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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
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) 
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SEN A..J-»r:: 
S.B. No. _~_'7_D 9 
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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MAR 29 P 2 :31 
The unrelenting and neglectful use of plastic bags is a worldwide phenomenon. Data 
released by the United States Environmental Protection Agency in 2003 shows that 
somewhere between 500 billion and a trillion plastic bags are consumed worldwide 
each year. These bags end up as litter as it makes its way to landfills, drainages and 
bodies of water, taking decades to decompose and damaging marine life when dumped 
in the sea. According to the World Wildlife Fund Report in 2005, nearly 200 different 
species of sea life including whales, dolphins, seals, and turtles die due to ingestion and 
choking from plastic bags. 
. 
The Philippines faces a similar, if not worse, pollution problem. Esteros, drainage 
systems and waterways are clogged with garbage, majority of which are composed of 
non-biodegradable plastic bags. Landfills are also packed with plastiC bags that do not 
decompose, toxic chemicals from which seep into the soil. This issue of pollution is 
further exacerbated by natural disasters, which have become erratic and unpredictable 
due to climate change. The Typhoon Ondoy in 2009n clearly showed that plastic bags 
. severely worsened the flooding in Metro Manila and made post-cleanup very difficult. 
As the problems of pollution, environmental degradation and severe weather shifts 
escalate, all sectors of SOciety must act with dispatch. Individuals must make conscious 
efforts to change our daily routine and practices to produce a positive impact on our 
environment. Companies must change their economic mindset, wasteful production 
processes and packaging methods - from the use of seemingly cost-effective plastic 
bags into investing in long-term reusable and recyclable bags which are more 
sustainable in the long run. 
As such, this bill seeks to implement a total plastic ban throughout the country. The use 
of plastic bags in all establishments is to be prohibited, with c,?rresponding penalties for 
its violation, with the objective of curbing pollution and helping the country manage its 
ecological assets more judiciously. 
In view of the foregoing considerations, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 2759 
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda 
AN ACT 
'11 
MAR 29 P2.:31 
PROHIBITING THE USE OF PLASTIC BAGS IN GROCERIES, RESTAURANTS, 
AND OTHER ESTABLISHMENTS, AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR 
VIOLATIONS THEREOF 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 111 
Congress assembled: 
Section 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Total Plastic Bag Ban Act of 2011." 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to protect and advance the 
right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and 
harmony of nature. 
Sec. 3. Prohibition. - Groceries, supermarkets, public markets, restaurants, fast fo'od 
chains, department stores, retail stores and other similar establishments are hereby 
prohibited from.using non-biodegradable plastic bags. 
All aforementioned establishments shall only provide recyclable paper bags and/ or 
biodegradable plastic bags to its customers. 
Sec. 4. Penalties. - Establishments caught using non-biodegradable plastic bags shall be 
penalized as follows: 
First Offense 
Second Offense 
Third Offense 
A fine of ten thousand pesos (PIO,OOO) 
A fine of fifty thousand pesos (P50 ,000) 
A fine of two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000) and the 
suspension of their Business Permit for a period of one year. 
The penalty herein provided shall be imposed: upon the owner, manager, 
administrator, or proprietor, for individual proprietorships; upon all partners for 
general partnerships and the general partner/s for limited partnerships; upon the 
branch manager of a particular offending business establishment; and solidarily upon 
the president, vice-president, corporate officers as well as the chief operating officer for 
incorporated businesses; and all such persons, not falling within any of the 
descriptions/ titles abovementioned, being in charge of the particular offending 
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business establishment, and failing to follow the prohibitions herein defined. This is 
without prejudice to the right of the person paying the appropriate fine to seek 
reimbursement of the amount paid from the owner of the enterprise or establishment. 
Sec. 5. - The Market Supervisors are hereby deputized to implement the provisions of 
this Act in the public markets under their jurisdiction. 
Sec. 6. Implementing Rules. - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, 
Department of Interior and Local Government, and the Department of Trade and 
Industry shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations of this Act after 
consultation with consumer groups, plastic producers and other affected groups. 
Sec. 7. - The Department of Science and Technology is hereby tasked with assisting 
plastic manufacturers in acquiring the appropriate technology required in the 
manufacture of recyclable paper bags, biodegradable and/ or reusable plastic bags. 
Sec. 8. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect: 
Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. - The provisions of any law, whether general or special, rules 
and regulations and other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this 
Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
Sec. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect within fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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