FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
H) 
JUL 21 
['4 :53 
SENA1~ 
S. No. 
"197 
;'t~~:f:ijV2n W.
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Aliicle 2, Section 16 provides: 
The Slate shall protect a1J.d advance the right of the people to a 
balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and 
harmony of nature. 
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A series of articles in the Seattle Times in July, 1997, highlighted the practice of adding 
hazardous materials to fertilizers. Industries have found a way to get rid of their toxic wastes, 
including industrial wastes and pesticides - by putting them in fertilizers. Some tests done on 
fertilizers show the presence of numerous heavy metals and other contaminants. 
These toxic fertilizers have been shown to have caused the contamination and loss of 
agricultural lands, death of livestock, contamination of groundwater/drinking water and 
potentially allowed toxic substances to end up in our food supply. Some ofthe toxins which have 
been found in commercial fertilizers include lead (causes seizures, mental retardation and 
behavioral disorders); cadmium (known to cause cancer, kidney disease, neurological 
dysfunction, immune system changes and birth defects); and arsenic (a known carcinogen). 
The purpose of this bill is to stop the practice of adding toxic and hazardous materials 
to fertilizers immediately.' 
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• This bill was originally filed in the third regular session of the 14th Congress. 


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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
). 
First Regular Session 
) 
SEN1797 
S. No. _=--='--=---'---
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
TO REGULATE FERTILIZER INGREDIENTS 
i 0 ,IIJL 21 P l! :53' 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Fertilizer Content Act." 
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SECTION 2. 
Definition. -
As. used in this Act, the term "Hazardous Waste or 
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Substances" shall mean anything that poses substantial or potential threats to public health or the 
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environment and generally exhibits one or more of these characteristics: carcinogenic, ignitable 
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(i.e., flammable), oxidant, corrosive, toxic, radioactive or explosive. 
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SECTION 3. Tests. - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) shall analyze 
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samples of all commercial fertilizers for the presence of hazardous wastes or hazardous 
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substances. The Department of Health shall assist the DTI in conducting these tests. The 
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Secretary of Trade and Industry shall publish a list of fertilizer products containing hazardous 
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wastes Of substances and shall annually report the results of the sampling and analysis to the 
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Legislature. 
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SECTION 4. Prohibition. - A commercial fertilizer that has been adulterated with any 
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substance defined as hazardous shall not be stored, transported, or sold. 
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SECTION 5. Penalty. -
Any person, corporation, or association who violates this Act 
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by selling any adulterated fertilizer shall be liable for payment of a fine worth Two Hundred and 
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Fifty Pesos for the first offense. A subsequent violation shall be penalized with a penalty of Five 
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Hundred Thousand Pesos and closure of the business establishment. 
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Any person, corporation, or association who violates this Act by storing or transporting 
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commercial fertilizer shall be subject to a penalty of fine worth Fifty Thousand Pesos. Each day 
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during which the prohibited activity occuts shall be deemed a separate violation. 
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SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or parts 
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thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified 
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accordingly. 
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SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any provision of this Act is 
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declared to be unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions hereof which are not 
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affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
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SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
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following its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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