FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session )

HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES,
House Bill No._9133

Introduced by: MA. THERESA B. BONOAN-DAVID.
4% District, City of Manila

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Constitution, Article 2, Section 16 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.”

Recycling is a program which has become more and more indispensable to
society as a possible solution to various environmental problems. The awareness and
need for this possible solution to save natural resources to total destruction may be
imparted to the younger generations by requiring educational institutions to recycle
and to use recycled paper considering that it is one of the institutions which uses large
amounts of paper. In this way, they could take the lead in recycling and other
environmentally-sound practices as part of its commitment to a balanced and
healthful ecology and achieving growth through sustainable development.

The urgent need to accelerate the country's development is not a justification to
neglect the need to conserve the natural resources of our nation. It is true that the
natural resources of the Philippines are abundant. However, to totally disregard
conservation at this time is detrimental, because every careless use of our resources
reduces the net benefit to the people and the environment.

The recycling and the utilization of recycled materials complement efficient

utilization and conservation of our natural resources. This bill seeks to require
education institutions to recycle and to use recycled paper.

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

MA. THERESA BONOAN-DAVID
4th District, City of Manila


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session )

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Introduced by: MA. THERESA B. BONOAN-DAVID
4 District, City of Manila

AN ACT REQUIRING THE RECYCLING AND THE UTILIZATION OF
RECYCLED MATERIALS BY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “Recycle Waste Act.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. It is a declared policy of the State to conserve
natural resources by recycling paper and other waste materials.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. For purposes of this Act, the terms:

(a) “Schools” mean all schools, whether public or private, colleges, universities,
and other learning and educational institutions, including all state colleges and
universities,

(b) Department” refers to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources;

(c) “Secretary” refers to the Secretary of the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources.

SECTION 4. Requirement for the use of Recycled Paper. Except as provided for in
the succeeding section, all schools shall use paper and other materials containing at
least fifteen percent (15%) recycled material, in all their projects, activities, and
ventures.

SECTION 5. Exceptions. The failure of the schools to comply with the requirement of
this Act shall not be considered a violation of this Act, if:

(A) the recycled materials are not reasonably available within a reasonable period
of time; or


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a (B) the recycled materials are available only at an unreasonable price.

Provided further that, those schools, which failed to comply with the
requirement set forth in Section 4 of this Act, shall notify the Department, specifying.
the reason(s) for their failure to do so.

The Secretary shall publish a list of schools which failed to comply with the
requirements of this Act.

SECTION 6. Mandatory Recycling of Paper and Other Materials. It shall be
mandatory for all schools to recycle paper and other materials, or to make paper and
other wastes available for recycling.

SECTION 7. Technical Assistance. For purposes of assisting the schools in complying
with the provisions of this Act, the Department shall provide technical assistance and
guidance to schools on recycling methods and opportunities.

SECTION 8. Inclusion in the Curriculum. The Department of Education, Culture and
Sports (DECS), and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), in coordination
with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, shall include a subject in
the curriculum of schools which tackles the advantages of recycling and the ways and
means to recycle all kinds of wastes.

In case the inclusion of the subject in the curriculum is not feasible, the
Department of Education, Culture and Sports, and the Commission on Higher
Education, may recommend the option to include the matter of recycling of wastes, in
any existing and related subject.

SECTION 9. Recycling Program. The Department, within two (2) years after the
effectivity of this Act, shall develop and implement a comprehensive multi-material
recycling program. The recycling program shall include but is not limited to the
following:

a) The determination and separation of recyclable materials from other wastes.
The type of recyclable material shall include metal cans, glass bottles and jars,
paper, used tires, and plastic material;

b) The establishment of proven approaches in separation and collection of
recyclable materials;

c) The establishment of local or regional drop-off centers for recyclable materials;

d) The development of campaign which will encourage the protection of the
environment and the natural resource.


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“SECTION. 10. Information Campaign. The Department shall establish a
comprehensive and sustained public information and education program concerning
recycling methods and opportunities.

SECTION 11. Rules and Regulations. The Department, in coordination with the
Department of Education, Culture and Sports, and the Commission on Higher
Education, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulation to carry out the
purpose of this Act within six (6) months after its effectivity.

SECTION 12. Penalty. Any violation of this Act shall be punished with a fine of not
less than Php50,000.00 or imprisonment of one (1) year, or both, at the discretion of
the court. If the offese 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 entity.

SECTION 13. Appropriation. To carry out the provisions of this Act, such sum as may
be necessary is hereby authorized to be appropriated from the National Treasury.
Thereafter, the sum necessary for the continuous operation of the programs shall be
included in the annual appropriation of the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources.

SECTION 14. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
proclamations, rules and regulations, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 15. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain valid.

SECTION 16. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from its
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general.

Approved.