FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
0 w v  10 ' 8 
Second Regular Session 
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SENATE 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
According to Article 11, Section 16 of the 1987Constitution: 
"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. " 
According to a study published by the Institute for Labor studies, pesticides popular in 
the Philippines have been banned or severely restricted in the United States. Further, farmers do 
not know the consequences of mishandling these chemicals. Acute pesticide poisoning has been 
traced to unsafe practices in the handling, storing and disposal of pesticides. 
Organophosphate pesticides produce both short-term (acute poisoning) and long-term 
(chronic) effects that affects various organs in addition to its potential of causing abnormality in 
the genes, cancer, and reproductive system. This underscores the need for preventive programs 
to ensure farmers safety and health. 
This bill establishes the measures that should be undertaken by farm owners and/or 
operators to ensure the safety of their workers and their respective families. 
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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
,‘ 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
8 
IJFJIi I(! 
a 
Second Regular Session 
) 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
TO PROTECT THE WORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES FROM THE HAZARDS OF 
WORKING IN AGRICULTURAL SITES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. This act shall be known as the “Farm Workers’ Protection 
Act.” 
SECTION 2. Requirements. The following requirements shall be met at any 
agricultural site to which pesticides have or will be applied. Farm owners or operators shall: 
A. Conduct or cause to have conducted mandatory testing for the presence of 
organophosphate pesticides for all handlers of pesticides, including applicators and mixers of 
pesticides. This testing shall be conducted within one week of the arrival of such workers at the 
agricultural site and within one week of the departure of such workers from the site; 
B. Provide personal protection equipment which has been fit-tested to all individuals 
who are required or may be required to wear such equipment in the course of their work, and 
which is readily available to any worker needing to wear or use such equipment; 
C. Provide education and information to farm workers and their families about the 
hazards of exposure to pesticides, how to avoid such exposures to children, personal clothing and 
possessions, and what to do if pesticide exposure or contamination occurs; 
D. Report to the department o f  Agriculture every incident of pesticide exposure to farm 
workers or their families, whether by direct exposure to pesticide applications or from drift of 
pesticides from the application site. Such reporting shall occur within twenty-four hours of such 
pesticide exposure and shall include the day and time of day the exposure occurred and the 
pesticides to which the individuals were exposed; 
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E. Provide on-site washing machines for workers to clean pesticide-contaminated 
clothing, which are separate from clothes washing facilities used by families. The farm owner or 
operator shall be responsible to provide instruction in the proper care of clothing contaminated 
with or exposed to pesticides; 
F. Provide one shower facility for every five workers, with separate facilities for males 
and females, for the removal of pesticide residues and other contaminants; 
G. Provide one or more public telephones for workers to report medical emergencies, 
including pesticide exposures or contamination; and 
H. Ensure that all new housing for f m  workers is located at least fifty feet from any 
field or site, except for enclosed facilities such as greenhouses, which may be treated with 
pesticides. Existing housing which does not comply with this paragraph shall be replaced within 
five years or cease to be used after that time. 
SECTION 3 .  Penalty. - The Department of Agriculture is hereby empowered to 
establish and assess penalties or fines against the farm owners and operators for violations of this 
Act. In no circumstance will any penalty or fine exceed P100,OOO.OO. 
SECTION 4. Annual Report. - The Department of Agriculture shall issue an annual 
report of all farm inspections on or before March first to the legislature for the previous calendar 
year, including compliance with the requirements contained in this Act; enforcement actions, 
fines and penalties for non-compliance resulting from such inspections; and pesticide exposure 
or contamination reports submitted to the Department of Agriculture. 
SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or parts 
thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified 
accordingly. 
SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any provision of this Act is 
declared to be unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions hereof which are not 
affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
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Approved, 
SECTION 7. Effectivig Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
following its publication in the Oflcial Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
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