EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
)
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE, , * 
S.B. NO.
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’19 JiJL-l P5 59
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Introduced by Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay
AN ACT
REGULATING THE USE OF PLASTIC BAGS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Recent research data from around the globe cites the Philippines as one of the 
top contributors of plastic wastes in the world's oceans. According to Ocean 
Conservancy, a non-profit organization based in the United States of America, 
the Philippines produces an average of 2.7 million metric tons of plastic wastes 
every year. It was also noted that bulk of plastic wastes in the country comes 
from local plastic consumption.
The bill seeks to address the growing threats of plastic pollution to the 
environment and wildlife. Regulating the use of plastic bags, and providing 
alternatives will surely help reduce tons of plastic wastes in the country.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
/ ;
MARIA LOURDES ^N C Y  S. BINAY 
Senator


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE
S.B. NO. 
114
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’19 JJ'- -1 P5 59
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Introduced by Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay
AN ACT
REGULATING THE USE OF PLASTIC BAGS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the Phiiippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. State Policy. -  The State shall advance the right of the people
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to a balanced and healthful ecology, Towards this end, it is necessary to reduce
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the environmental, public health, economic, and societal costs resulting from the
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production, use, and discard of single-use plastic carryout bags thereby
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minimizing land-based sources of pollution, and increasing efforts to protect
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water quality.
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Sec. 2. Definition o f Terms. -  For purposes of this Act, the following
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definitions shall apply:
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(a) "Department" means the Department of Environment and
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Natural Resources,
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(b) "Recycled paper bag" means a paper carryout bag provided by
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a store to a customer at the point of sale that meets all of the
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following requirements:
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(1) Contains a 
minimum of 40 percent postconsumer
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recycled content;


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(2) Accepted for recycling in curbside programs in a majority 
of households that have access to curbside recycling 
programs;
(3) Capable of composting.
(4) Printed on the bag the name of the manufacturer, the 
location where the bag was manufactured, and the 
percentage of postconsumer content.
(c) (1) Until a standard is established and enforceable by the 
Department, "reusable, biodegradable bag" means a bag 
that meets both of the following requirements:
(A) Designed and manufactured for at least 100 
uses.
(B) Made of a washable material that does not 
contain lead or any other heavy metal in a toxic 
amount, as determined by the Department.
(2) By January 1, 2014, the Department shall establish 
standards 
in 
regulations 
that 
define 
"reusable, 
biodegradable bag," using the standards specified in 
paragraph (1), and any additional durability, material 
content, or labeling requirements. Labeling requirements 
shall, at a minimum, require reusable, biodegradable bags 
to be imprinted, in a manner sufficient to be identifiable 
and readable, with both of the following:
(A) The name of the reusable, biodegradable bag 
producer;
(B) The reusable, biodegradable bag seal or logo, as 
determined 
by 
the 
Department, 
showing 
compliance with the minimum standards.


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(d)
"Reusable, Biodegradable bag producer" means either of the
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following:
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(1) A person or entity that manufactures a reusable,
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biodegradable bag;
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(2) A person or entity that initially sells or offers for
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sale or distribution a reusable, biodegradable bag.
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(e)
(1) "Single-use carryout bag" means a bag made of plastic.
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paper, or other material, that is provided by a store to a
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customer at the point of sale and that is not a reusable,
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biodegradable 
bag, 
as 
defined 
in 
subdivision 
(c).
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(2) A single-use carryout bag does not include either of the
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following:
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(A) A bag provided by a pharmacy to a customer
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purchasing prescription medication.
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(B) A nonhandled bag used to protect a purchased item
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from damaging or contaminating other purchased
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items when placed in a recycled paper , bag or
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reusable, biodegradable bag.
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(f)
"Store" means a retail establishment that meets any of the
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following requirements: (1) Supermarkets and grocery stores;
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(2) A retail space over 100 square meters that generates sales
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of retail goods; (3) A convenience food store, food mart, sari-
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sari store or other entity engaged in the retail sale of a limited
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line of goods that generally includes milk, bread, soda, and
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snack foods.
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Sec. 3. Carryout Bag Regulation. -
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(a)
(1) On and after April 1, 2014, a store, as defined in paragraph 1
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or 2 of subdivision (f) of Section 2, shall not provide a single-use
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carryout 
bag 
to 
a 
customer 
at 
the 
point 
of 
sale.
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(2) On and after July 1, 2014, a store, as defined in paragraph 1 
or 2 of subdivision (I) of Section 2, shall only provide reusable, 
biodegradable bags, as defined by subdivision (c) of Section 2, 
that meet the requirements of this chapter and standards 
established by the Department.
(b) A store shall make reusable, biodegradable bags available for 
purchase by a customer. A store, as defined in paragraph 1 or 
2 of subdivision (f) of Section 2, may provide reusable, 
biodegradable bags to customers at no cost.
(c) Notwithstanding the requirements of subdivision a, a store 
shall make available for sale to a consumer at the point of sale 
a recycled paper bag at a reasonable cost.
(d) Beginning July 1, 2014, a store as defined in paragraph 3 of 
subdivision (f) of Section 2 shall comply with the provisions of 
this article.
Sec. 4. Certification. -
(a) On or after January 1,2015, and on or before January 1 every 
two years thereafter, a reusable, biodegradable bag producer 
that sells, distributes, or makes a reusable, biodegradable bag 
available to a store shall submit a certification to the 
Department that each reusable, biodegradable bag meets the 
requirements of subdivision (c) of Section 2 and associated 
standards issued by the Department.
(b) A reusable, biodegradable bag producer shall submit a fee to 
the Department with each certification pursuant to Section 2.
(c) The Department shall provide a system to submit certifications 
online.
(d) The Department shall publish a list on its Internet Web site 
that includes: (1) The name, location, and appropriate contact


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information of a reusable, biodegradable bag producer in 
compliance with this section. (2) The reusable, biodegradable 
bog product or products in compliance with this section.
Sec. 5. Certification Fees. -
(a) The 
fee 
for 
the 
initial 
certification 
by 
a 
reusable, 
biodegradable bag producer, as defined in subdivision (d) of 
Section 2, shall be as determined by the Department. In 
establishing the initial fee, consideration by the Department 
shall include, but not be limited to, if provided by a reusable, 
biodegradable bag producer, the annual sales revenue of a 
participating 
reusable, 
biodegradable 
bag 
producer, 
the 
number of its employees, and the number of reusable, 
biodegradable bag products to be submitted for certification 
by the such participating producer.
(b) The fee for biennial certification thereafter shall be determined 
by the Department which shall include inspection and re­
certification. 
The 
Department 
may 
adjust 
the 
biennial 
certification fee, if the Department determines that additional 
fees are necessary to support implementation of this section. 
Notification of any fee increases shall be provided to certified 
producers and posted on the department's Internet Web site 
60 days in advance of the fee increase.
(c) The fees in this section shall not exceed the amount necessary 
to cover the Department's reasonable costs associated with 
the implementation of this chapter.
Sec. 6. Inspection. -
(a) The Department may inspect and audit any entity subject to 
this chapter.
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(b) On or after July 1, 2014, the Department may test any 
reusable, biodegradable bag manufactured by a reusable, 
biodegradable bag producer and provided to a store for sale 
or distribution for compliance with this chapter and associated 
regulations.
(c) (c) The Department may enter into an agreement with other 
government agencies that conduct inspections to provide 
necessary enforcement of this chapter.
Sec. 7. Violations. -
(a) Any violation of Section 3 shall be subject to an administrative 
penalty of a fine as assessed by the Department in an amount 
not less than five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) for the first 
violation. Subsequent violations may be increased by up to ten 
thousand pesos (P 10,000.00) per violation, but not to exceed 
one hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) per violation.
(b) Any violation of Section 4, or any submission of false or 
misleading information to the Department, shall be subject to 
an 
administrative 
penalty 
of a 
fine 
assessed 
by the 
department of up to fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) per 
violation, not to exceed an annual total of one hundred fifty 
thousand pesos (P150,000.00).
(c) The Department shall publish a list on its Internet Web site of 
any fines or penalties that have been levied against a violator 
of this section for failure to comply with the requirements of 
this chapter.
Sec. 8. Reusable, Biodegradable Bag Account. -
(a) The Department shall deposit all certification fees paid 
pursuant to this article into the Reusable, Biodegradable Bag
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Account, which is hereby created in the Department. The 
moneys deposited 
in the Reusable, 
Biodegradable Bag 
Account shall 
be expended 
by the 
Department, 
upon 
appropriation by the Congress, to assist the Department with 
its costs of implementing this Act.
(b) The Department shall deposit all penalties and fines collected 
pursuant to this article into the Penalty Subaccount, which is 
hereby created in the Reusable, Biodegradable Bag Account, 
and shall be expended by the Department, upon appropriation 
by the Congress, to assist the Department with its costs of 
implementing this Act.
Sec. 9. Rules and Regulations. - The Department shall adopt rules and 
regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this Act within ninety (90) 
days from the effectivity thereof.
Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, executive 
issuances, rules and regulations or part thereof inconsistent or contrary to the 
provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.
Sec. 11. Separability Clause. - In case any provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions hereof which are not affected 
thereby shall continue in full force and effect.
Sec. 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect thirty (30) days after its 
publication in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,