Manila Health Dept: All licensed professionals must get health cert, no exception

The Manila Health Department has clarified that all employees in the city, including teachers, must obtain an annual health certificate.

The policy requires all licensed professionals, including teachers, to secure a health certificate, separate from their tax receipt. Art by Janssen Judd Romero/ The Flame.

The clarification comes in response to confusion stemming from a previous memorandum issued by the University of Santo Tomas (UST). The order suggests that a professional tax receipt can replace or be considered equivalent to a health certificate.

“It has come to our attention that there may be some confusion regarding the roles and purposes of these two documents,” Manila Health Department Chief Dr. Arnold “Poks” Pangan said. He was quoted in an August 22 letter to UST labor unions, as reported by student publication The Flame. 

Pangan clarified that the PTR and health certificate are distinct documents with different purposes. 

The PTR is a tax document from the local government. Meanwhile the health certificate confirms an individual has passed medical exams and immunizations.

The Manila Health Department’s decision seeks to enforce health ordinances while easing financial strain on professionals.

After a meeting with UST officials in June, the city agreed to deduct the P625 employees had paid for the PTR from the health certificate cost.

“This decision is intended to provide financial relief to professionals who are required to obtain both a PTR and a Health Certificate as part of their compliance with local regulations,” Pangan said.

The Manila Health Department also emphasized that it is not responsible for setting deadlines for compliance. 

UST had established a July 31 deadline for employees to submit their health certificates. Non-tenured faculty members who failed to comply were not allowed to teach this term.

“While we understand the importance of this requirement, MHD is not responsible for setting this deadline,” Pangan said.