REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2676

House Bill No.

Introduced by Kabataan Party-List Rep. Raymond V. Palatino

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article 11, Section 16 of the Constitution recognizes the right of the people to a balanced
and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. In compliance with
this provision, the State is thereby mandated to exert all efforts to enact legislation that
addresses situations and practices that adversely affect the environment and the health
and safety of the public.

Among the most pressing environmental concerns today is the wholesale and indiscriminate
use of Styrofoam, plastic and other non-biodegradable materials. Major producers of food
products package consumer products in “disposable” form as it helps them maximize profit
and sales. The result is that they create and continuously tap a consumer market that
equates convenience with simply throwing away the refuse of the commodities they
consume.

Yet, leading researches have shown that these materials are hazardous to the environment.
Styrofoam, if not properly disposed, continually releases chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs into
the atmosphere. CFCs are the same elements found in aerosol propellants and Freon
refrigerants that have been contributing to the thinning of the ozone layer in the earth’s
atmosphere. Furthermore, Styrofoam is non-biodegradable and resists compacting, thereby
taking up extra landfill space for long periods of time. The damage exacted by the
continued use of Styrofoam is manifest in the perennial problem of waste management in
the Philippines. Despite the development of recycling methods for Styrofoam, these
mechanisms are not readily and widely available especially in our country.

This bill discourages the use of Styrofoam in all educational institutions in accordance with
Republic Act 9512, which mandates the Department of Education and the Commission on
Higher Education to promote environmental awareness through environmental education,
Students should not only learn, but practice environmental protection. Moreover, this bill
encourages the search for truly safer alternatives.

In light of the foregoing, the urgent passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

Hon. jond V. Palatino
Representati taan Party-List


REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES,
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 2h

Introduced by KABATAAN Party-list Rep. Raymond V. Palatino

AN ACT
PROHIBITING THE USE OF POLYCARBON PLASTICS, STYROFOAM AND
OTHER SYNTHETIC MATERIALS HARMFUL TO THE ENVIRONMENT IN ALL
FOOD SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS IN ALL EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
Assembled:

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. ~ Consistent with the policy of the State to protect and
advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the
thythm and harmony of nature under the Constitution, the State shall promote national
awareness among the students on the importance of environmental conservation and
ecological balance.

It is hereby declared the policy of the State to minimize the use of ecologically harmful
synthetic materials, components, ingredients or packaging of consumer products. The State
recognizes that it is in the best interest of the health and safety of the people that laws and
regulations prohibit the use of Styrofoam and plastic food service products to reduce the
cost of solid waste disposal and to protect the environment.

It is also the policy of the State to encourage the use of alternative materials to Styrofoam
and plastic food service containers for packaging consumer products. These alternative
materials shall be biodegradable and shall pose no danger to the environment both during
their use and upon their disposal.

SECTION 2. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following are hereby defined
as follows:

(a) Polycarbon Plastics and Plastics shall mean any plastic product or other synthetic

material made from petroleum-based ingredients including, but not limited to


polyethylene, polythene, vinyl, polyvinyl, phenolic vinyl, urethane, polyurethane,
Styrofoam and similar materials and their extracts.

(b) Food Service Establishments shall refer to full-service restaurants, fast food
restaurants, canteens, cafes, coffee shops, carinderias, or other businesses selling or
providing food within campus premises for consumption on or off the premises,
owned either publicly or privately.

SECTION 3. Unlawful use of Polycarbon Plastics, Styrofoam and Other Synthetic Materials
= It shall be unlawful for all food service establishments inside school premises to utilize
polycarbon plastics, Styrofoam and other synthetic materials harmful to the environment as
container or packaging for any food product for consumption on or off premises.

SECTION 4. Coverage. - This Act shall cover both private and public learning institutions—
preparatory, primary, secondary and tertiary levels.

SECTION 8. Penalty. - Owners of food service establishments caught violating this Act shall
be sent a warning for first offense. For the succeeding offenses, they shall be imposed a
penalty equivalent to ten (10) percent of their monthly profits,

SECTION 6. Alternatives. - In lieu of polycarbon plastics, Styrofoam and other synthetic
materials, food service establishments shall use paper products as container or packaging
for any food product.

To assist in the implementation of the Styrofoam and plastic ban in schools, local health
and environment units shall develop a report on the availability, cost and performance of
recyclable and biodegradable alternatives to Styrofoam food service products.

SECTION 7. Implementing Guidelines. ~ The Department of Education, for primary and
secondary schools, and the Commission on Higher Education, for tertiary schools, shall
promulgate the implementing guidelines necessary to enforce the objectives of this Act
within sixty (60) days after the effectivitiy of this Act. Both agencies shall coordinate with
the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Health, and
Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

SECTION 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall
remain valid and subsisting.


SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order,
letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent
with, the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.

SECTION 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,