Republic of the Philippine
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENT CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BillNo,__ 1931

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT TO PROTECT WORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES FROM THE
HAZARDS OF WORKING IN AGRICULTURAL SITES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article Il, Section 16, of the 1987 Constitution expressly states 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.”

According toa study published by the Institute for Labor studies,
pesticides popular in the Philippines have been banned or severely restricted
inthe United States. Further, farmers do not know the consequences
of mishandling these chemicals. Acute pesticide poisoning has been
traced to unsafe practices in the handling. storing and disposal of pesticides

Organophosphate pesticides produce both short-term (acute
poisoning) and long-term (chronic) effects that affects various organs in
addition to its potential of causing abnormality in the genes. cancer, and
reproductive system. This underscores the need for preventive programs to
ensure fanners safety and health

This bill establishes the measures that should be undertaken by
farm owners and/or operators to ensure the safety of their workers and
their respective families

nor 25 JUL 2013. ®
See

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In view of the foregoing. expeditious passage of this bill is
earnestly recommended

DIOSDADO AUN L ARROYO a ae ARROYO

Second District, Camarines Sur Second District, Pampanga


Republic; of the Philippine.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENT CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. _ 1931

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDAOO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT TO PROTECT WORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES FROM THE
HAZARDS OF WORKING INAGRICULTURAL SITES

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Farm
Workers’ Protection Act of 2013."

SECTION 2. Requirements. - The following requirements shall be
met at any agricultural site to which pesticides have or will be applied. Farm
owners or operators shall

A. Conduct or cause 10 have conducted mandatory testing for
the presence of organophosphate pesticides for all handlers of
pesticides, including applicators and mixers of pesticides. This
testing shall be conducted within one week of the arrival of
such workers at the agricultural site and within one week of the
departure of such workers from the site

B. Provide personal protection equipment which has been fit-tested to
all individuals who are required or may be required to wear such
equipment in the course of ‘their work, and which is readily
available to any worker needing to wear or use such equipment:


C. Provide education and information to farm workers and their families
about the hazards of exposure to pesticides, how to avoid such
exposures to children, personal clothing and possessions, and what
to do if pesticide exposure or contamination occurs;

D. Report to the department of Agriculture every incident of pesticide
exposure to farm workers or their families, whether by direct
exposure to pesticide applications of from drift of pesticides from
the application site. Such reporting shall occur within twenty-four
hours of such pesticide exposure and shall include the day and
time of day the exposure occurred and the pesticides to which the
individuals were exposed

E. Provide on-site washing machines for workers to clean pesticide-
contaminated clothing, which are separate from clothes washing
facilities used by families. The farm owner or operator shall be
responsible to provide instruction in the proper care of clothing
contaminated with or exposed to pesticides;

F. Provide one shower facility for every five workers, with separate
facilities for males and females, for the removal of pesticide
residues and other contaminants;

G. Provide one or more public telephones for workers to report medical
emergencies, including pesticide exposures of contamination; and

H, Ensure that all new housing for f m workers is located at least fifty
feel from any field or site, except for enclosed facilities such as
greenhouses, which may be treated with pesticides. Existing
housing which does not comply with this paragraph shall be
replaced within five years or cease to be used after that time.

SECTION 3. Penalty. - The Department of Agriculture is hereby
empowered to establish and assess penalties or fines against farm owners
and operators for violations of this Act. Inno circumstance will any penalty
or fine exceed One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00)

SECTION 4. Annual Report. - The Department of Agriculture shall
issue an annual report of all farm inspections on or before March first to the
legislature for the previous calendar year, including compliance with the
requirements contained in this Act; enforcement actions, fines and
penalties for non-compliance resulting from such inspections; and pesticide
exposure or contamination reports submitted to the Department of Agriculture.

SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules
and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with me provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly


SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any provision of
this Act is declared to be unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or
provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full
force and effect.

SECTION 7. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after
fifteen (15) days following its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2)
newspapers of general circulation

Approved,