SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
" . 'j 
AP!l 16 P:1 :20 
SENA2'E 
S. No. 
'724 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
REQUIRING THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND 
NATURAL RESOURCES TO PROMULGATE REGULATIONS ON THE 
MANAGEMENT OF MEDICAL WASTE 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Sections 15 and 16 provide: 
Section 15. The State shall protect and promote the right to health of 
the people and instill health consciousness among them. 
Section 16. The 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. 
As early as 2003, Republic Act No. 8749, also known as the "Philippine Clean Air 
Act of 1999," banned the incineration of medical waste. Thus, the proper disposal of 
infectious medical waste rcmains a concern among Philippine hospitals that are currently 
seeking non-incineration ways of treating medical waste. I 
This bill requires the management of medical wastes. It directs the secretary of 
the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to promulgate 
regulations on thc management of medical waste and to conduct a medical waste 
management program for the purpose of protecting human health and the environment 
from medical waste. This program regulates the generation, handling, storage, treatment, 
and disposal of medical waste. 2 
~ 
4~~~~..fu 
MIRIAM DEF~SOR SANTIIGO 
11' 
I http://getinedwaste.org/article.pl1P?id=140. 
2 This bill was originally filed by Rep. Frank Pallone in the U.S. House of Representatives during 
the I I Ilh Congress. 
-0' 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLlC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
SEN~724 
S. No. 
) 
) 
) 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
'~'j 
:'IPR16 ['2=20 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
1 
AN ACT 
2 
REQUIRING THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND 
3 
NATURAL RESOURCES TO PROMULGATE REGULATIONS ON THE 
4 
MANAGEMENT OF MEDICAL WASTE 
5 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Medical Waste 
6 
Management Act". 
7 
SECTION 2. Tracking and Disposal of Medical Waste.-
8 
(a) Definition of Medical Waste. - The term "medical waste" means any solid 
9 
waste which is generated in the diagnosis, trcatment, or immunization of human beings or 
10 
animals, in research pertaining thereto, or in the production or testing of biologicals. 
11 
(b) Such term includes the following types of solid waste: 
12 
(i) Cultures and stocks of infectious agents and associated biologicals, 
13 
including cultures from medical and pathological laboratories, cultures and stocks 
14 
of infectious agents from research and industrial laboratories, wastes from the 
15 
production of biologicals, discarded live and attenuated vaccines, and culture 
16 
dishes and devices used to transfer, inoculate, and mix cultures. 
17 
(ii) Pathological waste, including tissues, organs, and body parts that are 
18 
removed during surgery or autopsy. 
19 
(iii) Waste human blood and products of blood, including serum, plasma, 
20 
and other blood componcnts. 


1 
(iv) Sharps that have been used in patient care or in medical, research, or 
2 
industrial laboratories, including hypodermic needles, syringes, pasteur pipettes, 
3 
broken glass, and scalpel blades. 
4 
(v) Contaminated carcasses, body parts, and bedding of animals that have 
5 
been exposed to infectious agents during research, production of biologicals, or 
6 
testing of pharmaceuticals. 
7 
(vi) Waste from surgcry or autopsy that has been in contact with infectious 
8 
agents, including soiled dressings, sponges, drapes, lavage tubes, drainage sets, 
9 
underpads, and surgical gloves. 
10 
(vii) Laboratory waste from medical, pathological, pharmaceutical, or other 
11 
research, commercial, or industrial laboratories that has been in contact with 
12 
infectious agents, including slides and cover slips, disposable glovcs, laboratory 
13 
coats, and aprons. 
14 
(viii) Dialysis waste that has been in contact with the blood of patients 
15 
undergoing hemodialysis, including contaminated disposable equipment and 
16 
supplies such as tubing, filters, disposable sheets, towels, gloves, aprons, and 
17 
laboratory coats. 
18 
(ix) Discarded medical equipment and parts that have been in contact with 
19 
infectious agents. 
20 
(x) Solid waste that is likely to be contaminated with infectious agents 
21 
because the wastes have been in contact with humans or animals that are 
22 
quarantined to protect other humans or animals from communicable disease. 
23 
(xi) Solid waste generated during: 
24 
(I) the diagnosis or treatment of disease in human beings or animals; 
25 
(II) the provision of medical services (including immunizations) to 
26 
human beings or animals; 
2 


1 
(III) post-mortem clean-up or autopsy preparations for human beings 
2 
or animals; 
3 
(IV) medieal researeh on human beings or animals; 
4 
(V) the operation of a syringe exchange program; or 
5 
(VI) the production or testing of a biologieal product. 
6 
(c) Not later than the last day of the two-year period beginning on the date of 
7 
effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural 
8 
Resources (here called the "Secretary") shall promulgate regulations listing types of 
9 
medical waste. 
10 
SECTION 3. Medical Waste Management Program. ~ 
11 
(a) The Secretary shall conduct a medical waste management program for the 
12 
purpose of protecting human health and the environment from medical waste. 
13 
(b) The program shall provide for the following: 
14 
(1) Tracking medical waste from any generator of such waste to any 
15 
disposal facility that disposes of such waste, including a record keeping system for 
16 
generators who dispose of medical waste at the same facility where the waste is 
17 
generated. 
18 
(2) A uniform manifest form prepared by the generator of any medical 
19 
waste that accompanies the waste as it is being transported from a generator to a 
20 
disposal facility. 
21 
(3) Labeling and packaging requirements that: foster safe handling of the 
22 
waste; protect the public from exposure to infectious disease; and provide for the 
23 
identification of the generator of the waste. 
24 
(4) Storage requirements, ineluding a requirement for segregation of the 
25 
waste at the point of generation and during transportation. 
3 


1 
(5) Proper disposal of medical wasle through appropriale methods of 
2 
disposal that are approved by the Secretary; and provide adequate protection for 
3 
the environment and human health. 
4 
(6) Monitoring of generators and transporters of medical wastc and storage 
5 
and disposal facilities that store or dispose of medical waste for compliance with 
6 
the program under this section. 
7 
(7) A requiremcnt that such generators, transporters, and facilities provide 
8 
adequate training to individuals who handle medical waste to ensure compliance 
9 
with the program under this section. 
10 
(8) A national plan for managing medical waste generated in States with a 
11 
shortage of disposal facilities. 
12 
(c) Exemptions: 
13 
(1) Properly Treated Waste. -
14 
(A) Subject to paragraph (4), the Secretary may make an exemption 
15 
from some or all of the requirements of the program for medical waste 
16 
treated in a method described under subparagraph (B). 
17 
(B) Methods of Treatment. - For purposes of this paragraph, the 
18 
Secretary shall promulgate regulations establishing minimum standards for 
19 
methods of trcating medical waste that significantly reduce the potential 
20 
harm of such waste to the environment and to human health. 
21 
(2) Storage Requirements. - Subject to paragraph (4), the Secretary may 
22 
make an exemption to the requircment under subsection (b)(4) that medical waste 
23 
be segregated from other waste upon rcceipt of a petition for such an exemption 
24 
from a generator, transporter, or storage or disposal facility. 
4 


1 
(3) Individuals.-
2 
(A) Subject to subparagraph (B) and paragraph (4), the Secretary 
3 
shall make an exemption from the program under subsection (a) for 
4 
individuals who generate medical waste through personal use of medical or 
5 
non-medical products outside of a medical facility. 
6 
(B) No Exemption for Large Volumes of Waste. - The Secretary 
7 
may not make an exemption under subparagraph (A) for an individual who 
8 
generates 50 pounds or more of medical waste in any calendar month. 
9 
(4) Protection of the Environment and Human Health. - The Secretary may 
10 
not make an exemption under this subsection unless the exemption does not 
11 
endanger the environment or human health, as determined by the Secretary. 
12 
(d) Regulations. -
13 
(1) For purposes of the program, not later than the last day of the one-year 
14 
period beginning on the date of effectivity of this Act, the Secretary shall 
15 
promulgate regulations on tracking, labeling, packaging, storing, handling, 
16 
monitoring, and disposing of medical waste. 
17 
(2) Variation in Rules. - The regulations under paragraph (J) may include 
18 
different rules for different types of medical waste and for ditferent types of 
19 
medical waste generators. 
20 
SECTION 4. Specific Requirements for Generators, Transporters, and Storage 
21 
and Disposal Facilities. -
22 
(a) Specific Requirements for Generators.-
23 
(1) A generator of medical waste shall: 
24 
(A) provide any transporter that is transporting medical waste from 
25 
the generator to a disposal facility -
5 


1 
(i) with a written assurance that the generator has complied 
2 
with all labcling, packaging, and storage requircments under section 
3 
3 with respect to such medical waste; and 
4 
(ii) with a properly completed manifest form for transporting 
5 
such waste under section 3 (b )(2); 
6 
(B) registcr with the Secretary; and 
7 
(C) provide the Secretary with the name of all transporters used by 
8 
the generator to transport medical waste. 
9 
(2) Application to Tattoo and Body Art Establishments. - A body art 
10 
establishment (including a tattoo parlor) shall be considered to be a generator of 
11 
medical waste for purposes of this subtitle. 
12 
(b) Specific Requirements for Transporters. - A transporter of medical waste shall: 
13 
(1) not accept medical waste trom a generator without receiving a written 
14 
assurance, with regard to such waste, that is dcscribed in subsection (a)(1)(A); 
15 
(2) register with the Secretary; and 
16 
(3) disclose to the Secretary the number and type of vehicles used by the 
17 
transporter to transport medical waste and the equipment and methods used to 
18 
ensure segregation and handling of such waste in accordance with this Act. 
19 
(c) Specific Requirements for Storage Facilities. - An owner or operator of a 
20 
storage facility shall provide notice of the storage of medical waste to the generator of 
21 
that medical waste; and register with thc Secretary. 
22 
(d) Specific Requirements for Disposal Facilities. - An owner or operator of a 
23 
disposal facility shall provide notice of the disposal of medical waste to the generator of 
24 
that medical waste; and register with the Secretary. 
6 


1 
(e) Registration. -- The Secretary may set appropriate requirements for registration 
2 
under this section and may collect reasonable registration fees from generators, 
3 
transporters, and disposal facilities. 
4 
(t) Availability of Fees. - Subject to appropriations, fees collected under this 
5 
section shall remain available for use by the Secretary for purposes of the medical waste 
6 
management program under this subtitle. 
7 
SECTION 5. Inspections. -
8 
(a) Requirements for Access.-
9 
(1) Upon request of any oflicer or employee or representative of the 
10 
Secretary for purposes of developing or assisting in the development of any 
11 
regulation or report under this Act or enforcing any of its provision, any person 
12 
who generates, stores, treats, transports, disposes of, or otherwise handles medical 
13 
waste shall furnish information relating to such waste (including any manifest 
14 
forms required under section 3), conduct monitoring or testing, and permit such 
15 
officer, employee, or representative at all reasonable times to have access to, and 
16 
to copy, all records relating to such waste. 
17 
(2) Specific Activities Authorizcd. - To carry out inspections for purposes 
18 
of the program under section 3, officers, employees, or representatives described 
19 
under paragraph (1) are authorized to: 
20 
(A) enter at reasonable times any building, vehicle, equipment, 
21 
container, or other item or place where medical waste is generated, stored, 
22 
treated, disposed ot: or transported; 
23 
(B) conduct monitoring or testing relating to such waste; 
24 
(C) inspect any such waste and any containers, labels, and 
25 
documents relating to such waste; and 
7 


1 
(D) obtain from any person samples of such waste; and samples or 
2 
copies of such containers, labcls, and documcnts. 
3 
(b) Procedures. -
4 
(1) Prompt Inspections. -
Each inspcction under this section shall be 
5 
commenced and completed with reasonable promptness. 
6 
(2) Samples. -
7 
(A) If an officer, employee, or representative described under 
8 
subsection (a)(l) obtains any samples under subsection (a)(2)(D), prior to 
9 
leaving the site of inspection the officer, employee, or representative shall 
10 
give to the owner, operator, or agent in charge a receipt describing each 
11 
sample obtained. 
12 
(B) If any analysis is made of such samples, a copy of the results of 
13 
such analysis shall bc furnished promptly to the owner, operator, or agent in 
14 
charge of the site from which such sample was taken. 
15 
SECTION 6. Syringe Disposal Program. -
16 
(a) The Secretary shall establish a program on syringe disposal to: 
17 
(1) educate the public about acceptable methods for disposal of used 
18 
syringes generated by individuals through personal use of such syringes outside of 
19 
medical facilities, including through household use; and 
20 
(2) provide grants to State and local governments and nonprofit and private 
21 
entities: 
22 
(A) to educate the public about such methods; and 
23 
(B) to increase access to such disposal methods. 
24 
(b) Acceptable Disposal Methods. - For purposes of this section, acceptable 
25 
methods of disposal of used syringes shall be determined by the Secretary and may 
8 


1 
include community drop-off programs, hazardous waste facilities that accept household 
2 
waste, mail-back programs, syringe exchange programs, and needle destruction devices. 
3 
(c) Unacceptable Disposal Methods. -- For purposes of this section, disposal: 
4 
(I) in household garbage is not an acceptable disposal method unless the 
5 
syringe has been appropriately (as determined by the Secretary) sterilized and 
6 
destroyed; and 
7 
(2) through the sewage system is not an acceptable disposal method. 
8 
SECTION 7. Reports to Congress.-
9 
(a) Annual Report-
10 
(I) Not later than one year after the date of cffectivity of this Act and 
11 
annually thereafter, the Secretary shall report to Congress on the following: 
12 
(A) The types, number, and size of generators of medical waste in 
13 
the country. 
14 
(B) The types and amounts of medical waste generated 111 the 
15 
country. 
16 
(C) The methods currently used to handle, store, transport, treat, and 
17 
dispose of the medical waste, including the extent to which such waste is 
18 
disposed of in sewer systems. 
19 
(D) The present and potential costs: 
20 
(i) to local economies, persons, and the environment from the 
21 
improper handling, storage, transportation, treatment, or disposal of 
22 
medical waste; and 
23 
(ii) to generators, transporters, and storage and disposal 
24 
facilities from regulations establishing requirements related to 
25 
tracking, handling, storing, transporting, treating, and disposing of 
26 
medical waste. 
9 


1 
(E) Available and potentially available methods for handling, 
2 
storing, transporting, and disposing of medical waste and their advantages 
3 
and disadvantages. 
4 
(F) Available and potentially available methods for treating medical 
5 
waste, including methods of sterilization, chemical treatment, and grinding. 
6 
(G) Thc advantages and disadvantages of such treatment methods, 
7 
including the extent to which such methods: 
8 
(i) render medical waste noninfectious or less infectious; 
9 
(ii) make medical waste unrecognizable; and 
10 
(iii) protect human health and the environment. 
11 
(H) Factors impacting the effectiveness of the treatment methods 
12 
identified in subparagraph (F), including quality control and quality 
13 
assurance procedures, maintenance procedures, and operator training. 
14 
(I) Available and potentially available methods for the reuse or 
15 
reduction of the volume of medical waste generated. 
16 
(b) Study and Report on Individual Generators. -
17 
(1) Study. - The Secretary shall conduct a study on: 
18 
(A) the type of medical waste (including used syringes) generated by 
19 
individuals through personal use of medical products outside of medical 
20 
facilities; 
21 
(B) the volume of such waste; 
22 
(C) the availability and cost of disposal and treatment of such waste; 
23 
(D) the impact on the environment and human health of excluding 
24 
such waste from the medical waste management program under section 3; 
25 
and 
10 


1 
(E) the extent to which individuals are aware of and use available 
2 
disposal and treatment options for such waste. 
3 
(2) Report. - Not later than the last day of the one-ycar period beginning on 
4 
the date of effectivity of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress 
5 
containing: 
6 
(A) the results of the study under paragraph (I); 
7 
(B) recommended standards for the handling, storage, treatment, and 
8 
disposal of such waste; and 
9 
(C) recommendations [or educating the public about such standards. 
10 
(c) Consultation. - In preparing the reports under this section, the Secretary shall 
11 
consult with appropriate State and local agencies. 
12 
SECTION 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall be declared 
13 
unconstitutional, any other provision not affected thereby shall rcmain in full force and 
14 
effect. 
15 
SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, 
16 
or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly. 
17 
SECTION 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take cffect fifteen (IS) days after its 
18 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
Ifidp25mar20 15 
11