Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session
¢
House Bill No,_209

Introduced by Hon. Rozzano Rufino B, Biazon

EXPLANATORY NOTE

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

In lieu of this, it is only just and imperative to provide stiffer civil and criminal penalties
against those polluters of our marine environment since we are very dependent on the sea
and other bodies of water for our transportation, livelihood and other related industries.
This bill 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.

Approval of this bill is earnestly sought as soon as possible.

ROZZANO stad hfe
Representative

Lone District, Muntinlupa City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BillNo.__ 209.

Introduced by Hon. Rozzano Rufino B. Biazon.

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 the 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 at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.