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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENAW 
S. No. 1085 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Phosphorus, along with nitrogen, is a nutrient that, when added to freshwater lakes or 
rivers, stimulate excessive growth of algae and vegetation. This is a process, called 
"eutrophication", which severely damages water quality and ruin aquatic ecosystems. 
In most freshwater lakes and rivers, phosphorus is the "limiting nutrien!:" More 
phosphorus means more algae growth. Excess loading of phosphorus into streams, lakes or rivers 
can cause drastic changes in water quality, including reduction in dissolved oxygen supplies, 
major changes in algae species and associated macro-invertebrate commmlities, algae blooms 
and associated foam and odors. 
Phosphorus in dishwashing detergents is currently a significant source of water pollution. 
It fosters unhealthy growth of algae and can seriously reduce dissolved oxygen. Dissolved 
oxygen is an important component of most healthy aquatic ecosystems. 
Eliminating phosphorous in dishwasher detergents is a step to preserve the natural 
ecosystems of our lakes and rivers. This bill regulates the sale and manufacture of cleaning 
agents that contain phosphorous as a measure to preserve the bionetwork of our rivers and lakes. I 
1 This bill was originally filed in the Fourteenth Congress, Second Regular Session 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
) 
) 
First Regular Session 
SENfIfB5 
S.No. ___ _ 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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AN ACT 
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REGULATING THE DISTRIBUTION FOR SALE OR USE OF CLEANING AGENTS 
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WHICH CONTAIN PHOSPORUS 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
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Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act may be known as the "Envi-Protection Cleaning 
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Agents Act". 
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SECTION 2. DefinitiOn. - For the purposes of this Act, "Cleaning Agent" means a 
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laLmdry detergent, dishwashing compound, household dishwashing detergent, household cleaner, 
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metal cleaner. industrial cleaner, phosphate compound or other substance that is intended to be 
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Llsed f(lf cleat1ing purposes. 
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SECTION 3. Prohibition. - A person shall not sell, offer for sale, or distribute for sale or 
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use a cleaning agent that contains phosphorus in any form in excess of8.7% by weight expressed 
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as elemental phosphorus. 
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It shall also be unlawful for a person to sell; offer for sale, or distribute for sale or use 
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either of the following cleaning agents if they contain phosphorus in any form in excess 01'0.5% 
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by weight expressed as elemental phosphorus: 
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(a) a cleaning agent intended for use in household Dishwashers; 
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(b) a c1eatling agent that is intended for use with detergent in household clothes 
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washing machines. 
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SECTION 4. Penalties. - (a) Any person who shall violate any provision of Section 3 of 
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this Act shall upon conviction, be subject to a fine of not less than One thousand pesos 
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(PIO,OOO.OO) but not more than fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) or imprisomnent of not less 
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than two (2) months but not more than one (1) year, or both upon the discretion of the court. 
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If the offender is an alien, he shall be deported after service of sentence and payment of 
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fine without further deportation proceedings. 
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(b) In case the offender is a naturalized citizen, he shall, in addition to the penalty 
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prescribed he,rein, suffer the penalty of cancellation of his naturalization certificate and its 
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registration in the civil register and immediate deportation after service of sentence and payment 
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of fine. 
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(c) Any director, officer or agent of a corporation who shall authorize, order or perform 
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any of the acts or practices constituting in whole or in part a violation of Section 3, shall be 
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subject to penalties to which that corporation may be subject. 
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(dl In case the violation is committed by, or in the interest of a foreign juridical person 
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duly licensed to engage in business in the Philippines, such license to engage in business in the 
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Philippines shall immediately be revoked. 
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SECTION 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part thereof, is held invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
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valid and SUbsisting. 
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SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
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order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, or inconsistent 
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with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 7. EffectiVity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved. 
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