NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session 
)
23 MAY 17 A10 :24
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 2206
Introduced by Senator Aquilino uKoko” Pimentel III
AN ACT
BANNING THE IMPORTATION OF SOLID WASTE
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article II Section 16 of the Constitution provides 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. 
In the case of Oposa v.s'. Factor an ^ the Supreme Court held that every 
generation has a responsibility to the next to preserve that rhythm and 
harmony for the full enjoyment of a balanced and healthful ecology.
In the 17th Congress, the undersigned authored Proposed Senate 
Resolution (PSR) No. 553 on December 4, 2017 regarding the so- 
called Canadian trash and PSR No. 939 on November 13, 2018 
regarding the so-called Korean trash. These two incidents of trash 
dumping indicate that the Philippines is well in the path of the so- 
called ^global waste trade!
99
While the Canadian trash and the Korean trash have been 
shipped back to Canada and Korea, respectively, these incidents of 
trash dumping can be repeated any time. Therefore, a law to prohibit 
the importation of solid waste is urgently needed to prevent the entry 
of these wastes in our country.
1 Oposa V. Factoran, Jr., G.R. No. 101083, July 30, 1993.


We propose this measure pursuant to our Constitutional duty 
and intergenerational responsibility to proteet and advance the right of 
our people to a balanced and healthful ecology. By banning the 
importation of solid waste, we prevent the country from being a 
dumping site of the same from other countries.
Thus, the urgent passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
AQUILINO uKOKO” PIMENTEL III


«•
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 2206
of liif ihn Till 1
23 MAY 17 A10:24
Introduced by Senator Aquilino wKoko” Pimentel III
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18 
19
AN ACT
BANNING THE IMPORTATION OF SOLID WASTE
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy, - It is hereby declared the 
policy of the State to prohibit the importation of solid waste into 
Philippine territory for whatever reason, prevent and control 
environmental pollution caused by solid waste, safeguard human 
health, maintain ecological safety, and promote the sustainable 
development of Philippine economy and society.
SEC. 2. Ban on Importation of Solid Waste and Its Use, - It shall 
be unlawful to import any solid waste as defined in Republic Act No. 
9003 known as the “Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of2000” 
and its implementing rules and regulations into or within Philippine 
territory, including the Special Economic Zones as defined in Republic 
Act No. 7916 known as the “Special Economic Zone act of 1995,” as 
amended, and use, treat or process the same.
SEC. 3. Penalties. - Any entity or person who shall import any 
solid waste or otherwise use, treat, or process the same in violation of 
this Act shall be punished with imprisonment of twelve (12) years and 
one (1) day to twenty (20) years, at the discretion of the court.


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
If the offender is a foreigner, the offender shall be deported and 
barred from any subsequent entry into the Philippines after service of 
his/her sentence.
In the case of corporations, associations, or other entities, 
the penalty shall be imposed upon the managing partner, president, or 
chief executive officer, in addition to the payment of exemplary 
damages of at least Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (PhP 500,000.00). 
If it is a foreign entity, the director and all its responsible officers shall 
be barred from subsequent entry into the Philippines, in addition to the 
cancellation of its license to do business in the Philippines.
If the offender is a government official or employee, the penalties 
of automatic dismissal from office and permanent disqualification from 
holding any elective or appointive position in the government shall be 
imposed, in addition to the penalties provided herein.
SEC. 4. Other Obligations. - The person responsible for or 
connected with the unlawful importation of solid waste shall have the 
obligation to transport or send back to the port of origin such prohibited 
wastes. If the importer cannot be ascertained, the carrier shall be 
responsible for transporting such solid waste back to the port of origin 
and pay exemplary damages of at least Five Hundred Thousand 
Pesos (PhP500,00.00).
If the importation caused environmental pollution, the 
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) shall 
order the importer to eliminate the pollution.
SEC. 5. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the 
provisions of this Act shall be included in the annual General 
Appropriations Act.
SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty 
(60) days from the effectivity of this Act, DENR and the Department


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
of Trade and Industry (DTI) shall formulate and promulgate the 
neeessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.
SEC. 7. Separability Clause. - Should any provision or part of this 
Act be declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions and 
parts hereof, insofar as they are separable from the invalid ones, shall 
remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, issuances, 
rules and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this 
Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) 
newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,