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EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS ° &
First Regular Session  pex ©

HOUSE BILL NO. ees

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ALFRED VARGAS

INCREASING THE PENALTY IMPOSED AGAINST POLLUTERS OF
NAVIGABLE WATERS BY AMENDING SECTION 7 OF PRESIDENTIAL
DECREE NO.979 PROVIDING FOR THE REVISION OF PRESIDENTIAL

DECREE NO. 600 GOVERNING MARINE POLLUTION

EXPLANATORY NOTE

As an archipelago, the bodies of water in our country play a vital role in domestic consumption
and use, commerce, transportation, and tourism. In particular, navigable waters provide a
channel for commerce and transportation of goods and services. Navigable waters refer to the
waters of the Philippines, including the territorial sea and inland waters, which are presently
or in the future susceptible for use by watercraft.

Presidential Decree No. 979 prohibited the discharging, dumping, deposition, or throwing of
any oil, noxious gaseous and liquid substances, refuse matter, or any other harmful substances
to our navigable waters. This was passed in recognition of the importance of managing and
protection our marine environment and the living organisms which support our entire
ecosystems. The dumping and discharging of harmful substances to our rivers, estuaries,
brooks, and springs constitute marine pollution which destroy our bodies of waters.

This law, however, was enacted in 1979 and provided a fine of only P200 to P10,000 and
Imprisonment of not less than thirty days. Those who violate the existing law can easily pay the
fine and repeat the offenses. Given the urgency of protecting our waters and the dangers that
such prohibited acts pose, there is a need to increase these penalties to effectively address
marine pollution. This thus seeks to increase the penalty to PS million or imprisonment of not
less than 8 years and one day to 12 years. The state shall recognize its urgent responsibility to
control public and private activities that cause damage to the marine environment and create
measures that will prevent and mitigate the increasing damages to our marine resources.

"Navigable Waters,” The Free Dictionary,
https:/ /legaldictionary .thefreedictionary.com/Navigable=Waters
"Presidential Decree No.979," The LawPhil Project,

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

.LFRED VARGAS


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4204
HOUSE BILL NO.

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT
INCREASING THE PENALTY IMPOSED AGAINST POLLUTIONS OF
NAVIGABLE WATERS BY AMENDING SECTION 7 PRESIDENTAIL
DECREE NO. 979 PROVIDING FOR THE REVISION OF PRESIDENTIAL
DECREE NO. 600 GOVERNING MARINE POLLUTION

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

Section 1. amendment on Section 7 of Presidential Decree No.979. - Section of
Presidential Decree No. 979 is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Section 7. Penalties for Violations. - Any person who violates Section 4 of this
Decree or any regulations prescribed in pursuance thereof shall be liable for a fine
of not less than [Two hundred pesos nor more than Ten thousand pesos] FIVE
MILLION PESOS or by imprisonment of not less than [thirty days] EIGHT

YEARS AND ONE DAY nor more than [one year] TWELVE YEARS or both

such fine and imprisonment, for each offense, without prejudice to the civil liability
of the offender in according with existing laws.

Any vessel from which oil or other harmful substance are discharged in violation
of Section 4 or any regulation prescribed in pursuance thereof, shall be liable for
the penalty of fine specified in this section, and clearance of such vessel form the
port of the Philippines may be withheld until the fine is paid.

In addition to the penalties above described, the Philippine Coast Guard shall
provide in its rules and regulation such reasonable administrative penalties as may
be necessary for the effective implementation of this Decree.

Section 2. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive other,
Letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation, country to or inconsistent with the
Provisions of this Act or hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.


Section 3. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act is held Unconstitutional or
invalid, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 4. Effectivity, - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least
two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,