Fifteenth Congress of the Republic 
of the Philippines 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
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SENATE 
S.B. No. 2541 
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Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Occupational health and safety is defined as a cross-disciplinary area concerned with 
protecting the safety, health and welfare, of people engaged in work or employment. The goal of 
all occupational health and safety programs is to foster a safe work environment (www.ornl.gov) 
Since most workers spend at least eight hours a day in the workplace, work environments 
should be safe and healthy. Every day workers all over the world are faced with a multitude of 
health hazards. Unfortunately, some employers gave not much attention or assume little 
responsibility for the protection of workers health and safety which resulted to work-related 
accidents and diseases which are commop in all parts of the world. 
This bill seeks to rationalize the implementation of national policies, standards and 
regulations relating to occupational safety and health and environmental protection. Studies show 
that there are a number of government agencies, both national and local, that are involved in the 
administration and enforcement of occupational safety and health and environmental protection 
laws. It appears that these agencies are authorized by existing laws to participate in the 
implementation of these concerns. 
For the foregoing considerations; passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 


Fifteenth Congress of the Republic 
of the Philippines 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 2541 
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
AN ACT 
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TO RATIONALIZE THE ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF 
ALL LAWS ON OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS AND 
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and lfouse of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to: 
a. Protect every worker against injuiy, sickness or death through safe and healthful working 
conditions, thereby assuring the conservation of valuable manpower resources and the 
prevention of unnecessary loss or. damage to lives and properties; 
b. Protect and advance the right of the people to a well-balanced and healthful ecology in 
accord with the rhythm, harmony and integrity of nature; 
c. Prevent and control pollution of water, air and land from any source which will be 
detrimental to public health, safety and welfare and adversely affect rational utilization of 
sustainable resources of the country; 
d. Create, develop, maintain and improve conditions under which people and nature may 
prosper in wholesome hannony with each other; 
e. Insure the attainment of an environmental quality that is conducive to a life of dignity and 
well-being; and 
f. Promote and support research and training activities which are necessary to develop 
relevant standards in occupational health and safety and legislations to protect the 
environment. 
SECTION 2. Lead Agency in'; Occupational Safety and Health Promotion. - The 
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) shall be the principal agency in coordinating and 
monitoring the activities of all government agencies involved in the implementation of all laws 
to promote occupational safety and health. For purposes of this Act, the tenn "occupational 
safety and health" shall include any matter that affects the safety and health of workers in all 
places of employment. 
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Toward this end, the DOLE shall be primarily responsible for the administration and 
enforcement of all laws, standards and regulations on occupational safety and health and shall 
have the following duties: 
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a. Review existing policies, standa~ds and programs of all government agencies involved in 
occupational health standards and recommend to the President and Congress new 
policies, standards and programs relative thereto in consultation with a tripartite body 
composed of the representatives of the workers; employers and the government; 
b. Enlist the assistance of appropriate government agencies, including local government 
subdivisions, in the implementation and/or enforcement of occupational safety and health 
programs, standards and regulations in accordance with such conditions as it may 
prescribe; 
c. Act as the national monitoring agency on the progress of the implementation of policies, 
programs, research, training and information dissemination on workers safety and health 
and submit a yearly report thereon to the President and Congress; and 
d. Promulgate such necessary rules and regulations to effectively carry out the provisions 
and objectives ofthis Act. 
SECTION 3. Lead Agency in Environmental Protection. - The Department of 
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) shall be the principal agency of the government in 
coordinating and monitoring the acti~ities of all government agencies or instrumentalities 
involved in the administration and enforcement of all laws, standards and regulations relating to 
environmental protection and the natural resources ot: this country in formulating an intensive 
and integrated program on environmental protection, including, but not limited to, manufacture, 
importation, processing, distribution, use and disposal of hazardous and toxic substances and 
mixtures; and development, utilization and conservation of natural resources and over-all 
maintenance of a well-balanced and healthful ecology. 
Toward this end, the DENR shall be primarily responsible for the administration and 
enforcement of laws, standards and regulations on environmental protection and on the natural 
resources of this country and shall have the following duties: 
a. Review existing policies, standards and programs of all government agencies involved in 
the establishment of environmental assessment and recommend to the President and 
Congress new policies, standards and programs relative thereto in consultation with 
pertinent government and non-government agencies; 
b. Enlist the assistance of appropriate government agencies, including local government 
subdivision, and non-governqlent, organizations in the implementation and/or 
enforcement of environmental health, safety and protection programs, standards and 
regulations in accordance with s~ch conditions as it may prescribe; 
c. Act as the national monitoring agency on the progress of implementation of policies, 
programs, research, training and information dissemination on environmental health, 
safety and protection and submit a yearly report thereon to the President and Congress; 
and 
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d. Promulgate such necessary rules and regulations to effectively carry out the provisions 
and objectives of this Act. 
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SECTION 4. Sanitation. - The Department of Health (DOH) shall be responsible for 
formulating policies, standards and prpgrams in sanitation. The DOH shall make periodic 
inspections for the purpose of issuing/renewing sanitary pennits for establishments. 
SECTION 5. Administrative Sanctions in cases of Violations. - (a) In addition to the 
penalties provided for by existing laws; the DOLE may, by appropriate regulations, prescribe 
administrative fines for violations of occupational safety and hea:Jth standards or regulations 
promulgated there under which in no Cllse shall be less than One hundred pesos (pIOO.OO) nor 
more than Ten thousand pesos (10,000) a day, depending upon the gravity of the violation, 
starting from the date the violation is uncovered until the same has been corrected by the 
offender. 
The fines shall accrue to the Occupational Safety and Health Fund and shall be managed 
by a Board, with the Secretary of the ,DOLE as Chairperson and the pertinent government 
agencies as members, which shall impl~ment programs and promote research and training in 
occupational safety and health. 
b. In addition to the penalties provided for by existing laws, rules and regulations, the DENR 
may, by appropriate regulations, prescribe administrative fines for violations of environmental 
health, safety and protection standards or regulations promulgated there under which in no case 
shall be less than One hundred pesos (PIOO.OO) nor more than Ten thousand pesos (PlO,OOO.OO) a 
day, depending upon the gravity of the violations, starting from the date the violation is in 
covered until the same has been corrected by the offender. The fines shall accrue to the 
Environmental Safety and Protection Fund and shall be managed by a Board, with the Secretary 
of the DENR as Chairperson and the pertinent government agencies as members, which shall 
implement programs and promote research and training in environmental protection. 
SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders and rules and 
regulations or part or parts thereof inconsistent with any provision of this Act are hereby 
repealed, modified, superseded or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act or the application of 
such provi sion to any person or circumstance is held invalid for any reason, the remainder of this 
Act or the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected 
thereby. 
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SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause - This Act shall take effect fifteen (\5) days after its 
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspaper of general 
circulation, whichever comes earlier. 
Approved, 
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