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CIi::f~Cc (11 .; 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Third Regular Session 
) 
9 
SEP 14 
f) 2 :~.8 
SENATE 
;: 
S. B. No. 
31137 
fA. " 
l
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 15 provides: 
The State shall protect and promote th~ right to health of the 
people and instill health consciousness among them. 
Norway has become the first nation to legislate a sweeping ban on the use of 
amalgam fillings in dental work. Previous laws forbade the use of mercury containing 
fillings in more vulnerable segments of the popUlation, such as pregnant women and 
children, but the new law is the first to forbid the use of the toxic metal without 
exception. Mercury has also been banned from all other products produced,· imported, 
exported, sold and used in the country. In a prepared statement, Norway's Minister of 
Environment and Development, Erik Solheilm stated that mercury is among the most 
dangerous environmental toxins and that since satisfactory alternatives to it are available, 
it is proper to introduce a ban. 
Sweden followed suit with a ban on mercury fillings and other countries are now 
contemplating similar moves. Amalgam fillings, which unknown to many are composed 
, 
primarily ofmercury, raise the level ofmercury circulating in the blood. Mercury is listed 
as one of the most toxic substances on Earth and many who are sensitive to the substance 
have reported improvements in health upon removal of the toxic fillings. The Norwegian 
and Swedish bans come at a time when alternative composite fillings have become strong 
enough to replace amalgams under practically any circumstance. 
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, medical waste incinerators 
emit 70,000 pounds of mercury into the biosphere each year, making medical use of the 
metal one of the leading contributors to mercury pollution. There are viable non-mercury 
filling substitutes that are used everywhere in the world. According to Michael Bender of 
the U.S. Mercury Policy Project, by eliminating amalgam use, which is 50% mercury, we 
can reduce mercury pollution much more efficiently than~nd-of-the-pipeline solutions. 


This bill seeks to ban the use ofmedical amalgam fillings to reduce the amount of 
mercury pollution in our country. 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC)  
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)  
Third Regular Session 
)  
SEP 14 P 2 :1.1-8 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 3437 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
1 
AN ACT BANNING THE USE OF MERCURY AMALGAM FILLINGS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House ofRepresentatives ofthe Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
2 
SECTION 1. Banning ofMercury Amalgam Fillings. - The use of mercury amalgam 
3 
fillings in dental work shall be phased out within a period of two (2) years. Within two years 
4 
after the effectivity of this Act, the production, sale and use of mercury amalgalm fillings shall 
5 
be banned. 
6 
SECTION 2. Penalty. - Any person who fails to comply with the ban on mercury 
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amalgam fillings after the two year period shall be ass~ssed a penalty of fifty thousand pesos 
8 
(P50,OOO.OO). This ban shall be enforced by the Department of Health which shall issue the 
9 
appropriate implementing rules and regulations. 
10 
SECTION 3. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or 
11 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
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valid and subsisting. 
13 
SECTION 4. Repealing Clause. - All laws, 'decrees, orders, rules and regulations or 
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parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or 
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modified accordingly. 
16 
SECTION 5. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
17 
following its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,