FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
1 
8 gFc -4 i’2 :06 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
) 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Phosphorus, along with nitrogen, is a nutrient that, when added to freshwater 
lakes or rivers, stimulate excessive growth of algae and vegetation. This is a process, 
called “eutrophication”, which severely damages water quality and ruin aquatic 
ecosystems. 
In most freshwater lakes and rivers, phosphorus is the “limiting nutrient:” More 
phosphorus means more algae growth. Excess loading of phosphorus into streams, lakes 
or rivers can cause drastic changes in water quality, including reduction in dissolved 
oxygen supplies, major changes in algae species and associated macro-invertebrate 
communities, algae blooms and associated foam and odors. 
Phosphorus in dishwashing detergents is currently a significant source of water 
It fosters unhealthy growth of algae and can seriously reduce dissolved 
Dissolved oxygen is an important component of most healthy aquatic 
pollution. 
oxygen. 
ecosystems. 
Eliminating phosphorous in dishwasher detergents is a step to preserve the natural 
ecosystems o€ our lakes and rivers. This bill regulates the sale and manufacture of 
cleaning agents that contain phosphorous as a measure to preserve the bionetwork of our 
rivers and lakes. 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
9 
DET: -9 P2 :06 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
Second Regular Session 
1 
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54 
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SEN 
S. B. NO. 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
REGULATING THE DISTRIBUTION FOR SALE OR USE OF CLEANING AGENTS 
WHICH CONTAIN PHOSPORUS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act may be known as the "Envi-Protection 
Cleaning Agents Act". 
SBCI'ION 2. Dejhition. - For the purposes of this Act, "Cleaning Agent" means a 
laundry detergcnt, disliwashing compound, household dishwashing delcrgent, household 
cleaner, metal cleaner, industrial cleaner, phosphate compound or other substance that is 
intended to be used for cleaning purposes. 
SECTION 3. Prohibition. - A person shall not sell, offer for sale, or distribute for 
sale or use a cleaning agent that contains phosphorus in any form in excess of 8.7% by 
weight expressed as elemental phosphorus. 
It shall also be unlawful for a person to sell, offer for sale, or distribute for sale or 
use either of the following cleaning agents if they contain phosphorus in any form in 
excess of 0.5% by weight expressed as elemental phosphorus: 
(a) a cleaning agent intended for use in household Dishwashers; 
(b) a cleaning agent that is intended for use with detergent in household clothes 
washing machines. 
SECTION 4. Penalties. - (a) Any person who shall violate any provision of 
Section 3 of this Act shall upon conviction, be subject to a fine of not less than One 
thousand pesos (P10,OOO.OO) but not more than fifty thousand pesos (P50,OOO.OO) or 
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imprisonment of not less than two (2) months but not more than one (1) year, or both 
upon the discretion of the court. 
If the offender is an alien, he shall be deported after service of sentence and 
payment of fine without further deportation proceedings. 
(b) In case the offender is a naturalized citizen, he shall, in addition to the penalty 
prescribed herein, suffer the penalty of cancellation of his naturalization certificate and its 
registration in the civil register and immediate deportation after service of sentence and 
payment of fine. 
(c) Any director, officer or agent of a corporation who shall authorize, order or 
perform any of the acts or practices constituting in whole or in part a violation of Section 
3, shall be subject to penalties to which that corporation may be subject. 
(d) In case the violation is committed by, or in the interest of a foreign juridical 
person duly licensed to engage in business in the Philippines, such license to engage in 
business in the Philippines shall immediately be revoked. 
SECTION 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part thereof, is held 
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise 
affected shall remain valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, 
or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
accordingly. 
SECTION 7. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved. 
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