RECEIVED
18 JUL 2016

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES|
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS |

i BY:
First Regular Session

REST ATON NIT

' Gj
HOUSE BILL NO.16 70) aus gins INOEK SPRMICE

Introduced by HONORABLE STRIKE B. REVILLA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Occupational health and safety is defined as a cross-disciplinary area concerned with
protecting the safety, health and welfare of people engaged in work or employment. The goal of
all occupational health safety programs is to foster a safe work environment (www.ornl.gov).

Since most workers spend at least eight hours a day in the workplace, work environments
should be safe and healthy. Every day workers all over the world are faced with a multitude of
health hazards. Unfortunately, some employers gave not much attention or assume little
responsibility for the protection of workers health and safety which resulted to work-related
accidents and diseases which are common in all parts of the world.

This bill seeks to rationalize the implementation of national policies, standards and
regulations relating to occupational safety and health and environmental protection. Studies show
that there are a number of government agencies, both national and local, that is involved in the
administration and enforcement of occupational safety and health and environmental protection
laws. It appears that these agencies are authorized by existing laws to participate in the
implementation of these concerns.

For the foregoing considerations, passage of this bill is eamestly sought.

STHIKE B. REVILLA
istrict of Cavite

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO] 6'76,

Introduced by HONORABLE STRIKE B. REVILLA

AN ACT
TO RATIONALIZE THE ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF ALL LAWS:
ON OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS AND.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND OTHER PURPOSES:

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

Section 1.Declaration of Policy. ~ It is hereby declared the policy of the State to;

a, Protect every worker against injury, sickness or death through safe and healthful working
conditions, thereby assuring the conservation of valuable manpower resources and the
prevention of unnecessary loss or damage to lives and properties;

b. Protect and advance the right of the people to a well-balanced and healthful ecology in
accord with the rhythm, harmony and integrity of nature;

air and land from any source which will be
fare and adversely affect rational utilization of

¢. Prevent and control pollution of water.
detrimental to public health, safety and wel
sustainable resources of the country;

d. Create, develop, maintain and improve conditions under which people and nature may
prosper in wholesome harmony with each other:

¢. Ensure the attainment of an environmental quality that is conducive to a life of dignity
and well-being; and

f. Promote and support research and training activities which are necessary to develop
relevant standards in occupational health and safety and legislations to protect the
environment.

Section 2.Lead Agency in Occupational Safety and Health Promotion. - The
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) shall be the principal agency in coordinating and
monitoring the activities of all government agencies involved in the implementation of all laws
to promote occupational safety and health. For purposes of this Act, the term “occupational
safety and health” shall include any matter that affects the safety and health of workers in all
places of employment.



‘Towards this end, the DOLE shall be primarily responsible for the administration and
enforcement of all laws, standards and regulations on occupational safety and health and shall
have the following duties

a. Review existing policies, standards and programs of all government agencies involved in
occupational health standards and recommend to the President and Congress new
policies, standards and programs relative thereto in consultation with a tripartite body
composed of the representatives of the workers; employers and the government;

b. Enlist the assistance of appropriate government agencies, including local government
subdivisions, in the implementation and/or enforcement of occupational safety and health
programs, standards and regulations in accordance with such conditions as it may
prescribe:

Act as the national monitoring agency on the progress of the implementation of policies,
programs, research, training and information dissemination on workers safety and health
and submit a yearly report thereon to the President and Congress; and

d, Promulgate such necessary rules and regulations to effectively carry out the provisions
and objectives of this Act.

Section 3.Lead Agency in Environmental Protection.—The Department of Environment
and Natural Resources (DENR) shall be the principal agency of the government in coordinating
and monitoring the activities of all government agencies or instrumentalities involved in the
administration and enforcement of all laws, standards and regulation relating o environmental
protection and the natural resources of this country in formulating an intensive an integrated
program on environmental protection, including, but not limited to, manufacture, importation,
processing, distribution, use and disposal hazardous and toxic substances and mixtures; and
development, utilization and conservation of natural resources and over-all maintenance of a
well-balanced and healthful ecology.

Towards this end, the DENR shall be primarily responsible for the administration and
enforcement of laws, standards and regulations on environmental protection and on the natural
resources of this country and shall have the following duties:

a, Review existing policies, standards and programs of all government agencies involved n
the establishment of environmental assessment and recommend to the President and
Congress new policies, standards and programs relative thereto in consultation with
pertinent government and non-government agencies

b. Enlist the assistance of appropriate government agencies, including local government
subdivision, and non-government, organizations in the implementation and/or
enforcement of environmental health safety and protection programs, standards and
regulations in accordance with such conditions as it may prescribe:

€. Act as the national monitoring agency on the progress of implementation of pol
programs, research, training and information dissemination on environmental health
safety and protection and submit a yearly report thereon to the President and Congress;
and

d. Promulgate such necessary rules and regulations to effectively carry out the provisions
and objectives of this Act.


Section 4.Sanitation—The Department of Health (DOH) shall be responsible for
formulating policies, standards and programs in sanitation. The DOH shall make periodic
inspections for the purpose of issuing/renewing sanitary permits for establishments.

ection 5. Admi

istration Sanctions in cases of Violations. —

a. In addition to the penalties provided for by existing laws, the DOLE may, by appropriate
regulations, prescribe administrative fines for violations of occupational safety and
health standards or regulations promulgated there under which in no case shall not less
than One Hundred Pesos (P100) nor more than Ten Thousand pesos (P10,000) a day,
depending upon the gravity of the violation, starting from the date the violation is
uncovered until the same has been corrected by the offender.

The fines shall accrue to the Occupational Safety and Health Fund shall be managed by a
Board, with the Secretary of the DOLE as Chairperson and the pertinent government
agencies as members, which shall implement programs and promote research and
training in occupational safety and health.

b, In addition to the penalties provided for by existing laws, rules and regulations, the
DENR may, by appropriate regulations, prescribe administrative fines for violations of
environmental health, safety and protection standards or regulations promulgated under
which in no case shall be less than One Hundred Pesos (P100) nor more than Ten
Thousand Pesos (P10,000) a day, depending upon the gravity of the violations, starting
from the date the violation is in covered until the same has been corrected by the
offender. The fines shall accrue to the Environmental Safety and protection Fund and
shall be managed by a Board, with the Secretary of the DENR as Chairperson and the
pertinent government agencies as members which shall implement programs and
promote research and training in environmental protection.

Section 6.Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, decrees, executive orders and rules and
regulations or part or parts thereof inconsistent with any provision of this Act are hereby
repealed, modified, superseded or amended accordingly.

Section 7.Separability Clause. ~ If any provision of this Act or the application of such
provision to any person or circumstance is held invalid for any reason the remainder of this Act
or the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected
thereby

Section 8.Effectivity Clause.-This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspaper of general
circulation, whichever comes earlier

Approved,