FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
, 
SENATE 
S.NO. 381 
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Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In 1995, Congress enacted Republic Act No. 7942 otherwise known as the Philippine 
Mining Act of 1995 which governs the exploration, development, utilization and 
processing of all mineral resources in the country. This Act opened all mineral resources 
in public and private lands, including timber or forest lands, to mineral agreements or 
financial or technical assistance agreement applications. 
However, in implementing the provisions of the said law, the State shall protect, promote 
and advance people's right to health and right to balanced and healthful ecology as 
mandated by the Constitution. The State should take into consideration the promotion of 
the health and safety as well as the comfort and convenience of the public with regard to 
mineral exploration and utilization. 
Quarrying sites contain an excavation that may present danger to the public by falling 
into it. Most, if not all, quarrying sites lack signs and warnings as well as fences which 
afford easy access to the public. Some abandoned quarries, on the other hand, pose 
danger to children who go to these abandoned sites to swim. In quarries, the depth comes 
suddenly and too drastically while in ponds or rivers, one can sense the change in depth. 
This bill seeks to protect the welfare of the public by mandating quarrying contractors to 
securely fence their sites. 
In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly sought. 
Senator 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.NO. 381 
Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
AN ACT 
MANDATING LICENSED QUARRYING CONTRACTORS TO ERECT FENCES 
AROUND QUARRYING SITES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled 
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SECTION 1. Declaration Policy. -
It shall be the policy of the State to 
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responsibly promote the exploration, development, utilization, and conservation of all its 
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mineral resources. The State also recognizes the need to protect its people from the 
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possible damages or injuries that may be brought about by the utilization of our mineral 
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resources. 
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SEC. 2. Erecting of Fences and Other Safety Measures. - Any licensed sand or 
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granite quarry contractor shall-
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a.) 
in the case of a sand quarry in which any open pit exists, erect and thereafter 
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maintain such fencing and take such other precautiohs as may be necessary in the 
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opinion of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to prevent the 
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occurrence of any danger or damage to life or property; and 
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b.) 
in the case of a granite quarry-
(i) 
provide such number of guards, watchmen, warning lamps and red 
flags at such places and times as the DENR thinks fit; 
(ii) 
not permit any deposit, material, machinery or any other object or 
thing to be scattered, dumped, placed or stationed at any place so as to 
hinder or obstruct access to and egress from the land adjoining or abutting 
any such quarry; and 
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(iii) maintain the roads leading to any such quarry and crusher plant up to a 
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standard approved by the DENR. 
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The DENR may give a licensed contractor such directions as he thinks fit as to the 
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method of quarrying and the suspension or prohibition of granite quarrying operations 
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including blasting to ensure safety to persons or property. 
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SEC. 3. Fencing of Disuse(l Sand and Granite Quarries. - Where any disused 
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sand or granite quarry is dangerous to the public, it shall be kept reasonably fenced for 
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the prevention of accidents, and if it is not so kept, the licensed contractor of the sand or 
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granite quarry or if there is no such licensed contractor the owner of the land in which the 
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sand or granite quarry lies shall be guilty of violating this Act. 
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SEC. 4. Penalties. - Any licensed contractor who willfully violates the provisions 
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of this Act shall be held liable on conviction to a fine not less than One Million Pesos 
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(PhP 1,000,000.00) and in the case of continuing offense to a fine not less than Fifty 
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Thousand Pesos (PhP 50,000.00) for every day or part thereof during which the offense 
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continues after conviction. 
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SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DENR together with the 
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Department of Interior and Local Government, as well as the various Local Government 
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Units (LGUs) shall promulgate the rules and regulations for the effective enforcement of 
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the provisions of this Act. 
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SEC. 6. Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act or any part 
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thereof be declared invalid, the other provisions, so far as they are separable from the 
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invalid ones, shall remain in full force and effect. 
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SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, orders, issuances, rules, and regulations or 
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parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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