SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
1000 
S.NO. __ 
_ 
'13 
JUL 22 P 2 :06 
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 are also 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 
~~ 
. 
This bill seeks to establish a Board under the Professional Regulation Commission (PRe) 
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. 
TRlLLANES IV 
1 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
1000 
S.NO. __ _ 
~('n<tt\' 
l 
{~tfll:f' tlf tile ~!"f"'tt1ru 
'1:3 
JUL 22 
112 :06 
Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. TriIlanes 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 the House oj Representatives oj the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
1 
ARTICLE I 
2 
TITLE AND DEFINITION OF TERMS 
3 
SECTION 1. Title. -
This Act shaH be known as the "The Sanitarians 
4 
Projessionalization Act. " 
5 
6 
SEC. 2. Statement of Policy. - The State recognizes the vital role of sanitarians in 
7 
promoting the health and general welfare of the people. Towards this end, the State shaH ensure 
8 
and promote the professionalization of sanitary inspection; and (b) the supervision and licensing 
9 
of sanitary inspectors/sanitarians. 
10 
11 
SEC. 3. Objectives. -
The Act has the following objectives: (a) the promotion, 
12 
development, and professionalization of sanitary inspection; and (b) the supervision and 
13 
licensing of sanitary inspectors/sanitarians. 
14 
15 
SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall mean: 
1 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
(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 
13 
Inspectors field of work shall involve the education and research, technical supervision, 
14 
inspection of establishment and public places, monitoring, issuance of permits, control and 
15 
prevention in the fields of: 
16 
1. Waste management; 
17 
2. Food and water supply sanitation; 
18 
3. Vermin and vector control; 
19 
4. Industrial hygiene; 
20 
5. Epidemiology; 
21 
6. Pollution control; 
22 
7. Environmental health planning and program development and implementation; and 
23 
8. Other community level activities that pertain to public hygiene. 
2 


1 
2 
3 
ARTICLEll 
BOARD FOR PROFESSIONAL SANITARY INSPECTORS 
4 
SEC. 6. Creation and Composition of Board. - Within sixty (60) days after the approval 
5 
of this Act, there shall be created a Board for Professional Sanitary Inspectors, a collegial body 
6 
under the general supervision of the Professional Regulation Commission, herein referred to as 
7 
the Board, to be composed of a Chairman and three (3) members, who shall be appointed by the 
8 
President among the recommendees chosen from the list of nominees selected by the accredited 
9 
association of Sanitary Inspectors, PrOVided, That the members of the First Board appointed 
10 
shall be automatically registered as Sanitarians and issued with certificate of registration and 
11 
professional license upon payment of the fees for registration and other fees prescribed by the 
12 
commission. 
13 
The Chairman and the members of the Board shall hold office for a term of term of three 
14 
(3) years or until their successors shall have been appointed and shall have duly qualified. The 
15 
first members of the Board shall hold office for the following terms: one member for one (1 year; 
16 
one member for two (2) years; one member for three (30 years. Each member of the Board shall 
17 
qualify upon taking the proper oath of office before entering the performance of his duties. 
18 
Vacancies in the Board shall be filled for the unexpired term. 
19 
20 
SEC. 7. Powers and Duties of the Board. - The Board shall have the following powers 
21 
and duties: 
22 
(a) Promulgate, administer, and enforce rules and regulations necessary for carrying out 
23 
the provisions of this Act in accordance with the charter of the Professional 
24 
Regulation Commission; 
3 


, . 
1 
(b) Prepare a curriculum for the sanitation and hygiene degree to be officially known as 
2 
the "Bachelor of Science in Sanitation and Hygiene" (BSSH) and prescribe the 
3 
syllabi of the subjects and their relative weight in the licensure examination; 
4 
( c) Prepare examination questions, and determine and fix the frequency, dates and places 
5 
of examination, appoint supervisors, proctors and other personnel as needed who 
6 
shall be entitled a daily allowance as determined by the Board; 
7 
(d) Issue, suspend, or revoke certification of registration for the practice of sanitation and 
8 
hygiene; 
9 
( e) Promulgate rules and regulations including a Code of Ethics, administrative policies, 
10 
orders and issuances to carry out the provision of this Act; 
11 
(t) Administer oaths in connection with the administrative of this Act; 
12 
(g) Supervise and regulate the registration, licensure, and practice of professional 
13 
sanitation in the Philippines; 
14 
(h) Adopt an official seal of the Board; 
15 
(i) Investigate the violations ofthis Act; and 
16 
G) Discharge such other powers, duties, and functions as the Board may deem necessary 
17 
for the practice of the sanitation and hygiene profession and upgrading, enhancement, 
18 
development, and growth of sanitarians. 
19 
20 
SEC. 8. Qualifications of Chairman and Board Members. - The Chairman and each 
21 
member ofthe Board must at the time of his appointment: 
22 
(a) Be a Filipino citizen and resident of the Philippines for at least five (5) consecutive 
23 
years; 
24 
(b) Be at least thirty-five (35) years of age, of proven integrity and high moral turpitude; 
25 
(c) Not have been convicted by final judgment of any offense involving moral turpitude; 
4 


1 
(d) Be a holder of degree of Bachelor of Science in Sanitation and Hygiene (BSSH) fonn 
2 
a university, school, college, academy, or institutions duly constituted, recognized, 
3 
and accredited by the Philippine government: Provided, That this provision shall not 
4 
apply within the first fifteen (15) years after the approval of this Act; 
5 
(e) Be a registered Sanitarian with a valid Certificate of Registration and a valid license 
6 
to practice sanitation and hygiene; 
7 
(f) Have practiced sanitation and hygiene for a period of not less than ten (10) years prior 
8 
to his appointment; and 
9 
(g) Not be an official. member of the faculty, nor have a pecuniary interest in any 
10 
university, college, school, or institution conferring a bachelor's degree in sanitation 
11 
and hygiene or its equivalent for at least three (3) years prior to his appointment, nor 
12 
connected with any review center or with any group where lectures in preparation for 
13 
the licensure examination are offered or conducted. 
14 
15 
SEC. 9. Removal of the Members o/the Board. - The Chairman and any member of the 
16 
Board may be removed by the President of the Philippines, upon the recommendation of the 
17 
Commissioner for neglect of duty, incompetence, unprofessional, unethical, immoral or 
18 
dishonorable conduct, commission or tolerance of anomalies in the examination, after having 
19 
been given the opportunity to defend himself in a proper administrative investigation. 
20 
21 
SEC. 10. Compensation of the Chairman and the Board Members. - The Chainnan 
22 
and the members of the Board shall receive compensation comparable to the compensation 
23 
received by existing regulatory boards under the Professional Regulation Commission, computed 
24 
in the basis of the number of examinees or candidates. 
5 


1 
SEC. 11. Supervision of the Board and Custodian of its Records. - The Commissioner 
2 
shall be the executive officer of the Board and shall conduct the examination given by the Board. 
3 
He shall designate any subordinate officer ofthe Commission to act as secretary and custodian of 
4 
all records including all examination papers and minutes of the deliberations of the Board. 
S 
6 
7 
8 
ARTICLEm 
EXAMINATION AND REGISTRATION 
9 
SEC. 12. Examination, Registration and Licensed Required. - Except as otherwise 
10 
specifically allowed under the provisions of this Act, all applicants for registration as 
11 
professional sanitarian shall be required to undergo a written examination which shall be at least 
12 
once a year in such places and on dates as the Board may determine upon approval by the 
13 
Commission. A valid certificate of registration and a valid professional license from the 
14 
Commission shall be required before any person is allowed to practice sanitation and hygiene in 
15 
the Philippines except as otherwise allowed under this Act. 
16 
17 
SEC. 13. Examination Fees .. - All applicants for W{itten examination for registered 
18 
'sanitary inspectors shall be subject to payment offees prescribed by the Commission. 
19 
20 
SEC. 14. Scope of Examination. - The examination to be given to the applicants for 
21 
licensure shall include the Code of Sanitation and its implementing rules and regulations together 
22 
with topics on Arithmetic, Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Bio-Statistics 
23 
and Epidemology, Food and Milk Sanitation, Household and Industrial Hygiene, Waste 
24 
Management, Environmental Health Planning, Pollution Assessment and Control, Occupational 
25 
Health, Practical Problems and Others determined by the Board. 
6 


1 
SEC. 15. Qualification Requirements of Applicants. - No applicant shall be admitted to 
2 
take the examination unless, on the date of filing of the application, he shall have the established 
3 
to the satisfaction of the members of the Board that he possesses the following qualifications: 
4 
( a) A citizen of the Philippines or an alien whose country has reciprocity with the 
5 
Philippines in the practice of sanitation and hygiene; 
6 
(b) At least twenty (20) years of age; 
7 
( c) In good health and good reputation with high moral values; 
8 
(d) Not finally convicted by final judgment by the court of any offense involving moral 
9 
turpitude; and 
10 
(e) A holder of the degree of Bachelor of Science in Sanitation and Hygiene (BSSH) 
11 
from a university, college, school, academy or institution duly constituted, recognized 
12 
and accredited by the Philippine government. Towards this end, all government 
13 
universities and state colleges are encouraged to offer this course. 
14 
15 
SEC. 16. Report of Results of Examination. - The Board shall, within one hundred 
16 
twenty (120) days after the examination, report the ratings obtained by each candidate to the 
17 
Commission. 
18 
19 
SEC. 17. Re-examination. - An applicant, who for the third time fails to pass the 
20 
examination, shall not be allowed to take another examination, except upon showing to the 
21 
members of the Board a certificate of attendance of review classes and a certificate of attendance 
22 
of r",view classes and a certificate duly signed by the proctors that he obtained at least seventy 
23 
percent (70%) passing mark of all the review examinations. 
7 


1 
SEC. 18. Oath. - All successful candidates in the examination shall be required to take a 
2 
professional oath before the Board. 
3 
4 
SEC. 19. Issuance of Certificate of Registration and Professional Licenses. - The 
5 
registration as a sanitarian shall commence from the date his name is entered in the roll of 
6 
registrants or licenses for his profession. 
7 
A professional license signed by the Commission and bearing the registration number and 
8 
date of issuance and date of expiry shall be issued to every registrant who has paid the annual 
9 
registration fees for three (3) .consecutive years. This license shan serve as evidence that the 
10 
license can lawfully practice his profession until the date of expiry. 
11 
12 
SEC. 20. Integration of Sanitary Profession. - The sanitary profession shall be 
13 
integrated into one national organization which shall be recognized by the Board as the sole 
14 
integrated and accredited association of registered sanitarian, Memberships in the integrated 
15 
organization shall not be a bar to membership in other associations. 
16 
A professional sanitarian shall receive the benefits and privileges appurtenant to their 
17 
membership in the said integrated and accredited organization only upon payment of the required 
18 
fees and dues. 
19 
20 
SEC. 21. Revocation of the Certificate of Registration, Suspension from the Practice of 
21 
the Sanitary Profession and Cancellation of Temporary or Special Permit.- The Board shall 
22 
have the power, upon proper notice and hearing, to suspend or revoke the certification of any 
23 
registrant, to reprimand or to cancel the temporary/special permit to a holder thereof who is 
24 
exempt from registration, for any of the following causes: 
8 


1 
(a) Conviction for any criminal offense involving moral turpitude by any court of 
2 
competent authority; 
3 
(b) Immoral, unprofessional and dishonorable conduct; 
4 
( c) Violation of any of the provisions of this Act, rules and regulations and other policies 
5 
of the Board and the Code of Professional Ethics; 
6 
(d) Declaration by a court of competent authority for being mentally unsound or insane; 
7 
( e) Chronic inebriety or habitual use of drugs; and 
8 
(f) Malpractice of the profession. 
9 
The decision of the Board to revoke or suspend a certificate shall be final and executor 
10 
unless appealed by the respondent to the Commission within fifteen (15) days from the receipt of 
11 
such decision. The Board's or Commission's decision I appealable by the respondent to the 
12 
regional trial court of the place where the Board or Commission holds office within twenty (200 
13 
days from receipt of said decision or of the denial of the motion for reconsideration filed in due 
14 
time. 
15 
16 
SEC. 22. Re-issuance of Revoked Certificates and Replacement of Lost Certificate. -
17 
The Board, subject to the approval of the Commission, may after one (1) year after revocation of 
18 
the Certificate of Registration may re-issue such certificate on the same manner as application 
19 
for an original one. It, however, may exempt the applicant from the necessity of undergoing an 
20 
examination. 
21 
A new certificate of registration may be issued to replace any certificate that jas been lost 
22 
destroyed, mutilated, subject to the rules issued by the Board. 
23 
24 
SEC. 23. Roster of Professional Sanitarians. - A roster of professional sanitarians 
25 
containing the names and addresses of the professional sanitarian, date of registration or issuance 
9 


1 
of certificate and other date which in the opinion of the Board is pertinent shall be maintained. 
2 
Copies of the roster shall be provided by the Commission to the Board, the Department of 
3 
Education, and the integrated and accredited organization of professional sanitarians. 
4 
5 
ARTICLE IV 
6 
PROVISIONS RELATIVE TO THE PRACTICE OF THE SANITARY PROFESSION 
7 
8 
SEC. 24. Field of Practice.- The filed of practice for sanitarian shall include the sole 
9 
authority to sign and seal sani~ary plans, etc. and to practice sanitation and hygiene in its full 
10 
scope as defined in Article I of this Act. 
11 
12 
SEC. 25. Prohibition Against the Practice of the Silnitarian and Hygiene Profession. -
13 
Except as otherwise allowed under this Act, no person shall practice or offer to practice the 
14 
Sanitation and Hygiene Profession in the Philippines without having previously obtained a valid 
15 
certificate of registration and a valid professional license from the Commission. 
16 
SEC. 26. Personnel Required. - Except as otherwise provided in this Act, every 
17 
industrial plant or factory, commercial establishment or any government institution which shall 
18 
require the services of a sanitarian, a duly registered sanitarian shall be employed for the purpose 
19 
to ensure safe operation and safeguard public welfare, health and hygiene. 
20 
21 
SEC. 27. Enforcement of the Act by Officers of the Law. - It shall be the duty of all 
22 
constituted officers of the law of the national government, or any provincial, city or municipal 
23 
government to prosecute any person violating the provisions of this Act. The Secretary of Justice 
10 


1 
or his assistant shall act as legal adviser of the Board and render such legal assistance as may be 
2 
necessary in carrying out the provisions of this Act. 
3 
4 
SEC. 28. Penalty Clause. - Any person who shall violate any provisions of this Act shall 
5 
be guilty of misdemeanor and shall upon conviction, be sentenced to a fine of not more than One 
6 
Hundred Thousand Pesos (plOO,OOO.OO) but not less than Ten Thousand Pesos (p10,000.00) 
7 
andlor imprisonment for a period of not less than Ten Thousand Pesos (p1O,000.00) and/or 
8 
imprisonment for a period of not less than thirty (30) days but not more than two (2) years at the 
9 
discretion of the court. 
10 
11 
SEC. 29. Appropriations. - The sum ofTen Million Pesos (pIO, 000,000.00) is hereby 
12 
initially appropriated out of any funds in the National Treasury not otherwise appropriated to be 
13 
disbursed by the Chairman of the Board in accordance with provisions of this Act. Thereafter, it 
14 
shall be in the General Appropriations Act. 
15 
16 
SEC. 30. 
Implementing Guidelines. - The Board shall formulate and adopt the 
17 
necessary guidelines for the effective implementation of the provisions of this Act within ninety 
18 
(90) days of its approval. 
19 
20 
SEC. 31. Repealing Clause. -
All laws, orders, issuances, and other regulations 
21 
pertaining to the examination for sanitarians are deemed repealed or modified accordingly. 
22 
23 
SEC. 32. Separability Clause. - If any part of this Act is declared unconstitutional or 
24 
invalid, the remainder of this Act shall not be affected thereby. 
11 


1 
SEC. 33. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
2 
full publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,