second Regular Session

6998

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative AMIHILDA J. SANGCOPAN of Anak
Mindanao (AMIN) Party-List

AN ACT
REQUIRING THE OWNERS, OPERATORS OR ADMINISTRATORS
OF BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENTS TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN
WASH-HAND STATIONS FOR PUBLIC USE AND PROVIDING
PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION THEREOF

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Installation of Wash-Hand Stations. — All owners,
operators or administrators of business establishments are required to install
wash-hand stations for public use in their respective establishments properly
located in areas that are accessible to the public.

As used in this Act, the term business establishment includes shopping
malls, hospitals, wholesale and retail stores, drinking and dining establishments,

hotels and similar businesses, movie houses, supermarkets, gasoline and service


stations, sea and land transport terminals, office buildings, and similar entities
operating for commercial purposes and frequented by the public.

SEC. 2. Maintenance of Wash-Hand Stations. — Ail wash-hand stations
must have an adequate supply of water, soap, tissue and hand drying facilities.
Wash-hand station facilities must, at all times, be maintained in good repair and
in a clean condition.

SEC. 3. Business Permits and Licenses. ~ Business establishments
without provision for wash-hand stations that are accessible for public use shall
not be issued a business permit or license. The same permit or license shall not
be renewed if the business establishment is found to have violated Section 2 of
this Act.

SEC. 4. Penalties. - Owners, operators or administrators of business
establishments who are found guilty for failure to install and maintain wash-hand
stations for public use in violation of this Act shall be imposed a fine of not less
than Ten thousand pesos (P10,000,00) but not more than Twenty thousand pesos
(P20,000.00).

Government officials or employees who approved the issuance of permits
and licenses in violation of Section 2 of this Act shall suffer suspension of not
less than ten (10) days but not more than thirty (30) days after due notice and

hearing in appropriate administrative proceedings.


SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days
from the approval of this Act, the Secretary of Health shall promulgate rules and
regulations necessary for the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, decrees, rules and regulations, or
parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

SEC. 7. Effectivity. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,