FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPlNES ) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
G 
SENATE 
S. NO. 3112 
Introduced by Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV 
Article 11, Seceim 16 oftk Cornstitation &lares that the State shall ptect 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 ths policy of 
the State. In many cases, the environmental damage brought about by quarrying negates 
h’ihC%teWY ‘XOnQrni6 @iBS it &BS tQ PWSUe. 
Long term and excessive quarrying cause an artificial disruption in river beds that is far 
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 erosian. Erosion in this cast pgessi-+ely 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, farmlands along the 
river banks, +zigger I ~ & l i d ~ ,  
and other &sirable 
wc~ppmxes. Moreuver, it brings 
excessive siltation and turbidity to the sea that is harmful to marine life.’ 
The practice of quarrying is indispensable to the mineral extractive industry. However, 
economic undetahings mwt be exacked within the h m o r r k  of ecdoggimlly 
sustainable development. In this light, this measure mandates 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. 
Furthennore, it prescribes stern permelties for vkdatkms thereof in order to deter 
contractors from undermining the adverse ramifications of their activities vis-a-vis the 
environment. 
AN~TWIO 
$~SONNY” F.’TRILL~NES IV 
Senator 
’ Information retrieved from: httu://www.wxities.com/sogodbav/SLetterl .html. Retrieved on 9 Februaty 
2009. 
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'I , 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OP THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
E-, 
2 7  
!If!!? -3 
!:,,., :iI[J 
Second Regular Session 
) 
/ 
SENATE . 
Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
AN ACT 
MANDATING LICENSED QUARRWG CONTRACFORS 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 the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled. 
SECTION 1. Declaration Policy. - It shall be the policy of the State to 
responsibly promote the exploration, development, utilization, and conservation of all its 
mineral resources. The State also recognizes the need to protect and advance the right of 
the people to a balanced ecology and a wholesome and healthy environment. 
SEC. 2. Interference with bank of any river, stream or watercourse. - 
Any licensed contractor who in the course of sand and granite quarrying operations 
interferes in any way with the bank of any river, stream or watercourse may be required 
by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (hereinafter referred to as 
DENR), by notice in writing, to restore the bank to the same condition as it was in before 
the interference or to remake it in such manner and within such tiine as may be specified 
in the notice. 
SEC. 3. Penalties. - Any licensed contractor who willfully violates the provisions 
of this Act shall be held liable upon conviction to a fine not less than One Million Pesos 


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(PhP l,OOO,OOO.OO), and in the case of continuing offense, to a fine not less than Fifty 
Thousand Pesos (PW 50,000.00) for every day or part thereof during which the offense 
continues after conviction. 
The DENR may, at any time after the expiration of the time specified in such 
notice and without instituting any proceedings against the licensed contractor, cause the 
works specified in the notice to be executed and the expenses thereby incurred shall be 
paid by the licensee in default and may he recovered by the DENR as determined by the 
court. 
SEC. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DENR together with the 
Department of Interior and Local Government, as well as the various Local Government 
Units (LGUs) shall promulgate the rules and regulations necessary for the effective 
enforcement of the provisions of this Act. 
SEC. 5. Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act or any part 
thereof be declared invalid, the other provisions, so far as they are separable from the 
invalid ones, shall remain in full force and effect. 
SEC. 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, orders, issuances, rules, and regulations or 
parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 6. Eflectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
complete publication in the “Oficiul Gazette” or in at least two (2) newspapers of 
general circulation. 
Approved, 
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