5ii>r11r,h 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
(I~ffltt \If HIe- ~~'~(l ~hr~ 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
'13 
NOV 14 P;) :16 
SENATE 
. S.No. 
1923 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 16 provides that: 
The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced 
and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. 
Recycling is a program which has become more and more indispensable to society as a 
possible solution to various environmental problems. The government itself should take the lead 
in recycling and other environmentally-sound practices as part of its commitment to a balanced 
and healthful ecology and achieving groW,th through sustainable development . 
• 
There are three main reasons why using recycled paper is necessary. First, producing 
recycled paper involves between 28 - 70% less energy consumption than virgin paper and uses 
less water. Second, recycled paper produces fewer polluting emissions to air and water. Recycled 
paper is not usually re-bleached and where it is, oxygen rather than chlorine is usually used. This 
reduces the amount of dioxins which are released into the environment as a by-product of the 
. 
chlorine bleaching processes. Third, paper is a biodegradable material. This means that when it 
goes to landfill, as it rots, it produces methane, which is a potent greenhouse gas. It is becoming 
increasingly accepted that global warming is a reality, and that methane and carbon dioxide 
emissions have to be reduced to lessen its effects. 
This bill makes it mandatory for all government offices to use recycled paper and paper 
products to the greatest extent practicable.' 
• This bill was originally filed during the 13th Congress. 
l. 
, 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.No. 1923 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
1 
AN ACT 
" 
<>i. " '1 d " 
ri>'Y ~. 1 
",~, ,-
{~fflrf, Ilf ilF- ::'rnd~Jr~ 
'13 
NOV 14 P 4 :1 6 
2 
REQUIRING ALL GOVERNMENT OFFICES TO USE RECYCLED PAPER AND PAPER 
3 
PRODUCTS TO THE GREATEST EXTENT PRACTICABLE 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
4 
SECTION 1. ShortTitle. - This Act shall be known and cited as the "Government 
5 
Recycling Act". 
6 
SECTION 2. Requirement for Government Offices to Use Recycled Paper and Paper 
7 
Products. -
8 
(A) 
All government offices, agencies, subsidiaries, instrumentalities, and government-
9 
owned and controlled corporations shall take such action as may be necessary to assure that 
10 
recycled paper and paper products are used to the greatest extent practicable in their operations. 
I I 
Any decision not to use recycled paper or paper products shall be based on a determination that 
, 
12 
such items are: (i) not available; or (li) available only at an unreasonable price. 
13 
(B) 
In carrying out the requirement of paragraph (A), the department or division of 
14 
government offices, agencies, subsidiaries, instrumentalities, and government-owned and 
15 
controlled corporations responsible for tIte procurement of paper and other paper products shall, 
16 
at a minimum, take such action as may be necessary to assure that recycled paper or paper 
17 
products are purchased under each contract, or subcontract under a contract, for the procurement 
18 
of 10,000 pounds or more of paper or paper products. 
19 
(C) 
For purposes of this Act, an unreasonable price is one which exceeds by more 
20 
than ten percent (10%) the price of non-recycled pap~r or paper products. 
1 


I 
SECTION 3. Annual Reports. -
Each government' office, 'agency, subsidiary, 
2 
instrumentality, and government-owned and controlled corporation shall publish a report on the 
3 
implementation of this Act. Each report shall include information on the progress and problems 
4 
associated with such implementation, and findings and recommendations with respect to such 
5 
implementation. 
6 
SECTION 4. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part thereof is held invalid or 
7 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provisiop.not otherwise affected shall remain 
8 
valid and subsisting. 
9 
SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees or issuances, executive. 
. 
. 
. 
10 
orders, letter of instruction, administrative orders, rules, and· regulations contrary to or 
II 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, or amended 
12 
accordingly. 
13 
SECTION 6. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
. . 
14 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
• 
2