FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
Second Regular Session 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
According to Article 11, Section 16 of the 1987 Constitution: 
"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. " 
In a study conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO), the distribution of 
hospital wastes in developing countries are 80% general health care wastes, 15% pathological 
and infectious waste, 1% sharp waste, and 3% chemical or pharmaceutical wastes. These bio- 
medical wastes may be generated from any of the following facilities: hospitals, health centers, 
clinics (medical, dental, veterinary), pharmaceutical laboratories, blood banks, funeral parlors, 
medical schools, and research institutions. 
A significant fraction of medical waste poses some form of danger if exposed to the 
general public or environment in an untreated form. Different types of medical waste pose 
different dangers depending on their nature. Requiring the reporting of medical wastes will help 
our officials prevent the improper disposal of this kind of health and environmental hazard. 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
Second Regular Session 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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JAN 29 P i  :4S 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT REQUIRING OWNERS OR OPERATORS OF 
PUBLIC OR PRIVATE BEACHES TO REPORT THE PRESENCE OF MEDICAL WASTE 
TO PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assem bled: 
SECTION 1. Definition. As used in this Act, Regulated medical waste (RMW), also 
known as “biohazardous” waste or “infectious medical” waste, shall mean the portion of the 
waste stream generated by healthcare facilities that may be contaminated by blood, body fluids 
or other potentially infectious materials, thus posing a significant risk of transmitting infection 
and endangering human health. 
SECTION 2. Duty to Report Medical Waste. The owner, lessee, or operator of any 
public or private beach used for bathing shall report to the local health officer of the jurisdiction 
in which such beach is located, or the Departnient of Health if there be no local health officer, 
any regulated medical waste found washed up on the shore of such beach or visible in the water 
from the shore of such beach. 
SECTION 3. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or parts 
thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified 
accordingly. 
SECTION 4. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any provision of this Act is 
declared to be unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions hereof which are not 
affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
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Approved, 
SECTION 5. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
following its publication in the OSficial Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
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