NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
House Bill No. __________ 
Introduced by Hon. Antonio B. Legarda Jr. 
AN ACT 
REGULATING THE MANUFACTURING, IMPORTATION, AND USE OF 
SINGLE-USE PLASTIC PRODUCTS, AND PROVIDING PENALTIES, LEVIES, 
AND INCENTIVES SYSTEM FOR INDUSTRIES, BUSINESS ENTERPRISES, 
AND CONSUMERS THEREOF 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Plastic pollution is one of the biggest environmental problems we are facing 
today. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, approximately 7 
billion of the 9.2 billion tons of plastic produced from 1950-2017 became plastic 
waste, ending up in landfills or dumped.1 In a 2017 study, it was revealed that only 
9% of all plastic waste generated had been recycled2 and by 2050, it is estimated that 
up to 12 billion tons of plastic waste would end up in landfills.3 In the 2020 Global 
Audit of international organization Break Free From Plastics, it was shown that 
plastic sachets are the most common type of pollutant found in the environment, 
followed by cigarette butts and plastic bottles.4 
It is with this background that the undersigned seeks the passage of this bill 
to immediately put a stop to the usage and proliferation of single use plastics in the 
country. Aside from its harmful effects on the environment, plastics have 
detrimental effects on human health as microplastics can enter our body and cause 
an array of health problems. 
Thus, this bill seeks to implement a full phase out of all single use plastics in 
the country, ban its importation and enhance plastics recycling programs in the 
country. This measure also seeks to develop a research and development program 
on alternatives to single use-plastics. 
1 https://www.unep.org/plastic-pollution 
2 https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.1700782 
3 https://www.greenpeace.org/philippines/act/break-free-from-plastic/ 
4 https://www.breakfreefromplastic.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/BFFP-2020-Brand-Audit-Report.pdf 
August 2, 2022
4:56 pm
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In line with the policy adopted by its original proponent Senator Loren 
Legarda, this bill therefore likewise serves as a counter-part House Bill. It is for the 
reasons stated above that the passage of this measure is earnestly sought. 
HON. ANTONIO B. LEGARDA JR.


1
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
House Bill No. __________ 
Introduced by Hon. Antonio B. Legarda Jr. 
AN ACT 
REGULATING THE MANUFACTURING, IMPORTATION, AND USE OF 
SINGLE-USE PLASTIC PRODUCTS, AND PROVIDING PENALTIES, LEVIES, 
AND INCENTIVES SYSTEM FOR INDUSTRIES, BUSINESS ENTERPRISES, 
AND CONSUMERS THEREOF 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
Section 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Single-Use Plastics Regulation 
and Management Act of 2022." 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to protect and advance 
the right of the people to a balanced healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and 
harmony of nature. 
In this light, the State recognizes the importance of achieving the United 
Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 3 to ensure healthy 
lives and promote well-being for all ages, SDG 9 to build resilient infrastructure, 
promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation, SDG 11 
to build sustainable cities and communities, SDG 12 to promote responsible 
consumption and production, and SDG 14 to reduce marine pollution of all kinds.  
The State, being a party to the Paris Agreement which was adopted in 2015, 
recognizes the importance of adopting sustainable lifestyles and patterns of 
consumption and production in addressing climate change. 
3021


2
The Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022 further outlines policies and 
programs to achieve the SDGs, which are embodied under Chapter 20—Ensuring 
Ecological Integrity, Clean and Healthy Environment, which aims to promote 
Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) through the development and 
implementation of appropriate policies such as the formulation of a polluter pays 
policy, the establishment of an accessible market for recyclables and recycled 
products, strengthening of the certification and establishment of information 
systems for green products and services, and strengthening promotion, 
development, transfer, and adoption of eco-friendly technologies, systems, and 
practices in the public and private sectors by increasing access to incentives and 
facilitating ease of doing business and other related transactions. 
The State, in the enforcement of Republic Act (RA) No. 9003 or the Ecological 
Solid Waste Management Act, further acknowledges the need to advance policies 
that will not only address waste treatment and disposal, but also source reduction.  
The State likewise recognizes the indispensable role of the private sector, encourages 
private enterprise, and provides incentives to needed investments, while at the same 
time, acknowledging the need to develop a self-reliant and independent national 
economy effectively controlled by Filipinos. 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act: 
a. Business enterprises refer to establishments engaged in the production,
manufacturing, processing, repacking, assembly, or sale of goods and/or
services, including service-oriented enterprises. They shall include retailers,
self-employed or own-account workers, micro, small, and medium
enterprises (MSMEs), and community-based business enterprises;
b. Climate change refers to a change in climate that can be identified by
changes in the mean or variability of its properties and that persists for an
extended period typically decades or longer, whether due to natural
variability or as a result of human activity;
c. Consumer refers to a person who is a purchaser, lessee, recipient or
prospective purchaser, lessor or recipient of consumer products, services,
or credit;


 
3
d. Disposal refers to the discharge, deposit, dumping, spilling, leaking, or 
placing of any waste into or on land; 
e. Incentives refers to incentives provided for under RA No. 9520 otherwise 
known as the Philippine Cooperative Code of 2008, RA No. 9178 otherwise 
known as the Barangay Micro-Business Enterprise Act of 2002, RA No. 9501 
otherwise known as the Magna Carta for Micro, Small, and Medium 
Enterprises, Executive Order no. 226 otherwise known as the Omnibus 
Investment Code of 1987, RA No. 10771 otherwise known as the Green Jobs 
Act of 2016 or incentives as defined by the local government unit through 
an ordinance specifically for this purpose, where applicable; 
f. Life Cycle Assessment refers to the process of evaluating the effects that a 
product has on the environment over the entire period of its life cycle, 
which covers all the processes required: extraction and processing; 
manufacture, transport, and distribution; use, reuse, and maintenance; 
recycling; and final disposal 
g. Microplastics refer to small pieces of plastic found in the ocean, commonly 
defined as < 5mm in diameter, including particles as small as 10 
nanometers; 
h. Plastic refers to a lightweight, hygienic, and resistant material that can be 
molded in a variety of ways and utilized in a wide range of applications; 
i. Recyclable material refers to any waste material retrieved from the waste 
stream and free from contamination that can still be converted into suitable 
beneficial use or for other purposes, including, but not limited to, newspaper, 
ferrous scrap metal, non-ferrous scrap metal, used oil, corrugated cardboard, 
aluminum, glass, office paper, tin cans and other materials as may be 
determined by the National Solid Waste Management Commission 
(NSWMC); 
j. Recycled material refers to post-consumer material that has been recycled and 
returned to the economy; 
k.  Recycling  refers to the treating of used or waste materials through a 
process of making them suitable for beneficial use and other purposes, and 


 
4
includes any process by which solid waste materials are transformed into 
new products in such a manner that the original product may lose their 
identity, and which may be used as raw materials for the production of 
other goods or services; 
l. Retailer refers to a person engaged in the business of selling consumer 
products directly to consumers; 
m. Re-use refers to the process of recovering materials intended for the same 
or different purpose without the alteration of physical and chemical 
characteristics; 
n. Reusable material/plastics/packaging shall refer to any material specifically 
designed and manufactured for multiple re-use and extended life. These 
shall meet the following requirements/considerations: 
i. May be capable of composting and is biodegradable;  
ii. Is accepted for recycling; 
iii. Does not contain any toxic or harmful substance or chemical such as 
but not limited to lead, cadmium, or any other heavy metal as 
provided for by existing rules and regulations of the Department of 
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).  
o. Single-use plastics, for the purpose of this Act, refer to disposable plastics 
which are commonly used for plastic packaging and include items 
intended to be used only once before they are thrown away or recycled. 
These include, but are not limited to, items such as grocery bags, food 
packaging films and bags, manufacturing water bottles, straws, stirrers, 
containers, styrofoam/styros, cups, sachets, and plastic cutlery; 
p. Source reduction refers to the reduction of solid waste before it enters the 
solid waste stream by methods such as product design, materials 
substitution, materials re-use, and packaging restrictions. 
Sec. 4. Scope. - This Act shall apply to the manufacture, importation, use, 
recycling, and disposal of all single-use plastics used in trade or commerce in 
business enterprises, as well as by retailers and consumers, wherever located in the 
Philippines, as defined under Section 3 of this Act. 


 
5
Sec. 5. Prohibition and phase-out of single-use plastics; Levy for the use in the 
interim period and discounts for consumers. - The phase-out of single-use plastics by all 
business enterprises to consumers shall be in full force and effect one (1) year from 
the effectivity of the Act. 
In the interim period (within 1 year), the following shall be enforced: 
a. The provision of single-use plastics by food establishments, markets, and 
retailers shall be strictly prohibited; 
b. Consumers shall be encouraged/diverted to use re-usable materials in 
substitution for single-use plastics; 
c. Single-use plastics already manufactured and in circulation in the general 
market shall be collected, recycled, and properly disposed of by the 
manufacturers under the provisions of this Act; 
d. For single-use plastic materials which cannot be avoided, business 
enterprises must ensure that these are recycled in accordance with Section 
7 of this Act; 
e. For each piece of single-use plastics already manufactured and in 
circulation at the time, the retailers shall charge the consumer a minimum 
levy of Five Pesos (Php 5.00); 
f. The amount collected in subparagraph (e) of this Section by the retailers 
shall be reflected in the official receipt. Twenty percent (20%) of the said 
amount shall be kept by the business enterprise to cover the cost of the 
said bags, while eighty percent (80%) shall be remitted monthly, quarterly, 
or semi-annually to the Special Plastic Fund created under this Act. 
At the end of one (1) period, and upon full effectivity of this Act, the further 
and continued provision by all business enterprises and use by consumers of single-
use plastics shall be strictly prohibited. 
For take-outs and selling of food and beverages, a discount of Five Pesos (Php 5.00) 
shall be given to the consumer for bringing their own reusable/recyclable 
containers. 
Sec. 6. Prohibition on the importation of single-use plastics. - One (1) year from the 
effectivity of this Act, the Department of Finance (DOF), through the Bureau of 


 
6
Customs (BOC), in coordination with relevant agencies such as DENR, Department 
of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Health (DOH) and the Climate Change 
Commission (CCC), shall ensure that no single-use plastics, including waste 
products from the same, will be imported to the country. Tariffs shall be 
correspondingly imposed by the Tariff Commission and collected by the BOC, which 
shall be further specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations of this Act. 
Sec. 7. Recycling of used single-use plastics. - Used single-use plastics, when 
allowed by this Act or those manufactured or used before this Act’s effectivity, shall 
be recycled. It shall be the duty of the plastic manufacturers to recycle the said 
single-use plastics in a manner consistent with existing laws, rules, and regulations, 
and to ensure that no harmful chemicals or substances are released into the 
environment. 
The establishment of Materials Recovery Facility (MRFs), which shall be 
obligatory upon the business enterprises, shall serve as the collection points for used 
single-use plastics. LGUs, plastic manufacturers, and business enterprises shall put 
systems and procedures in place for the proper collection of the used single-use 
plastics and their delivery to the recycling centers. 
It shall be the responsibility of the manufacturers that these plastics are 
properly collected, recycled, and disposed of, in accordance with this Act. 
Manufacturers shall also maintain records describing the recovery, collection, 
transport, and recycling of plastic bags collected annually, which records shall be 
made available to the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC) 
and/or the local government unit concerned, upon request, to demonstrate 
compliance with this Act. 
Sec. 8. Proper disposal and management of plastic wastes. – The disposal and 
management of plastic waste shall be done in accordance with the provisions of 
Republic Act No. 9003. 
The DENR, in coordination with the DOST, shall develop the appropriate standards 
for the disposal of plastic wastes, ensuring that zero emissions are achieved and no 
harmful chemicals are released into the environment in the process. 


 
7
Sec. 9. Research and Development (R&D) for Single-use Plastic Packaging 
Alternatives.  — The Department of Science and Technology and 
NSWMC 
shall 
include in their respective programs and R&D Agenda, and consequently fund, 
research on single-use plastic packaging. Alternatives may include, but shall not be 
limited to, the following: 
1. Natural Polymers 
2. Biomass-based compostable biopolymers 
(i.e. 
starch, 
non-starch 
thermoplastic bio-composite, synthetic biomass-based polymers) 
3. Upcycling 
4. Fiber production 
5. Life Cycle Assessments 
6. Feasibility studies 
(i.e. 
willingness 
to 
pay, 
levies, 
tax, 
discount, 
dis/incentives, recommended rates) 
The NSWMC and DOST shall also provide assistance to DENR and the 
manufacturers for the implementation of this Act, particularly regarding the proper 
recycling and disposal of used single-use plastics, and the development of more 
environmentally-friendly types of plastics used as primary packaging materials, 
among others. 
Within six (6) months upon the effectivity of this Act, the DTI, Technical 
Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Labor and 
Employment (DOLE), and the Presidential Communications Operations Office 
(PCOO), in coordination with plastic manufacturers/industries, non-government 
and civil society organizations, and other concerned stakeholders shall determine 
the impact of this Act on affected plastic industry employees and workers.  
They shall likewise, together with DOST and the National Ecology Center (NEC), 
develop a capacity-building program for alternative livelihood opportunities for the 
affected employees and workers in areas such as recycling of used plastic products 
and cottage industries, among others. 
Sec. 10. Program for affected employees and workers of the plastic industry. - Within 
six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act, massive research and technology 
development initiatives, pilot-testing of innovations and technologies resulting from 


 
8
these studies, and capacity-building activities shall be undertaken with plastic-
manufacturing industries and business enterprises for them to adopt these 
technologies. 
DOST, NEC, DTI, DOLE, and TESDA shall implement the capacity-building 
program for relevant stakeholders. DOST, in coordination with the NEC, shall 
provide the LGUs with technical assistance, training, and continuing capability-
building programs to attain the objectives of this Act. 
Sec. 11. Inclusion in the Philippine National Standards (PNS). - The NSWMC, 
DOST, and DTI, through the Bureau of Product Standards (BPS), shall develop the 
standards and include in the Philippine National Standards (PNS) the products, 
items, or technologies from studies that were pilot-tested. It shall include the 
specifications of the said products, taking into consideration existing and available 
best technologies and internationally mandated and accepted standards, and in 
accordance with the provisions, mandates, and standards of this Act. 
Sec. 12. Incentives for the plastic industries shifting to alternatives. – The 
manufacture of alternatives to single-use plastics under Section 9 of this Act shall be 
supported and encouraged. 
Business 
enterprises, 
individuals, 
cooperatives, 
partnerships, 
and 
corporations that engage in the manufacture of identified alternatives to single-use 
plastics shall be given incentives provided for under the Philippine Cooperative 
Code of 2008, the Barangay Micro-Business Enterprise Act of 2002, the Magna Carta 
for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, the Omnibus Investment Code of 1987 or 
the Green Jobs Act of 2016, where applicable. The DENR and DTI, in coordination 
with the Department of Finance (DOF), shall provide technical and financial 
assistance to these manufacturers. 
LGUs are encouraged and shall be allowed to provide additional benefits and 
incentives to these manufacturers within their jurisdiction, consistent with existing 
laws, rules, and regulations, which shall be in addition to the benefits and incentives 
provided for in the previous paragraph. 


 
9
Nothing in this Act shall prohibit or limit the right of the said manufacturers to be 
entitled to additional benefits and incentives which may be given by new laws, rules, 
and regulations in the future. 
Sec. 13. Monitoring and market inspection. - The NSWMC and DTI, in 
coordination with the LGUs, and local law enforcement agencies, shall conduct 
regular inspection and monitoring of business enterprises and facilities of 
manufacturers to determine compliance with this Act. Inspection and monitoring 
shall include the following: 
a. Entry or access to the premises of operation and business, including storage 
rooms and stockrooms; and, 
b. Inspection of off-site storage facilities, distribution centers and 
transshipment points. 
Sec. 14. Certification. - The LGUs concerned, after the conduct of a thorough 
examination and inspection, shall issue the necessary certificate to show whether or 
not business enterprises or manufacturers in their jurisdiction are compliant with the 
mandates and directives of this Act. 
The LGU certification shall be a requirement for the renewal of any local permits, in 
addition to the DILG-DTI-DICT Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1, s. 2016, after the 
effectivity of this Act. 
Sec. 15. NSWMC as the lead implementing agency and other functions. – The 
NSWMC pursuant to Section 4 of RA 9003 shall be the lead implementing agency for 
this Act. It shall aid and assist other agencies involved in the implementation and 
enforcement of this Act. It shall perform the following functions: 
1. Prepare the national strategic single-use plastic roadmap; 
2. Lead the R&D agenda preparation and conduct research and pilot-testing 
of identified alternatives with DOST; 
3. Lead in the development of standards for inclusion in the Philippine 
National Standards (PNS) of the products, items, or technologies resulting 
from studies that were pilot-tested in coordination with DTI and DOST; 
4. Review and monitor the implementation of the Act, which includes: 


 
10
a. Monitoring local-level enforcement through the compilation of local-
level ordinances on single-use plastics; 
b. Conducting regular and routine inspections and monitoring of 
business enterprises and facilities of manufacturers as prescribed 
under Section 12 of this Act; 
5. Adopt a program to provide technical and other capacity-building 
assistance and support to local government units, business enterprises, 
concerned citizen groups, and other relevant stakeholders in the 
implementation and enforcement of this Act; 
6. Manage the Special Plastics Fund established under Section 21 of this Act; 
and, 
7. Develop safety nets and alternative livelihood programs for business 
enterprises, plastic manufacturers, small recyclers, and other sectors that 
will be affected as a result of the single-use phase-out. 
Sec. 16. Role of Local Government Units, and other stakeholders. – LGUs shall have 
the primary responsibility in the effort to decrease the percentage of plastic bag 
waste produced within their respective jurisdictions. They shall also be primarily 
responsible for the enforcement of the prohibitions of this Act and the monitoring of 
the collection of recyclable used plastic bags by manufacturers. 
Other stakeholders such as business groups, consumer groups, and civil 
society organizations are encouraged to support the implementation of this Act. 
Sec. 17. Effect on LGU ordinances effective before or after the effectivity of this Act. -  
LGU ordinances imposing bans and prohibitions on the use of plastic bags, 
promulgated and enforced prior to the effectivity of this Act, shall be considered as 
automatically amended to be consistent with the provisions and mandates of this 
Act.  
LGUs that do not have ordinances enacted upon the effectivity of this Act are also 
encouraged to enact their respective ordinances in line with the provisions and 
mandates of this Act. 
The provisions, mandates, and directives of this Act shall serve as minimum 
standards and stipulations for LGU ordinances. Nothing in this Act shall be 


 
11
construed as limiting the authority of LGUs to enact ordinances that provide for 
stricter measures and standards than those provided for in this Act.  
Sec. 18. Public information and education campaign. - The DENR, in coordination 
with the LGUs, DILG, DepEd, Commission on Higher Education (CHED), 
Presidential 
Communications 
Operations 
Office 
(PCOO), 
and 
Philippine 
Information Agency (PIA), shall conduct a continuing information campaign on the 
proper regulation of single-use plastics in the country. 
Such campaign shall be incorporated in and shall be in addition to the public 
information and education campaign under Section 55 of RA No. 9003. 
Sec. 19. Penalties and sanctions. - Violations of this Act, starting the first from 
the effectivity and as fully provided for under Section 3 of this Act, shall be imposed 
the following penalties: 
a. For Business Enterprises, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises as defined 
in RA 6977, as amended, Barangay Micro Business Enterprises under RA 
9178, and all other enterprises and establishments not otherwise value-
added tax (VAT) registered, the following penalties shall be imposed: 
i. First offense - A fine of Five Thousand Pesos (Php 5,000.00); 
ii. Second offense - A fine of Twenty-Five Thousand Pesos (Php 25,000.00) 
and suspension of its business permit for three (3) months; 
iii. Third offense – A fine of Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php 50,000.00) and 
suspension of its business permit for one (1) year; and, 
iv. Fourth offense - A fine of One Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 
100,000.00) and permanent suspension of its business permit. The said 
business permit shall not be eligible for renewed application for a 
period of 5 years. Thereafter, the LGU concerned may grant the said 
store a business permit, provided its operator can show steps and 
measures will be put in place to comply with this Act. A further 
violation after the issuance of a new business permit shall perpetually
 
bar the said from conducting its business in the LGU concerned. 


 
12
b. For VAT registered stores, establishments, and enterprises, and for all 
plastic, manufacturers found violating this Act the following penalties 
shaft be imposed: 
i. First offense – A fine of Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php 50,000.00); 
ii. Second offense - A fine of One Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 
100,000.00) and suspension of its business permit for three (3) months: 
iii. Third offense - A fine of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php 
250,000.00) and suspension of its business permit for one (1) year; and, 
iv. Fourth offense - A fine of Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 
500,000.00) and permanent suspension for its business permit. The said 
business permit shall not be eligible for renewed application for a 
period of 5 years. Thereafter, the LGU concerned may grant the said 
store a business permit, provided its operator can show steps and 
measures will be put in place to comply with this Act. A further 
violation after the issuance of a new business permit shall perpetually 
bar the said operator from conducting its business in the LGU 
concerned. 
If the offender in (a) or (b) above is a corporation, trust or firm, 
partnership, association, or any other entity, the penalty shall be imposed on 
the entity’s responsible officers including, but not limited to, the president, 
chief executive officer, general manager, managing director, or partner 
directly responsible thereof. 
Sec. 20. Administrative sanctions. - Local government officials and officials of 
government agencies who fail to comply with and enforce this Act shall be 
administratively charged in accordance with RA 7160 and other existing laws, rules, 
and regulations. 
Sec. 21. Special Fund for Single-use Plastics Regulation. - A Special Fund for 
Single-Use Plastics Regulation, hereinafter referred to as the ―Fund‖, to be 
administered by the NSWMC, is hereby created.  
The Fund shall be composed of tariffs, levies, and fees collected pursuant to 
the implementation and enforcement of this Act. It shall be used to support the strict 


 
13
implementation and enforcement of this Act such as, but not limited to, the 
following: 
a. Strengthening the operations of the NSWMC relative to the implementation 
and enforcement of this Act; 
b. Improving the capacity of LGUs, and local law enforcement agencies for 
the implementation of this Act; 
c. Establishing recycling centers or remodeled business enterprises that 
exhibit best practices (as no single-use zones) in each region or province; 
d. Conducting impact evaluation studies relevant to the implementation of 
the Act, especially in areas of economic contributions, environmental, and 
public health (through the Department of Health); 
e. Conducting information and education campaigns on single-use plastics 
regulation and related environmental awareness measures; 
f. Providing assistance and provision of incentives for manufacturers and 
community-based incentives for the production of single-use plastics, as 
well as for non-government and civil society organizations promoting 
proper solid waste management; and, 
g.  Allocating additional provisions for the Solid Waste Management Fund  
                 under RA 9003. 
The Fund may be augmented by donations, endowments, grants, and 
contributions, which shall be exempt from donor’s tax and be considered as 
allowable deductions from the gross income of the donor, in accordance with the 
provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended. 
Sec. 22. Access to information/public disclosure requirements, public access to 
records, reports, or notifications. - The public shall have access to records, reports, or 
information concerning the implementation and mandates of this Act. 
Such documents shall be available for inspection or reproduction during 
regular business hours, provided that the DENR or concerned LGU may consider a 
record, report, or information or particular portions thereof confidential and not for 
public release when such would divulge trade secrets, production, or sales figures or 
methods, production or processes unique to such manufacturer, seller, or distributor, 


 
14
or would otherwise tend to affect adversely the competitive position of such 
manufacturer, seller, or distributor. 
Sec. 23. Citizen Suit. - For the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this Act or 
its implementing rules and regulations, any citizen may file an appropriate civil, 
criminal, or administrative action in the proper courts/bodies against: 
a. Any person who violates or fails to comply with the provisions of this Act 
and its implementing rules and regulations; or, 
b. The department or other implementing agencies concerning orders, and 
regulations issued inconsistent with this Act; and/or, 
c. Any public officer who willfully or grossly neglects the performance of an 
act specifically enjoined as a duty by this Act or its implementing rules 
and regulations; or who abuses his or her authority in the performance of 
his or her duty; or who, in any manner, improperly performs his or her 
duties under this Act or its implementing rules and regulations; Provided, 
however, that no suit can be filed until after a thirty (30) day notice has 
been given to the public officer and the alleged violator concerned and no 
appropriate action has been taken thereon. 
The court shall exempt such action from the payment of filing fees and 
statements likewise, upon prima facie showing of the non-enforcement or violation 
complained of, exempt the plaintiff from the filing of an injunction bond for the 
issuance of a preliminary injunction. 
If the citizen should prevail, the court shall award reasonable attorney’s fees, moral 
damages, and litigation costs as appropriate. 
Sec. 24. Suits and Strategic Legal Action against Public Participation (SLAPP). - 
Where a suit is brought against a person who filed an action as provided in Section 
23 of this Act, or against any person, institution, or government agency that 
implements this Act or any other consumer-related laws, rules, and regulations, it 
shall be the duty of the investigating prosecutor or the court, as the case may be, to 
immediately determine within not exceeding thirty (30) days from the filing of the 
suit whether said legal action has been filed to harass, vex, exert undue pressure, or 
stifle such legal recourses of the person complaining or enforcing the provisions of 


 
15
this Act. Upon determination thereof, evidence warranting the same, the court shall 
dismiss the case and award the attorney’s fees and double damages. 
This provision shall also apply and benefit public officers who are sued for 
acts committed in their official capacity, there being no grave abuse of authority and 
done in the course of enforcing this Act, its rules, regulations, and guidelines. 
Sec. 25. Appropriations. - Such amount as may be necessary to implement the 
provisions of this Act is hereby included in the annual appropriations of the DENR 
and other implementing agencies under the General Appropriations Act (GAA). 
Sec. 26. Congressional Oversight Committee. – The Joint Congressional Oversight 
Committee created under Section 60 of RA No. 9003 shall also have the authority to 
monitor and evaluate the implementation of this Act. 
Sec. 27. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The NSWMC, DENR, in 
coordination with the DTI, DILG, CCC, and the concerned government agencies and 
representatives of LGU organizations, shall issue the Implementing Rules and 
Regulations within one hundred (100) days after the effectivity of this Act. The said 
IRR shall specify and provide detailed provisions of this Act that needs further 
clarity in terms of scope, coverage, definitions, functions, and prohibitions. 
Sec. 28. Construction. - The best interests of the consumer and the right to a 
healthful and balanced ecology shall be considered in the construction and 
interpretation of this Act and its IRR. 
Sec. 29. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act is held invalid 
or unconstitutional, other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in force and 
effect.  
Sec. 30. Repealing Clause. - The provisions of any law, whether general or 
special, rules and regulations and other issuances or parts thereof which are 
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly. 
Sec. 31. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect within fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,