Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City \

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _ 2 202

Introduced by Rep. Winston “Winnie” Castelo
ee

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In Manila, there is concerted effort to ban use of plastic bags. it should be so in
other cities or places.

It is so since the trash thrown into Manila Bay or the Pasig River, for that matter,
is of plastic stuff or are in fact, single-use plastic shopping bags from grocery stores,
‘convenience stores, drug stores, delicatessens or similar marketplace.

Plastics do not disintegrate and they are being dumped most everywhere
‘especially in bays, lakes, rivers or in the open seas even. Even beaches are awash with
plastic,

When found in the environment, plastic can harm wildlife, fish, and birds and
could be the cause of their death. {t is much of a menace in the natural world inhabited
by humans as well.

Boats, ships or sea-going vessels could be potential victims of maritime disasters
caused by plastic materials underneath our seas, bays, piers, harbors, or wharves and
80 on.

It is not as if there are no better alternatives to plastic shopping bags like bags
made of paper although initially it may entail additional costs on the part of the owners of
grocery stores, drugstores, convenience stores, delicatessens or similar marketplace.

This bill attaches higher premium to the enyifonment and

‘save with an environment free from plastic waste.

lives that it can

Henceforth, the approval of this bill is mosfeamestly sought.

es
NNIE” CASTELO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
220 2

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Rep. Winston “Winnie” Castelo

AN ACT
BANNING USE OF SINGLE-USE PLASTIC SHOPPING BAGS AT GROCERY
STORES, CONVENIENCE STORES, DRUG STORES, DELICATESSENS OR
‘SIMILAR MARKETPLACE IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Title, - This Act shall be known as the Plastic Ban Act of 2011

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ It is the declared 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. Ban. - Its hereby banned the use of single-use plastic shopping bags
at grocery stores, convenience stores, drug stores, delicatessens or similar marketp!
and violatons thereof shall be meted appropriate nes or puniehments as a competent
‘Court may prescribe.

SEC. 4. Appropriation, - The Secretary of the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources shall immediately include in the agency's program the
operationalization of this Act, the funding of which shall be included in the General
Appropriations Act on the year ofits enactment and thereafter,

SEC. 5. Implementation, - The Secretary of the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources shall issue rules and regulations that may be necessary to carry out
the purpose of this Act.

SEC. 6, Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect thirty (30) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette and at least three (3) newspapers of general
circulation,

Approved,