Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Queson City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1695

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.
——SSSSSSSSSSSSSsSSSSSSssF

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Code of Sanitation of the Philippines is one of the most ignored laws in the
country despite its sheer importance in our daily lives. The penalties provided
are simply not enough to prevent the rampant disregard by certain
establishments of safety, sanitation and health. On the other hand, complaints
are most often inconvenient, costly and unfruitful

This bill seeks the increase in the penalty for violations provided under the
Sanitation Code of the Philippines and to add protection to the public against
acts inimical to food handling and preparation procedures.

There is no better time to update the penalties in our Code of Sanitation than
now. Food businesses are everywhere, and food options are increasing in
variety. People are eating out more and more either to save money or for sheer
lack of time. Hence, this affects almost all sectors of society.

For the State, the protection of the health of the people is of paramount
importance. The proposed stiffer penalties are intended to exact the
accountability and responsibility to comply with the requirements of law
regarding proper food handling and sanitation from all those involved


In consideration of the foregoing premises, the passage of this bill is earnestly

sought

Y” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Queson City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 1695

—

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACT
PENALIZING ACTS INIMICAL TO PROPER FOOD HANDLING AND
PREPARATION REQUIREMENTS, AS PROVIDED BY CHAPTER III OF
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 856, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE CODE ON
SANITATION OF THE PHILIPPINES, FOR THE PURPOSE OF INCREASING THE
PENALTY FOR VIOLATION THEREOF

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

SECTION 1. In the interest of protecting the public against acts inimical to proper for
handling and preparation processes, Chapter III of Presidential Decree No. 856 is
hereby amended for Sec. 33 to be interested and real as follows:

CHAPTER III — Food Establishments
Sec.33 (A) Penal Provision —

(i) Penalty for persons committing violation/s in the proper handling and
preparation of food, as provided in this chapter — for placing the lives and health of the
general public at risk, employees and/or other persons who directly commit violations
in the proper handling and preparation of food, as provided by this chapter , shall be,
without prejudice to other criminal and/or civil actions available to government and
members of the general public, penalized by imprisonment for a period of not less than


SIX (6) MONTHS AND ONE (1) Day but not exceeding FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (P
5,000.00) or BOTH, depending upon the discretion of the court.

(i) Penalty for the owners, employers, supervisors, or persons otherwise
performing similar tasks or functions in the establishments where violation/s in the
proper handling and preparation of food, as provided in this chapter, occurred — for
placing lives and health of the general public at risk through their fault, negligence or
otherwise, in hiring, supervising, ot other acts falling short of the due diligence required
by law in the management of food establishment, owners, employers, supervisors,
managers, and other persons who are required by law to exercise due diligence in
protecting the sanctity of food, and patently failing to exercise such as evident on the
violation/s in the proper handling and preparation of food in the establishment they
own, manage, supervise or persons otherwise performing similar tasks or functions,
as provided by this chapter, shall be, without prejudice to other criminal and/or civil
actions available to the government and members of the general public, penalized by
imprisonment for a period of not less than SIX (6) MONTHS AND ONE DAY (1) but
not exceeding FOUR (4) YEARS or by a fine not exceeding FIVE THOUSAND PESOS
(P 5,000.00) or BOTH, depending upon the discretion of the court.

(iii) Penalty for the provincial, City or Municipal Health officer in Charge of ensuring
the implementation of this Code in the locality where the persons stated in the two
preceding subsections who have done acts inimical to the sanitation requirements in
violation/s of the proper handling and preparation of food, as provided by this chapter
occurred — for placing lives and health of the general public at risk through the GROSS
NEGLIGENCE and/or DERELICTION OF THEIR DUTY, as provided by this chapter,
the Provincial, City, Or Municipality Heath Officer shall be, without prejudice to other
criminal and/or civil actions available to the government and members of the general
public, penalized by imprisonment for a period of not less than SIX (6) MONTHS AND
ONE (1) DAY but not exceeding FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (P 5,000.00), Depending
upon the discretion of the court.

(iv) For Placing lives and health of the general public at risk the WILLFUL,
FELONIOUS AND CRIMINAL CONNIVANCE,, CONSPIRACY AND OTHER SIMILAR


ACTS with the owners, employees, supervisors, or persons otherwise performing
similar tasks or functions in the establishments where violation/s in the proper handling
and preparation of food, as provided in this chapter, occurred, or with the persons
committing violation/s in the proper handling and preparation of food, as provided in
this chapter, the provincial, City or Municipal Health Officer shall be, without prejudice
to other criminal and/or civil actions available to government and members of the
general public, penalized by imprisonment for a period of not less than SIX (6)
MONTHS AND ONE (1) DAY but not exceeding SIX (6) YEARS or a fine not exceeding
TEN THOUSAND PESOS (P 10,000.00) or BOT, and shall be ABSOLUTELY
DISQUALIFIED FROM HOLDING PUBLIC OFFICE, depending on the discretion of
the court.

SECTION 2. This Act shall effect fifteen (15) days following its publication in the official
Gazette or in a Newspaper of General Circulation.

Approved,