FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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JIJL -5 1'4 :: 13 
First Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article XIII, Section 11 provides that the State shall give priority to the 
needs of children. Children have more sensitive needs and, therefore, face unique health threats 
that require special attention. 
Public health and safety depends on citizens and local officials. They should know the 
toxic dangers that exist in their homes, communities, and neighborhoods. At present, we do not 
have sufficient data that would allow adequate quantification and evaluation of child-specific 
susceptibility and exposure to environmental pollutants. The absence of data precludes effective 
government regulation of environmental pollutants, and denies individuals the ability to exercise 
a right to know and make informed decisions to protect their families, especially the children. 
This bill seeks to protect children against environment pollutants by requiring that 
information related to them be made readily available to the general public, in order to advance 
the public's right to know, and allow the public to avoid involuntary exposure of children to 
pollutants.* 
* This bill was originally filed during the Thirteenth Congress, First Regular Session. 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING CHILDREN PROTECTION AGAINST 
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANTS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Environmental Protection 
for Children Act.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the declared policy of the Sate to give 
priority to the needs of children. Taking into account this policy, the State hereby undertakes to 
identify and make known to the public environmental pollutants which are harmhl to children. 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. -For purposes of this Act, the term: 
(A) “Areas that are reasonably accessible to children” means homes, schools, day care 
centers, shopping malls, movie theaters, and parks; 
(B) “Children” means individuals who are 18 years of age or younger; 
(C) “Environmental pollutant” means a hazardous substance; 
(D) “Secretary” refers to the Secretary of the Department of Health. 
SECTION4. Safer Environment for Children. - Not later than one year after the 
effectivity of this Act, the Secretary shall: 
(A) Identify environmental pollutants commonly used or found in areas that are 
reasonably accessible to children; 
(B) Create a scientifically peer-reviewed list of substances identified under paragraph 
(A) with known, likely, or suspected health risks to children; 
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(C) Create a scientifically peer-reviewed list of safer-for-children substances and 
products recommended by the Secretary for use in areas that are reasonably 
accessible to children that, when applied as recommended by the manufacturer, will 
minimize potential risks to children from exposure to environmental pollutants; 
(D) Establish guidelines to help reduce and eliminate exposure of children to 
environmental pollutants in areas reasonably accessible to children; 
(E) Create a family right-to-know information kit that includes a summary of helpfid 
information and guidance to families, such as the information created under 
paragraph (C), the guidelines established under paragraph (D), information on the 
potential health effects of environmental pollutants, practical suggestions on how 
parents may reduce their children’s exposure to environmental pollutants, and other 
relevant information; 
(F) Make all information created pursuant to this section available to the public; and 
(G) Review and update the lists created under paragraphs (B) and (C) at least once 
every year. 
SECTION 5. Research to Improve Information on Effects on Children. - The Secretary 
shall coordinate and support the development and implementation of basic and applied research 
initiatives to examine the health effects and toxicity of pesticides and other environmental 
pollutants on children. 
SECTION 6. Compliance in Public Areas that are Reasonably Accessible to Children. - 
Not later than one year after the list created under Section (4)(C) is made available to the public, 
the Secretary shall prohibit the use of any product that has been excluded from the safer-for- 
children list. 
SECTION 7. Evaluation of Current Public Health and Environmental Standards. - As 
part of any risk assessment, risk characterization, environmental or public health standard or 
regulation, or general regulatory decision carried out by the Department of Health, the Secretary 
shall evaluate and consider the environmental health risks to children. 
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SECTION 8. Znzpleinentation. - In carrying out Section 6, not later than one (1) year after 
the date of effectivity of this Act, the Secretary shall: 
(A) Develop an administrative strategy and an administrative process for reviewing 
standards; 
(B) Publish a list of standards that may need revision to ensure the protection of 
children; 
(C) Prioritize the list according to the standards that are most important for expedited 
review to protect children; 
(D) Identify which standards on the list will require additional research in order to be 
evaluated and outline the time and resouces required to carry out the research. 
SECTION 9. Appropriation. - To carry out the provisions of this Act, such sum as may 
be necessary is hereby authorized to be appropriated from the National Treasury. Thereafter, the 
sum necessary for the continuous operation of the program shall be included in the annual 
appropriation of the Department of Health. 
SECTION 10. 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. 
SECTION 11. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, or inconsistent 
with, the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 12. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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