First Regular Session

House Bill No, 17.14

Introduced by HON. ROZZANO RUFINO B. BIAZON

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Presidential Decree No. 979 states that it is the policy of the state to prevent and
control the pollution of seas by the dropping of wastes and other matter which create hazards
to human health, harm living resources and marine life, damage amenities, or interfere with
the legitimate uses of the sea within the territorial jurisdiction of the Philippines.

In lieu of this, it is only just and imperative to provide stiffer civil and criminal
penalties against those polluters of our marine environment since we are very dependent on
the sea and other bodies of water for our transportation, livelihood and other related
industries.

This bill seeks to increase the penalties being imposed and provided for under the
present law to a fine of not less than Five Million Pesos (P5,000,000.00) or imprisonment of
not less than 8 years and 1 day nor more than 12 years or both such fine and imprisonment.

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

ROZZANO RUHINO B. BIAZON

Representative
Lone District, Muntinlupa City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

id
House Bill No. SD 214

Introduced by HON. ROZZANO RUFINO B. BIAZON
)

AN ACT
INCREASING THE PENALTY IMPOSED AGAINST POLLUTERS OF
NAVIGABLE WATERS BY AMENDING SECTION 7 OF PRESIDENTIAL DECREE,
NO, 979.

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

SECTION 1. Section 7 of Presidential Decree No. 979 is hereby amended to read as
follows:

“Section 7. Penalties for Violations. Any person who violates Section 4 of
this Decree or any regulations prescribed in pursuance thereof, shall be liable
for a fine of not less than [Two hundred pesos nor more than Ten thousand
pesos] FIVE MILLION PESOS or by imprisonment of not less than {thirty
days] EIGHT YEARS AND ONE DAY nor more than [one year] TWELVE
YEARS or both such fine and imprisonment, for each offense, without
prejudice to the civil liability of the offender in accordance with existing laws.

Any vessel from which oil or other harmful substances are discharged in
violation of Section 4 or any regulation prescribed in pursuance thereof, shall
be liable for the penalty of fine specified in this section, and clearance of such
vessel from the port of the Philippines may be withheld until the fine is paid.

In addition to the penalties above prescribed, the Philippine Coast Guard shall
provide in its rules and regulations such reasonable administrative penalties as
may be necessary for the effective implementation of this Decree.”

Sec.. 2. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part of this Act is declared invalid
or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall continue to
be in full force and effect.


Sec. 3. Repealing Clause. — All provisions of laws, orders, decrees, including rules
and regulations inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

See. 4. Effectivity. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
publication in the Official Gazette or at least two (2) national newspapers of general
circulatio

Approved.