ferme sen
Republic of the Phili
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES jf RECEIVED %

Constitution Hills, Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _8115__

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 II 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. However, the volume of solid wastes is still rising. The National Solid Waste
Management Commission projected a waste of 18.05 million tons by the end of 2020.

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

‘AUSTINO ‘INNO’ A. DY V


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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

8.
HOUSE BILL NO. us

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.”

SEC. 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.

SEC. 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 arc 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 process or by end-users of products in combination

with raw materials.

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

a) The structural integrity and safety of the buildings or infrastructure projects
are compromised;

b) 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

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

SEC. 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
cach 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 recycled content building material 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,

SEC. 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.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 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 the requirements under Section 4 of this Act shall be
administratively liable under existing laws, rules and regulations.

SEC. 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.

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inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are repealed or modified accordingly.


SEC. 11. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,