FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

21093

House Bill No.

EXPLANATORY NOTE
Section 16, Article Il of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states that,

“The State shall protect and advance the right
of the people to a balanced and healthful
ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony
of nature.”

In line with this, the State must ensure that contaminants to the
environment have to be prevented from being introduced into the ecosystem.
One such contaminant is plastic, plastic bags to be more precise. Numerous
articles show that some of the harmful effects of plastic bags to the
environment are:

A. Plastic bags litter the landscape. Once they are used, most plastic
bags go into landfill, or rubbish tips. Each year more and more plastic
bags are ending up littering the environment. Once they become litter,
plastic bags find their way into our waterways, parks, beaches, and
streets. And, if they are burned, they infuse the air with toxic fumes.

B. Plastic bags kill animals. About 100,000 animals such as dolphins,
turtles, whales and penguins are killed every year due to plastic bags.
Many animals ingest plastic bags, mistaking them for food, and
therefore die. And worse, the ingested plastic bag remains intact even
after the death and decomposition of the animal. Thus, it lies around in
the landscape where another victim may ingest it


C. Plastic bags are non-biodegradable.And one of the worst
environmental effects of plastic bags is that they are non-
biodegradable. The decomposition of plastic bags takes about 1000
years.

D, Petroleum is required to produce plastic bags. As itis, petroleum
products are diminishing and getting more expensive by the day, since
we have been using this non-renewable resource increasingly. There
are better uses for petroleum than using it to produce plastic products.

In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly
sought

RUFUS B. RO! iUEZ

We

MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR.


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES =)
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

2103

House Bill No._

AN ACT
BANNING THE USE OF PLASTIC BAGS IN GROCERIES, RESTAURANTS
AND OTHER ESTABLISHMENTS, AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR
VIOLATIONS THEREOF.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines
in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Plastic Bag Reduction
Act of 2010".

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to protect and
advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord
with the rhythm and harmony of nature.

SEC. 3. Prohibition. - Groceries, supermarkets, restaurants, fast food chains
and other establishments using plastic bags are hereby prohibited from further
using plastic bags.

All establishments shall provide only recyclable paper bags, and/or
compostable plastic bags, and/or reusable bags to its customers.

SEC. 4. Penalties. — Establishments caught using plastic bags shall be liable
to pay a fine of One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000) for every violation.

Continuous violations shall cause the suspension or revocation of the
establishments’ license to operate.

SEC. 5. Implementing Rules. — The Department of Environment and Natural
Resources shall immediately issue the rules and regulations necessary to
implement the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise
affected shall remain valid and subsisting.


SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation
contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions this Act is hereby repealed,
modified or amended accordingly.

SEC. 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.