NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session
SENATE 
S. No.
2723
■ ''(©fftt- of t '
24 JULIO P12p2
ftEC-iV-.J aV: ,
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
PROHIBITING THE DEVELOPMENT, PRODUCTION, STOCKPILING AND USE 
OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS, PROVIDING FOR THEIR DESTRUCTION, AND 
IMPOSING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), formally the Convention on the 
Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical 
Weapons and on their Destruction, was adopted by the Conference on Disarmament 
in Geneva on 03 September 1992. The CWC opened for signature on 13 January 
1993, and the Philippines was among the first to sign the same, and it entered into 
force on 29 April 1997.
The CWC is the first disarmament agreement negotiated within a multilateral 
framework that provides for the elimination of an entire category of weapons of 
mass destruction by prohibiting the development, production, acquisition, 
stockpiling, retention, transfer or use of chemical weapons by States Parties.1 It 
builds on the previous efforts to put a stop to widespread suffering, significant 
casualties, and devastating aftermath brought about by use of chemical weapons in 
warfare, as the Convention seeks to extend the ban, aside from utilization, to cover 
the manufacture and storage of chemical weapons.
1 Accessed from https://disarmament.unoda.org/wmd/chemical/. Retrieved on 11 June 2024.
1


The Philippine Senate adopted Resolution No. 49 concurring in the ratification 
of the CWC on 19 August 1996, and recognized that the "Convention offers 
enhanced worldwide security which is beyond those offered by previous arms 
treaties."
Article VII of the Convention (National Implementation Measures) provides 
that, "Each State Party shall, in accordance with its constitutional processes, adopt 
the necessary measures to implement its obligations under this Convention. In 
particular, it shall: (a) Prohibit natural and legal persons anywhere on its territory or 
in any other place under its jurisdiction as recognized by international law from 
undertaking any activity prohibited to a State Party under this Convention, including 
enacting penal legislation with respect to such activity..."
Thirty years since the country signed the Convention, the Philippines has yet 
to issue a national policy and legislative framework to fully implement the objectives 
set forth under the landmark agreement and to fulfill the country's commitments as 
a State Party.
A similar version of this bill was already approved by the Senate in 2014 
during the 16th Congress and was sent to the House of Representatives for 
concurrence, but was not enacted into law.
In view of the strengthening the regime of chemical disarmament and non­
proliferation towards preservation of global peace and eradicating chemical 
terrorism, and ensuring beneficial use of advancements in the field of chemistry, the 
passage of this legislation is hereby endorsed.
OY EJERCITO ESTRADA


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session
)
SENATE 
S. No
2723
:■/(0ffir<> ol tl i.' '■ rl .t,’
24 JULIO P12 52
RratVRuEV
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
PROHIBITING THE DEVELOPMENT, PRODUCTION, STOCKPILING AND USE 
OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS, PROVIDING FOR THEIR DESTRUCTION, AND 
IMPOSING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
CHAPTER 1
2 
GENERAL PROVISIONS
3 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shail be known as the "Chemical Weapons
4 
Prohibition Act".
5 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Principles. - The State, consistent with nationai
6 
interests, adopts and pursues a poiicy of freedom from chemical weapons in its
7 
territory and protection of all human beings and the global environment from the
8 
effects of chemical weapons, and hereby conforms with its obligations under the
9 
Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling, and Use
10 
of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction, otherwise known as the Chemicai
11 
Weapons Convention, hereinafter referred to as the Convention, to which the
12 
Philippines is a State Party.
13 
Towards this end, the State shall not, under any circumstance, deveiop,
14 
produce, manufacture, acquire, possess, stockpile, retain or use chemical weapons,
15 
or engage in any other activities prohibited under the Convention, and shali prohibit
16 
ali persons from developing, producing, manufacturing, acquiring, possessing.


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stockpiling, retaining, or using chemical weapons or engaging in any other activities
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prohibited under the Convention.
3 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:
4 
a) Chemicai Weapon means the following, together or separately:
5 
1) Toxic chemicals and their precursors, except when intended for
6 
purposes not prohibited under the Convention, as long as the types
7 
and quantities are consistent with such purposes;
8 
2) Munitions and devices, specifically designed to cause death or other
9 
harm through the toxic properties of those toxic chemicals specified in
10 
subparagraph (1) herein, which would be released as a result of the
11 
employment of such munitions and devices; and
12 
3) Any equipment specifically designed for use directly in connection with
13 
the employment of munitions and devices specified in subparagraph
14 
(2) herein.
15 
b) Discrete Organic Chemicals mean chemicals belonging to the class of
16 
chemical compounds consisting of all compounds of carbon, except for its
17 
oxides, sulphides, and metal carbonates;
18 
c) Facility n\eans any of the industrial sites as defined below:
19 
1) "Plant Site" (Works, Factory) means the local integration of one or
20 
more plants, with any intermediate administrative levels, which are
21 
under one operational control, and includes common infrastructure,
22 
such as:
23 
i) 
Administration and other offices;
24 
ii) 
Repair and maintenance shops;
25 
iii) 
Medical center;
26 
iv) 
Utilities;
27 
v) 
Central analytical laboratory;
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vi) 
Research and development laboratories;
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vii) Central effluent and waste treatment area; and
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viii) 
Warehouse storage.


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2) "Plant" (Production facility, Workshop) means a relatively self- 
contained area, structure or building containing one or more units with 
auxiliary and associated infrastructure, such as:
i) 
Small administrative section;
ii) 
Storage/handling areas for feedstock and products;
iii) 
Effluent/waste handling treatment area;
iv) 
Control/analytical laboratory;
v) 
First aid service/related medical section; and
vi) 
Records associated with the movement into, around and from 
the site, of declared chemicals and their feedstock or product 
chemicals formed from them, as appropriate;
3) "Unit" (Production unit. Process unit) means the combination of those 
items of equipment, including vessels and vessel set up, necessary for 
the production, processing or consumption of a chemical;
4) "Production of a chemical" means its formation through chemical 
reaction and includes the production of a chemical listed in Schedule 1, 
Schedule 2, or Schedule 3 of the Annex on Chemicals to the 
Convention by a biochemical or biologically mediated reaction;
5) "Processing of a chemical" means a physical process such as 
formulation, extraction, and purification, in which a chemical is not 
converted into another chemical; and
6) "Consumption of chemical" means its conversion into another chemical 
via a chemical reaction.
d) Key Component of Binary or Multi-component Chemical Systems means 
the precursor which plays the most important role in determining the toxic 
properties of the final product and reacts rapidly with other chemicals in 
the binary or multi-component system;
e) Person means except as other provided in this Act, any individual, 
corporation, partnership, firm, association, trust, estate, public or private 
institution, or any political entity, any foreign government or nation or any 
agency, instrumentality or political subdivision of any such government or 
nation, or other entity located in the Philippines;


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f) Precursors mean chemical reactants which take part at any stage in the 
production by whatever method of a toxic chemical. This includes any key 
component of a binary or multi-component chemical system. Precursors 
which have been identified for the application of verification measures by 
the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) are 
listed in Schedule 1, Schedule 2, or Schedule 3 of the Annex on Chemicals 
to the Convention;
g) Purposes not prohibited under this Convention shall mean:
1) Industrial, agricultural, research, medical, pharmaceutical, or other 
peaceful purposes;
2) Protective purposes, namely those purposes directly related to 
protection against toxic chemicals and chemical weapons;
3) Military purposes not connected with the use of chemical weapons and 
not dependent on the use of the toxic properties of chemicals as a 
method of warfare; and
4) The use of non-lethal weapons, other than those prohibited under this 
Act and the Convention, for the maintenance of public security and 
order.
i) 
By the law enforcement authorities;
ii) 
By the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) when taking 
measures to suppress insurgency and other serious threats to 
national security, and where the use thereof is most appropriate 
other than the use of deadly force; and
iii) 
By the AFP within the framework of a system of mutual collective 
security, and training for its use.
h) Riot controi agent means any chemical not listed in Schedule 1, Schedule 
2, or Schedule 3 of the Annex on Chemicals to the Convention which can 
produce rapidly in humans sensory irritation or disabling physical effects 
which disappear within a short time following termination of exposure;
i) Scheduied chemicais mean those chemicals listed in Schedule 1, Schedule 
2, and Schedule 3 of the Annex on Chemical to the Convention;


1 
j) Toxic C77e/77/c5/means any chemical which, through its chemical action on
2 
life processes, can cause death, temporary incapacitation or permanent
3 
harm to humans or animals. This includes all such chemicals therein,
4 
regardless of their origin or method of production, and regardless of
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whether they are produced in facilities, munitions or elsewhere.
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Toxic chemicals which have been identified for the application of
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verification measures by the OPCW are listed in Schedule 1, Schedule 2
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and Schedule 3 of the Annex on Chemicals to the Convention. Unless the
9 
contrary intention appears, an expression or term that is used both in this
10 
Act and the Convention but is not defined in this Act, shall have the same
11 
meaning provided in the Convention, and Verification Annex means the
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Annex on Implementation and Verification to the Convention.
13 
Sec. 4. National Authority. - The Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) is hereby
14 
designated as the Philippine National Authority on the Chemical Weapons
15 
Convention, hereinafter referred to as the PNA-CWC, to be headed by the Executive
16 
Secretary as Chairperson of the ATC.
17 
The Anti-Terrorism Council - Program Management Center (ATC-PMC) shall
18 
act as the secretariat and implementing arm of the PNA-CWC.
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Sec. 5. Functions of the PNA-CWC. - The PNA-CWC shall:
20 
a) Serve as the national focal point for effective liaison with the OPCW and
21 
other States Parties as prescribed under the Convention;
22 
b) Coordinate closely with the Philippine Permanent Representative to the
23 
OPCW to ensure the proper elucidation and representation of the
24 
Philippine policy on the non-proliferation of chemical weapons;
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c) Prepare and submit annual declarations to the OPCW on scheduled
26 
chemicals and facilities;
27 
d) Develop rules and regulations and formulate policies concerning the
28 
production, processing, consumption, importation, exportation, use and
29 
proper disposition of scheduled chemicals and facilities, and production
30 
facilities of other chemicals not included in Schedule 1, Schedule 2, and
31 
Schedule 3 of the Annex on Chemicals to the Convention;


1 
e) Designate and specify the required training and the functions of the
2 
national inspectors who shall report to the PNA-CWC;
3 
f) Endorse and oversee a local laboratory to become an OPCW Designated
4 
Laboratory which should be able to perform off-site analysis of chemical
5 
samples collected by inspectors from chemical production facilities, storage
6 
depots and other installations or from the site of an alleged use of
7 
chemical weapons;
8 
g) Conduct and facilitate national inspections, as well as international
9 
inspections by OPCW inspectors, of sites involving scheduled chemicals or
10 
other chemical production facilities;
11 
h) Cause or direct the investigation or violation of laws concerning chemical
12 
weapons, or the handling of toxic chemicals in violation of this Act; and
13 
i) Perform such other functions to effectively implement the provisions of
14 
this Act and the Convention.
15 
The PNA-CWC shall have the authority to compel, as may be necessary, the
16 
assistance and support of all departments, bureaus, offices, agencies, or
17 
instrumentalities of the government, including government-owned or controlled
18 
corporations to effectively perform its duties and functions under this Act.
19 
The PNA-CWC shail periodically update the scheduled chemicals listed in
20 
Schedule 1, Schedule 2, and Schedule 3 of the Annex on Chemicals to the
21 
Convention upon the request or advice of the OPCW. Such updates shall be in the
22 
form of formal resolutions of the PNA-CWC to be published in the Official Gazette or
23 
in a newspaper of general circulation before they become effective.
24 
CHAPTER II
25 
PROHIBITIONS
26 
Sec. 6. Prohibitions. -The following acts are prohibited under this Act:
27 
a) To develop, produce, otherwise acquire, stockpile, or retain any chemical
28 
weapons;
29 
b) To transfer, directly or indirectly, chemical weapons to persons;
30 
c) To use chemical weapons;
31 
d) To engage in any military preparations to use a chemical weapon;


1 
e) To assist, encourage or induce a person in any way to engage in any
2 
activity that is prohibited to a State Party under the Convention;
3 
f) To use a riot control agent as a method of warfare;
4 
g) To engage in any other activity prohibited to a State Party under the
5 
Convention; and
6 
h) To export and import Schedule 1 chemicals to or from a State not a Party
7 
to the Convention, including transit through such State.
8 
Nothing in this Act shall be construed to prohibit the AFP from using non-
9 
lethal and lethal weapons other than those prohibited in this Act, in the conduct of
10 
combat operations for the suppression of insurgency and other serious threats to
11 
national security where the use of such non-lethal and lethal weapons is deemed
12 
most appropriate.
13 
CHAPTER III
14 
PENALTIES
15 
Sec. 7. Penalties. -
16 
a) Any person who commits any of the prohibited acts under Section 6 of this
17 
Act shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment of twelve (12) years and one
18 
(1) day to life imprisonment, and a fine of Two million pesos
19 
(P2,000,000.00) to Five million pesos (P5,000,000.00).
20 
b) Any person who produces, acquires, retains or uses chemicals listed in
21 
Schedule 1 of the Annex on Chemicals to the Convention for purposes
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other than for research, medical, pharmaceutical or protective purposes
23 
within a facility licensed by the PNA-CWC shall suffer the penalty of
24 
imprisonment for a period of not less than six (6) years and one (1) day to
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twelve (12) years, or a fine of One million pesos (PI,000,000.00) to Two
26 
million pesos (P2,000,000.00), or both at the discretion of the court.
27 
c) Any person who produces, processes, or consumes chemicals listed in
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Schedule 2 or Schedule 3 of the Annex on Chemicals to the Convention or
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unscheduled discrete organic chemicals for purposes other than those not
30 
prohibited under this Act, or without a registration with the PNA-CWC or
31 
the agency or agencies to which the PNA-CWC had delegated the function,
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shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment of four (4) years and one (1) day


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to Six (6) years, or a fine of Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) 
to One million pesos (PI,000,000.00), or both at the discretion of the 
court.
d) Any person who imports or exports chemicals listed in Schedule 2 or 
Schedule 3 of the Annex on Chemicals to the Convention, without prior 
registration with the Strategic Trade Management Office (STMO) of the 
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) shali be dealt with in accordance 
with Republic Act No. 10697, or the "Strategic Trade Management Act 
(STM A).
e) Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b) of Section 11 of this Act, any 
person who obstructs, hinders, resists, or deceives any national inspector 
or internationai inspector who is exercising any function contempiated or 
provided for in the regulations issued further to Section 11 of this Act, in 
the Convention or any applicable facility agreement, shall be punished by 
imprisonment of four (4) years and one (1) day to six (6) years, or a fine 
of Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00), or both at the discretion 
of the court.
f) Any person who violates Section 12 of this Act shall suffer the penalty of 
imprisonment of four (4) years and one (1) day to six (6) years, or a fine 
of Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00), or both at the discretion 
of the court.
g) Any person who produces, processes or consumes chemicals listed in 
Schedule 2 or 3 of the Annex on Chemicals to the Convention or 
unscheduled discrete organic chemicals for a purpose other than purposes 
not prohibited under the Convention, or contravenes paragraphs (b) and 
(c) herein shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment of two (2) years to 
twenty (20) years or a fine of Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) to Five 
million pesos (P5,000,000.00), or both at the discretion of the court.
h) Any person who refuses or fails to notify the PNA-CWC pursuant to the 
provisions of Section 10 of this Act shall suffer the penalty of 
imprisonment of one (1) year and one (1) day to two (2) years, or a fine


1 
of Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00), or both at the discretion
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of the court.
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i) Any person who fails to give the required additional information or keep
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records pursuant to Section 10 of this Act shall suffer the penalty of
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imprisonment of six (6) months and one (1) day to one (1) year, or a fine
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of One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00), or both at the discretion
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of the court.
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j) Any person who in any declaration prepared pursuant to Section 10 of this
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Act, makes a statement or omits any matter knowing that the statement
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or omission makes the declaration false and misleading in a material shall,
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after hearing and due proceedings, suffer the penalty of imprisonment of
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six (6) months and one (1) day to one (1) year or a fine of One hundred
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thousand pesos (P100,000.00), or both at the discretion of the court.
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In case any violation of this Act is committed by a partnership, corporation,
15 
association, or any other juridical entity, the partner, president, director, manager,
16 
trustee, administrator or officer who consents to, or knowingly tolerates such
17 
violation shall be held criminally liable.
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In addition, the registration of such partnership, corporation, association or
19 
juridical entity with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or the
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Department of Trade and Industry, as the case may be, and license to operate of
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the partnership, corporation, association or any other juridical entity, shall be
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cancelled and revoked permanently.
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In addition to the penalties prescribed in this Act, any foreigner found guilty
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of committing any of the offenses punishable herein shall, after service of sentence,
25 
be deported immediately without further proceedings, and be barred permanently
26 
from entering the country.
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The maximum penalty provided for in this Act shall be imposed, in addition to
28 
absolute perpetual disqualification from any public office, upon any government
29 
official or employee found guilty of committing any of the offenses under this Act.
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Persons who conspire to commit any of the prohibited acts under Section 6
31 
hereof shall be punished by the same penalty prescribed herein.


1 
Sec. 8. Forfeiture and Destruction. - In the commission of the offense, any
2 
chemical weapon found anywhere in the territory or in any other place under the
3 
jurisdiction of the Philippines, the warehouse or the place where the chemical
4 
weapons are being stored, such other instruments as well as the fruits and proceeds
5 
of the offense shall be forfeited in favor of the national government through the
6 
PNA-CWC, and shall be destroyed or disposed of in accordance with existing
7 
environmental regulations or related applicable laws. The cost of destruction or
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disposal of any chemical weapon shall be borne by the erring person: Provided, That
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any chemical weapon discovered in the territory of the Philippines shall be reported
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to the OPCW by the PNA-CWC in accordance with the provisions of Part IV (A) of the
11 
Verification Annex of the Convention.
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Sec. 9. Extraterritoriai Appiication. - The provisions of this Act shall apply to
13 
all persons within or outside the Philippines and persons on board vessels and
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aircraft registered in, belonging to, or in possession of the Philippines, if any of the
15 
prohibited acts is committed -
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a) By or against a Philippine citizen;
17 
b) Against any property owned, leased, or used by the Philippines or by any
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of its departments, agencies, or instrumentalities; or
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c) By a partnership, corporation, association or any juridical person, which is
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owned or controlled by one or more Philippine citizens.
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CHAPTER IV
22 
DECLARATION, VERIFICATION AND INSPECTION
23 
Sec. 10. Deciarations. -
24 
a) Information may be acquired by the PNA-CWC under this Section only to
25 
ensure that:
26 
1) Toxic chemicals and their precursors are only developed, produced,
27 
otherwise acquired, retained, or used for purposes not prohibited
28 
under the Convention;
29 
2) The PNA-CWC has knowledge on dealing with chemicals that facilitates
30 
the making and submission of annual declaration of the Philippines to
31 
the OPCW under the Convention; and
32 
3) The Philippines is able to fulfill its obligations under the Convention.
10


1 
b) Supply of information - Any person who, as the case may be, developed,
2 
produced, or otherwise acquired, processed, consumed, retained or used
3 
toxic chemicals, or their precursors, to which any provision in Parts VI
4 
through IX of the Verification Annex of the Convention applies, or who
5 
intends to carry out such activities, shaii:
6 
1) Notify the PNA-CWC, within such period as it prescribes, of the
7 
chemicais and the faciiity or piant site through a written notice in a
8 
form approved by the PNA-CWC and issued under the implementing
9 
rules and regulations (IRR) of this Act;
10 
2) Keep a record of such chemicals and the purpose for which the
11 
chemicals are stored in a specific facility;
12 
3) Prepare, from these records, annual reports relating to the chemicals
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and the facility or plant site in a form approved by the PNA-CWC and
14 
issued under the IRR of this Act; and
15 
4) Submit annual reports to the PNA-CWC at intervals specified in the IRR
16 
of this Act.
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The records and reports under paragraph (b) (1) to (4) herein must be
18 
sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the PNA-CWC in order to ensure that the
19 
Convention and the provisions of this Act and any regulation made under this Act are
20 
being complied with.
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Sec. 11. Verification and Inspection.-
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a) The PNA-CWC shall issue regulations to facilitate compliance with the
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Verification Annex to the Convention.
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b) Persons covered by the provisions of this Act and their personnel shall
25 
have the duty to facilitate the inspections to be conducted by the OPCW
26 
and cooperate with the international inspectors and the escorting team.
27 
Sec. 12. Protection of Confidentiai Information. - Any confidential information
28 
that is given or obtained pursuant to this Act shall be disclosed only for the purpose
29 
of complying with the obligations under the Convention, the enforcement of this Act,
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or dealing with an emergency involving public safety.
31 
CHAPTER V
32 
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
11


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Sec. 13. International Cooperation and Assistance. -
2 
a) The PNA-CWC may collaborate with other State authorities and
3 
international organizations and entities and coordinate their actions to the
4 
extent required by the implementation of this Act or of the corresponding
5 
statutes, subject to other State authorities or international organizations or
6 
entities being bound to official secrecy.
7 
b) The PNA-CWC may request other State authorities and other international
8 
organizations or entities to provide relevant data or information. The PNA-
9 
CWC is authorized to receive data or information concerning:
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1) The nature, quantity, and utilization of scheduled chemicals or their
11 
precursors and related technologies, the places of consignment and the
12 
names of the consignees for such scheduled chemicals, precursors, or
13 
related technologies; and
14 
2) Persons taking part in the production, delivery, or brokerage of the
15 
scheduled chemicals, precursors, or technologies in subparagraph 
(a)
16 
herein.
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c) If a foreign State has entered into the appropriate reciprocity agreement
18 
with the Philippines, the PNA-CWC may provide, on its own initiative or on
19 
request, the data or information described in paragraph (b) herein to that
20 
State so long as the other competent State authority provides assurances
21 
that such date or information shall:
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1) Only be utilized for purposes consistent with this Act; and
23 
2) Be used in criminal proceedings on the condition that they are obtained
24 
in accordance with those provisions 
governing international juridical
25 
cooperation.
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d) The PNA-CWC may provide data or information described in paragraph (c)
27 
(2) herein to international organizations or entities if the conditions set
28 
forth in paragraph (c) herein are fulfilled, in which case the requirement
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for reciprocity agreement is waived.
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Sec. 14. Establishment of an OPCW Designated Laboratory. - The PNA-CWC
31 
shall support initiatives from and foster collaborations among government agencies,
32 
private sector, and other stakeholders towards the establishment of an OPCW
12


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Designated Laboratory, with the end view of allowing in-country analysis and rapid,
2 
accurate and scientific assessment of chemical samples, faster incident response and
3 
ensuring full implementation of the objectives of this Act and the Convention.
4 
Initiatives shall refer to the institution of quality systems and capacity-building
5 
efforts in accordance with international standards, including securing of proper
6 
accreditation, passing the required series of proficiency testing, setting up the
7 
necessary competencies, and providing steady funding support for researches,
8 
personnel retention, and other development activities.
9 
CHAPTER VI
10 
FINAL PROVISIONS
11 
Sec. 15. Supplemental Application of the Revised Pena! Code and Other Laws.
12 
- The provisions of the Revised Penal Code, Republic Act No. 11479, otherwise
13 
known as "The Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020," the Strategic Trade Management Act
14 
(STMA), and other related laws shall have supplemental application to the provisions
15 
of this Act.
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Sec. 16. Jurisdiction. - The Regional Trial Court shall have exclusive
17 
jurisdiction over all cases of violations of this Act, as well as applications for ancillary
18 
writs and processes such as search warrants, seizure, and forfeiture; Provided, That
19 
the Regional Trial Court that first acquires jurisdiction shall exercise the same to the
20 
exclusion of all other courts unless the Supreme Court authorizes the transfer of
21 
venue.
22 
Sec. 17. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within one hundred eighty
23 
(180) days from the effectivity of this Act, the PNA-CWC shall, in close coordination
24 
with the chemical industry and supporting agencies, issue the rules and regulations
25 
to ensure the efficient and effective implementation of the provisions of this Act.
26 
Sec. 18. Separability Clause. - If for any reason, any provision of this Act is
27 
declared unconstitutional or invalid, such parts not affected thereby shall remain in
28 
full force and effect.
29 
Sec. 19. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
30 
regulations and other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act
31 
are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
13


1 
Sec. 20. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
2 
publication in the Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general
3 
circulation.
Approved,
14