FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SEN~39 
S.No. ___ _ 
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 hannony 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 ycology 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 papennaking is the pulping needed to tum 
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. 
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Because of these reasons, this bill' makes it mandatory for all government offices to use 
recycled paper and other paper products. , 
, This bill was originally filed by the Senator during the 13Th Congress 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SEN.:\..T2 
S. No. 
~~'39 
c 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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AN ACT 
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TO REQUIRE CONGRESS TO PURCHASE RECYCLED PAPER AND PAPER PRODUCTS 
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TO THE GREATEST EXTENT PRACTICABLE 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known and cited as the "Government Recycling 
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Act". 
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SECTION 2. Requirement for Government Offices to Purchase Recycled Paper and 
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Paper Products. -
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(1) Paper Purchased by Government Offices - . 
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(A) All govermnent offices, agencies, subsidiaries, instrumentalities, and 
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government-owned and controlled corporations shall take such action as may be 
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necessary to assure that recycled paper and paper products are used to the greatest extent 
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practicable in their operations. Any decision not to use recycled paper or paper products 
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shall be based on a determination that such items are: 
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(i) not available: or 
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(ii) available only at an unreasonable price. 
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(B) In carrying out the requirement of paragraph (A), the department or division 
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of government offices, agencies, subsidiaries, instrumentalities, and government-owned 
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and controlled corporations responsible for the procurement of paper and other paper 
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products shall, at a minimum, take such action as may be necessary to assure that 
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recycled paper or paper products are purchased under each contract, or subcontract under 
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a contract, for the procurement of 10,000 pounds or more of paper or paper products. 
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(2) Unreasonable Price - For purposes of this Act, an unreasonable price is one which 
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exceeds by more than ten percent (10%) the price of non-recycled paper or paper products. 
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SECTION 3. Annual Reports. -
Each government office, agency, subsidiary, 
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instrumentality, and government-owned and controlled corporation shall publish a report on the 
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implementation of this Act. Each report shall include information on the progress and problems 
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associated with such implementation, and findings and recommendations with respect to such 
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implementation. 
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SECTION 4. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part thereof is held invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
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valid and subsisting. 
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SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees or issuances, executive 
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orders, letter of instruction, administrative orders, rules and regulations contrary to, or 
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inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, or amended 
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accordingly. , 
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SECTION 6. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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