SIXTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —)
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Introduced by Representative Rufus B, Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No. 1617

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill was originally introduced as House Bill No, 3285 by the undersigned
Rufus B. Rodriguez during the 15” Congress where it was approved by the Committee
on Health and substituted by House Bill No. 4541, approved on 2" reading, approved
on 3” reading and was transmitted to the Senate where it was not acted upon.

Mercury is a persistent, bio-accumulative heavy metal that poses a significant
risk to human health, wildlife, and the environment.

Unfortunately, mercury discharges into the atmosphere and surface oceans
have increased two-to-five fold since the beginning of the industrialized period due to
human activities. Substantial evidence is accumulating that exposure to methyl-
mercury is widespread in the general'public and occurring at higher than health-based
levels of concer according to the World Health Organization. Fish and seafood caught
or sold in the Philippines are contaminated with methyl-mercury a toxic element that
may cause neurological damage and other health related problems as a result of fish
or seafood consumption

Evidence is continuing to emerge linking increased risk of coronary heart
disease to mercury exposure, as presented in at least 2 peer reviewed studies,

Sadly, health advisory information on mercury-contaminated fish, which is
necessary to protect public health, is not widely known to the government. This lack of
awareness potentially threatens tens of millions of Filipinos who may unknowingly
ingest harmful amounts of mercury because they are not aware of exposure risks from
consumption of freshwater fish and seafood

The proposed measure is filed to address this problem by providing the public
with adequate notice and education on the effects of exposure to mercury, through the
development of health advisories and by requiring that such appropriate advisories be
posted, or made readily available, at all businesses that sell fresh, frozen, and canned
fish and seafood where the potential for mercury exposure exists.

Hence, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

=

RUFUS B. RODRGUEZ

4
isto ones, JR.



SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No__1617

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE MERCURY EXPOSURE INFORMATION PROGRAM
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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 “Mercury Exposure
Information Act of 2013”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — Pursuant to the 1987 Constitution, the State
hereby declares the policy of protecting and promoting the right to health of the
people and instilling health consciousness among them. Towards this end, the
State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health
development, which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other
social services available to every Filipino at affordable cost.

SEC. 3. Mercury Exposure Information Program. - The Secretary of Health
shall, in consultation with other government agencies and nonprofit private
entities, including cooperative health extension services, design and implement
a Mercury Exposure Information Program to ensure that the public is informed
of the hazards and adverse effects of mercury exposure through the
‘consumption of fish and other seafood.

Under this program, the Secretary of Health shall issue a comprehensive
health advisory to the general public about the presence of methyl mercury in
fish and other seafood and its potential dangers to health, particularly to the
sensitive population or high risk group such as pregnant women and children.

The Secretary of Health shall provide:

a) Medical information on the signs and symptoms, treatment and
prevention of mercury-related illnesses; and

b) Reliable information on the mercury levels in fish and other seafood, the
safe dose and consumption limits with emphasis on limiting the
consumption of fish and other seafood with unsafe or high levels of
mercury.

The health advisory shall be clear, concise and printed in English, Filipino
or any dialect that the Secretary of Health may deem appropriate to effectively
disseminate the information.

The health advisory shall be posted in the following areas:


a) In the patient and client areas of all maternal and child health hospitals,
clinics, centers and similar offices; and
b) In markets and business establishments where fish and other seafood
are sold for human consumption.
The Secretary of Health shall periodically update the health advisory.

SEC. 4. Mercury Warming Consumer's Guide. - A mercury warming
consumer's guide or manual on the potential dangers of exposure to mercury
shall be prepared and distributed by the Department of Health (DOH), in
coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR), to the following

a) Appropriate fisheries, wildlife and environmental law enforcement

agencies;
b) All applicants for fishing license at the time the license is issued; and
c) The public upon request.

SEC. 5. Sampling and Monitoring. - The Secretary of Health shall ensure that
seafood methylmercury sampling and monitoring program are conducted by
the Food and Drug Administration to assist in the documentation of mercury
levels in various fish species. The sampling program shall be conducted to
provide statistically valid monitoring data with respect to mercury levels in fish
and other seafood, including market-basket studies, and the extent to which
fish and other seafood with mercury levels in excess of the acceptable level are
sold in commerce. Such information, along with information gathered by the
DENR, shall be compiled into an annual report to track changes in dietary
exposure to mercury from fish and other seafood

SEC. 6. Penalties. — A fine of not less than Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00)
but not more than Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) shall be imposed upon the
head or official of any matemal and child hospital, clinic, center, or similar office
who fails to post the consumer advisory on the hazards of mercury pursuant to
Section 2 of this Act.

A fine of not less than Four thousand pesos (P4,000.00) but not more than
Eight thousand pesos (P8,000.00) shall be imposed upon the administrator or
operator of any market or business establishment that sells fish and other
seafood who fails to post the consumer advisory on the hazards of mercury
pursuant to Section 2 of this Act.

SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days after the
effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Health shall promulgate the necessary
rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

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, Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
Publication in any national newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,