Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS:
Second Regular Session

House Bil No. 5138

Introduced by: Honorable Ryan 1

EXPLANATORY NOTE

this bill seeks to discourage the use of Plastic Bags in all major grocery stores
and supermarkets by disallowing the distribution of plastic bags and instead imposi
certain fee for every plastic bag requested by the consumer and prescribing penalties tor
Violation thereof

Plastics are manufactured through a chemical called Polystyrene which is aot
biodegradable and is not easily recycled because of its light weight. Furthermore. it is
produced using blowing agents which contributes to ozone depletion and on global
warming

Plastics, according to environmental organizations, are now a_ principal
component of marine debris. Worse, plastics are extremely harmful to wild animals if it
ingested by them. Another harmful property of plastic materials is its inability to hold
hort food in excess of 70 degrees Celsius

The Asian Development Bank recently wamed that the Philippines is especially
sulnerable to global warming. In fact. there already is a scrious threat to Southeast
Asia's families, food supply and financial prosperity. ADB further advised that
Southeast Asian nations should act immediately on climate change before their
cconomies and people sutfer



Considering the detrimental elects of polystyrene to mankind, it is imperative
that the government enact proper measures 10 discourage its use in all major grocery
stores and supermarkets in order to cut down significantly the consumption of plastic
bags Tt should be replaced with recyclable, environmentally accepted materials for
packaging goods and commodities

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought

RYAI IGSON


of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Secoud Regular Session

House Bill No, 138

introduced by: Honorable Ryan Luis V. Singson

AN ACT
VING THE USE OF PLASTIC BAGS IN ALL MAJOR GROCERY
AND SUPERMARKETS BY DISALLOWING THE DISTRIBUTION OF
FREE OF CHARGE PLASTIC BAGS AND PRESCRIBING PENALTIES FOR
VIOLATIONS THEREOF

Be 1 enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

Section I, Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “Reduction of Plaste Bags
et of 011".

Sec 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthtul ecology in accord
with the rhythm and harmony of nature, For this purpose, consumers and retailers in atl
commercial establishments are encouraged to use reusable or recyclable grocery bags and
to stop using plastic bags to carry the retail goods which commonly block and clog
sewerage that cause floods which endanger lives and property, and destroy the
ecosystem

Sec. 3. Definition of Terms, As used in this Act,

a. Plastic Bags shall refer to polymer carry bags provided or used in ull major grocery
stores and supermarkets to carry and transport retail goods,
b Commercial Establishments shail reter to tho establishments engaged in sale of
soods or services that shall include but not limited to markets, shopping mall
outlets, supermarkets, department stores, restaurants, cafes, bars, sari-sari stores and
the like;
Reusable environment-frienly begs shall refer to cither a bag made of cloth or
other washable fabric that has handles: or durable plastic bag with handles that is



specifically designed and manufactured for multiple reuse,

SRC.4 Use of Reusable Bags. all owners of major grocery stores and
supermarkets are encourage to use and utilize environment-friendly shopping bags which
shall be provided Irce of charge to the consumers and patrons; Provided, however, That
in case any consumer who wants lo use the usual plastic bags the consumer shall be
charged Five Pesos (P5.00) per bag regardless of the size in which a portion of the
amount shall be given to the said establishment, and to the respective government units
adopting this practice, most of which will go to the Environment Management Bureau to
be used for its environment protection pro

Three years alter the eflectivity of this Act. the use of reusable and environment-
iriendly shopping bags is hereby mandated in all major grocery stores and supermarkets
and likewise, a requirement for registration, licensing, or renewal of license to operme a
business and commercial endeavors,

SEC. 5, Phase -out Porlod, ~ Three (3) years after the effectivity of this Act. all
major grocery stores and supermarkets shall completely phase-out the use of plastic bags,
and shall usc only reusable onvironment-triendly bags.

Sec. 6, Penalty, The owner or operator of the commercial establishment who
violates the provisions of this Act shall pay a fine of One Hundred Thousand Pesos
(P100. 600,00) tor the first offense, Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (P200, 600,00) for the
second offense and Three Hundred Thousand pesos (P 300,000.00) and closure of the
establishment for the third offense.

See. 7. Implementation, The Department of ‘Lrade and Industry in coordination
with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources shall issue the necessary
rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

Sec.8, Separability Clause. If, for any reason, any provision of this Act or part
thereof is declared unconstitutional or invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the
other provisions or parts thereof not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

See.9. Repeating Clause. All laws, decrees. orders, cules and regulations or parts
thereof inconsistent with the provision of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or
moditied accordingly

Sec. 10, Effectivity. This Act shall tke effect after fifteen (15) days following its
publication in the official Gazette or in wo (2) national newspapers of general
circulation

Approved,