NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
)
^iTtniT
of t’"? ?tr
24 MAY 15 P3 :15
SENATE
S. NO. 2677
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING A GRANT AND FEE PROGRAM TO INCENTIVIZE AND 
PROMOTE THE PROPER RECYCLING OF USED COMPUTERS AND TO 
PROMOTE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE FOR 
THE RECYCLING OF USED COMPUTERS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Constitution, Article II, Section 15, declares that "[t]he State shall protect 
and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among 
them. Additionally, Section 16 of the same further asserts that "[t]he 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. This bill seeks to put these declared 
policies into practice by aiming to reduce the amount of garbage accrued from used 
and discarded computers thereby minimizing our carbon footprint and helping 
maintain a balanced ecology for all.
In a consumer-driven, market-oriented economy, newer forms of technology 
are continuously emerging and are being adopted and utilized at a rapidly increasing 
pace. These technological innovations have effectively shrunk the world in a digital 
sense especially with the emergence of social media and high-speed internet 
connectivity. These developments have rendered vast intercontinental distances 
practically moot as goods, services, and even people are often just a push of a button 
away, provided one has the means to access the technology in the first place. 
Subsequently, the technology required to provide consumers with the means to 
interface with digital reality has also expanded exponentially over the past decade or


so as consumers now have a plethora of available options with which to acquire 
connectivity.
One such device which has gained widespread social recognition is the personal 
computer (PC), which traces its colloquial roots to the late-1980s when technology 
had evolved to the point where it could finally be owned and operated by individuals.
Unfortunately, a huge amount of consumption inevitably translates into a huge 
amount of waste. Previously owned computers declared outdated and obsolete may 
eventually be discarded by their owners and replaced with faster and more efficient 
machines. Without the proper regulations and procedures, the potentially hazardous 
and non-biodegradable materials that go into the assembly of these computers may 
be disposed of in such a way that may cause adverse health effects to people and 
contaminate the surrounding environment.
This bill seeks to institutionalize a grant and fee program to incentivize and 
promote the proper recycling of used computers and to promote the development of 
a national infrastructure for the recycling of used computers.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
EL "LITO" M. LAPID
Senator [\l


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. NO. 2677
a J 1 U" '
of the &" i. .'t >n>
24 MAY 15 P3 :15
Rl:.CEIv';:Q BV;
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING A GRANT AND FEE PROGRAM TO INCENTIVIZE AND 
PROMOTE THE PROPER RECYCLING OF USED COMPUTERS AND THE 
DEVELOPMENT OF A NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE RECYCLING
OF USED COMPUTERS
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 "National Computer
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Recycling Act of 2024".
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
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protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in
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accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. The State shall also protect and
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promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them.
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To this end, the State shall endeavor to institutionalize a computer recycling program
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that would minimize the dumping of non-biodegradable and/or hazardous waste from
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discarded computer parts.
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Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:
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(A) "Cathode Ray Tube "refers to a vacuum tube or picture tube used to convert
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an electronic signal into a visual image;
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(B) "Central Processing Unit"or "CPU"refers to a case and all of its contents,
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such as the primary printed circuit board and its components, additional
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printed circuit boards, one or more disc drives, a transformer, interior wires,
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and a power cord;


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(C) "Computer" vQ^Qvs to an electronic, magnetic, optical, electrochemical, or 
other high speed data processing device performing logical, arithmetic, or 
storage functions, and may include both a central processing unit and a 
monitor, but such term does not include an automated typewriter or 
typesetter, a portable hand-held calculator, or other similar device;
(D) "End-user"vefevs to the individual for whom a hardware product is designed 
from the developers, installers, and servicers of the product;
(E) "Hazardous waste" refers to substances that are without any safe 
commercial, industrial, agricultural, or economic usage and are shipped, 
transported, or brought from the country of origin for dumping or disposal 
into or in transit through any part of the territory of the Philippines. It shall 
also refer to by-products, side-products, process residues, spent reaction 
media, contaminated plant or equipment or other substances from 
manufacturing operations, and as consumer discards of manufactured 
products;
(F) "Monitor" refers to a separate visual display component of a computer, 
whether sold separately or together with a central processing unit, and 
includes a cathode ray tube, liquid crystal, or light-emitting diode display, 
its case, interior wires and circuitry, cable to the central processing unit, and 
power cord;
(G) "Non-profitorganization"refers to an organization incorporated as an entity 
paying no dividends, governed by trustees who receive no compensation, 
and devoting all its income, whether fees or gifts, donation, subsidies or 
other forms of philanthropy, to the accomplishment and promotion of the 
purposes enumerated in its Articles of Incorporation; and
(H) "Secretary" ref ers to the Secretary of the Department of Environment and 
Natural Resources (DENR).
Sec. 4. Fee. -
{N) Requirement. - Effective one hundred eighty (180) days after the 
transmittal to the Congress the results of the study conducted under Section 
7(A), the Secretary shall require that a fee be assessed on the sale, including


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a sale through the Internet or a catalogue, to an end-user of any computer, 
monitor, or other electronic device designated by the Secretary under 
paragraph (C). The Secretary shall establish procedures for the collection of 
such fee. The requirement under this section shall not apply to a sale by an 
end-user to a subsequent end-user.
{'S) Fee Amount The amount of the fee required under subsection (A) shall -
(1) Be an amount sufficient to cover the costs of carrying out section 
5(A) and paragraph (C) of this section;
(2) Be uniform -
(a) For each computer with a central processing unit and monitor 
integrated in a single device;
(b) For each central processing unit;
(c) For each monitor; and
(d) For each class of other devices designated by the Secretary 
under paragraph (C);
(3) Not exceed Two Flundred Pesos (P200.00) per computer, monitor, or 
other designated device; and
(4) Be clearly indicated on the label, external packing materials, or sales 
receipt of the computer, monitor, or device.
{C) Administrative Costs. - Persons required by the Secretary to collect a fee 
under this section may retain three percent (3%) of amounts so collected 
to pay the costs of administering the fee collection program.
{U) Exempted Sales. - Non-profit organizations who engage in the sale of a 
used computer, monitor, or any other electronic device shall be exempt from 
the fee requirements under this section.
(E) Additional Exemption. - The Secretary may exempt from the fee 
requirements under this section any sale made under a contract or an 
arrangement that the Secretary determines is likely to result in the 
maximum reuse of significant components of the computer, monitor, or 
device, and the disposal of the remaining components -
(1) In an environmentally sound and responsible manner;
(2) Without violation of any Philippine law; and


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(3) Without reliance on funding from the government, when the 
computer, monitor, or device is no longer of normal use to the end- 
user.
(F) Designation of Eiectronic Devices. - The Secretary may designate additional 
electronic devices to which the fee under paragraph (A) shall apply if those 
electronic devices -
(1) Contain a significant amount of material that, when disposed of, 
would be hazardous waste; and
(2) Include one or more liquid crystal displays, cathode ray tubes, or 
circuit boards.
Sec. 5. Grants. -
(A) Uses of Fee Amounts. - Amounts collected under Section 4 shall be used, 
to the extent provided in advance in appropriations Acts, by the Secretary 
for-
(1) Covering the costs of administration of this Act; and
(2) Making grants under paragraph (B).
Not more than ten percent (10%) of the funds available pursuant to this Act
for any fiscal year may be used for costs described in paragraph (1).
(B) Grant Purposes. - The Secretary shall make grants with funds collected 
under Section 4 to individuals or organizations, including units of local 
government, for -
(1) Collecting or processing used computers, monitors, or other 
designated devices for recycling purposes;
(2) Reusing or reselling such computers, monitors, or devices, or 
components thereof; and
(3) Extracting and using, or selling for reuse, raw materials from such 
computers, monitors, or devices.
(C) Eiigibiiity. - An individual or organization shall be eligible for a grant under 
paragraph (B) only if the individual or organization provides assurances to 
the satisfaction of the Secretary that it will carry out the grant purposes in


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a manner that complies with all applicable Philippine environmental and
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health laws.
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(D)Selection Criteria. - In selecting proposals for grants under paragraph (B),
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the Secretary shall consider -
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(l)The quantity of used computers, monitors, or other designated
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devices that will be diverted from landfills;
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(2) The estimated cost per unit of the collection, processing, reuse, or
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sale proposed;
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(3) The availability of, and potential for, markets for recycled materials;
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(4) The degree to which the proposal mitigates or avoids harmful
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environmental or health effects; and
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(5)The degree to which the proposal employs innovative recycling
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technologies; and
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(6)The demonstrated history of the grant applicant in disposing of or
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providing for the reuse of computers, monitors, or devices in an
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environmentally sound and responsible manner without violation of
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any law. Provided, That the grant applicant is an entity already
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engaged in the activities outlined under paragraph (B) prior to the
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effectivity of this Act.
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The Secretary shall ensure that grants are provided to a geographically diverse
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group of recipients.
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Sec. 6. Consuitation. - In carrying out this Act, the Secretary shall consult with
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representatives of the computer manufacturing, retail, and recycling industries, waste
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management professionals, environmental and consumer groups, and other
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appropriate individuals and organizations, including local government units.
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Sec. 7. Study and Reports. -
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{K) Study. - Within six (6) months after the date of effectivity of this Act, the
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Secretary shall conduct a study and transmit the results to Congress, which
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shall -
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(1) Identify waste materials in used computers that may be hazardous
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to human health or the environment;


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(2) Describe current management of such waste materials;
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(3) Estimate the quantities of such materials that exist or will exist in the
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future, including a separate estimate of the quantities of such
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materials that are exported to the Philippines;
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(4) Estimate the costs of transporting, collecting, and processing
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computers, monitors, and other designated devices;
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(5) Estimate the demand for materials from recycled computers, and
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make recommendations for increasing the markets for such
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materials; and
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(6) Make recommendation for the management of electronic products
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containing such waste materials at the end of their useful lives.
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(B) Reports. - Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this
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Act, and annually thereafter for four additional years, the Secretary shall
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transmit to the Congress a report on the status of computer recycling. Such
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report shall include a description of the amount of fees collected under
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Section 4, and a description of the amount of administrative costs paid for
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and grants made under Section 5 with funds collected through such fees.
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Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days after
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the approval of this Act, the Secretary of the DENR shall issue the necessary rules and
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regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.
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Sec. 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the law of the provision not otherwise affected shall
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remain valid and subsisting.
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Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
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order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, or
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inconsistent with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended
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accordingiy.
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Sec. 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,