involving health services; and enforce the provisions of this Code and the rules and regulations promulgated by the
Secretary under this Code.
Sec. 7. Authority of Health Officers. - The health officers shall administer health functions in areas under their
jurisdiction and enforce the provisions of this Code and the rules and regulations promulgated by the Secretary under
this Code.
Sec. 8. Miscellaneous Provisions. -
a. International treaties, agreements and conventions - The Republic of the Philippines recognizes international
treaties, agreement and conventions on public health. Their provisions may be considered parts of this Code provided
they do not contravene the Constitution, existing laws or any provision of this Code.
b. Rights and proceedings - Any proceeding which has commenced or any right which has accrued upon the effectivity
of this Code shall not be affected by any of its provisions. However, matters of procedure and rights arising after the
date of effectivity of this Code shall conform to the provisions hereof.
c. Delegation of power and assignment of duty - Whenever a power is granted or a duty is assigned to any public
health officer in this Code, the power may be exercised by a deputy or agent of the official pursuant to law, unless it is
expressly provided otherwise in this Code.
d. Language required - Any notice, report, statement or record required or authorized by this Code, shall be written in
English or Pilipino.
e. Mailing of notices - Unless otherwise expressly provided, any notice required to sent to any person by any provision
of this Code, shall be sent through the postal service. The affidavit of the official or employee who mailed the notice is
prima facie evidence that the notice was sent as prescribed herein.
f. Condemnation and seizure of property - Then any property is officially condemned or seized by government
authorities in the interest of public health, the owner thereof shall not be entitled to compensation.
g. Command responsibility - When a duty is expressly vested in a health officer as provided in this Code, it shall be
understood that it shall likewise be the concern of the superiors of the health office under the principle of command
responsibility.
Chapter II. Water Supply
Sec. 9. Prescribed Standards and Procedures. - Standards for drinking water and their bacteriological and chemical
examinations, together with the evaluation of results, shall conform to the criteria set by the National Drinking Water
Standards.
The treatment of water to render it safe for drinking, and the disinfection of contaminated water sources together with
their distribution systems shall be in accordance with procedures prescribed by the Department.
Sec. 10. Jurisdiction of the Department. - The approval of the Secretary or that of his duly authorized representative is
required in the following cases:
a. Sites of water sources before their construction;
b. Delivery of water to consumers from new or recently repaired water systems;
c. Operation of a water system after an order of closure was issued by the Department;
d. Plans and specifications of water systems of subdivisions and projects prior to the construction of housing units
thereat; and
e. Certification of potability of drinking water.
Sec. 11. Types of Water Examinations Required. - The following examinations are required for drinking water:
a. Initial examination - The physical, chemical and bacteriological examinations of water from newly constructed
systems or sources are required before they are operated and opened for public use. Examination of water for
possible radio active contamination should also be done initially.
b. Periodic examination - Water from existing sources is subject to bacteriological examination as often as possible but
the interval shall not be longer than six months, while general systematic chemical examination shall be conducted
every 12 months or oftener. Examination of water sources shall be conducted yearly for possible radioactive
contamination.
Sec. 12. Examining Laboratories and Submission of Water Samples. - The examination of drinking water shall be
performed only in private or government laboratories duly accredited by the Department. It is the responsibility of
operators of water systems to submit to accredited laboratories duly accredited by the Department. It is the
responsibility of operators of water systems to submit to accredited laboratories water samples for examination in a
manner and at such intervals prescribed by the Department.
Sec. 13. Other protective Measures. - To protect drinking water from contamination, the following measures shall be
observed:
a. Washing clothes or bathing within a radius of 25 meters from any well or other source of drinking water is prohibited.
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