Republic of the Philippines F
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

-1295.

HOUSE BILL NO."

Introduced by REP. FAUSTINO ‘INNO’ A. DY V

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to require the use of materials with recycled content in the
construction of public buildings and other infrastructure projects.

Section 16, Article I of the 1987 Constitution provides

“SEC. 16. The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a
balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of
nature.”

Congress has passed several environmental laws to realize this principle, but
despite those environmental laws in place, the degradation of the environment
continues.

Republic Act No. 9003, otherwise known as the “Ecological Solid Waste
Management Act of 2000,” aims to reduce the volume of solid wastes through reuse and
recycling.

This proposed measure intends to supplement Republic Act No. 9003 in reducing
the volume of solid wastes by requiring the use of building materials with recycled
content in the construction of public buildings and other infrastructure projects,
including projects that are privately funded. These building materials with recycled
content are made from the combination of raw and recycled materials.

There are building materials with recycled content that are already in the market,
like the eco-brick. Eco-brick is made by mixing wet cement and shredded plastic
laminates, which are commonly known as sachets, The process of incorporating plastic



laminates in an eco-brick helps reduce the volume of wastes that are sent to landfills or
incinerators. Eco-bricks are not only environmentally friendly but are also aesthetically
superior, stronger, and cost-effective compared to regular hollow blocks.

The use of building materials with recycled content also encourages the business
sector to make an investment in the manufacturing of these materials, and promote
recycling for a cleaner and healthier environment.

In viewof the foregoing, the early passage of this bill is earnestly sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1205

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by REP. FAUSTINO ‘INNO’ A. DY V

AN ACT
REQUIRING THE USE OF BUILDING MATERIALS WITH RECYCLED
CONTENT IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND OTHER
PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act may be cited as the “Green Building Materials
Act.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ It is the 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. The State promotes sustainable use and development of
the natural resources of the country and conserves the environment for the benefit of
the present and future generations, Towards this end, the government shall promote the
use of building materials with recycled content in public buildings and other public
infrastructure projects.

SECTION 3. Building Materials With Recycled Content. — All officials of the
national and local governments and those of the government-owned and controlled
corporations shall, prior to the approval of construction of public buildings and public
infrastructure projects, including those which are privately funded, require as part of the
specifications the use of building materials with recycled content without
compromising the structural integrity and safety, and in compliance with the existing
laws, rules, and regulations issued by the Department of Public Works and Highways.

For purposes of this Act, “public buildings” refer to structures that are constructed
using public funds and are accessible to the public such as government offices, halls of


justice, health facilities, school buildings, and the like. “Public infrastructures” refer to
facilities or development projects that are financed and operated by the government,
including projects under Republic Act No. 6957, as amended, commonly known as the
“Philippine Build-Operate- Transfer (BOT) Law,” such as roads, bridges, ports, railways,
water and power systems, and telecommunications facilities.

“Building materials with recycled content” are products made from waste materials that
are generated from manufacturing processes or by end-users of products in combination
with raw materials.

SECTION 4. Exemptions. — The use of building materials with recycled content is not
required in the following instances:

1. The structural integrity and safety of the buildings or infrastructure projects are
compromised;

2. The use of building materials with recycled content on the building or
infrastructure projects violates Presidential Decree No. 1096, otherwise known
as the “National Building Code of the Philippines,” Republic Act No. 9184, as
amended, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act,” and
other existing laws, rules, and regulations; and

3. The type and size of building materials with recycled content to be used in the
projects are not available in the market.

SECTION 5. Registry of Materials. — The Bureau of Research and Standards under
the Department of Public Works and Highways shall establish a registry of building
materials with recycled content that are available in the market. The registry must
contain, among others, the properties of the materials, the proportion of the raw and
recycled materials in each type and size, and the kind of recycled materials used in
manufacturing the building products.

The Bureau of Research and Standards shall test the properties of the materials of every
type and size to determine the quality and standards. The building materials with
recycled content may only be included in the registry after passing the current material
standards. The Bureau of Research and Standards shall update the registry in case of
changes in the material standards, and a new building material with recycled content
becomes available in the market.

The registry of materials shall serve as reference for all government agencies and
private entities in the construction of public buildings and other infrastructure projects
‘on what building materials with recycled content are available in the market.

SECTION 6. Construction Specifications. — The construction specifications must
clearly state the building materials with recycled content to be used in a building or
infrastructure project. The Department of Public Works and Highways and other


regulatory agencies may not approve the construction specifications of a public building
or public infrastructure project if the materials indicated do not include building
materials with recycled content and the building or project is not exempted from the use
of these materials as provided under Section 4 of this Act.

SECTION 7. Monitoring. — The Department of Public Works and Highways shall
monitor the implementation and construction of all public buildings and public
infrastructure projects, and ensure that the implementing agencies and private entities
are using building materials with recycled content required in this Act. For public
buildings and public infrastructure projects duly designated to local government units
pursuant to Paragraph (c), Section 17 of Republic Act No. 7160, as amended, otherwise
known as the “Local Government Code of 1991,” the local chief executive shall
monitor the required use of building materials with recycled content.

SECTION 8. Administrative Sanction. - Any public officer who approves a project
specification for the construction of a public building or public infrastructure project
that does not comply with Section 3 and Section 4 of this Act shall be administratively
liable under existing laws, rules and regulations.

SECTION 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) days from
the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Public Works and Highways shall issue the
necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. — All laws, orders, issuances, rules and regulations
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 11. Separability Clause. — If any part of this Act shall be declared
unconstitutional for any reason whatsoever, such declaration shall in no way affect the
other parts or sections of this Act.

SECTION 12. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation

Approved,