Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City

Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
HB. No.

Introduced by Representative H. Harry L. Roque Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Phosphorus, along with nitrogen, is an clement that, when added to freshwater lakes or
rivers, stimulate excessive growth of algae and vegetation. This process is called
“eutrophication,” which severely damages water quality and ruin aquatic ecosystems.

In most freshwater lakes and rivers, phosphorus is the “limiting nutrient” More
phosphorus means more algae growth. Excess loading of phosphorus into streams, lakes, or
rivers can cause drastic changes in water quality, including reduction in dissolved oxygen
supplies, major changes in algae species and associated macro-invertebrate communities, algae
blooms and associated foam and odors.

Phosphorus in dishwashing detergents is currently a significant source of water pollution.
It fosters unhealthy growth of algae and can seriously reduce dissolved oxygen. Dissolved

oxygen is an important component of most healthy aquatic ecosystems.


Eliminating phosphorous in dishwasher detergents is a step to preserve the natural
ecosystems of our lakes and rivers. This bill regulates the sale and manufacture of cleaning

agents that contain phosphorous as a measure to preserve the bionetwork of our rivers and lakes.”

QM

H. HARRY L, ROQUE JR.

* This bill was originally filed by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago in the Sixteenth Congress, First Regular
Session

2


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session

pres nha Th ‘ATIVES

Introduced by Representative H. Harry L. Roque Jr.

AN ACT
REGULATING THE DISTRIBUTION FOR SALE OR USE OF CLEANING AGENTS
WHICH CONTAIN PHOSPORUS
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act may be known as the “Envi-Protection Cleaning

Agents Act”.

SECTION 2. Definition. ~ For the purposes of this Act, “cleaning agent” means a laundry
detergent, dishwashing compound, household dishwashing detergent, household cleaner, metal
cleaner, industrial cleaner, phosphate compound, or other substance that is intended to be used

for cleaning purposes

SECTION 3. Prohibition. — It shall be illegal to sell, offer for sale, distribute for sale, or
use a cleaning agent that contains phosphorus in any form in excess of 8.7% by weight expressed
as elemental phosphorus.

It shall also be illegal to sell, offer for sale, distribute for sale, or use either of the

following cleaning agents if they contain phosphorus in any form in excess of 0.5% by weight


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SECTION 4. Penalties, ~ (A) Any person who shall violate any of the provisions of
Section 3 of this Act shall, upon conviction, be subject to a fine of not less than ten thousand
pesos (10,000.00) but not more than fifty thousand pesos (P50,000,00) or imprisonment of not
less than two (2) months but not more than one (1) year, or both, upon the discretion of the court.

(B) Any director, officer, or agent of a corporation, association, partnership, or any other
entity who shall authorize, order, or perform any of the acts or practices constituting in whole or
in part a violation of Section 3, shall be subject to the penalties to which that corporation may be

subject,

SECTION 5, Separability Clause. ~ If any provision or part thereof is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain

valid and subsisting.
SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. ~ Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or inconsistent

With the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.

SECTION 7. Effectivity Clause, — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.