REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. __4724

Introduced by HON. KRISTINE ALEXIE B. TUTOR
Third District, Bohol

Explanatory Note

According to the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2017, the tourism enterprise
contributes to 10% of the global gross domestic product and accounts for 1 in every 10 jobs
worldwide. In the Philippines, the tourism industry contributed 12.7% of the country’s Gross
Domestic Product (GDP). Likewise, employment in the tourism industry rose to an estimated
5.4 million individuals in 2018, slightly higher than the 5.3 million individuals employed in
the previous year.

However, while the tourism industry has contributed significantly to the world economy, it
has likewise contributed to the generation of solid waste, more specifically disposable
plastics. The World Wildlife Fund reported in June 2018 that more than 200 million tourists

iting the Mediterranean every summer cause an almost 40 per cent spike in plastic entering
the sea. With 80 per cent of all tourism taking place in coastal areas, this destructive pattern is
repeated elsewhere.

Considering the vital contribution of the tourism industry, an industry that is reliant to
outstanding natural beauty, pristine beaches, and the untouched wilderness, there is a need to
arrest or minimize the use of disposable plastics especially in the tourism industry to
safeguard our environment and sustain the growth derived from the said industry.

This proposed measure seeks to prohibit the use of single-use plastics in all tourist sites/
destinations in the country. The bill provides for penalties to owners of business
establishments who violate the provisions of this Act.

It is high time that we step up and do our share in reducing the impact of single-use plastics
not only because of its negative effects to the tourism industry but more importantly because
of its serious effects to our environment.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill earnestly requested.

HON. KRISTINE/ALEXIE B. TUTOR


REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. oo)

Introduced by HON. KRISTINE ALEXIE B. TUTOR
Third District, Bohol

AN ACT
PROHIBITING THE USE AND BRINGING IN OF SINGLE-USE PLASTICS BY
INDIVIDUALS AND COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS INSIDE TOURIST
SITES/ DESTINATIONS

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

SEC. 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Zero Plastics in
Tourism Act of 2019”.

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2

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4 SEC.2. Declaration of Policy. — The State recognizes the vital role that
5 the tourism industry plays in promoting growth and development in the country
6 specifically in the rural areas. The State likewise recognizes the stress that the
7 tourism industry bears on the environment. To this end, the State shall adopt a
8 policy that would reconcile the economic growth derived from the tourism
9 industry and the people’s right to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord

10 with the rhythm and harmony of nature.

2 SEC.3. Prohibition on the use and bringing in of single-use plastics
13. in the tourist sites/ destinations. ~ \t shall be unlawful for any individual or
14 groups of individuals, and all commercial establishments located inside tourist
15 sites/ destinations to bring in or use disposable plastics as containers or
16 packaging for any product for use or consumption inside the premises of tourist
17 sites/ destinations.

18 For purposes of this Act, single-use plastics or disposable plastics shall
19 include, but are not limited to, items such as grocery bags, food packaging
20 films and bags, manufacturing water bottles, straws, stirrers, containers,
21 styrofoam/ styros, cups, sachets, and plastic cutlery.

23 SEC. 4. Penalties. — Commercial establishments caught providing or
24 using single-use plastics shall be penalized as follows:

25 First Offense: A fine of Fifty Thousand Pesos (P'50,000)

26 Second Offense: A fine of One hundred thousand Pesos (P100,000)

27 Third Offense: A fine of One hundred fifty thousand (P150,000) and
28 the suspension of their Business permit for a period of one (1)

29 year.


The penalties herein provided shall be imposed on the person in-charge
of the business establishment which violated the provisions of this Act. This is
without prejudice to the right of the person paying the appropriate fine to seek
reimbursement of the paid amount from the owner of the commercial
establishment.

For individuals or groups of individuals caught using or bringing in
plastics inside the premises of a tourist site/ destination, they shall be penalized
with a fine of Ten thousand Pesos (P10,000).

SEC. 5. Alternatives. - Commercial establishments operating within
tourist destinations/ sites are mandated to use paper products or other available
alternatives.

To assist in the implementation of the single-use plastic prohibition in
all tourist destinations/ sites, local health and environment units shall develop a
report on the availability, cost, and performance of recyclable and
biodegradable alternatives to single-use plastic products.

SEC. 6. Role of Local Government Units. — Local Government Units,
through their Solid Waste Management Board and their local Environment and
Natural Resources Officer, are hereby deputized to implement the provisions of
this Act on all commercial establishments operating within tourist destinations/
sites in their respective jurisdictions.

SEC. 7. Use of Fines. — All fines collected as a result of the
implementation of this Act shall be allocated to the ocean and other water-
system rehabilitation and conservation programs of the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources.

SEC. 8. Implementing Guidelines. — The Department of Tourism
(DOT), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and
the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) shall promulgate
the implementing guidelines necessary to enforce the objectives of this Act
within sixty (60) days after its effectivity.

SEC. 9. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part hereof is held
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not
otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation
contrary to or inconsistent with the provision of this Act is hereby repealed,
modified, or amended accordingly.

SEC. 11. Effectivity Clause. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)
days after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,