Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

HB. No. 5893

Introduced by Representative H. Harry L. Roque Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE
‘The Constitution, Article XIII, Section 11 provides that the State shall give priority to the
needs of children. Children have more sensitive needs and, therefore, face unique health threats

that require special attention,

Public health and safety depends on citizens and local officials. They should know the
toxic dangers that exist in their homes, communities, and neighborhoods. At present, we do not
have sufficient data that would allow adequate quantification and evaluation of child-specific
susceptibility and exposure to environmental pollutants. The absence of data precludes effective
government regulation of environmental pollutants, and denies individuals the ability to exercise

a right to know and make informed decisions to protect their families, especially the children,

This bill seeks to protect children against environment pollutants by requiring that
information related to them be made readily available to the general public, in order to advance


the public's right to know, and allow the public to avoid involuntary exposure of children to

cy

H. HARRY L. ROQUE JR.

pollutants.”

"This bill was originally filed by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago during the Sixteenth Congress, First Regular
Session.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B. No.

Introduced by Representative H. Harry L. Roque Jr.

AN ACT
PROVIDING CHILDREN PROTECTION AGAINST ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANTS

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

SECTION 1, Short Title. ~ This Act shall be known as the “Environmental Protection

for Children Act.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the declared policy of the State to give
Priority to the needs of children. Taking into account this policy, the State hereby undertakes to

identify and make known to the public environmental pollutants which are harmful to children,

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. — For purposes of this Act, the term

(A) “Areas that are reasonably accessible to children” means homes, schools, day care
centers, shopping malls, movie theaters, and parks;

(B) “Children” means individuals who are eighteen (18) years of age or younger,

(C) “Environmental pollutant” means a hazardous substance, and


(D) “Secretary” refers to the Secretary of Health.

SECTION 4. Safer Environment for Children. — Not later than one (1) year after the
effectivity of this Act, the Secretary shall

(A) Identify environmental pollutants commonly used or found in areas that are
reasonably accessible to children,

(B) Create a scientifically peer-reviewed list of substances identified under paragraph
(A) with known, likely, or suspected health risks to children:

(C) Create a scientifically peer-reviewed list of safer-for-children substances and
products recommended by the Secretary for use in areas that are reasonably accessible to
children that, when applied as recommended by the manufacturer, will minimize potential risks
to children from exposure to environmental pollutants;

(D) Establish guidelines to help reduce and eliminate exposure of children to
‘environmental pollutants in areas reasonably accessible to children,

(E) Create a family right-to-know information kit that includes a summary of helpful
information and guidance to families, such as the information created under paragraph (C), the
guidelines established under paragraph (D), information on the potential health effects of
environmental pollutants, practical suggestions on how parents may reduce their children’s
exposure to environmental pollutants, and other relevant information,

(F) Make all information created pursuant to this section available to the public, and

(G) Review and update the lists created under paragraphs (B) and (C) at least once

every year.


SECTION 5. Research to Improve Information on Effects on Children. - The Secretary
shall coordinate and support the development and implementation of basic and applied research
initiatives to examine the health effects and toxicity of pesticides and other environmental

pollutants on children.

SECTION 6. Compliance im Public Areas that are Reasonably Accessible to Children. ~
Not later than one (1) year after the list created under Section (4)(C) is made available to the
public, the Secretary shall prohibit the use of any product that has been excluded from the safer-
for-children list.

SECTION 7. Evaluation of Current Public Health and Environmental Standards, - As
part of any risk assessment, risk characterization, environmental or public health standard or
regulation, or general regulatory decision carried out by the Department of Health, the Secretary
shall evaluate and consider the environmental health risks to children.

SECTION 8. /mplementation. — In carrying out Section 6, not later than one (1) year after
the date of effectivity of this Act, the Secretary shall:

(A) Develop an administrative strategy and an administrative process for reviewing
standards,

(B) Publish a list of standards that may need revision to ensure the protection of
children;

(C) Prioritize the list according to the standards that are most important for expedited

review to protect children; and


i)

(D) Identify which standards on the list will require additional research in order to be

evaluated and outline the time and resources required to carry out the research

SECTION 9. Appropriation. To carry out the provisions of this Act, such sum as may
be necessary is hereby authorized to be appropriated from the National Treasury. Thereafter, the
sum necessary for the continuous operation of the program shall be included in the annual
appropriation of the Department of Health.

SECTION 10. Separability Clause. —\f any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain

valid and subsisting
SECTION 11. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or inconsistent

with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly

SECTION 12. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,