FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
. S.lW. 389 
f~l " 
'J 
Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article II, Section 16 ofthe Constitution declares that the State shall protect and advance 
the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and 
harmony of nature. However, common practices in quarrying run counter to this policy 
of the State. In many cases, the environmental damage brought about by quarrying 
negates whatever economic gains it aims to pursue. 
Long term and excessive quarrying cause an artificial disruption in riverbeds that is 
more destructive than monsoons and rainy seasons. The removal of bed material 
specially when done in huge quantities materially alters the river slope that triggers 
upstream erosion. Erosion in this case progressively moves upstream as the river adjusts 
its bed slope, causing destruction along the way. This erosion continually brings 
sediments downstream, removing materials both from the banks and riverbeds. This 
process can cause destruction to man-made structures like bridges and farmlands along 
the 
river banks, trigger landslides, and other undesirable occurrences. Moreover, it brings 
excessive siltation and turbidity to the sea that is harmful to marine life. 1 
The practice of quarrying is indispensable to the mineral extractive industry. However, 
economic undertakings must be exercised within the framework of ecologically 
sustainable development. In this light, this measure mandates licensed quarrying 
contractors to practice safety measures in quarrying sites by requiring the restoration or 
remaking of banks of water to the same condition as they were before quarrying. 
Furthermore, it prescribes stem penalties for violations thereof in order to deter 
contractors from undermining the adverse ramifications of their activities vis-a-vis the 
environment. 
In view ofthe foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly sought. 
~~O "SIN;} F. TRlL~ANES IV 
Senator 
!lnformation retrieved from: http://www.gcocities.com/sogodbay/SLetterl.html. Retrieved on 9 February 2009. 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.NO. 389 
. 0 
' II ""(: , 
.. jf,; 
Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
AN ACT 
MANDAtING LICENSED QUARRYING CONTRACTORS TO PRACTICE 
SAFETY MEASURES IN QUARRYING SITES BY REQUIRING FOR THE 
RESTORATION OR REMAKING OF BANKS OF WATER TO THE SAME 
CONDITION AS THEY WERE BEFORE QUARRYING, PRESCRIBING 
PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled. 
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SECTION 1. Declaration Policy. - It shall be the policy of the State to 
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responsibly promote the exploration, development, utilization, and conservation of all its 
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mineral resources. The State also recognizes the need to protect and advance the right of 
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the people to a balanced ecology and a wholesome and healthy environment. 
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SEC. 2. Interference with bank of any river, stream or watercourse. - Any 
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licensed contractor who in the course of sand and granite quarrying operation 
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interferes in any way with the bank of any river, stream or watercourse may be required 
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by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (hereinafter referred to as 
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DENR), by notice in writing, to restore the bank to the same condition as it was in before 
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the interference or to remake it in such manner and within such time as may be specified 
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in the notice. 
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SEC. 3. Penalties. - Any licensed contractor who willfully violates the 
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provision, of this Act shall be held liable upon conviction to a fine not less than 
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One Million Pesos (Php 1,000,000.00), and in the case of continuing offense, to 
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a fine not less than Fifty Thousand Pesos (PhP 50,000.00) for every day or part 
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thereof during which the offense continues after conviction. 
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The DENR may, at any time after the expiration of the time specified in such 
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notice and without instituting any proceedings against the licensed contractor, cause the 
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works specified in the notice to be executed and the expenses thereby incurred shall be 
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paid by the licensee in default and may be recovered by the DENR as determined by the 
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Court. 
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SEC. 4. Implemelltillg Rules alld Regulatiolls. - The DENR together with the 
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Department of Interior and Local Government, as well as the various Local Government 
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Units (LGUs) shall promulgate the rules and regulations necessary for the effective 
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enforcement of the provisions of this Act. 
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SEC. 5. Separability Clause. -- Should any provision of this Act or any 
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part thereof be declared invalid, the other provisions, so far as they are separable 
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from the invalid ones, shall remain in full force and effect. 
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SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, orders, issuances, rules, and 
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regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or 
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modi fied accordingly. 
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SEC. 7. Effectivi(V. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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complete publication in the "Official Gazette" or in at least two (2) newspapers of 
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general circulation. 
Approved, 
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