FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
8 JUL 21 
i’% :fiii 
Second Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defcnsor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Sustained sounds exceeding 100 decibels (a) 
can cause permanent hearing damage in 
humans. In recent testing performed by the Sight and Wearing Association and researchers at the 
University of Minnesota, seven of fourteen loud toys tested .topped 100 dB. A child’s mini 
electric guitar produced noises over 117 dB, louder than a typical chainsaw. This level of sound 
is unacceptable for children’s toys. 
In addition to the obvious unwanted effect of hearing loss, noise can cause olber health 
issues as well. It increases blood pressure, has negative cardiovascular effects such as changing 
the way the heart beats, increases breathing rate, disturbs digestion, can cause an upset stomach 
or ulcer, can negatively impact a developing fetus, perhaps contributing to premature birth, and 
makes it difficult to sleep, even after the noise stops. These are preventable health risks which 
this legislation seeks to address. 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
8 JUL 21 P% :44 
Second Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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AN ACT REGIJLATING THE DECIBEL EMISSION OF TOYS 
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assembled: 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives ofthe Philippines in Congress 
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they play. 
SECTION 1. Limit on Decibel Level of Toys. When used in this Act, the term “toy” 
shall mean all products designed or intended by the manufacturer to be used by children when 
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SECTION 2. Prohibition. No person, firm, corporation, or other legal entity which 
manufactures or assembles toys shall manufacture, assemble, sell, offer lo sell, or distribute a toy 
that makes or emits noise exceeding one hundred decibels measured at the distance that the 
product ordinarily would be from the ear of the child using it. 
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SECTION 3. Agencies Involved. The Department of Trade and Industry, in consultation 
with the Department of Health, shall promulgate rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes 
of this Act. Such rules and regulations shall include testing methods for manufacturers to use in 
ensuring that their products meet the requirements of this Act. 
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SECTION 4. Penalty - Any violation of section 2 of this Act shall be punishable by a 
civil penalty of Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,OOO.OO) for the first offense, One Hundred Thousand 
Pesos (P100,OOO.OO) for the second offense, and closure of the business establishment thereafter. 
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SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, niles and regulations or parts 
thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified 
accordingly. 
SECTION 6. Sepnvnbiliz’y 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. 
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Approved, 
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