REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 947

Introduced by MAGDALO Party List RepresentativesFranciscoAshley L. Acedillo
and Gary C, Alejano

Explanatory Note

Presidential Decree No. 979 states that it is the policy of the state to prevent and control the
pollution of seas caused by the dropping of wastes and other matter which create hazards to
human health, harm living resources and marine life, damage amenities, or interfere with the
legitimate uses of the sea within the territorial jurisdiction of the Philippines.

It is only just and imperative to provide stiffer civil and criminal penalties against polluters of
our marine environment considering our dependence on the sea and other bodies of water for our
transportation, livelihood and other related industries.

This bill simply seeks to increase the penalties being imposed and provided for under the present
law to a fine of not less than Five Million Pesos (P5,000,000.00) or imprisonment of not less
than 8 years and 1 day nor more than 12 years, or both such fine and imprisonment.

The immediate passage of this bill is eamestly recommended.

ISCO ASHLEY L. ACEDILLO "ARY C. ALEJANO


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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Sessign >

House Bill No.

Introduced by MAGDALO Party List Representatives Francisco Ashley L. Acedillo
and Gary C. Alejano

AN ACT
INCREASING THE PENALTY IMPOSED AGAINST POLLUTERS OF NAVIGABLE
WATERS BY AMENDING SECTION 7 OF PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 979
PROVIDING FOR THE REVISION OF PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 600
GOVERNING MARINE POLLUTION

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

SECTION 1. Section 7 of Presidential Decree No. 979 is hereby amended to read as

follows:

"SECTION 7. Penalties for Violations. - Any person who violates Section 4 of this
Decree or any regulations prescribed in pursuance thereof, shall be liable for a fine of not
less than [Two hundred pesos nor more than Ten thousand pesos] FIVE MILLION
PESOS or by imprisonment of not less than [thirty days] EIGHT YEARS AND ONE
DAY nor more than [one year] TWELVE YEARS or both such fine and imprisonment,
for each offense, without prejudice to the civil liability of the offender in accordance with
existing laws.

Any vessel from which oil or other harmful substances are discharged in violation of
Section 4 or any regulation prescribed in pursuance thereof, shall be liable for the penalty
of fine specified in this section, and clearance of such vessel from the port of the

Philippines may be withheld until the fine is paid.


In addition to the penalties above prescribed, the Philippine Coast Guard shall
provide in its rules and regulations such reasonable administrative penalties as

may be necessary for the effective implementation of this Decree.”

SEC. 2. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act is declared
invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall

continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 3. Repealing Clause. - All provisions of laws, orders, decrees, including

rules and regulations inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 4. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general

circulation.

Approved,