FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SE~ 
S.No. 
5 
"r Ii 
\,-
FtECE,\lFO HV 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Sewage sludge is an end product of the wastewater treatment process. This 
material can be a wonderful source of nutrients for the soil. Using this material 
as a fertilizer can benefit the environment by turning wastes into valuable 
resources. These sludges would otherwise have to be disposed of by 
land filling, lagooning, incineration, or ocean dumping. On the other hand, 
heavy metals sometimes found in sewage sludge may present environmental 
problems ... Concerns about applying sludge to land include the potential for 
applying too much or too little of each nutrient; the presence of toxic 
constituents; and the possible detrimental effects on water quality from 
leaching, erosion, or runoff losses. I 
In addition to the environmental problems they pose, the United States 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has said that sewage sludge has constituents which 
" ... may include volatiles, organic solids, nutrients, disease-causing pathogenic organisms 
(bacteria, viruses, etc.), heavy metals and inorganic ions, and toxic organic chemicals from 
industrial wastes, household chemicals and pesticides." 
Hence, although sewage sludge - after it is treated properly wastewater treatment 
plants - can be useful and potent fertilizer, it is still important for food produced using 
fertilizer from such sewage sludge to be labeled accordingly for the information of 
consumers. This bill seeks to accomplish that? 
Lw'-
4~.v<~ Jy;.f~ 
. MIRIAM DEF NSOR s~.1hIru 
MV 
" 
I http://www.aces.edu/crd/publications/ANR-7.2hltml 
2 This bill was originally filed during the Fourteenth Congress, First Regular session. 
1 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
) 
) 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S.No. 1595 
fl\~crwt'o bV 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
1 
AN ACT 
2 
REQUIRING THE PROPER LABELING OF FOOD PRODUCED FROM THE USE OF 
3 
FERTILIZER MADE FROM RECYCLED SEWAGE SLUDGE 
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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 I. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as "Use of Sewage Sludge 
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Fertilizer in Food Awareness Act." 
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II 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to promote the 
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general welfare of the people. Pursuant to this policy, this Act seek to require the proper 
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labeling of food produced from the use of fertilizer made from recycled sewage sludge. 
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IS 
SECTION 3. Labeling Required for Food Produced with Fertilizer Derived from 
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Sewage Sludge. -No food shall be offered or exposed for sale without being so labeled if 
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such food was produced from the use of fertilizer made from recycled sewage sludge. 
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The provisions of this section shall apply to all plant foods produced from such 
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fertilizer and all animal foods or products, including but not limited to meat and dairy 
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products, derived from animals to which any feed product derived from such fertilizer has 
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been fed 
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SECTION 4. Procedure in Cases of Violation. - Whenever there shall be a violation 
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of this Act, an application may be made by the Secretary of the Department of Health or his 
25 
authorized agent, to the court having jurisdiction by a special proceeding to issue an 
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• 
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injunction, and upon notice to the respondent of not less than five (5) days, to enjoin and 
2 
restrain the continuance of such violations; and if it shall appear to the satisfaction of the 
3 
court that the respondent has, in fact, violated this Act, an injunction may be issued by such 
4 
court or justice, e~oining and restraining any further violation, without requiring proof that 
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any person has, in fact, been injured or damaged thereby. 
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SECTION 5. Penalties. - Whenever the court shall determine that a violation of this 
8 
Act has occurred, the court may impose a fine of Two Thousand Pesos (p2,000.00) for each 
9 
day that such violation occurs, but in no event shall the total penalty exceed Ten Thousand 
10 
Pesos (PIO,OOO.OO). In cOimection with any such application, the Secretary is authorized to 
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take proof and make a determination of the relevant facts and to issue subpoenas in 
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accordance with the Rules of Court. 
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SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall 
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remain valid and subsisting. 
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SECTION 7. 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 
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inconsistent with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
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accordingly. 
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SECTION 8. 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. 
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Approved. 
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