CREATING A RADIATION HEALTH OFFICE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

• Number: Presidential Decree No. 480
• Sections: 6

Preamble

WHEREAS, there is no distinct government office or agency

authorized to control the use of diagnostic X-Ray units, high energy

machines or any radiation apparatus in medicine, industry, agriculture,

research and other fields of activity except those units with

radio-active sources which are controlled by the Philippine Atomic

Energy Commission ;

WHEREAS, the use of radiation, although beneficial to the

development of the country, carries with it certain hazards and,

therefore, should be properly regulated;

WHEREAS, the danger to public health posed by ionizing

radiation is similar in effect to other dangers to public health

resulting from human activity; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Health, being the government

agency charged with the functions of safeguarding and promoting the

people's health, should be assigned the responsibility to institute

proper measures for the effective control of such radiation hazards.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the

Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution as

Commander-in-Chief of all the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and

pursuant to Proclamation No. 1081 dated September 21, 1972, and General

Order No. 1 dated September 22, 1972, as amended, do hereby decree and

order:

Section 1 Creation; Functions.

SECTION 1. Creation; Functions.—There is hereby

created in the Department of Health a Radiation Health Office which

shall have the following functions:

Prescribe measures to regulate production, import and

export of radiation-emitting apparatus, as well as non-ionizing

radiation devices such as microwave oven, laser and other similar

and related apparatus to energy emission of which does not reach the

threshold required for the production of radio-active material: Provided,

That equipment and devices involving the application and use of

radio-active materials and any equipment or devices producing or

utilizing radio-active materials which fall under regulatory

jurisdiction of the Philippine Atomic Energy Commission as

provided under R.A. No. 5207 shall not be subject to the coverage of

such measures;

Require the registration of the above apparatus and equipment

presently used in medicine or for other purposes within six months from

the effectivity of this Decree;

Undertake the inspection of the above-described apparatus and

equipment installed in private and government premises;

Issue rules and regulations, duly approved by the Secretary of

Health, with the aim of protecting radiation workers handling or

operating the above-described devices;

Establish and maintain a National Radiation Standard Section in

a cooperative effort with the Philippine Atomic Energy Commission;

Assist in the training of radiation workers; and

Collect, analyze and disseminate information on the protection

against radiation.

Section 2 Relationship with other entities.

SEC. 2. Relationship with other entities.—The

Radiation Health Office shall, in the furtherance of its functions and

duties, cooperate and coordinate with governmental and private entities

as well as international organizations involved in activities related to

radiation.

Section 3 Appropriations.

SEC. 3. Appropriations.—To carry out the

functions of the Office herein created, there is hereby appropriated the

amount to Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (P200,000.00) out of any funds in

the National Treasury not otherwise appropriated. The same amount or

such amounts as shall be needed shall be included in the annual General

Appropriations Act for the continued operation of the Office.

Section 4 Repealing clause.

SEC. 4. Repealing clause.—Any provisions of law,

decree, order, rules or regulations inconsistent herewith are hereby

repealed, revised or amended accordingly.

Section 5

SEC. 5. This Decree shall take effect immediately.

Done in the City of Manila, this 6th day of June, in the year

of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and seventy-four.

(Sgd.)

FERDINAND E. MARCOS

President of the Philippines

By the President:

(Sgd.)

ALEJANDRO MELCHOR

Executive Secretary