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Same permits apply to: lechon.
A BBQ stand, ihaw-ihaw stall or lechon business answers to your city or municipal health office, not the FDA. FDA licensing does not cover street food, restaurants or caterers. You need a sanitary permit, renewed every year, and a health certificate for every worker, renewed at least yearly. Your meat must come from sources under sanitary or veterinary supervision.[1,2,3]
Meat you can trace
PD 856 Sec. 16 says all food must come from sources approved by the local health authority, and meat and meat products from sources under sanitary or veterinary supervision.[2]
Buy pork, chicken and isaw from a meat dealer or market stall you can name, and keep receipts. For lechon, ask your supplier where the pigs were slaughtered. If you plan to raise and slaughter your own, our piggery kit covers the extra licences.
Health papers for you and your helpers
A sanitary permit from the city or municipal health office is required to run any food establishment open to the public. Health certificates are renewed at least once a year, or more often if a local ordinance says so.[1]
Every employee of a food establishment needs a health certificate from the local health authority.[2]
See our sanitary permit and health certificate guides for the steps.
Smoke, sidewalks and your neighbours
Grill smoke can draw complaints from neighbours. Before you set up, ask the barangay where you may grill, if you may use the sidewalk and what hours are allowed. Keep a fire extinguisher or a bucket of sand beside the grill. If you plan to sell from a cart, our food cart kit has more on stall setups.
BBQ stall prep list
- Ask the barangay where and when you may grill
- Choose a meat supplier and keep their receipts
- Get health certificates for everyone who handles food
- Apply for the sanitary permit at the health office
- Keep a fire extinguisher or sand bucket beside the grill
- Set a reminder to renew health certificates every year
Questions people ask
- Does a BBQ stand need an FDA licence?
- No. FDA licensing does not cover canteens, restaurants, caterers or street food. These are under the local government.
- How often do I renew my health certificate?
- At least once a year, or more often if your city's ordinance says so.
- Is a lechon business covered by the same rules?
- Yes, for selling. A lechon stall needs the same sanitary permit, health certificates and supervised meat source. Slaughtering pigs yourself brings in other rules, covered in our piggery kit.
Sources
Checked 13 November 2026. We link the agency's own page for every requirement. Rules change; confirm with the office before you pay.
- Implementing Rules and Regulations of Chapter III, Food Establishments, of P.D. No. 856 · Department of Health (text via Supreme Court E-Library) · 29 December 1995
- Presidential Decree No. 856 (Code on Sanitation of the Philippines) · Lawphil (text of PD 856) · 23 December 1975
- Administrative Order No. 2014-0029: Rules and Regulations on the Licensing of Food Establishments and Registration of Processed Food, and Other Food Products · Department of Health / FDA (text via FAO FAOLEX) · 8 September 2014
The extra permits, in one table
| Permit or registration | Agency | When it applies | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanitary permit[1] | City/municipal health office (LGU) | always | set by city/municipal ordinance (IRR Sec. 3(a)3); no national amount |
| Health certificate for every food handler/employee[2] | City/municipal health office (LGU) | always | set by the city or town |
| Annual renewal of employee health certificates[1] | City/municipal health office (LGU) | always | Not published |
| Food must come from sources approved by the local…[2] | City/municipal health office (PD 856 Sec. 16) | always | not applicable |
Rules and exemptions
What an ihaw-ihaw or lechon business does not need
- FDA licensing (AO 2014-0029) does not cover canteens, restaurants, caterers, water refilling stations or street food; these are under LGUs[3]