N|T`TETEHNTH CONGRESS
0F THH REPUBLIC 0F THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
HOUSE OF RHPRESENTATIVES
Hou'se-B^i]iNo.5927
Introduced by Representhtrfe CHRISTIAN TELL A. YAP
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The  Philippines  has  a tropical  climate  with  its  yearlong  warm  temperature  and
abundant rainfall.  According to the World Bank, the Philippines has a total of 41,7% of
Agrjcultiiral land.  I  It was reported jn January 2022 that around  13.42 million hectares of
the total land area of the Philippines are used for agricultural crop cultivation.2
Philippines  being  a major exporter of agricultural  commodities  such as  banana,
pineapples, and mango, agriculture plays a significant role in our economy. 3
As reported by the Phihppine Statistics Authority last August 2022, increases in the
value of production in livestock and poultry were noted during the second quarter of 2022.
4In terms of livestock and poultry production,  hogs and chickens were the most widely
consumed of all the animals raised for human sustenance.5
Section 1 of Executive Order No. 247 of 1995 provides that it shall be the policy of
the  State  to  regulate  the  prospecting  of biological  and  genetic  resources  so  that  these
resources are protected and conserved, are developed and put to the sustainable use and
beneflt of the national interest.6
As the Philippine government continues to  strengthen its  policies to support the
agriculture industry and reduce food prices, this proposed legislation seeks to establish an
Agricultural Waste Management Facility under the Department of Agriculture which shall
serve as a foundation to systematically promote the use of agricultural waste or livestock
manure as organic fertilizer for crop production.
Toward  this  end,  the   State  shall   establish  a  program  for  the  promotion  of
community-based  organic   agriculture   systems  which  include,   among  others,   farmer
produced  purely  organic  fertilizers  such  as  compost,  pesticides  and  other  farm  inputs,
together  with  a  nationw].de  educational  and  promotional  campaign  for  their  use  and
processing, as well as the adoption of organic agricultural system as a viable altemative.
}https://chta`u.orldbank.org/ndcator/AG.LND,AGRI,ZS`.)]ocations=PEI
2https.//uwwstfltistac[`nvstatistics/1045556/land-area-used-for-agriLculturalutropngulli\'ation-philippines/
3 https. //ps {i gov. ph/site s/dcfaul t/file s/AI S..Agn%20Exrx>rts%2l)and%20lmperts%202 0 2()_signed~O pdf
4https..//psa.gtNphfoontent/value-producuon-agriculture-and-fisheriesrdeclined-06-percent~second-quarter~2022
5httpswwww.st{itista.com/topics/7l)Olnivestock~and-poultry-sectorsHin-the-philippiiies/#topicHeader_wrapper
6 https //wwu',chanrobles.ct)in/c`o247.htm#. Ytz,Qsnbx7ro
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In  the  interest  of agriculture,  health,  environmental  sustainability  and economic
viability, the approval of this bill is eamest]y sought.
2


NINETEENTH CONGRESS
0F THH REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVHS
House-in|-ivo.5927
Introduced by Representative CHRISTIAN TELL A. YAP
AN ACT
T0 DEVELOP AND PROMOTE AGRICULTURAL WASTE MANAGEMENT IN
THE PHILIPPINES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
13e it enacted by the Senale and House Of Represenlatives Of the Phllipplnes ln Congress
as.sembled:
I                     SECTION  I. £feorr ri.I/c.  -This Act shall be known as the "Agricultural Waste
2       ManagementActof2022."
3
4                    SEC. 2. Dec/¢rafl'o# a/Po/i.cl.cs. ~ It is hereby declared the policy of the state to
5       promote,  propagate,  develop and  implement  the  practice  of organic  agriculture  in  the
6       Phihppines that  will  cumulatively  condition and enrich the fertility  of the  soil,  increase
7       farm  productivity;   reduce  pollution  and  destruction  of  the  environment,  prevent  the
8       depletion of natural resources, and protect the health offarmers, consumers and the general
9       public.
10
11                     To this end, the state shall establish a program for the promotion of community-
12       based organic agriculture systems which include, among others, farmer produced purely
13       organic  fertilizers  such  as  compost,  pesticides  and  other  farm  inputs,  together  with  a
14       nationwide educational and promotional campaign for their use and processing, as well as
15       the adoption of organic agricultural system as a viable alternative.
16
17                   SEC. 3. Dcf#j.ffo# a/ rcrus. -For the purpose of this Act, the following are hereby
18       definedasfollows:
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(a)  7f4gr7.c#/f #rcf/ /!o/dj#g shall refer to the economic unit under a single management
engaged in agricultural production activities.
(b) 8J4gr7.cat//"rcz/ wczs/c shall refer to the waste generated from planting or harvesting
of crops, trimming or pruning of plants and an].mal wastes or run-off materials from
farms or fields;
(c)  9Jjj.vLPL`'/ocfr shall refer to horses, cattle carabaos, sheep, goats, swine, rabbits, poultry
and such other animals or birds as the Secretary of Agriculture may, from time to
time by regulation, prescribe.
(d)  `r7A4ri##re shall refer organic material that is used to fertilize land, usually consisting
of the feces and urine of domestic livestock, with or without accompanying litter
such as straw, hay, or bedding.
(e)  i I Orgr;i;c shall refer to the particular farming and processing system, described in
the  standards  and  not  in  the  classical  chemical  sense.   The  term  "organic"   is
synonymous in other languages to "biological" or "ecological". Furthermore, it is
also  a  labeling  term  that  denotes  products  considered  organic  based  on  the
Philippine National Standards for organic agriculture.
(f)  J-'Re,5'tjzfrcL. co#,i'ervcr/j.o# shall refer to the reduction of the amount of solid waste
that are generated or the reduction of overall resource consumption, and utilization
of recovered resources;
(g)  'jL`Tc`/?c'cJ#/ec7  coxp/jcz#ce   shall  refer  to  an  enforceable  sequence  of  actions  or
operations to be accomplished within a stipulated time frame leading to compliance
with  a  limitation,  prohibition,  or  standard  set  forth  in  this  Act  or  any  rule  or
regulation issued pursuant thereto; and
(h)   ]4L`'/orczge shall refer to the interim conta].nment of solid waste after generation and
prior to collection for ultimate recovery or disposal.
SEC. 4. Agricultural  WJaste Managen'.ent Council  (4WMC).  -There is hereby
28       created an Agricultural waste Management council (AWMC), under the Department of
29       Agriculture (DA), that shall formulate and implement the Agricultural waste Management
30       Policy ofthecountry.
31
7https://stats.`>ecd,orgivglossary/detail.asp?ID=72
8httris://w`vivotricialgazettc`govplv2()()I/01/26/republic-act-no-9003-s-2001/
9 https:/Aawphil.iiet/`statutes/rcprcts/ra I 956/ra   15561956.html
"https://w"'.hritarmica.condtopic/manue
11 hitps Mawphil.netlstatutes/repasts/ra2010/ra   10()68  2010.htul
"hltps://wuw.or`{icialgazctte.gov.ph/200l/Ol/26/republic-act-Ire-9003-s-20()I/
/-?https,//wwu',ofricialga7.ette.gov.ph/2001/01/26/republic-act-no-9003-s-20()1/
]4https.//uwu'.officialgazettc.gov.ph/2001/01/2f`/repul]lic-act-no-9cO3-s-2()Ol/
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1                     The AWMC shall be composed of a chairperson and four (4) permanent council
2       members who  shall  all  be  appointed by  the President of the Philippines.  They  shall be
3       Filipino  citizens,  at  least  twenty-five  (25)  years  of age,  and  of good  moral  character;
4       PrtJv/-c/ecJ, That at least one (1 ) permanent member shall be a member of the philippine Bar,
5       and at least two (2) members shall be from the private agricultural sector.
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7                    The chairperson and Members shall serve for a term of three (3) years, subject to
8       reappointment for another three-year term.  The first two (2) members shall be appointed
9       for a term  of two (2) years and the other two (2) members  for a term of one (I) year.
10       Thereafter their successors shall be appointed for a term of three years.
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12                    SEC.  5. Powers ¢"d F#"cJi.o#s a/ £foe co#„cj.1  -The chairperson  shall  be the
13       Chief Executive officer of the AWMc and shall be assisted by four (4) permanent and full
14       time members. The council shall have the following powers and functions:
15              (a)  Develop and promote organic production system;
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(b) Establish  and  maintain  a  database  of information  regarding  agricultural  waste
management in coordination with the LGU concerned, and other relevant agencies.
(c) Facilitate  expert assistance  in  pilot modeling  of agricultural  waste  management
facilities.
(d) Facilitate integrated agricultural waste management training and education;
(e) Monitor proper agricultural waste management; and
(D  Promote  the  use  of livestock  manure  as  organic  fertilizer  which  shall  provide
organic and sustainable nutrients to crop production and resource conservation.
SEC.  6.  Secrera[H.¢/.  ~  The  Council  shall  have  the  Department  of Agriculture
26       secretariat as the principal secretariat in providing staff support.
27
28                    SEC. 7. Agrl.czi/f#r"/ prasfe il4la!#¢geit!e#f F¢cI./try. -The state shall establish an
29       Agricultural waste Management Facility per province which shall serve as a temporary
30       storage location and will process the agricultural waste or manure for the implementation
31       of the provisions ofthisAct.
32                      SEC.  8.  Agr!.cw/frlro/  W&sft7  A4lfl„ngemce7!f.     '5Agricultural  holdings  who  have
33       livestock units shall have space for the proper storage and segregation of agricultural waste
34       or manure.
35
J5mps:/nagen.null998:915
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1                    SEC.  9.   Agricultural   Waste   Storage  in  the  Agricultural   Holdings.16  The
2       Department of Agriculture  may  provide  storage  containers and coverings  for materials
3       containing  agricultural  waste,  manure  or  other  biological  products  from  agricultural
4       activities for agricultural holdings.
5
6                     SEC.   10.   .4grl.cw/f##&/   Wusfe   Co//ecfz.OEL   -   The   respective   Department   of
7       Agriculture field office shall collect the agricultural waste or manure from the agricultural
8       holdings in their jurisdiction and transport it the Agricultural waste Management Facility
9       jntheprovince.
10
11                     SEC.11. Sfor¢gc ¢#d Procc$5.  The  respective Department of Agriculture field
12       office  shall  store  the  collected  agricultural  waste  or manure  to  the  Agricultural  Waste
13       Management Facihty and the facility shall process it into compost.
14
15                     SEC.12. SeJJr.Hg a/ Co#qposf.  -The Depatment of Agriculture field office shall
16       sell the compost to agricultural holdings who need it for crop cultivation in observance of
17       the scheduled compliance in theirjurisdiction for revenue.
18
\9                   SE,C.  13.  Powers  and  Functions  Of  the  National  Solid  Waste  Cowission
2.I )       (Section 5 Of Republic Act 9003) is hereby an'lended asfollows..
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"SECTION 5. Powers and Functions of the Commission. ~ The Commission shall
overseetheimplementationofsolidwastemanagementplansandprescribepolicies
to achieve the objectives of this Act. The Commission shall undertake the following
activities:
(a) Prepare the national solid waste management framework;
(b) Approve local solid waste management plans in accordance with its rules and
regulations;
(c)Reviewandmonitortheimplementationoflocalsolidwastemanagementplans;
(d) Coordinate  the  operation  of  local  solid  waste  management  boards  in  the
provincial and city/municipal levels;
(e) To the maximum extent feasible, utilizing existing resources, assist provincial,
city and municipal solid waste management boards in the preparation, modification,
and implementation of waste management plans;
(D  Develop a model provincial, city and municipal solid waste management plan
that will establish prototypes of the content and format which provinces, c].ties and
municipalities may use in meeting the requirements of the National  Solid Waste
Management Framework;
(g) Adopt a program to provide technical and other capability building assistance
and support to local government units in the development and implementation of
source reduction programs;
J6httpsWlagcii.nu/1998:`J15
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(h) Develop  and  implement  a  program  to  assist  local  government  units  in  the
identification  of markets  for materials  that  are  diverted  from  disposal  facilities
through   re-use,   recycling,   and   composting,   and   other   environment-friendly
methods;
(.i)  Develop  a  mechanism  for  the  imposition  of sanctions  for  the  violat].on  of
environmental rules and regulations;
0 ) Manage the Solid Waste Management Fund;
(k) Develop and prescribe procedures for the issunnce of appropriate permits and
clearances;
(I)  Review  the  incentives  scheme  for  effective  sohd  waste  management,  for
purposes of ensuring relevance and efficiency  in achieving the objectives of this
Act;
(in)  Formulate  the  necessary  education  promotion  and  information  campaign
strategies;
(n) Establish, after notice and hearing of the parties concerned, standards, criteria,
guidelines  and  formula  that  are  fair,  equitable  and  reasonable,  in  establishing
tipping  charges  and  rates  that  the  proponent  will  charge  in  the  operat].on  and
management of solid waste management facilities and technologies;
(o) Develop safety nets and alternative livelihood programs for small recyclers and
other sectors that will be affected as a result of the construction and/or operation of
a solid waste management recycling plant or facihty;
(p) Formulate  and  update  a  list  of non-environmentally  acceptable  materials  in
accordance with the provis].ons of this Act. For this purpose, it shall be necessary
that  proper  consultation  be  conducted  by  the  Commission  with  all  concerned
industries to ensure a list that is based on technological and economic viability;
(q) Encourage private sector iritiatives, community participation and investments
resource recovery-based livelihood programs for local communities;
(r) Encourage  all  local  government  agencies  and  all  local  government  units  to
patronize products manufactured using recycled and recyclable materials;
(s) Propose   and   adopt  regulations   requiring   the   source   separation   and   post
separation  collection,  segregated  collection,  processing,  marketing  and  sale  of
organic  and  designated  recyclable  material  generated  in  each  local  government
unit; and
(t) Study and review the .following:
(i)Standards,     criteria    and    guidelines     for    the    promulgation    and
implementation   of   an   integrated   nat].onal   solid   waste   management
framework; and
(ii) Cr].teria and guidelines for siting, design, operation and maintenance of
solid waste management facilities.
(u)   Develop and impleneut a program to assist local governi'i'ient units in the
production Of organic fertilizer and soil an'Ieliorartts from agricultural waste."
SIHC.14. Section 7 Of Republic Act 9003 is hereby al'nended as follows..
"SECTION  7. The  National  Ecology  Center.  ~  There  shall  be  established  a
National  Ecology Center under the Commission which shall provide consulting,
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information,  training,  and  networking  services  for  the  implementatjon  of  the
provisions of this Act.
In this regard, it shall perform the following functions:
(a)  Facihtate   trajnjng   and   education    in   integrated   ecological    solid   waste
management;
(b) Establ].sh  and  manage  a  solid  waste  management  information  data  base,  in
coordination with the DTI and other concerned agencies:
(1)   on solid waste generation and management techniques as well as the
management,  technical  and  operational  approaches to resource recovery;
and
(2)    of processors/recyclers, the list of materials being recycled or bought
by them and their respective prices;
(c) Promote the development of a recycling market through the establishment of a
national recycling network that will enhance the opportunity to recycle;
(d)  Provide   or  facilitate   expert   assistance   in  pilot  modeling  of  solid  waste
management facilities;
(e)  Develop,  test,   and  disseminate  model   waste  mirimization  and  reduction
auditing procedures for evaluating options; and
(I) Pron'Iote agricultural waste i'I'ianagement.
The National Ecology Center shall be headed by the director of the Bureau in hl.s
ex  officio  capacity.  It  shall  maintain a multi-sectoral,  multi-disciplinary  pool  of
experts  including  those  from  the  academe,  inventors,  practicing  professionals,
business and industry, youth,  women and other concerned sectors,  who shall be
screened according to qualifications set by the Commission.
SrfLC. LS. Section 1 I  Of Republic Act 9003 is hereby al!nended as follows:
"SECTION 11.  Provincial Solid Waste Management Board. -A Provincial Solid
Waste Management Board shall be established in every province, to be chaired by
the governor. Its members shall include:
(a)  All the mayors of its component cities and municipalities;
(b)  One (1) representative from the Sangguniang Panla]awigan to be represented
by  the  chairperson of either the  Committees  on  Environment or Health or their
equivalent committees, to be nominated by the presiding officer;
(c)  The  provincial  health  and/or  general  services  officers,  whichever  may  be
recommended by the governor;
(d) The provincial environment and natural resources officer;
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(e) The provincial engineer;
(I) Congressional  representative/s  from  each  congressional  district  within  the
province;
(g) A representative from the NGO sector whose principal purpose is to promote
recycling and the protection of air and water quality;
(h) A representative from the recycling industry;
(i)  A representative from the manufacturing or packaging industry ; and
¢)  A  representative  of each  concerned  government  agency  possessing  relevant
technical and marketing expertise as may be determined by the Board;
(I)      A   representative  from   the   OJ:ftce   Of  tl.e   Provincial/City/Municipal
Agriculturist."
S;rf3C.16. Section 12 Of Re|iublic Act 9003 is hereby amended as follows:
"SECTION  12. City and Municipal Solid Waste Management Board. -Each city
or municipality shall form a City or Municipal Waste Management Board that shall
prepare, submit and implement a plan for the safe and sanitary management of solid
waste generated in areas under its geographic and political coverage.
The City or Municipal Solid Waste Management Board shall be composed of the
city or municipal mayor as head with the following as members:
(a)  One  (I)  representative  of the  Sangguniang Panlungsod  or the  Sangguniang
Bayan, preferably chairpersons of either the Comm].ttees on Environment or Health,
who will be designated by the presiding officer;
(b)  President of the Association of Barangay Councils in the municipality or city;
(c)  Chairperson of the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation;
(d)   A representative from NGOs whose principal purpose is to promote recychng
and the protection of alr and water quality;
(e)   A representative from the recycling industry;
(f)    A representative from the manufacturing or packaging industry; and
(g)   A  representative  of each concerned government agency  possessing relevant
technical and marketing expertise as may be determined by the Board.
(I;)        A   representative  from  the   Oiffi:filce   Of  the   Provincial/City/Municipal
A8ricuiturist."
She. 17 . Section 16 Of Republic Act 9003 is hereby amended as follows:
"SECTION   16.    Local  Government  Solid  Waste  Management  Plans.  -  The
province, city or municipality, through its local solid waste management boards,
shall prepare its respective  10-year solid waste management plans consistent with
the  national   solid  waste  management  framework:   Provided,   That  the  waste
management  plan  shall  be  for the  re-use,  recycling,  co#versl.OJI  a/ ¢grl.cw/fwroJ
waste to fertilizer and soil ameliorants, a,nd com:posting of wastes generated in
their respective jurisdjctions:  Provided, further, That the solid waste management
plan of the LGU shall  ensure the efficient management of solid waste generated
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within its jurisdiction. The plan shall place primary emphasis on implementation of
all  feasible  re-use,  recycling,  and  composting  programs  while  identifying  the
amount of landfill and transformation capacity that will be needed for solid waste
which cannot be re-used,  recycled,  or composted.  The plan shall  contain  all the
components provided in Sec.  I 7 of this Act and a timetable for the implementation
of  the   solid   waste   management   program   in   accordance   with   the   National
Framework and pursuant to the provisions of this Act:  Provided,  finally, That it
shall be reviewed and updated every year by the provincial, city or municipal solid
waste management board.
For LGUs which have considered sohd waste management alternatives to comply
with Sec.  37 of this Act, but are unable to utilize such alternatives, a timetable or
schedule of compliance specifying the remedial measures and eventual compliance
shall be included in the plan.
All  local  government  solid  waste  management  plans  shall  be  subjected  to  the
approval   of the  Commission.   The  plan  shall  be  consistent  with  the  national
framework and in accordance with the provisions of this Act and of the policies set
by   the   Commission:   Provided,   That   in  the   Province   of  Palawan,   the   local
government  solid  waste  management  plan  shall  be  approved  by  the  Palawan
Council for Sustainable Development, pursuant to R.A. No. 7611."
SEC.18. £4pprap".a!fi.ous: -The Secretary of Agriculture shall incorporate in the
22       Department of Agriculture's program the amount necessary for the operationaljzation of
23       the Agricultural waste Management which shall be included in the General Appropriations
24       Act of the year following its enactment into law and every year thereafter.
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26                   EEC.   19.      Implenenting   Rules   and   Regulations .----  The  Depa:rtmeut  ot
27       Agriculture, within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act, shall promulgate the
28       rules and regulations necessary for the proper implementation ofthjs Act.
29
30                    SEC.   20.   Sep¢"!b!./rty   C7¢#se.   -   If  any   provision   of  this   Act   is   declared
31       unconstitutional  or  invalid,  other provisions  not  otherwise  affected  shall  remain  in  full
32       force and effect.
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34                     SEC. 21. Repe¢/ing Ctowse. -All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or
35       parts  thereof  which  are  inconsistent  with  this  Act  are  hereby  repealed  or  amended
36       accordingly.
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1                     SEC. 22. E/grccfi.trty cto#se. -This Act shall take effect fifteen ( 15) days upon its
2       publf cation  in the  Official  Gazette  or two  (2)  newspapers  of general  circulation  in  the
3       Philippines.
4
5                      Appr(rved,
11