SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
) 
) 
) 
Senate Bill No. 1601 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
'13 
SEP 10 
1\11 :28 
The right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology is upheld by 
the Constitution. It is, therefore, the mandate of the State to safeguard the right 
and to provide the resources to implement this policy for the· benefit of all 
citizens. 
Public health and safety greatly depends on the awareness of citizens and 
local officials of the toxic dangers that exist in their homes, communities and 
neighborhoods. Of all sectors in the society, it is the children and other 
vulnerable subpopulations like pregnant women, the elderly and individuals with 
a history of ailments that fac:e .unique pealth threats of needing special attention. 
However, our current standards for environmental pollutants fail to protect or 
even consider risks to children and other vulnerable subpopulations. 
There is a need to clearly differentiate between the risks to children and 
other vulnerable sectors in the setting of environmental and public health 
standards. 
It is also important that such standards be made known and 
understood by the target sector for their own protection. 
This bill seeks to address these issues by tasking the Department of 
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), in collaboration with the 
Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) in setting 
appropriate standards. 
This bill institutes the necessary mechanisms for 
ensuring that supplying data that would allow adequate quantification and 
evaluation of environmental pollutants specific to these sectors creates 
information on the risks to children and the risks to other vulnerable sub-
pollutants. In so doing, the citizens will be able to exercise their right to know 
and make informed decisions' to protect their families. 
In view of the foregoing considerations early passage of this bill is 
earnestly sought. 
EJERCITO ESTRADA 
Senator 


j, til 11 IF 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
) 
) 
t'Jfh;r llf t~e ~tt:rphlr~ 
First Regular Session 
'13 
SEP 10 
All :28 
< 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 160 1 
RECEIVEr> In:._r--. 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
TO PROTECT CHILDREN AND OTHER VULNERABLE SUBPOPULATIONS 
FROM EXPOSURE TO ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANTS, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
ARTICLE I 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
Ii I "I." .• 1 '·0· 
SECTION 1. Title. This Act shall be known and cited as "Children's 
Environmental Protection Act." 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is the policy of the State, concordant 
with the Constitution, to protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced 
and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature and to 
promote and protect the children's physical well-being in recognition of the 
youth's vital role in nation-building. 
To ensure the implementation of these 
policies, the State shall ensure that: 
a) 
All environmental and public health standards set by the 
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and 
the Department of Health (DOH), respectively must, with an 
adequate margin of safety, protect children and other vulnerable 
subpopulations that are at greater risk from exposure to 
enVironmental pollutants; 
b) 
Information, including a safer-for-children product list, should be 
made readily available by the DENR to the general public and 
relevant government agencies to advance the public's right to 
know and allow the public to allow unnecessary and involuntary 
exposure to .environmental pollutants; 
c) 
Not later that one (1) year after the safer-for-children product list 
is created only listed products or chemical's that minimize 
potential health risks to children shall be used in properties and 
areas of the State; and 


d) 
Scientific research opportunities should be identified by the 
DENR and the DOH to study the short-term and long-term health 
effects of cumulative, simultaneous and synergistic exposures of 
children and other vulnerable subpopulations to environmental 
pollutants. 
SEC. 3. Definitions of Terms - As used in this Act: 
a) 
"Areas That Are Reasonably Accessible to Children" shall refer 
to homes, schools, day care centers, shopping malls, movie 
theaters and parks; 
b) 
"Children" shall refer to individual 18 years of age r;>r younger; 
c) 
"Department" shall refer to the Department of Environment and 
Natural Resources: 
d) 
"Environmental Pollutants" shall refer to the hazardous 
substance or a pesticide, as defined in RA 6969 and those 
other pollutants with national standards; 
e) 
"Secretary" shall refer to the Secretary of Environment and 
Natural Resources; 
f) 
"State Properties and Areas" shall refer to areas owned or 
controlled bY'lthe Republic of the Philippines; and 
g) 
"Vulnerable Subpopulations" shall refer to children, pregnant 
women, the elderly, individuals with a history of serious illness 
and other subpopulations identified by the Secretary of 
Environment, in collaboration with the Secretary of Health as 
likely to experience elevated health risks from environmental 
pollutants. 
ARTICLE 1\ 
SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN AND OTHER VULNERABLE 
SUBPOPULA TIONS 
SEC. 4. Functions of the Secretary of the DENR. The Secretary of the 
Department of Environment and Natural Resources in collaboration with the 
Secretary of Health, shall: 
a) 
Consistently and explicitly evaluate and consider environmental 
health risks to vulnerable subpopulations in all of the risk 
assessments, risk characterizations, environmental and public 
health standards and regulatory decisions carried out by the 
Secretary; 
''!-' 
, 
b) 
Ensure that all environmental and public health standards 
protect children and other. vulnerable subpopulations with an 
adequate margin of safety, and 
c) 
Develop and use a separate assessment or finding of risks ti 
vulnerable subpopulations or publish in at least two (2) 


newspapers of general circulation an 
planation of why the 
separate assessment or finding is not in u ed. 
SEC. 5. Reevaluation of Current Public Healt and Environmental 
Standards. As part of any risk assessment, risk charact rization, environmental 
and public health standard or regulation, or general reg latory decision carried 
out by the Secretary, he shall evaluate and consider th 
environmental health 
risks to children and other vulnerable subpopulations. 
Not later that one (1) year after the date of ena tment of this Act, the 
Secretary shall: 
a) 
Develop an administrative strategy an 
process for reviewing 
standards; 
b) 
Publish in at least two (2) newspapers f general circulation a 
list of standards that may need revision 0 ensure the protection 
of children and vulnerable subpopulatio s; 
c) 
Prioritize the list according to the st ndards that are most 
important for expedited review to protect children and 
vulnerable subpopulations; 
d) 
Identify which standards on the list will require additional 
research in order to be reevaluated a d outline the time and 
resources ,~equired. tq carry out the rese rch; 
e) 
Identify, through public input and peer r view public health and 
environmental standards to be re-prom Igated on an expedited 
basis to meet the criteria of this subsect on; 
f) 
Propose revised standards that me t the criteria of this 
subsection not later than five (5) y ars after the date of 
enactment of this title; 
g) 
Complete the revision of all standards in accordance with this 
subsection not later that ten (10) Y ars after the date of 
enactment of this title; 
h) 
Report to Congress on an annual basi , the progress made by 
the Secretary in carrying out the obje ives and policy of this 
subsection; 
ARTICLE III 
SAFER ENVIRONMENTAL FOR C ILOREN 
SEC. 6. Safer Environmental for Childre 
To ensure a safer 
environmental for children,in' not later than one year aft r the enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary shall: 
a) 
Identify environmental pollutants com only used or found in 
areas that are reasonably accessible to' hildren; 


· . 
b) 
c) 
d) 
e) 
f) 
g) 
Create a sCientifically peer-reviewed list of substances identified 
under paragraph one (1) with known, likely or suspected health 
risks to children; 
Create a scientifically peer-reviewed list of safer-for-children 
substances and products recommended by the Secretary for use 
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; 
Establish guidelines to help reduce and eliminate exposure to 
children to environmental pollutants in areas reasonably 
accessible to children, including advice on how to establish an 
integrated pest management program; 
Create a family right-to-know information kit that includes a 
summary of helpful information and guidance to families, such as 
the information created under paragraph three, the guidelines 
established under paragraph four, information on the potential 
effects of environmental pollutants, practical suggestions on how 
parents may reduce their children's exposure to environmental 
pollutants, and other relevant information, as determined by the 
Secretary in cooperation with the Secretary of Department of 
Health; 
Make all infor.matlon created pursuant to this subsection 
available to government agencies, the public and on the internet; 
an,d 
Review and update lists created under paragraphs two and three 
at least once.each ye1'lr; 
SEC. 7. 
Compliance in Public Areas that are Reasonably 
Accessible to Children. Not later that one year after the list of public areas that 
are reasonably accessible to children is created and made available to the public 
by the Department, the Secretary shall prohibit the use of any product that has 
been excluded from the safer-for-children list in State properties and areas. 
ARTICLE IV 
RESEARCH TO IMPROVE INFORMATION ON 
EFFECTS OF CHILDREN 
SEC. 8. Toxicity Data. The Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of 
Health shall coordinate and support the development and impiementation of 
basic and applied research initiatives to examine the health effects and toxicity of 
pesticides (including active and inert ingredients) and other environmental 
pollutants on children and other vulnerable subpopulations. 
SEC. 9. Biennial Report. The Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary 
of Health shall submit joint biennial reports to Congress on actions taken to carry 
out this article. 


, . 
ARTICLE V 
FINAL PROVISIONS 
SEC. 10. 
Appropriations. 
The amount necessary to carry out the 
provisions of this Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act of the 
year following its enactment into law and thereafter. 
SEC. 11. Separability Clause. If any portion or provision of this Act were 
declared unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected 
thereby shall remain in force and effect. 
SEC. 12. Repealing Clause. Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, rule or regulation inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC 13. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
from the date of this publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) 
newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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