FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 16 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. 
Recycling is a program which has become more and more indispensable to 
society as a possible solution to various environmental problems. The government itself 
should take the lead in recycling and other environmentally-sound practices as part of its 
commitment to a balanced and healthful ecology and achieving growth through 
sustainable development. 
There are three main reasons why using recycled paper is necessary. First, 
producing recycled paper involves between 28 - 70% less energy consumption than 
virgin paper and uses less water. This is because most of the energy used in papermaking 
is the pulping needed to turn wood into paper. Second, recycled paper produces fewer 
polluting emissions to air and water. Recycled paper is not usually re-bleached and where 
it is, oxygen rather than chlorine is usually used. This reduces the amount of dioxins 
which are released into the environment as a by-product of the chlorine bleaching 
processes. Third, paper is a biodegradable material. This means that when it goes to 
landfill, as it rots, it produces methane, which is a potent greenhouse gas (20 times more 
potent than carbon dioxide). It is becoming increasingly accepted that global warming is 
a reality, and that methane and carbon dioxide emissions have to be reduced to lessen its 
effects. 


Because of these reasons, this bill' makes it mandatory for all government offices 
to use recycled paper and other paper products. 
I This bill was origiiially filed by the Senator during the 13Ih Congress 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
7 I ’_ i 8 
First Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
TO REQUIRE CONGRESS TO PURCHASE RECYCLED PAPER 
AND PAPER PRODUCTS TO THE GREATEST EXTENT PRACTICABLE 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives ofthe Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known and cited as the “Government 
Recycling Act of 2007”. 
SECTION 2. Requirement for Government Ofices to Purchase Recycled Paper 
and Paper Products. - 
(1) Paper Purchased by Government Offices - 
(A) All government offices, agencies, subsidiaries, instrumentalities, and 
government-owned and controlled corporations shall take such action as may be 
necessary to assure that recycled paper and paper products are used to the greatest 
extent practicable in their operations. Any decision not to use recycled paper or 
paper products shall be based on a determination that such items are: 
(i) not available: or 
(ii) available only at an unreasonable price. 
(B) In carrying out the requirement of paragraph (A), the department or 
division of government offices, agencies, subsidiaries, instrumentalities, and 
government-owned and controlled corporations responsible for the procurement 
of paper and other paper products shall, at a minimum, take such action as may be 
necessary to assure that recycled paper or paper products are purchased under 
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each contract, or subcontract under a contract, for the procurement of 10,000 
pounds or more of paper or paper products. 
(2) Unreasonable Price - For purposes of this Act, an unreasonable price is one 
which exceeds by more than ten percent (10%) the price of non-recycled paper or paper 
products. 
SECTION 3. Annual Reports. - Each government office, agency, subsidiary, 
instrumentality, and government-owned and controlled corporation shall publish a report 
on the implementation of this Act. Each report shall include information on the progress 
and problems associated with such implementation, and findings and recommendations 
with respect to such implementation. 
SECTION 4. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part thereof is held invalid 
or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall 
remain valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees or issuances, 
executive orders, letter of instruction, administrative orders, rules and reguIations 
contrary to, or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, 
or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 6. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
following its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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