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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Time: Tem
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EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS Se Sy
First Regular Session INDEX 8

1675
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippines is a massive consumer of electronic devices. The penetration
rate of mobile phones is at 117%, or 119 million mobile phone subscriptions. While
the number of phone subscriptions does not automatically translate to an equivalent
number of cellphone units, it cannot be denied that millions of mobile phones are
being imported, produced, consumed, and disposed within our shores. Apart of
mobile phones, a typical Filipino household has numerous electronic gadgets and
devices used in different parts of the home. In the United States of America (USA), a
typical household has an average of 24 pieces of electronic items. It mortifies one’s
common sense and belies our national environmental protection drive to note that
we have not passed a single law that mandates the proper waste disposal
management of these electronic devices.

Itis high time that we realize the health and environmental risks of improperly
and irresponsibly disposing electronic devices, and at the same time, understand
that a tremendous amount of resources actually goes to waste each time old
electronic gadgets are left to gather dust in storage or mixed with other solid waste in
garbage sites. Thus, this bill mandates that electronic devices be recycled or reused,
and individuals and waste management facilities that fail to responsibly dispose the
same be penalized.

Electronic devices are literally teeming with minerals and precious metals.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that for every one million
smartphones recycled, more than 34 kilograms of gold, 350 kilograms of silver, 15



kilograms of palladium and more than 15,000 kilograms of copper can be reused.
Along with these valuable metals are toxins that need proper and sensitive handling
For instance, the toxic substance freon found in refrigerators and other cooling
devices is disastrous to the ozone layer. Meanwhile, computers, television sets and
cell phones contain lead, cadmium and mercury, among many others, that can
pollute air and water, and pose serious health risks to human beings and the wildlife
when released to the environment'.

Internationally, some jurisdictions are already on top of innovative bills that
address the disposal of these special hazardous items. In Oregon, their state
legislature is working on a bill to require companies selling hazardous household
products to fund and manage programs to collect and safely recycle or dispose of
those products.

It is enshrined in the Constitution that the State safeguard and promote the
health and safety of its people, and protect and preserve its environment and natural
resources. This Representation humbly believes that this bill is a significant step
towards the right directions

In light of the foregoing premises, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought

” F, VILLAFUERTE, JR.

" htips://www.oregonmetro.gov/news/when-gadgets-become-garbage-how-recycle-electronies


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Queson City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1675

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACT
PROHIBITING THE DISPOSAL OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES AT SOLID WASTE
MANAGEMENT FACILITIES.

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

Section 1. Definition. — As used in this Act, “electronic device” refers to a desktop or

laptop computer, computer monitor, portable computer, cathode ray tube, flat panel
based television, or cellular phones.

Sec. 2. Prohibitions. —

(A) No person shall knowingly dispose of any electronic device in mixed solid waste;
and

(8) No Solid Waste Management Facility shall knowingly accept for disposal or
incineration any electronic device, or any truckload or container of solid waste which
includes electronic device.

Sec. 3. Penalty. — Any violation of Section 2(A) of this Act shall be punished with a
fine of twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00) and imprisonment of not less than one
month but not more than three months. Any violation of Section 2(B) of this Act shall
be punished with a fine of fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) and revocation of the
license of the Solid Waste Management Facility.

Sec. 4. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is held invalid or

unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other
provisions hereof.

Sec. 5. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, decrees, orders, and issuances, or portions
thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed,
amended or modified accordingly.


Sec. 6. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved,