NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 353
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*22 JUL 12 All *10
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Introduced by Senator Cynthia A. Villar
AN ACT CRIMINALIZING THE MOVEMENT OF LIVE ANIMALS OR PLANTS 
THAT ARE INFECTED OR INFESTED WITH CONTAGIOUS DISEASE OR PEST, 
PRESCRIBING PENALTIES THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Philippines has suffered from the African Swine Flu (ASF) which affected 
3,657 barangays in 678 cities and municipalities, in 51 provinces, recorded since 
2019 according to the Department of Agriculture. Production declined by seventeen 
(17%) percent. It Is projected that pork shortage would continue and recovery is to 
be expected not earlier than 2023. The country would have been able to contain the 
disease had the movement of pigs and its carcass been contained.
On th^e other hand, infestation of pests like cocoHsap to Philippine coconuts 
spread to other provinces also because of the movement of infested coconuts.
This bill recognizes that it is the responsibility of each and every stakeholder 
in the agricultural community to monitor the health of its animals and plants, and if 
found to be infected with disease, halt its movement into a city, municipality or 
province in order to prevent contagion as there are other diseases and pests apart 
from ASF and the cocoHsap can cause severe damage to agriculture.


The responsibility is likewise expected of owners or possessors of animals or 
plants which may not be used as source of food. Animals cared for as pets, for draft 
power or other uses should also be cared for. And in the bigger scheme of things, 
with the mutation of viruses that can cross between genus and species, it is but 
proper that we take extra precaution. Entry of an infected animal or infested plants 
into a city, municipality or province have been known to spread such infection or 
infestation.
Most importantly, one of the biggest issues in agriculture today is food 
security. We cannot afford the spread of illness to our animals and plants and hence, 
must criminalize illegal movement of infected animals and plants.
In view of the foregoing, the approval and passage of this bill is earnestly
sought.
CYNTHIA A. VILLAR


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
s. No. 353
o( Up'
•22 JUL 12 All no
RKElViU’ i.
Introduced by Senator Cynthia A. Villar
AN ACT CRIMINALIZING THE MOVEMENT OF LIVE ANIMALS OR PLANTS 
THAT ARE INFECTED OR INFESTED WITH CONTAGIOUS DISEASE OR PESTf 
PRESCRIBING PENALTIES THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Phiiippines 
in Congress assembied:
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Section 1. Short Tide. - This Act shall be known as the "Anti-Illegal
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Movement of Animals or Plants"
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Sec. 2. Deciaration of Policies. - It is the policy of the state to protect the
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safety of our people by ensuring that our major sources of food, animals and plants,
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are free from diseases and pests.
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Towards this end, the state shall ensure that animals and plants that are
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infected or infested with contagious disease or pest are contained and cannot be
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transported to another city, municipality or province.
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Sec. 3. Illegal Movement of Infected and Infested Live Animals and Plants.
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The act of moving from one city, municipality or province to another, any live animal
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that may either be classified as mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, or in
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accordance with their use either as livestock, poultry, dairy, draft, among others,
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and plants in whatever form or use, that are infected or infested with contagious
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disease or pest shall be considered as an offense. The offense is committed through
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any of the following acts;


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(a) Transporting animals or plants that are infected or infested with
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contagious disease or pest;
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(b) Using fake, fictitious or fraudulent documents to effect movement or
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shipment;
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(c) Temporarily harboring or storing infected or infested animals or plants, in
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preparation for movement to another city, municipality, or province;
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(d) Selling, lending, giving, dumping or other modes of disposition of such
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animals or plants; and
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(e) Acting as broker or agent in the sale of such animals or plants.
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Sec. 4. Liability of possessor of animals. - The possessor of animals or
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whoever may make use of the same is responsible for the damage which it may
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cause, although it may escape or be lost.
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Sec. 5. Presumption of knowledge of infection or infestation. -If a person has
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in his possession livestock, poultry or dairy animals, and plants, used for food, which
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are infected or infested with contagious disease or pest, the presumption is that they
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have knowledge of such contagious disease or pest.
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Sec. 6. Penalties. -The following shall be the penalties to be imposed:
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(a) The penalty of imprisonment of not less than four years but not more than
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six years and a fine equal to the amount of damage shall be imposed on
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the owner or possessor of the animals or plants. The same penalty shall
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be Imposed upon the broker or agent In the sale of the animals or plants;
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(b) The penalty of imprisonment of not less than two years but not more than
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four years and a fine equal to the amount of damage shall be Imposed on
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the registered owner and lessee of a warehouse or any property used to
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harbor or store Infected or Infested animals or plants. If the owner is a
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corporation, then the liability falls upon the corporate officers responsible
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for authorizing the acts committed; and
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(c) The penalty of Imprisonment of one year and a fine equal to the amount
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of damage shall be imposed on registered owner and lessee of the vehicle
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used to transport the animals or plants.
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Sec. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of
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Agriculture, in consultation with other relevant agencies shall promulgate the


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implementing rules and regulations of this Act within ninety (90) days upon its
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effectivity.
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Sec. 8. Separability Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive issuances, rules and
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regulations Inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed and/or modified
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accordingly.
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Sec. 9. Effectivity Clause. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication In the Official Gazette ox in a newspaper of general circulation.
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Approved,