.w 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) . 
SENATE 
S.No. f870 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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'13 
OCT 21 
P 4 :46 
Monocrotophos is an organophosphorus (OP) insecticide, developed by Ciba-Geigy (now 
Novartis) and first registered in 1965. In 1992, the total sales of this widely-used pesticide were 
at roughly 3% of all insecticIde produCts.! This pesticide is primarily used to control cotton pests, 
but it is also employed on citrus, olives, rice, maize, sorghum, sugar cane, sugar beet, peanuts, 
potatoes, soya beans, vegetables, ornamentals and tobacco.2 
The World Health Organization (WHO)d.escribed it as a nerve poison banned by many 
countries because of its highly acute toxicity.3 Monocrotophos is classified by WHO as highly 
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hazardous, and has been responsible for deaths resulting from accidental or intentional exposure. 
It is very toxic orally and also by inhalation or absorption through the skin. Early symptoms of 
poisoning may include excessive sweating, headache, weakness, giddiness, nausea, vomiting, 
hypersaiivation, abdominal cramps; diarrhea, blurred vision, and slurred speech. Inhalation or 
skin contact may increase the susceptibility to the pesticide without showing immediate 
symptoms.4 
The European Union has classified monocrotophos as dangerous to the environment.s All 
applications of monocrotophos were discontinued in the United States 1988. Before its 
withdrawal, monocrotophos was a Restricted Use Pesticide (RUP).6 
I Ciba, Monocrotophos: Information for participants at the fifth FAO/UNEP joint meeting on PIC, Rome, 
October 1992. 
2 http://www.pan-uk.org/pestnews/Actives/monocrot.htm 
3 http://www.reuters.com/article/20 13/07/22/india-poisoning-monocrotophos-idUSL6NOFS 13020 130722 
4 Watterson, Pesticide Users Health and Safety Handbook: An International guide, Gower Technical, 
Aldershot, UK, 1988. 
5 FAOIUNEP PIC Decision Guidance Document on Monocrotophos, June 1997. 
6 Extension Toxicology Network, Cornell University, 
. http://pmep.cce.comell.edu!profiles/extoxnetlmetiram-propoxur/monocrotophos·ext.html 
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Many incidents in developing countries have been linked to monocrotophos. This highly 
'toxic pesticide killed 23 children in a village school providing free lunches under a government-
sponsored program in India.? In Brazil, monocrotophos caused 107 of 412 -reported incidents 
analyzed in 1990, and the toxicology center and health clinics also noted 1,650 incidents 
involving monocrotophos between 1982 and· 1991. In Paraguay, in a region where 
mpnocrotophos is one of the most commo~ly used active ingredients, there have been numerous 
cases of pesticide poisoning. Monocrotophos was identified as the cause of paralysis in children 
in cotton-growing areas by the Ministry of Public Health and Welfare which found that two to 
three weeks of frequent exposure caused paralysis in children and acute poisoning in adults.8 In a 
cotton-growing region in Egypt, the health of 14 farmer~ who used monocrotophos was 
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compared with a control group from the same region. In the area where monocrotophos is widely 
used, 61 % of those surveyed showed symptoms of chronic pesticide pOisoning.9 In the Cordillera 
region here in the Philippines, monocrotophos was one of the pesticides widely used by farmers 
in a survey that found all farmers suff~red some adverse health effycts.!~ In observations in 
Indonesia of 906 spray operations of 214 farmers commonly using'monocrotophos over a three-
month period, researchers found a significant increase-from two to fifty-fold-in the symptoms of 
pesticide toxicity during the spraying period. Out of all of these spray operations, 21 % brought 
on three or more neuro-behavioural and intestinal signs of poisoning.!! 
In 1990, the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority issued Circular No. 0 1, which included a 
severe restriction on monocrotophos for use only in bean fly control. A six-month phase-out 
period also took effect froin 29 September 1993. 12 At present, a reading of the banned and 
regulated pesticides from the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority website!3 will show that 
monocrotophos is not included in the list. There are also numerous reports which reached the 
7 http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/world/08103/13/poison-pill-indias-search-cheap-food 
• DinMm, B., The Pesticide Hazard: A global health and environmental audit, Zed Books, London and 
NFw Jersey, 1993, pp120-l21. 
9 Amr, M. et. aJ. 'Neurological effects of pesticides', study by the Industrial Medicine and Occupational 
Diseases Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, reported in Pesticides News 30, December 1995. 
• 
to Cheng, Dr. Charles L., Medical Director, Baguio Philipino-Chinese General Hospital, Baguio city, 
Philippines 'Pesticides and Hazardous Effects on the Benguet Vegetable Farmers, 1993, (In Dinhalh, 1995 pp 76-7. 
Op. cit. 8.) 
11 Hirschhorn, Norbert, 'Study of the Occupational Health ofIndonesian Farmers who Spray Pesticides, the 
Indonesian National IPM Program', FAO (UTF/INS/067/INS), Jakarta, August 1993. 
12 Pesticides News No.38, December 1997, p20-21. 
13 http://fjJa.da.gov.ph/ 
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author that monocrotophos is still widely used in our country. The low cost and ready availability 
of this pesticide do not outweigh the potential harm that it c,!n cause to our farmers and to the 
consuming public. This bilI seeks to ban t~e use and importation of monpcrot,ophos to ensure that 
this highly toxic pesticide will not victimize anyone in our country .. 
~'-
4~.,,"~ J~ 
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. MIRIAM DEF~NSOR S'i\NTI~O 
P 
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t' 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
'13 
OCT 21 
P 4 :45 
SENATE 
S. N.o. 1870 
H.ECEI'vFlJ HY .. . r-
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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AN ACT 
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BANNING THE MANUFACTURE, IMPORTATION, STORAGE, DISTRIBUTION, SALE, 
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USE, AND DISPOSAL O~ MONOCROTOPHOS 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Monocrotophos Prohibition 
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Act of2013." 
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SECTION 2. Declaration of Policies. - It is hereby declared a policy of the State to 
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protect, secure and safeguard the citizenry from the danger and harmful effects of toxic 
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insecticides and pesticides for their physical and mental well-being; and, in the end, pursue a 
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vigorous campaign against the manufacture, importaliim, distribution, and sale of pesticides and 
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insecticides containing the harmful substance monocrotophos and finally provide for its 
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complete prohibition. 
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SECTION 3. Definition. - As used in this Act, "monocrotophos" shall refer to an 
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organophosphate insecticide or pesticide with the formula C7Hl4NOsP also known by its 
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chemical name Dimethyl (E)-I-methyl-2-(methylcarbamoyl)vinyl phosphate (!uP AC). 
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SECTION 4. Prohibition. - The manufacture, importation, distribution, sale, storage, use, 
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andlor disposal of monocrotophos are hereby declared prohibited. 
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For this purpose, the Fertilizer and Pestiyide Authority shall regularly inspect pesticides, 
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whether imported or locally-manufactured, to ensure that they are free from monocrotophos. 
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SECTION 5. Penalties. - Any person who manufactures, imports, distributes, sells, uses, 
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or ,disposes of pesticides found containing monocrotophos, shall be penalized by imprisonment 
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of less than one (1) year nor more than five (5) years andlor fine of not less than Fifty Thousand 
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pesos (P50,000.00) nor more than Fjve Hundred Thousand pesos (PSOO,OOO.OO), at the discretion 
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of the court: Provided, That if the violator is a corporation, fiim, partnership, or association, the 
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penalty shall be imposed upon the president or the m'anager or any officer thereof who knows or 
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ought to have known the commission ofthe offense. 
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SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations, - The Secretar~ of Agriculture shall 
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adopt rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act within ninety (90) days from 
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its date of effectivity. 
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SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part thereof is held invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the Act or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
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valid and subsisting. 
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SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - Any law,' presidential decree or issuance, executive 
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order, letter of instruction, administrative order"rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
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with this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause, - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation, 
Adopted, 
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