THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 1 
OF THE PHLIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
"2 
S E N A  
S. B. No. 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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 government itself should 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. 
There are three main reasons why using recycled paper is necessary. First, producing 
recycled paper involves between 28 - 70% less energy consumption than virgin paper and uses 
less water. This is because most of the energy used in papermaking is the pulping needed to turn 
wood into paper. 
Second, recycled paper produces fewer polluting emissions to air and water. Recycled 
paper is not usually re-bleached and where it is, oxygen rather than chlorine is usually used. 
This reduces the amount of dioxins which are released into the environment as a by-product of 
the chlorine bleaching processes. 
Third, paper is a biodegradable material. This means that when it goes to landfill, as it 
rots, it produces methane, which is a potent greenhouse gas (20 times more potent than carbon 
dioxide). It is becoming increasingly accepted that global warming is a reality, and that methane 
and carbon dioxide emissions have to be reduced to lessen its effects. 
Because of these reasons, this bill m&es it mandatory for all government offices to use 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
5 SEP 22 P 2  :oo 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
Second Regular Session 
) 
S. B. S E N A 2 h 2  
No. 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
TO REQUIRE CONGRESS TO PURCHASE RECYCLED PAPER 
AND PAPER PRODUCTS TO THE GREATEST EXTENT PRACTICABLE 
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 and cited as the “Government Recycling 
Act of 2005”. 
SECTION 2. Requirement for Government Offices to Purchase Recycled Paper and 
Paper Products. 
(A) Paper Purchased by Government Offices - 
(1) All government offices, agencies, subsidiaries, instrumentalities, and 
government-owned and controlled corporations shall take such action as may be 
necessary to assure that recycled paper and paper products are used to the greatest extent 
practicable in their operations. Any decision not to use recycled paper or paper products 
shall be based on a determination that such items are: 
(a) not available: or 
(b) available only at an unreasonable price. 
(2) In carrying out the requirement of paragraph (l), the depament or division of 
government offices, agencies, subsidiaries, instrumentalities, and government-owned and 
controlled corporations responsible for the procurement of paper and other paper 
products shall, at a minimum, take such action as may be necessary to assure that 
recycled paper or paper products are purchased under each contract, or subcontract under 
a contract, for the procurement of 10,000 pounds or more of paper or paper products. 


(B) Unreasonable Price - For purposes of this Act, an unreasonable price is one which 
exceeds by more than 10 percent the price of nonrecycled paper or paper products. 
SECTION 3. Annual Reports. - Each government office, agency, subsidiary, 
instrumentality, and government-owned and controlled corporation shall publish a report on the 
implementation of this Act. Each report shall include information on the progress and problems 
associated with such implementation, and findings and recommendations with respect to such 
implementation. 
SECTION 4. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part thereof is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 5 .  Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
orders, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule and regulation contrary to, or inconsistent 
with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 6. Efectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following 
its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,