Presidential Decree No. 480 (PD 480) — Creating a Radiation Health Office in the Department of Health
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:
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.
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.
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.
Repealing clause.
SEC. 4. Repealing clause.—Any provisions of law,
decree, order, rules or regulations inconsistent herewith are hereby
repealed, revised or amended accordingly.
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
Source: Supreme Court E-Library, Republic of the Philippines. Philippine laws are public documents (works of the government).
