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November 20,2023 [

Republic of the Philippines = DATE

House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Nineteenth Congress
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 9570

Introduced by Representative Shernee A. Tan-Tambut

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to regulate the accommodation of pets in restaurants and
other food establishments.

Section 15, Article II of the 1987 Constitution provides that, “The State
shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health
consciousness amongst them.” Section 12, Article XIII affirms that “The State
shall establish and maintain an effective food and drug regulatory system and
undertake appropriate health, manpower development, and research,
responsive to the country’s health needs and problems.” This is further
reiterated in Republic Act No. 10611, otherwise known as the “Food Safety Act
of 2013,” emphasizing the food safety regulatory system that ensures a high
level of food safety for the public.

It has been proven that animal allergens such as dander, saliva, urine, fur,
feathers, and scales may accumulate in the indoor enclosed environments such
as those found in retail food outlets. In the Philippines, common allergies are
due to animal or pet allergy reactions triggered by exposure to proteins found in
the skin cells, saliva, or urine of animals such as cats, dogs, and rodents. These
can cause a range of symptoms in susceptible individuals, including sneezing,
coughing, itchy and watery eyes, nasal congestion, and skin rashes. People with
animal allergies may experience discomfort and respiratory distress when in
close proximity to animals or in environments with high levels of allergens,
such as homes with pets. Cat allergen and dog allergen cause potent asthma
trigger and if inside enclosed areas, since these are airborne, may endanger
individuals with predisposed sickness such as asthma. Rabies are also issues to


contend with and these are causes of death of individuals too. In order to
manage such allergies and rabies, exposure to animal should be minimized
among others thus the need to prevent such pets inside restaurants and other
food establishments.

However, for business establishments to completely close their doors to
pets is also closing their doors to responsible pet owners who train their pets on
basic communications. Some pets, like dogs are the eyes and guides of persons
with disabilities; and others are trained and under the control of uniformed law
enforcement officers or uniformed employees of private agencies hired by
government and private establishments, and these animals cannot be left at a
distance from them. Preventing these animals from entering establishments
would deprive the rights of pet owners to be protected and assisted by their pets.

To balance the rights of responsible pet owners and business
establishments to enjoy the happiness and excitement brought by pets and the
power of the State to protect its people from potential harm and airborne
diseases associated with pets, there is a need to regulate the bringing of pets in
restaurants and other food establishments.

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

E §. TAN}TAMBUT


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Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives

Quezon City, Metro Manila

Nineteenth Congress
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 9570

Introduced by Representative Shernee A. Tan-Tambut

AN ACT
REGULATING THE ACCOMMODATION OF PETS _ IN
RESTAURANTS AND OTHER FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Pets in Food
Establishments Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the
State to protect consumers against potential diseases associated with pets when
brought inside restaurants and other food establishments. Towards this end, the
State shall craft policies to regulate the bringing of pets in restaurants or any
other food establishments such as but not limited to food courts, canteens, or
eateries.

SEC. 3. Accommodation of Pets. — Pet dogs and cats are allowed in

restaurants and other food establishments under the following conditions:


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(a) Service animals or dogs under the control of uniformed law
enforcement officers or of uniformed employees of private agencies deputized
by the government to perform security functions are allowed entry only at the
outdoor dining area without going through the inside of the restaurant;

(b) Operators of zoo, animal show exhibitors, and entities or restaurants
primarily designed to employ pets or animals to attract their patrons shall ensure
the safety and security of their customers by constructing concrete fence or steel
barriers for viewing;

(c) Food preparation shall not be allowed at the outdoor dining area;

(d) Customer multi-use or reusable utensils such as plates, silverware,
glasses and bowls shall not be stored, displayed or pre-set at the outdoor dining
area;

(e) Food and water served or provided to pets shall only be in single-
use disposable containers;

(f) Food facility employees are prohibited from having direct contact
with pets while on duty;

(g) Pets shall not be allowed on chairs, couches, benches, and tables;

(h) Outdoor dining areas shall be maintained meticulously clean; and

(i) Pet owners shall provide diapers for pets and should there be
spillage, they shall be responsible to clean the wastes of their pets. An
employee of the establishment who is not assigned to prepare and serve food

e the affected areas.

shall also immediately clean and san


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(j) Restaurants, food courts and other food establishments that allow
pets must provide a separate dining area for persons with pets without letting
these pets go through the inside of the restaurant, food court and food
establishment.

(k) It shall be the responsibility of the restaurant owners, managers and
employees to see to it that the customer’s multi-use or reusable utensils are not
used to feed the pets.

SEC. 4. Inspection and Monitoring. — The local offices of the
Department of Health and those charged with food sanitation and safety
regulations in all cities and municipalities shall conduct inspection and proper
monitoring. Cities and municipalities may pass an ordinance for the imposition
of fines, penalties, or closure of the business establishment for any violation of
Section 3 of this Act.

SEC. 5. Penalty.- Any restaurant owner or personnel or any pet
owner convicted of violation of this act shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment
for a minimum duration of two months and maximum of one year or a fine of
Ten Thousand Pesos or both at the Court’s discretion.

SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days
from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Interior and Local Government
shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective
implementation of this Act.

SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. — All laws, rules, regulations, executive


orders or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby amended
accordingly.

SEC. 8 Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general
circulation.

Approved,