SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session 
SENATE 
S.No. 2917 
) 
) 
) 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
TO REGULATE FERTILIZER INGREDIENTS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 16 provides: 
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AUG 26 PS :16 
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. 
A series of articles in the Seattle Times in July 1997 highlighted the practice of 
adding hazardous materials to fertilizers. Industries have found a way to get rid of their 
toxic wastes, including industrial wastes and pesticides - by putting them in fertilizers. 
Some tests done on fertilizers show the presence of numerous heavy metals and other 
contaminants. 
These toxic fertilizers have been shown to have caused the contamination and loss 
of agricultural lands, death of livestock, and contamination of groundwater/drinking 
water, and potentially allowed toxic substances to end up in our food supply. Some of the 
toxins which have been found in commercial fertilizers include lead (causes seizures, 
mental retardation and behavioral disorders); cadmium (known to cause cancer, kidney 
disease, neurological dysfunction, immune system changes and birth defects); and arsenic 
(a known carcinogen). 
The purpose of this bill is to stop the practice of adding toxic and hazardous 
materials to fertilizers immediately.l 
I This bill was originally filed in the Fourleenth Congress, Third Regular Session aud refiled in the 
Fifteenth Congress, First Regular Session. 
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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session 
SENATE 
291 '") 
S. N o. _-=~"'--L( 
) 
) 
) 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
TO REGULATE FERTILIZER INGREDIENTS 
'15 
AIJIi 26 P5 :16 
HECEIVED By:-d.-: 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Fertilizer Content 
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Act." 
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SECTION 2. Definition of Terms. - In this Act, the term "Hazardous Waste or 
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Substances" means anything that poses substantial or potential threats to public health or 
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the environment and generally exhibits one or more of these characteristics: carcinogenic, 
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ignitable (i.e., flammable), oxidant, corrosive, toxic, radioactive or explosive. 
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SECTION 3. Tests. - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) shall analyze 
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samples of all commercial fertilizers for the presence of hazardous wastes or hazardous 
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substances. The Department of Health shall assist the DTI in conducting these tests. The 
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Secretary of Trade and Industry shall publish a list of fertilizer products containing 
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hazardous wastes or substances and shall annually report the results of the sampling and 
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analysis to the Legislature. 
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SECTION 4. Prohibition. - A commercial fertilizer that has been adulterated 
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with any substance defined as hazardous shall not be stored, transported, or sold. 


SECTION 5. Penalty. -
Any person, corporation, or association who violates 
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this Act by selling any adulterated fertilizer shall be liable for payment of a fine worth 
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J.:!.250,OOO.OO for the first offense. A subsequent violation shall be penalized with a 
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penalty ofJ.:!.500,OOO.OO and closure of the business establishment. 
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Any person, corporation, or association who violates this Act by storing or 
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transporting commercial fertilizer shall be subject to a penalty of fine worth J.:!.50,OOO.OO. 
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Each day during which the prohibited activity occurs shall be deemed a separate 
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violation. 
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SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other 
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provisions hereof. 
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SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, and issuances, or 
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portions thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby 
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repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
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SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
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its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
itmdp20Aug20 15 
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