Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4374

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT
BY PROHIBITING THE DUMPING OF SEWAGE SLUDGE AND
INDUSTRIAL WASTE INTO THE SEA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippines is widely recognized as possessing one of the richest marine
sanctuaries in the world. With its bountiful resources, it becomes imperative
therefore for each Filipino to take a proactive role in protecting and preserving its
natural wealth. Mindful of this duty, Section 16, Article Il of the Constitution
enjoins 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.

To breathe life to this provision, the proposed Bill seeks to criminalize the act of
dumping of wastes into the sea. This measure is seen as an effective tool to
deter the widespread pollution of our internal waters.

In view of this objective, the passage of this Bill is earnestly sought

GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO
2" District, Pampanga


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 43°74

Introduced by Representative GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO.

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT
BY PROHIBITING THE DUMPING OF SEWAGE SLUDGE AND
INDUSTRIAL WASTE INTO THE SEA

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. —- This Act shall be known as the “Anti-Sea
Dumping Act of 2016."

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the declared policy of the State to
promote the natural balance of the environment for the protection of human
health and safety

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act, the following terms
shall be construed to mean as follows:

a. “Alternative System” means any method for the
management of sewage sludge or industrial waste which does not
require a permit under this Act

b. “Excluded Material" means

(i) Any dredged material discharged by the
Philippine Marine Corps of Engineers or discharged
pursuant to a permit issued by the Secretary of
Environment and Natural Resources;

(ii) Any waste from any industrial operation
located in the Philippines discharged pursuant to a
permit issued by the Secretary of Environment and
Natural Resources.

c. “Industrial Waste” means any solid, semi-solid, or liquid


d. “Interim Measure” means any short-term method for the
management of sewage sludge or industrial waste which:

(i) Is used before implementation of an
alternative system; and

(ii) Does not require permit under this Act.

(e) “Sewage Sludge” means any solid, semi-solid, or liquid
waste generated by a wastewater treatment plant, other than an
excluded material.

SECTION 4. Prohibited Acts. — No person shall dump into sea waters or
transport for the purpose of dumping into sea water sewage sludge or industrial
waste unless said person has obtained a permit issued by the Secretary of
Environment and Natural Resources authorizing the transportation and dumping
of said sewage sludge or industrial waste.

The Secretary of Transportation and Communications shall not issue any
permit under this Act which authorizes a person to dump into ocean waters, or to
transport for the purpose of dumping into sea waters, sewage sludge or industrial
waste, unless that person was authorized by a permit issued by him or by a court
order to dump into sea waters or to transport for the purpose of dumping into
ocean waters sewage sludge or industrial waste.

SECTION 5. Penalties. — Any person who dumps into ocean waters or
transports for the purpose of dumping into ocean waters, sewage sludge or
industrial waste shall be liable in the amount of not less than One Hundred
Thousand Pesos (Php100,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than six (6)
months or both upon discretion of the court. If the offense is committed by a
corporation, trust, firm, partnership or association, or other entity, the penalty
shall be imposed upon the guilty officer or officers of such corporation, trust, firm,
partnership or association or entity.

SECTION 6. Enforcement Monitoring Report. — Not later than six (6) months
after the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the Department of Environment
and Natural Resources, in consultation with the Secretary of the Department of
Transportation and Communications, shall submit a report to Congress. The
report under this section shall contain an accounting of the discharges into
waters of the territorial sea, the contiguous zone and the ocean indicating:

a The total number of discharges;

b. The location, source, volume, and potential
environmental effects of each discharge;

©. The date of original issuance, review and reissuance
of each discharge permit;

d. The date of discharges that have been determined by
the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources;

e. A schedule for implementing this Act and achieving
compliance with the guidelines promulgated hereunder as



f. Recommendations for any additional legislative
authorities needed to achieve compliance with such guidelines.

SECTION 7. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the validity of the remainder shall not be affected thereby

SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. — All laws, executive orders, letters of
instructions, rules and regulations, or provisions thereof which are inconsistent
with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified
accordingly.

SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,