EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
S enate
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S E N A T E
S. B. No. 954
•19 
AUG 27 P2 57
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Introduced by Senator SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
REGULATING THE USE, RECOVERY, COLLECTION, AND DISPOSAL OF 
PLASTIC DRINKING STRAWS IN  COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS AND IN  
PRE-PACKED BEVERAGES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Non-biodegradable materials, particularly plastics, have been flagged by the 
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as a serious threat to 
marine life and ecology.
Unfortunately, the Philippines was ranked third among the countries with the 
most ocean plastic pollution according to a 2015 foreign study. Various reports from 
civic organizations have also noted that the country contributed approximately 1.8 
million tons of mismanaged plastic waste to what experts are calling the rapid 
plasticization of the oceans.
Much of this waste is comprised of single-use plastics such as straws. 
Considering the size of plastic straws, these materials are less likely to be recovered 
for recycling while being mistakenly consumed by marine species as food. These 
debris attach to limbs and other vital organs of fishes and other sea species as vividly 
exemplified by the viral video of a sea turtle with a plastic straw blocking its nose.
Hence, this bill is necessary to regulate the use, recovery, collection, and 
disposal of plastic drinking straws in commercial establishments and in pre-packed 
beverages primarily through the collection of a fee that shall be utilized to fund 
environmental programs focused on maintaining Philippine waters and to create 
technical assistance programs for micro, small, medium enterprises (MSME).


This measure is an important step in not only curbing plastic wastes that end 
up in our oceans, but also in creating necessary programs to abate this pollution.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
SONNY ANGARA


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
S E N A T E
S. B. No. 954
^I'nalr
ol lljr fercrctarp
*19 
AUG 27 P2 57
RECEi\/ DB).
Introduced by Senator SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
REGULATING THE USE, RECOVERY, COLLECTION, AND DISPOSAL OF 
PLASTIC DRINKING STRAWS IN  COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS AND IN  
PRE-PACKED BEVERAGES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House o f Representatives o f the Philippines in 
the Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. -  This Act shall be known as the "Straw Regulation Act."
2 
Sec. 2. Declaration o f Policy. -  It is the policy of the State to protect and
3 
promote the right of to a balanced and healthful ecology and the right to health.
4 
Towards this end, the State shall institute a program that will materialize to further
5 
develop the protection of the environment, particularly Philippine waters, through the
6 
regulation of plastic drinking straws.
7 
Sec. 3. Regulation o f Plastic Drinking Straws in Commercial Establishments. -
8 
All commercial establishments engaged in the sale of food and beverages, including
9 
sari-sari stores, department stores, pharmacies, and drug stores, shall charge and
10 
collect a Plastic Straw Fee amounting to Two Pesos (P2.00) per plastic drinking straw
11 
regardless of size: Provided, That plastic drinking straws or tubes used for medical
12 
purposes and those used by senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWD), and
13 
individuals who have limited mobility caused by stroke, arthritis, and other medical
14 
conditions whether or not these individuals have a Senior Citizen or PWD card, shall
15 
be exempt from the Plastic Straw Fee: Provided, further, That the imposition of the
16 
same shall be implemented six (6) months after the effectivity of this Act for the


1 
information campaign initiated by the Department of Environment and Natural
2 
Resources (DENR),
3 
A record that specifies amount of Straw Fee collected and pieces of plastic
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drinking straws provided shall be kept in the place of business of these commercial
5 
establishments that can be accessed during operating business hours.
6 
Sec. 4. Offer-First Policy. -  All commercial establishments shall implement an
7 
offer-first policy where customers shall only be provided plastic drinking straws upon
8 
request: Provided, That this policy shall not apply to senior citizens and persons with
9 
disability. All food establishments are required to post infographics in conspicuous
10 
places within and outside the store and in areas near the counter to appraise all
11 
customers of the offer-first policy.
12 
Sec. 5. Straw Disposal and Collection in Commercial Establishments. -  The
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DENR is hereby directed to formulate guidelines, rules, and regulations for the
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creation or establishment of straw disposal and collection facilities in commercial
15 
establishments in accordance with Republic Act No. 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste
16 
Management Act and other applicable laws as specified under the implementing rules
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and regulations of this Act. There shall be a random check as to the compliance with
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the duly set protocols set for the disposal and collection of the same.
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There shall be at least one (1) Central Straw Disposal Unit created per province
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for the proper recovery of plastic straw and other similar items administered by the
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DENR and the concerned provincial government unit in coordination with local
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chambers of commerce and other civic organizations.
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Sec. 6. Regulation o f Plastic Drinking Straws on Pre-Packed Beverages. -Plastic
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drinking straws on pre-packed beverages shall be separated from the same and shall
25 
only be provided at the point-of-sale of the commercial establishment engaged in the
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sale of food and beverages upon payment of the Plastic Straw Fee amounting to Two
27 
Pesos (P2.00) per plastic drinking straw six (6) months upon the effectivity of this Act.
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DENR, in cooperation with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), is
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hereby directed to conduct random checks on all commercial establishments engaged
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in the sale of pre-packed beverages to inspect compliance as specified under the
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implementing rules and regulations of this Act.


1 
Sec. 7. Environmentally Sustainable Pre-Packed Beverages. -  DENR, DTI, the
2 
Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Department of Health (DOH),
3 
and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) shall formulate designs for commercially
4 
sold pre-packed beverages that would allow consumption without using plastic
5 
drinking straws and recommend the same to beverage manufacturers.
6 
Preliminary designs for environmentally sustainable pre-packed beverages shall
7 
be created within six (6) months upon effectivity of this Act with proper consultation
8 
of beverage manufacturers, consumer groups, and other concerned stakeholders as
9 
determined by the involved government agencies. The final designs shall be created
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within six (6) months after the release of preliminary designs.
11 
Sec. 8. Straw-Free Seal Program. -  To encourage commercial establishments
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and manufacturers of pre-packed beverages to lessen the use of plastic drinking
13 
straws, a Straw-Free Seal Program shall be created by the DENR. This program shall
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be a guide used by consumers in selecting commercial establishments and pre-packed
15 
beverages that are environmentally sustainable.
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A Straw-Free Seal shall be displayed on commercial establishments that are in
17 
compliance with the provisions of this Act. Further, beverages packaged following the
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designs approved by DENR, DTI, and DOST shall bear the same seal, such that the
19 
criteria of this Section shall be specified under the implementing rules and regulations
20 
of this Act.
21 
Sec. 9. Penalties. -  Commercial establishments that violate Sections 3 and 5 of
22 
this Act shall be penalized with a fine not exceeding R10,000.00 for first offense, a
23 
fine not exceeding P20,000.00 for the second offense, and a fine not exceeding
24 
P50,000.00 and cancellation of business permit. The DENR shall be responsible as to
25 
the imposition of fines: Provided, That the same agency shall be in coordination with
26 
the DTI as to the cancellation of business permit of erring commercial establishments.
27 
Sec. 10. Disposition o f Proceeds. -  The proceeds of the Straw Fee and fines
28 
paid from penalties shall be appropriated for the environmental programs focused on
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the protection and clean-up of Philippine waters, rivers, seas, and oceans that shall
30 
include information and awareness campaign on the effect of plastic drinking straws
31 
to aquatic animals and marine ecosystems, and technical assistance programs, such


1 
as trainings, workshops, and other capacity building initiatives for micro, small, and
2 
medium enterprises (MSME) and social enterprises that create sustainable products.
3 
Sec. 11. Appropriations. -  The amount necessary to cover the implementation
4 
of this Act shall be included in the budgets of DENR, DOST, DTI, DOH, and FDA in the
5 
annual General Appropriations Act (GAA).
6 
Sec. 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -  Within ninety (90) days from
7 
the approval of this Act, the DENR, in consultation with DOST, DTI, DOFI, and FDA
8 
shall formulate the implementing rules and regulations of this Act.
9 
Sec. 13. Separability Clause. -  If any portion or provision of this Act is
10 
subsequently declared invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof which are
11 
not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.
12 
Sec. 14. Repealing Clause. -  All other laws, acts, presidential decrees,
13 
executive orders, presidential proclamations, issuances, rules and regulations, or parts
14 
thereof which are contrary to or inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act are
15 
hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 15. Effectivity. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
17 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,