NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  _____ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Section 16 Article II of the Constitution provides that, “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.”  This constitutional provision is not self-executory and the State has 
the duty to enact laws to effectively respond to environmental problems besetting our country. 
The dumping of wastes pollutes our seawaters thereby affecting harmfully the marine 
resources which undoubtedly are rich sources of food for survival of the Filipino people. 
Thus, in order to protect our marine resources and the interest of public health and 
safety, this bill seeks to penalize the dumping of wastes into sea waters. 
In view thereof, the early passage of this proposed measure is highly recommended. 
RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ 
November 24, 2022
6:08 pm
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NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  _____ 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING A BAN ON DUMPING OF SEWAGE SLUDGE AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE 
INTO THE SEA 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1.  Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Sea Dumping Ban Act”. 
SEC 2.  Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote the 
natural balance of the environment for the protection of human health and safety. 
SEC 3.  Definition of Terms. – For purposes of this Act, the term: 
(1) “alternative system” means any method for the management of sewage sludge or
industrial waste which does not require a permit under this Act;
(2) “excluded material” means:
(a) any dredged material discharged by the Philippine Army Corps of
Engineers or discharged pursuant to a permit issued by the Secretary of
Environment and Natural Resources;
(b) any waste from any industrial operation located in the Philippines or
discharge pursuant to a permit signed by the Secretary of Environment and
Natural Resources;
(3) “industrial waste” means any solid, semi-solid, or liquid waste dumped by a
manufacturing or processing plant other than an excluded material;
(4) “interim measure” means any short-term method for the management of sewage
sludge or industrial wastes which:
(a) is used before implementation of an alternative system;
(b) does not require a permit under this Act;
(5) “sewage sludge” means any solid, semi-solid, or liquid waste generated by a
wastewater treatment plant, other than an excluded material.
SEC 4.  Prohibited Acts. – No person shall dump into sea waters or transport for the purpose 
of dumping into sea waters, sewage sludge or industrial waste, unless such person has 
obtained a permit issued by the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources which 
authorizes such transportation and dumping. 
SEC 5.  Penalties. – Any person who dumps into ocean waters or transports for the purpose 
of dumping into ocean waters, sewage sludge, or industrial waste shall be liable in the amount 
of not less than Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00) nor more than Five Hundred Thousand 
Pesos (P500,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than three (3) months but not more than six 
(6) years, or both at the discretion of the court.  If the offense is committed by a corporation,
trust, firm, partnership or association, or other entity, the penalty shall be imposed upon the
guilty officer or officers of such corporation, trust, firm, partnership or association or other
entity.
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SEC 6.  Enforcement Monitoring Report. – Not later than six (6) months after the date of the 
effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, 
in consultation with the Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications, 
shall submit a report to the Congress.  The report required under this section shall contain an 
accounting of discharges into the waters of the territorial sea, the economic zone, and the 
ocean, and shall include: 
(a) total number of discharges; 
(b) the location, source volume and potential environmental effects of each discharge; 
(c) the date of original issuance, review and reissuance of each discharge; 
(d) the number of discharges that have been determined by the Secretary of 
Environment and Natural Resources; 
(e) schedule for implementing this Act and achieving compliance with guidelines 
promulgated under this Act as expeditiously as practicable, and an estimate of the 
resources required to meet such schedule; and 
(f) recommendations for any additional legislative authorities needed to achieve 
compliance with such guidelines. 
 
SEC 7.  Separability Clause. – If any provision, or part hereof, is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
valid and subsisting. 
 
SEC 8.  Repealing Clause. – Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order, letter 
of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly 
 
SEC 9.  Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least 
two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,