REPUBLIC ACT NO.

1364 During academic year 1943-44, when

“AN ACT TO REGULATE THE PRACTICE OF the Japanese forces allowed a select few
SANITARY ENGINEERING IN THE PHILIPPINES” colleges of the University of the Philippines (UP)
to open, Dr. Reynaldo M. Lesaca was
HISTORY OF PHILIPPINE SOCIETY OF SANITARY appointed initially as assistant instructor of
ENGINEERS, INC. sanitary engineering under Dr. Hilario Lara, then
Dean of the Institute of Hygiene. Dr. Lara then
 PROFILE OF THE PHILIPPINE SOCIETY OF envisioned the establishment of a regular
SANITARY ENGINEERS, INC. college department after building up the then
one-man faculty of sanitary engineering at the
Philippine Society of Sanitary Engineers, Inc. Institute.
(PSSE)
The UP reopened in mid-1945 after the
 is the only professional organization of war and mass graduations were held for those
Sanitary Engineers in the Philippines who were unable to graduate of the Japanese
accredited by the Professional Regulation occupation. Reconstruction and rehabilitation
Commission by virtue of PRC Board of the war-damaged country then began and
Resolution No. 2009-497 & Certificate of one of the first to be rehabilitated was the
Accreditation No. 26. public water supply and public sanitation
 is also the only PRC accredited Continuing services of Manila and surrounding areas. By
Professional Education Provider for the early fifties, a consensus emerged among
Sanitary Engineers. the academicians and civil engineers to
recognize sanitary engineering as a separate
Before the outbreak of World War II
and highly specialized field encompassing, as it
(WWII), a group of enterprising civil engineers
did, biology, sanitary chemistry and water
with specialized studies in Sanitary Engineering
analysis and related water and wastewater
obtained in the United States of America
treatment against pollution.
initiated the formation PSSE. Their collective
efforts were cut short by WWII. PSSE was revived in 1951 through the
pioneering efforts of Don Emilio L. Ejercito, Sr.,
At the time, the City of Manila through
with the help of Engr. Antonio Menor, Engr.
its Department of Public Service was already
Lamberto Un Ocampo, among others.
practicing hygiene and sanitation with the
pioneering efforts of Engr. Emilio L. Ejercito. Don Emilio L. Ejercito, Sr.

Engr. Emilio Ejercito  now acknowledged as the Father of

Sanitary Engineering in the Philippines,
 one of the earliest practitioners of sanitary
engineering in the Philippines.
 They worked for the propagation of Education, the fields of specialization of a
the formal course, enactment of law Sanitary Engineer are:
establishment of the formal course, enactment
of law regulating the practice of the sanitary 1. Environmental Engineering

engineering profession. ). 2. Environmental Management

3. Public Health Engineering

Engr. Antonio Menor, then Metropolitan Water
District chief, was elected president. He was 4. Plumbing and Fire Protection

succeeded by Engr. Lamberto Un Ocampo 5. Solid Waste Management

and later on by Engr. Emilio L. Ejercito, Sr.
6. Wastewater Engineering

Soon after the election in 1953 of 7. Water Supply Engineering

President Ramon Magsaysay, the MWD was As of September 2017, there are a total
reorganized into the National Waterworks and of 3,265 registered Sanitary Engineers pursuant
Sewerage, or NAWASA, mainly through the to RA 1364. There are also 12 schools offering
efforts of Engr. Susano R. Negado. the baccalaureate degree and 2 schools
offering masteral course in Sanitary Engineering.
Engr. Negado helped draft a law
Article I. TITLE OF ACT AND DEFINITION OF TERMS
recognizing sanitary engineering (SE) as a
separate engineering specialty.
Section 1. Title of Act
Section 2. Definition of Terms
In addition, the PSSE lobbied for the
passage of Republic Act No. 1364 which was
Article II. BOARD FOR EXAMINERS FOR SANITARY
enacted into law of 18 June 1955.
ENGINEERS

R. A. 1364
Section 3. Composition of Board
Section 4. Power and Duties of the Board
 Entitled “An Act to Regulate the Practice
Section 5. Qualifications of Board Members
of SE in the Philippines,”
Section 6. Registration and Examination Fees
 defined the scope of the SE practice and
Section 7. Compensation of Board Members
the creation of a Board of Examiners,
Section 8. Executive Officer of the Board
under the then Civil Service Commission,
Section 9. Annual Report
which at that time was attached to the
Section 10. Roster of Sanitary Engineers
Office of the President.

As embodied in the By-laws of the PSSE

as amended on 3 December 2015, and
pursuant to Memorandum Circular No. 35 series
of 2009, by the Commission on Higher
Article III. EXAMINATION FOR REGISTRATION attempt to use a revoked or suspended
certificate of registration, or any person who
Section 11. Examination Requirement shall use in connection with his name, or
Section 12. Holding of Examination otherwise assume, use, or advertise any title or
Section 13. Subjects of Examination description tending to convey the impression
Section 14. Report of Ratings that he is a sanitary engineer, without holding a
Section 15. Reexamination valid certificate of registration, or any person
Section 16. Issuance of Certificates who shall violate any of the provisions of this
Section 17. Qualifications for Examination Act, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall,
Section 18. Oath of Sanitary Engineers upon conviction, be sentenced to a fine of not
Section 19. Seal and Use of Seal less than five hundred pesos nor more than two
Section 20. Exemption from Registration thousand pesos, or to suffer imprisonment for a
Section 21. Refusal to Issue Certificate period of not less than six months nor more than
Section 22. Suspension and Revocation of one year, or both, in the discretion of the court.
Certificates
Section 23. Re-issue and Replacement of Article V. Miscellaneous Provisions
Certificates
Section 24. Transitory Provisions Section 28. Field of Action Authorized for
Sanitary Engineering; Prohibitions
Article IV. ENFORCEMENT OF ACT AND PENAL Section 29. Preparation of Plans and
PROVISIONS Supervision of Construction by Registered
Sanitary Engineers Required
Section 25. Enforcement of the Act and by Section 30. Firms and Corporations Engaged in
Officers of the Law Sanitary Engineering Practice
Section 26. Registration Required Section 31. Collection of Professional Fees
Section 32. Reciprocity Requirements
Section 27. Penal Provisions
Section 33. Act Not Affecting Other Provisions
and/or Trades
Any person who shall practice or offer
Section 34. Construction of Act
to practice sanitary engineering in the
Section 35. Effectivity
Philippines without being registered in
accordance with the provisions of this Act, or
This Act shall take effect upon its
any person presenting or attempting to use as
approval. Approved, June 18, 1955.
his own the certificate of registration of a
registered sanitary engineer, or any person who
shall give any false or forged evidence of any
kind to the Board, or any person who shall
impersonate any registrant sanitary engineer of
different name, or any person who shall
 PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 856 Chapter II. WATER SUPPLY

“CODE ON SANITATION OF THE PHILIPPINES” Section 9. Prescribed Standards and

Procedures
DECEMBER 23, 1975 Section 10. Jurisdiction of the Department
Section 11. Types of Water Examinations
CODE ON SANITATION
Required
Section 12. Examining Laboratories and
WHEREAS, the health of the people,
Submission of Water Samples
being of paramount importance, all efforts of
Section 13. Other Protective Measures
public services should be directed towards the
protection and promotion of health; and
Chapter III. FOOD ESTABLISHMENT

WHEREAS, with the advance in the field

Section 14. Sanitary Permit
of sanitation in recent years, there arises the
Section 15. Health Certificates
need for updating and codifying our scattered
Section 16. Quality and Protection of Food
sanitary laws to ensure that they are in keeping
Section 17. Structural Requirements
with modern standards of sanitation and
Section 18. Use of Food-Service Spaces
provide a handy reference and guide for their
Section 19. Food Handlers
enforcement;
Section 20. Vermin Control
Section 21. Toilet and Washing Facilities
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E.
Section 22. Disposal of Refuse
MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue
Section 23. Equipment and Utensils
of the powers vested in me by the Constitution,
Section 24. Washing of Utensils
do hereby order and decree the following
Section 25. Bactericidal Treatment
Code on Sanitation:
Section 26. Handling of Washed Utensils
Section 27. Storage of Washed Utensils
Chapter I. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 28. Dry Storage of Non-Perishable

Section 1. Title Foods

Section 2. Definition of Terms Section 29. Refrigerated Storage of Perishable

Section 3. Functions of the Department of Foods

Health Section 30. Food Servicing Operations

Section 4. Authority of the Secretary Section 31. Evaluation of Food Establishment

Section 5. Authority of the Bureau of Directors Section 32. Special Provisions

Section 6. Authority of the Regional Directors Section 33. Responsibility of the Local Health

Section 7. Authority of the Health Officers Authority

Section 8. Miscellaneous Provisions

Chapter IV. MARKETS AND ABATTOIRS Chapter VIII. PUBLIC SWIMMING OR BATHING
PLACES
Section 34. Prescribed Standards of
Construction Section 51. Sanitary Permit
Section 35. Responsibility of the Local Health Section 52. Protection of Customers
Authority Section 53. Responsibility of the Local Heath
Section 36. Responsibility of Local Governments Authority
and Private Operators
Chapter IX. REST AREAS, BUS TERMINALS, BUS
Chapter V. PUBLIC LAUNDRY STOPS, AND SERVICE STATIONS

Section 37. Sanitary Permit Section 54. Rest areas, bus terminals, bus stops
Section 38. General Requirements and service station areas with one or more
Section 39. Special Requirements permanent sheds, buildings and service
facilities for motor vehicles shall be provided
Chapter VI. SCHOOL SANITATION AND HEALTH with sanitary facilities for the convenience and
SERVICES personal necessities of the travelling public.

Section 40. Definition of Terms Chapter X. CAMPS AND PICNIC GROUNDS

Section 41. The Physical Environment
Section 42. The Emotional Environment Section 55. No camps and picnic grounds shall
Section 43. Health Services be open for public patronage without a
Section 44. Requirements for Special Schools sanitary permit issued by Secretary or his duly
authorized representative.
Chapter VII. INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE
Chapter XI. DANCING SCHOOLS, DANCE HALLS
Section 45. Sanitary Requirements for AND NIGHT CLUBS
Operating an Industrial Establishment
Section 46. Responsibility of the Secretary Section 56. General Provisions
Sections 47. Responsibilities of the Employer Section 57. Special Provisions
and Employees
Section 48. Environmental Provisions Chapter XII. TONSORIAL AND BEAUTY

Section 49. Personal Protective Equipment ESTABLISHMENTS

Section 50. Health Services

Section 58. Definition of Terms
Chapter XIII. MASSAGE CLINICS AND SAUNA Section 76. Disposal of Septic Tank Effluent
BATH ESTABLISHMENTS Section 77. Determination of Septic Tank
Capacity
Section 59. Definition of Terms Section 78. Sanitary Privies
Section 60. Sanitary Permit Section 79. Drainage
Section 61. Sanitary Requirements Section 80. Special Precaution for Radioactive
Section 62. Personnel Excreta and Urine of Hospitalized Patient

Chapter XIV. HOTELS, MOTELS AND APARTMENTS,

Chapter XVIII. REFUSE DISPOSAL
LODGING, BOARDING, OR TENEMENT HOUSES,
AND CONDOMINIUMS
Section 81. Definition of Terms
Section 82. Responsibilities of Cities and
Section 63. Definition of Terms
Municipalities.
Section 64. General Provisions
Section 83. Additional Requirements
Section 65. Special Provisions

Chapter XIV. NUISANCES AND OFFENSIVE

Chapter XV. PORT, AIRPORT, VESSEL AND
TRADES AND OCCUPATIONS
AIRCRAFT SANITATION

Section 66. Port and Airport Sanitation Section 84. Definition of Terms

Section 67. Vessel Sanitation Section 85. Types of Nuisances

Section 68. Aircraft Sanitation Sections 86. Responsibilities of Owners,

Managers or Operators
Chapter XVI. VERMIN CONTROL
Chapter XX. POLLUTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT
Section 69. Definition of Terms
Section 70. General Requirements Section 87. General Provisions
Section 88. Authority of the Secretary
Chapter XVII. SEWAGE COLLECTION AND
DISPOSAL, EXCRETA DISPOSAL AND DRAINAGE Chapter XXI. DISPOSAL OF DEAD PERSONS

Section 71. Definition of Terms Section 89. Definition

Section 72. Scope of Supervision of the Section 90. Burial Grounds Requirements
Department Section 91. Burial Requirements
Section 73. Operation of Sewage Treatment Section 92. Disinterment Requirements
Works Section 93. Funeral and Embalming
Section 74. Requirements in the Operation of Establishments
Sewage Works and Sewage Treatment Plants Section 94. Licensing and Registration
Section 75. Septic Tanks Procedures
Section 95. Autopsy and Dissection of Remains Chapter XXII. FINAL PROVISIONS
Section 96. Donation of Human Organs for
Medical, Surgical and Scientific Purposes Section 103. Penal Provision
Section 97. Use of Remains for Medical Studies
and Scientific Research (a) Unless otherwise provided in any

Section 98. Special Precautions for Safe Chapter or section in this Code, any person

Handling of Cadavers Containing Radioactive who shall violate, disobey, refuse, omit or

Isotopes neglect to comply with any of the rules and

Section 99. Responsibility of the Regional regulations promulgated under this Code shall

Director be guilty of misdemeanor and upon conviction

Section 100. Responsibility of the Local Health shall be punished by imprisonment for a period

Authority not exceeding six months or by a fine of not

Section 101. Responsibility of Local Government exceeding one thousand pesos or both

Section 102. Penal Provisions depending upon the discretion of the court.

(a) The Secretary or his duly authorized (b) Any person who shall interfere with

representative may revoke or suspend the or hinder, or oppose any officer, agent or

license of an undertakers or embalmer who member of the Department or of the bureaus

violates any provisions of this Chapter or the and offices under it, in the performance of his

rules and regulations promulgated by the duty as such under this Code, or shall tear

Secretary under this Chapter. down, mutilate, deface or alter any placard, or
notice, affixed to the premises in the
(b) Any person who shall engage in the enforcement of the Code, shall be guilty of a
business of undertaking or embalming in misdemeanor and punishable upon conviction
violation of any provision of this Chapter shall by imprisonment for a period not exceeding six
be liable to a penalty of not more than one months or by a fine of not exceeding one
thousand pesos for each violation. thousand pesos or both depending upon the
discretion of the Court.
(c) Each day or any part thereof
during which any prohibited business or Section 104. Separability Clause
practice is continued shall be deemed a Section 105. Repealing Clause
separate violation and subject to the same Section 106. Effectivity
penalty prescribed in the preceding
paragraph. This Code is hereby made part of the
law of the land and shall take effect
immediately.

Done in the City of Manila, this 23rd

day of December, in the year of Our Lord,
nineteen hundred and seventy-five.