LAWS Affecting Practice of Public Health Nursing:

1. RA 7305 – MAGNA CARTA OF PUBLIC HEALTH WORKERS

Section 2. Policy and Objectives:
- The state shall instill health consciousness among our people to effectively carry out the health
programs and projects of the government essential for the growth and health of the nation. Towards this end,
this Act aims to:
a. promote and improve the social and economic well-being of the health workers, their living and working
conditions and terms of employment.
b. develop their skills and capabilities in order that they will be more responsive and better equipped to
deliver health projects and programs.
c. encourage those with proper qualifications and excellent abilities to join and remain in government
services.

Section 3. Definition of “Health Workers”

- all persons who are engaged in health and health-related work, and all persons employed in all
hospitals, sanitaria, health infirmaries, health centers, rural health units, barangay health stations, clinics and
other health- related establishments owned and operated by the Government.

Section 7. Married Public Health Workers – whenever possible, the proper authorities shall take steps to enable
married couples, both of whom are public workers, to be employed or assigned in the same municipality, but not
in the same office.

Section 10. No Understaffing/Overloading of Health Staff – there shall be no understaffing or overloading of

public health workers. The ratio of health staff to patient load shall be such as to reasonably effect a sustained
delivery of quality health care at all times without overworking the public health worker and overextending his/her
duty and service. Health students and apprentices shall be allowed only for purposes of training and education.

Section 13. Duties and Obligations – The public health worker shall:
a. discharge his/her duty humanely with conscience and dignity
b. perform his/her duty with utmost respect for life and
c. exercise his/her function without consideration to race, gender, religion, nationality, party politics, social
standing or capacity to pay.

Section 15. Normal Hours of Work – the normal hours of work of any public health worker shall not exceed eight
(8) hours a day or forty (40) hours a week.

Section 16. Overtime Work – any public health worker maybe required to render service beyond the normal eight
(8) hours a day. In such case, the workers shall be paid an additional compensation in accordance with existing
laws and prevailing practices.

Section 17. Work During rest Day – a public health worker is made to work on his/her scheduled rest day; he or
she shall be paid an additional compensation in accordance with existing laws. a public health worker is made
to work on any special holiday he/she shall be paid an additional compensation in accordance with existing laws.
Where such holiday work falls on the worker’s scheduled rest day, he/she shall be entitled to an additional
compensation as may be provided by existing laws.
Section 18. Night –Shift Differential – every public health worker shall be paid a night-shift differential of ten
percent (10%) of his/her regular wage for each hour of work performed during the night-shifts customarily
adopted by hospitals.

2. PD 856 – CODE ON SANITATION

- provides for control of all factors in man’s environment that affect health including the quality of water,
food, milk, control of insects, animal carriers, transmitters of disease, sanitary and recreation facilities, noise,
unpleasant odors and control of nuisance.

3. RA 6425 – DANGEROUS DRUGS ACT

- States, that administration, delivery, distribution and transportation of prohibited drugs are punishable
by law. The penalty of imprisonment ranging from twelve (12) years and one (1) day to twenty (20) years and a
fine ranging from twelve thousand to twenty thousand pesos shall be imposed upon any person who, unless
authorized by law, shall sell, administer, deliver, give way to another, distribute, dispatch or transport any
prohibited drug or shall act as a broker in any of such transactions.

4. RA 3573 – declared that all communicable diseases shall be reported to the nearest station and that any
person may be inoculated, administered or injected with prophylactic preparations. No person shall refuse as to
hinder or obstruct these protective measures deemed advisable by the Secretary of Health or the authorized
representatives.

5. RA 4073 – liberalizes the treatment of leprosy. Except when the disease requires institutional treatment, no
persons afflicted with leprosy shall be confined in a leprosarium. Patients shall be treated in a government skin
clinic, rural health unit or by a duly licensed physician.

6. PD 996 – requires compulsory immunization for all children below eight years old against communicable
diseases.

7. PD 651 – declares the registration of birth of a child within 30 days with the Civil Registrar.

8. RA 6675 – GENERIC ACT

- is an act to promote, require and ensure the production of an adequate supply, distribution, use and
acceptance of drugs and medicines identified by their generic names. Medicines are prescribed by generics.

9. RA 7160 – LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE

- transfers responsibility for delivery of basic services and facilities of the national government to local
government units. This involves devolution of powers, functions and responsibilities to the local government both
provincial and municipal.

10. RA 7600 – ROOMING- IN AND BREASTFEEDING ACT

- provides that babies born in private and government hospitals should be room in with their mothers to
promote breastfeeding and ensure safe and adequate nutrition to children.

11. RA 7432 – SENIOR CITIZEN’S ACT

- Does honor and justice to our people’s long tradition of giving high regard to our elderly. It entitles the
elderly to a twenty percent (20%) discount in all public establishments such as restaurants, pharmacies, public
utility vehicles and hospitals. It also entitles the elderly to free medical and dental check up and hospitalization
in all government hospitals.
12. PD 825 – provides penalty for improper and disposal of garbage and other forms of uncleanliness.

13. PD no. 48 – limits paid maternity leave privileges to four children.

14. PD no. 69 – limits the number of children to four (4) tax exemption purposes

15. PD no. 965 – requires that couples intending to get married must first undergo a family planning and
responsible parenthood instruction prior to the issuance of a marriage license.

16. R.A. 2382 – Philippine Medical Act. This act defines the practice of medicine in the country.

17. R.A. 1082 – Rural Health Act. It created the 1st 81 Rural Health Units. -amended by RA 1891 ; more
physicians, dentists, nurses, midwives and sanitary inspectors will live in the rural areas where they are assigned
in order to raise the health conditions of barrio people ,hence help decrease the high incidence of preventable
diseases

18. R.A. 6425 – Dangerous Drugs Act. It stipulates that the sale, administration, delivery, distribution and
transportation of prohibited drugs is punishable by law.

19. R.A. 9165 – the new Dangerous Drug Act of 2002

20. P.D. No. 651 – requires that all health workers shall identify and encourage the registration of all births within
30 days following delivery.

21. P.D. No. 996 – requires the compulsory immunization of all children below 8 yrs. of age against the 6
childhood immunizable diseases.

22. P.D. No. 825 – provides penalty for improper disposal of garbage.

23. R.A. 8749 – Clean Air Act of 2000

24. P.D. No. 856 – Code on Sanitation. It provides for the control of all factors in man’s environment that affect
health including the quality of water, food, milk, insects, animal carriers, transmitters of disease, sanitary and
recreation facilities, noise, pollution and control of nuisance.

25. P.D. No. 965 – requires applicants for marriage license to receive instructions on family planning and
responsible parenthood.

26. P.D. NO. 79 – defines , objectives, duties and functions of POPCOM

27. RA 4073 – advocates home treatment for leprosy

28. Letter of Instruction No. 949 – legal basis of PHC dated OCT. 19, 1979, promotes development of health
programs on the community level

29. RA 3573 – requires reporting of all cases of communicable diseases and administration of prophylaxis
Ministry Circular No. 2 of 1986 – includes AIDS as notifiable disease

30. R.A. 7875 – National Health Insurance Act

31. R. A. 7719 - National Blood Services Act

32. R.A. 8172 – Salt Iodization Act ( ASIN LAW)

33. R.A. 7277- Magna Carta for PWD’s, provides their rehabilitation, self-development and self-reliance and
integration into the mainstream of society

34. A. O. No. 2005-0014- National Policies on Infant and Young Child Feeding:
1.All newborns be breastfeed within 1 hr after birth
2. Infants be exclusively breastfeed for 6 mos.
3. Infants be given timely, adequate and safe complementary foods
4. Breastfeeding be continued up to 2 years and beyond

35. EO 51- Phil. Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes

36. R.A.- 7600 – Rooming In and Breastfeeding Act of 1992

37. R.A. 8976- Food Fortification Law

38. R.A. 8980- prolmulgates a comprehensive policy and a national system for ECCD

39. A..O. No. 2006- 0015- defines the Implementing guidelines on Hepatitis B Immunization for Infants

40. R.A. 7846- mandates Compulsory Hepatitis B Immunization among infants and children less than 8 yrs old

41. R.A. 2029- madates Liver Cancer and Hepatitis B Awareness Month Act ( February)

42. A.O. No. 2006-0012- specifies the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of E.O. 51 or Milk Code,
Relevant International Agreements, Penalizing Violations thereof and for other purposes

43. R.A. 7160 - or the Local Government Code. This involves the devolution of powers, functions and
responsibilities to the local government both rural & urban. The Code aims to transform local government units
into self-reliant communities and active partners in the attainment of national goals thru’ a more responsive and
accountable local government structure instituted thru’ a system of decentralization. Hence, each province, city
and municipality has a LOCAL HEALTH BOARD ( LHB ) which is mandated to propose annual budgetary
allocations for the operation and maintenance of their own health facilities.
Composition of LHB
Provincial Level
1.Governor- chair
2. Provincial Health Officer – vice chair
3. Chair , Committee on Health of Sangguniang Panlalawigan
4. DOH rep.
5. NGO rep.

Composition of LHB
City and Municipal Level
1. Mayor – chair
2. MHO – vice chair
3. Chair, Committee on Health of Sangguniang Bayan
4. DOH rep
5. NGO rep

Standards in CHN
I. Theory
Applies theoretical concepts as basis for decisions in practice
II. Data Collection
Gathers comprehensive , accurate data systematically
III. Diagnosis
Analyzes collected data to determine the needs/ health problems of IFC
IV. Planning
At each level of prevention, develops plans that specify nursing actions unique to needs of clients
V. Intervention
Guided by the plan, intervenes to promote, maintain or restore health, prevent illness and institute
rehabilitation
VI. Evaluation
Evaluates responses of clients to interventions to note progress toward goal achievement, revise data
base, diagnoses and plan
VII. Quality Assurance and Professional Development
Participates in peer review and other means of evaluation to assure quality of nursing practice
Assumes professional development
Contributes to development of others
VIII. Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Collaborates with other members of the health team, professionals and community representatives in
assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating programs for community health
IX. Research
Indulges in research to contribute to theory and practice in community health nursing