Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3595

Introduced by Representative Sharon S. Garin

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Pesticide use is still prevalent among the agricultural sector in the Philippines.
However, pesticide poisoning is also still one of the global health problems. In a
study published in the Journal of Rural Medicine of the Japanese Association of
Rural Medicine, it is estimated that about 5 million people die every year as a result
of intentional, accidental, and occupational exposures worldwide. And it is the lowly
farm workers who are of great risk of exposure as they handle the pesticides directly,
often without the proper safety gear and post clean-up facilities.

In addition to regular agricultural workers, of particular concern is the
exposure of young children, who are often employed in vegetable growing from an
early age. In one study in north-east Luzon, the children reported health symptoms
such as headaches, skin irritation and abdominal pain after the use of chemicals.

The most common types of pesticides used in the country are
organophosphate insecticides, carbamates and synthetic pyrethroids - each
providing distinct hazards to pesticide handlers. Organophosphates can be absorbed
by humans through skin or inhalation, resulting in nausea, diarrhea and other
adverse effects on the nervous system. Many carbamates are known carcinogens
(cancer-causing), while pyrethroids may also cause users to experience dizziness,
headache, nausea and diarrhea. Exposure to immense doses leads to acute
poisoning and can even be fatal.

This bill ensures that our agricultural workers are sufficiently protected and
properly educated when handling these dangerous chemicals. Farm owners and
Operators should provide adequate methods in ensuring a safe farming environment
for their workers.

For the foregoing reasons, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

IN S. GARIN
-Owa Partylist


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. __3595

Introduced by Representative Sharon S. Garin

AN ACT
TO PROTECT 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 of 2016."

SEC. 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:
@) 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;
5) Provide personal protection equipment which has been fit-tested to all

individuals who are required or may be required to Wear such equipment


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in the course of their work, and which is readily available to any worker

needing to wear or use such equipment;

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;

Report to the Department of 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 the twenty-four hours of such pesticide
exposure and shall include the day and time of the day the exposure
Occurred and the pesticides to which the individuals were exposed;

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;

Provide one shower facility for every five (5) workers, with separate
facilities for males and females, for the removal of pesticide residues and

other contaminants;

Provide one or more public telephones for workers to report medical

emergencies, including pesticide exposures of contamination; and

Ensure that all new housing for farm workers is located at least fity (60)

feet from any field or site, except for enclosed facilities such as


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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.

SEC. 3. Penalty. - The Department of Agriculture is hereby empowered to
establish and assess penalties or fines against farm owners and operators for
violations of this Act. In no circumstance will any penalty or fine to exceed One
Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00).

SEC. 4. Annual Report - The Department of Agriculture shall issue an annual
report of all farm inspections 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.

SEC. 5. Separability Clause. - \f any provisions, or part hereof, is held invalid
or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law of the provision not otherwise affected

shall remain valid and subsisting.

SEC.6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and

‘regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified

accordingly.

SEC. 7. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
following its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of

general circulation.

Approved,