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Republic of the Philippines a

House of Representatives S3
Quezon City 2 ate, SUL 24 2019
Eighteenth Congress Ds ns
First Regular Session .
263
nouse sito, 7637

Introduced by TUCP PARTY-LIST
Rep. RAYMOND DEMOCRITO C. MENDOZA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 15, Article Il of the Constitution provides that “The State shall protect and
promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them.”

The Department of Health, in consultation with the World Health Organization,
recommends that aerial spraying must be banned until proof of its safety is clearly
established. Residential areas and schools near the farms and plantations are exposed
to considerable risks of spray drift and post-application drift. During aerial spraying,
pesticide drift is unavoidable,

In Mindanao, where most of the farms and plantations are found, local ordinances on
aerial spraying do not provide for the protection of the communities living in and around
the plantations against exposure to fungicide drift. Advocates against aerial spraying are
calling for the enactment of a law that will “promote health and safety, and enhance the
right of ‘the people to a balanced ecology.”

The protection of communities must however go hand-in-hand with a delicate balancing
of interests that also takes into account the contributions of the high-value crop industry
to the livelihoods of poor people, the economic vibrancy of rural communities, the
struggle to overcome rural poverty and the tax revenues contributed to both the national
and local govemmments.

Further, we have to consider the situation on the farm sites, where there is now a
dangerous fungal disease, more popularly known as the Panama Disease (Fusarium
wilt) which essentially can be ground-bome from one site to another by the movement
of feet or vehicles over an infected site to another. Aerial spraying however does not
increase the risk of spreading Panama Disease because no ground movement is
involved.

This bill seeks to address the problems of aerial spraying of fungicides by providing for
the standards and guidelines that will curve the ill-effects of aerial spraying on health and
environment.

In view of the foregoing, approval hereof is highly recommended.

DEMOCRITO C. MENDOZA
Representative, TUCP Party-List

RECEIVED.

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Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. gia?

Introduced by TUCP Party-List
Rep. RAYMOND DEMOCRITO C. MENDOZA

AN ACT
REGULATING THE AERIAL SPRAYING OF PESTICIDES AND FUNGICIDES ON
AGRICULTURAL CROPS AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION THEREOF

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representative of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SEC. 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Aerial Spraying Resolution Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy .— Itis hereby declared the policy of the State to protect
and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with
the rhythm and harmony of nature and to promote the right to health of the people and
instill health consciousness among them. Toward these ends, the State shall strictly
regulate the aerial spraying of chemicals, such as pesticides and fungicides, in order to
uphold the principle of sustainable development and maintain a rational and balance of
human health, environmental protection and socio-economic growth.

‘SEC. 3. Definition of Terms .— As used in this Act:

Aerial spraying - refers to the application of fungicides, and other similar chemicals or
‘substances on crops from an aircraft for agricultural purposes.

Agricultural aircraft - refers to an aircraft custom built with a chemical sprayer system
and used for aerial spraying of crops; and

Pesticide - refers to any substance or product, or mixture thereof, including active
ingredients, adjuvants, and pesticides formulations, intended to control, prevent, destroy,
repel or mitigate directly or indirectly, any pest. The term shall be understood to include
insecticide, fungicide, bactericide, nematocide, herbicide, molluscide, avicide,
rodenticide, plant regulator, defoliant, dessicant and the like.

‘SEC. 4. Lead Agency .— The Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority under the Department
of Agriculture, hereinafter referred to as the Authority, shall be the lead government
agency responsible for the implementation and enforcement of this Act.

SEC. 6. Standards for Aerial Spraying .— Within six (6) months from the effectivity of
this Act, the Authority shall, in coordination with the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Health (DOH), and other stakeholders,
promulgate standards, rules and regulations based on intemationally-accepted practices
which will effectively implement aerial spraying measures, including but not limited to:


a) Pesticides, Chemicals and Substances. - Only pesticides, chemicals,
substance or a mixture thereof which are properly labeled and approved
by the Authority shall be used for aerial spraying: Provided, That the
pesticide shall be used and handled under proper procedures set by the
Authority.

b) Signage and Relevant Forewarning. — Signages showing the schedules
of aerial spraying in a given area and other relevant information shall be
Posted in strategic and conspicuous places in goverment centers, farms
or plantations, and provincial, city, municipal and barangay halls;
Provided, That the written notification and report of such schedules and
other relevant information are officially submitted to all offices of local
government units having jurisdiction on the farm or plantation and
residents of adjoining property, at least three (3) days prior to the first date
of pesticides application: Provided, further, That proper warming schemes,
such as series of sirens or alarms, are employed within thirty (30) minutes
Prior to the actual aerial spraying.

©) Buffer Zones and Fences. — A minimum of perimeter buffer areas of fifty
(60) meters from the areas being used by the general public or vulnerable
groups, including but not limited to residential areas, schools, parks, roads
and railways, and from bodies of water and surface and groundwater used
for drinking water, or thirty (30) meters from the plant outside boundary
line, whichever is higher, shall be maintained as aerial spray-free zone:
Provided, That the same may be increased to ensure that adequate
safeguard area is provided for the actual drift of the aerial spray:
Provided, further, That the provision of the buffer fences, whether natural
or otherwise, to further prevent aerial spray drift shall be the responsibility
of the owners of plantations or farms practicing aerial spray.

d)

Aerial Application Level. — Agricultural aircraft spraying pesticides shall
not fly more than 5-8 meters above the crops being treated.

) Farm Topographical, Atmospheric and _ Environmental
Considerations. - Following the effectivity of this Act, the Authority shall
annually issue a certificate showing that the plantation or farm has
complied with safe and proper procedures for aerial spraying pursuant to
this Act; Provided, That no farm or plantation shall be allowed to
undertake aerial spraying without the said certificate: Provided, further,
That the topographical atmospheric and environmental standards,
including wind and temperature direction or measurement requirement,
and aerial spraying schedule, shall be strictly imposed on any farm or
plantation; Provided, finally, That no aerial spraying shall be allowed
when wind speed is more than 4 kilometers per hour ands air temperature
is higher than 28 degrees Celsius.

f) Moder Facilities and Advanced Technologies. — The Authority shall
ensure that agricultural aircrafts and subject farms or plantations are
equipped with modern facilities and advanced technologies or systems
which are internationally-accepted in advanced aerial spraying of
pesticides necessary for safe, systematic and precise spraying, optimum
dispersal and accurate monitoring of dispersal flow rates.


SEC. 6. Agricultural Aircraft Certification and Pilot Licensing. — The Civil
Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) shall issue Agricultural Aircraft
Certificates which shall be valid for one (1) year to all worthy agricultural aircraft that
comply with the CAAP standards. No agricultural aircraft shall operate without the
CAAP certification

The CAAP shall likewise issue special licenses for pilots who possess appropriate
skills for the operation of agricultural aircraft.

Within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act, the Authority in coordination with
the CAAP, shall establish agricultural aircraft and pilot certification standards and
develop programs for agricultural pilots designed to equip them in technical safety,
farm plantation or crop care products, human health and environmental concerns.

SEC. 7. Inter-Agency Monitoring Support Team. — The Authority in coordination
with the DOH and the Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (EMB-DENR) shall regularly monitor the health
of persons, particularly the workers, labourers and employees, residing within and
adjacent to the farms or plantations where aerial spraying is practiced.

The Authority shall regularly monitor and evaluate the air and water qualities as well
as the ambient environmental condition of farms or plantations practicing aerial
spraying.

Local Goverment Units (LGUs) shall assist in the implementation and enforcement
of this Act within their respective territorial jurisdictions.

SEC. 8. Visitorial Right. — The Authority shall have visitorial rights as follows:

a) To enter or access any premises including documents and materials as
referred to in the herein preceding section;

b) To inspect any pesticide, solution or waste source, control device,
monitoring equipment or method required; and

©) To test any pesticides, substances, solution or mixture.

SEC. 9. Record-keeping. - The Authority shall, after proper public consultation
with stakeholders, require any person who is subject to any requirement of this Act:

a) To install and use equipment or device and adopt a system approved by
the Authority which will monitor and record the methods, procedures used,
pesticides, solutions or mixtures applied, application intervals employed,
drift incident and its extent, photograph and other relevant information
during and after an actual aerial spraying;

b) To maintain record book approved by the Authority which book contains
entries, data and documentations gathered in accordance to the
immediately preceding paragraph; and


c) To submit said report.

The record book or copy thereof shall be made available to the public,
unless the same contains information entitled to protection under the
Intellectual Property Act.

SEC. 10. Prohibited Acts and Penalties.

a) Any person found violating the standards set for aerial spraying,
agricultural aircraft and agricultural pilot provided under Sections 5, 6 and
7 of this Act, including the standards and rules and regulations
promulgated therefore, shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment of not less
than one (1) year but not more than five (5) years and fine not less than
Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000.00) but not more than Ten (10)
Million Pesos;

b) Any person who uses or allows the use of an agricultural aircraft for aerial
spraying without the certificates required under Sections 6 and 7 of this
Act shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment of not less than six (6) months
but not more than two (2) years and fine of not less than Two Hundred
Thousand Pesos (P200,000.00) but not more than One (1) Million Pesos;

©) Any person who flies and allows to fly an agricultural aircraft without the
license required under Section 6 of this Act shall suffer the same penalty
of imprisonment and fine set under the immediately preceding paragraph;
and

d) Any person found violating the standards set for aerial spraying,
agricultural aircraft, agricultural pilot and owner of farm or plantation
under any other Sections of this Act, including the standards and rules and
regulations promulgated therefore, shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment
of not less than three (3) months but not more than one (1) year and fine
not less than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00) but not more
than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000.00).

If the offender is a corporation, partnership or association, whether domestic or
foreign, the chairman of the board of directors, president, general manager and the
officer or employee directly responsible shall be imposed with the penalty of
imprisonment and the juridical entity represented shall be jointly liable to the fine
imposed herein.

The offender who is a foreigner, shall, in addition to the other penalties imposed
herein, be deported after service of sentence without need of any further
proceedings.

SEC. 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within six (6) months following
the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall, in coordination with the
DENR, DOH and DILG, upon public consultation with stakeholders, promulgate the
necessary rules and regulations need for the effective implementation of this Act

SEC. 12. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations,
rules and regulations, and issuances, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with
the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.


SEC. 13. Separability Clause. - |f any provision or part of this Act is declared
invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain
in full force and effect.

SEC. 14. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication
in the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,