FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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S E N A T E  
Senate Bill No. 58 6 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JlNGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Section 16 Article II of the Constitution provides that, "The State shall 
protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology 
in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature." This constitutional provision is 
not self-executory and the State has the duty to enact laws to effectively respond 
to environmental problems besetting our country. 
The dumping of wastes pollutes our seawaters thereby affecting harmfully 
the marine resources which undoubtedly a rich source of food for survival of the 
Filipino people. 
Thus, in order to protect our marine resources and the interest of public 
health and safety, this bill seeks to penalize the dumping of wastes into sea 
waters. 
In view thereof, the early passage of this proposed measure is highly 
recommended. 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
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S E N A T E  
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Senate Bill No. 5 8 6 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
PROVlDlNG A BAN ON DUMPING OF SEWAGE SLUDGE AND INDUSTRIAL 
WASTE INTO THE SEA 
Be if enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION I. 
Short Tit/e. - This Act shall be known as the “Sea Dumping 
Ban Acf‘. 
SEC 2. Declaration of Poky. - It is hereby declared the policy of the 
State to promote the natural balance of the environment for the protection of 
human health and safety. 
SEC 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the term: 
(1) “alternative system” means any method for the management of 
sewage sludge or industrial waste which does not require a permit 
under this Act: 
(2) “excluded material” means: 
(a) any dredged material discharged by the Philippine Army Corps 
of Engineers or discharged pursuant to a permit issued by the 
Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources; 
(b) any waste from any industrial operation located in the 
Philippines in charge pursuant to a permit signed by the 
Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources; 
(3) “industrial waste” means any solid, semi-solid, or liquid waste dumped 
by a manufacturing or processing plant other than an excluded 
material: 
(4) “interim measure” means any short-term method for the management 
of sewage sludge or industrial wastes which: 
(a) is used before implementation of an alternative system; 


(b) does not require a permit under this Act; 
(5) "sewage sludge" means any solid, semi-solid, or liquid waste 
generated by a wastewater treatment plant, other than an excluded 
material. 
SEC 4. Prohibifed Acts. - No person shall dump into sea waters or 
transport for the purpose of dumping into sea waters, sewage sludge or industrial 
waste, unless such person has obtained a permit issued by the Secretary of 
Environment and Natural Resources which authorizes such transportation and 
dumping. 
SEC 5. 
Penalties. - Any person who dumps into ocean waters or 
transports for the purpose of dumping into ocean waters, sewage sludge, or 
industrial waste shall be liable in the amount of not less than Fifty Thousand 
Pesos (P50,OOO.OO) nor more than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos 
(P500,OOO.OO) or imprisonment of not less than three (3) months but not more 
than six (6) years, or both at the discretion of the court. If the offense is 
committed by a corporation, trust, firm, partnership or association, or other entity, 
the penalty shall be imposed upon the guilty officer or officers of such 
corporation, trust, firm, partnership or association or other entity. 
SEC 6. Enforcement Monitoring Report. - Not later than six (6) months 
after the date of the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the Department of 
Environment and Natural Resources, in consultation with the Secretary of the 
Department of Transportation and Communication, shall submit a report to the 
Congress. The report required under this section shall contain an accounting of 
discharges into the waters of the territorial sea, the economic zone, and the 
ocean, and shall include: 
(a) total number of discharges; 
(b) the location, source volume; and potential environmental effects of 
each discharge; 
(c) the date of original issuance, review and reissuance of each 
(d) the number of discharges that have been determined by the Secretary 
(e) schedule for implementing this Act and achieving compliance with 
guidelines promulgated under this Act as expeditiously as practicable, 
and an estimate of the resources required to meet such schedule; and 
(9 recommendations for any additional legislative authorities needed to 
achieve compliance with such guidelines. 
discharge; 
of Environment and Natural Resources; 
SEC 7. Separability 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. 


SEC 8. 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 
SEC 9. Effecfivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,