TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
■ . 
i1
25 JIJL 21 A10:27
SENATE
s. No. 721
Rr.c
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS N. PANGILINAN
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A BAN ON THE IMPORTATION OF SOLID WASTE, 
PROVIDING PENALTIES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The world faces an escalating waste crisis, with global waste generation 
projected to increase by 70% by 2050, from 2 billion to 3.4 billion tonnes annually.1 
This surge threatens our oceans, with warnings that plastics could outlive fish by 
2050.2
For over two decades, developed nations have exported vast amounts of plastic 
waste, primarily to Asia-Pacific. Following China's 2018 ban on plastic waste imports, 
this influx was largely redirected to Southeast Asian countries, including the 
Philippines.3
1 Worid Bank, “Global Waste to Grow by 70 Percent by 2050 Unless Urgent Action Is Taken: World Bank Report," Published on 
September 20, 2018. Available at httDs.7/www.worldbank.orQ/en/news/Dress-release/2018/09/20/Qlobal-waste-to-arow-by- 
70-Dercent-bv-2050-unless-urQent-acbon-is-taken-world-bank-
report#:~:text=WASHINGTON%2C%20SeDtember%2020%2C%202018%E2%80%94.waste%2C%20accordinQ%20to%20the
%20reDort. Accessed on July 6, 2025.
2Center for Biological Diversity, "A Global Tragedy for our Oceans and Sea Life," Available at 
httDs://www.bioloqicaldiversitv.orQ/camDaiQns/ocean plastics/#:~:text=A%20Global%20TraQedv%20for%200ur.Qet%20cauQ
ht%20in%20plastic%20litter.&text=It's%20bme%20to%20aet%20at.chance%20to%20reach%20the%20ocean. Accessed on 
July 6, 2025.
3 UNODC, '"Legal Frameworks to Address Waste Trafficking in the ASEAN Region - Review and Gap Analysis". Available at 
httDs://www.unodc.ora/documents/bmb/environmental-
crime/Unwaste ASEAN Leoal Frameworks.pdf#:~:text=Much%20of%20the%20inflow%20to%20the%20reaion.became%20e
ffecbve%20at%20the%20start%20of%202018.&text=ll%20For%20manv%20developinQ%20countries%20without%20the.m
illion%20to%2012%20million%20tonnes%20per%20vear. Accessed on July 6, 2025.


The Philippines has consistently been a recipient of hazardous and mislabeled 
waste from countries like Canada, South Korea, Australia, Japan, and Hong Kong, 
often violating Republic Act No. 6969 (Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear 
Waste and Control Act of 1990). In one notable case, hundreds of tons of waste 
illegally shipped from Canada between 2013-2014 were only fully repatriated in 2019 
after years of diplomatic pressure.4 More recently, there continue to be reports of 
recycled plastic imports that are often misdeclared or contain contaminants, posing 
ongoing challenges for local waste management and the environment.5
Despite these recurrent incidents, the Philippines has not yet ratified the Basel 
Ban Amendment, which prohibits the import of all hazardous waste, including 
"recycling." Without this ratification and a robust domestic ban, the country risks being 
a primary destination for the world's unwanted waste, jeopardizing public health and 
the environment.
In view of the foregoing, the urgent passage of this measure is earnestly sought 
to ban solid waste importation to protect the Philippine from becoming a global 
dumping ground.
FRANCISTT PANGILINAN
S^tor
4 
Ecowaste Coalition, IPEN, "Timeline of Canada's trash dumping in the Philippines". Available at 
httDS://ipen.orq/sites/default/files/documents/timeline of Canada waste dumoino in Dhilippines 30 may 2019.pdf. Accessed
on July 6, 2025.
5 Greenpeace Philippines, "Groups say goodbye to Canada waste, urge PH government to ban all waste imports immediately," 
Published on May 30, 2019. Available at
https://www.qreenpeace.orq/philiDDines/press/2711/qrouPS-sav-qoodbve-to-canada-waste-urae-Dh-aovemment-to-ban-all-
waste-imports-
immediatelv/#:~:text=From%202013%20to%202014%2C%20103%20shiPPinq%20containers.waste%2C%20electronic%20w
astes%2Co/o20and%20used%20adult%20diapers.&text=As%20the%2069%20shiPDinq%20containers%20set%20sail.the%20
PhiliPDines%20is%20not%20the%20world's%20dumpsite. Accessed on July 6, 2025.


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EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
V.' .’I.JlT OL c;
25 JUL21 A10:27
SENATE
S. No. 721
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS N. PANGILINAN
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A BAN ON THE IMPORTATION OF SOLID WASTE, 
PROVIDING PENALTIES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the ''Solid Waste Importation 
Ban Act of2025."
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
prohibit the entry of imported solid waste into Philippine territorial limits for whatever 
purpose to 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. 3. 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 and its implementing rules 
and regulations, into or within Philippine territory, or otherwise use, treat, or process 
the same. For purposes of this Act, Special Economic Zones, as defined in Republic 
Act No. 7916, as amended, are considered part of the Philippine territory.
Sec. 4. 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.
If the offender is a foreigner, the foreign offender shall be deported and barred 
from any subsequent entry into the Philippines after service of sentence.
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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 an exemplary damage 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 entry to the Philippines, in addition to the cancellation of its license to 
do business in the Philippines.
In case 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 shall be imposed, in addition to the penalties provided 
herein.
Sec. 5. Other Penalties. - The person or firm 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 carries shall be responsible for transporting such solid waste back to 
the port of origin or pay the exemplary damage of at least Five hundred thousand 
pesos (Php 500,000.00), or both.
If the importation caused environmental pollution, the competent environmental 
protection agency shall order the importer to eliminate the pollution.
Sec. 6. Forfeiture of Proceeds and Equipment - The penalty imposed for the 
unlawful importation of solid waste and its use shall carry with it the confiscation and 
forfeiture in favor of the Government of the proceeds of the unlawful act including any 
instrument, equipment, tool, or other improvements used in or with which the offense 
was committed.
Sec. 7. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of 
this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the 
approval of this Act, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 
and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTT) shall formulate the necessary rules 
and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.
Sec. 9. Separability Clause. - If any part or section of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, such declaration shall not affect in any manner the other parts or 
sections hereof.
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Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, proclamations, issuances, or
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ordinances that are contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
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hereby amended, repealed, or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 11. Effectivity.- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,