FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 996 
."- 
J 
- 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANNY VILLAR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 11, Section I 6  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. This constitutional provision is not self-executory and 
the state has the duty to enact laws to effectively respond to environmental problems 
besetting the country. 
The dumping of wastes pollutes our sea waters thereby affecting harmfully the 
marine resources which undoubtedly a rich source of food for survival of the Filipino 
people. 
Thus, in order to protect our marine resources and in the interest of public health 
and safety, this bill seeks to penalize the dumping of wastes into sea waters. 
MA NY 
LLAR 
@! 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 996 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANNY VILLAR 
AN ACT 
TO PROVIDE FOR TERMINATION OF SEA DUMPING OF SEWAGE SLUDGE 
AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act may be cited as the “Sea Dumping Ban Act.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the state 
to promote a natural balance of the environment for the protection of human health and 
safety. 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. For purposes of this Act, the term: 
(1)”Alternative System” - means any method for the management of sewage 
sludge or industrial waste which does not require a permit under this Act. 
(2) “Excluded Material” means 
(a) Any dredged material discharged by the Philippine Marine Corps of 
Engineers or discharged pursuant to a permit issued by the Secretary of 
Environment and Natural Resources; 
(b) Any waste from any industrial operation located in the Philippines 
discharged pursuant to a permit issued by the Secretary of Environment and 
Natural Resources. 
(3) ”Industrial Waste” - means any solid, semi-solid, or liquid waste generated by 
(k) “Interim Measure” - means any short-term method for the management of 
a manufacturing or processing plant other than an excluded material. 
sewage sludge or industrial wastes which: 
(a) Is used before implementation of an alternative system; and 
(b) Does not require permit under this Act. 
(5) “Sewage Sludge” - means any solid, semi-solid, or liquid waste generated by 
a wastewater treatment plant, other than an excluded material; and 


(6) "Interim Measures" - means any short term method for the management of 
sewage sludge or industrial waste. 
SECTION 4. Prohibited Acts. No person shall dump into sea waters or transport 
for the purpose of dumping into sea water sewage sludge or industrial waste unless 
said person has obtained a permit issued by the Secretary of Environment and Natural 
Resources, which authorizes transportation and dumping. 
The Secretary of Transportation and Communication shall not issue any permit 
under this Act which authorizes a person to dump into ocean waters, or to transport for 
the purpose of dumping into sea waters, sewage sludge or industrial waste, unless that 
person was authorized by a permit issued by him or by a court order to dump into sea 
waters or to transport for the purpose of dumping into ocean waters sewage sludge or 
industrial waste. 
SECTION 5. Penalties. Any person who dumps into ocean waters or transport 
for the purpose of dumping into ocean waters, sewage sludge or industrial waste shall 
be liable on the amount of not less than fifty thousand pesos or imprisonment of not 
less than three (3) months or both at the discretion of the court. If the offense is 
committed by a corporation, trust, firm, partnership or association, or other entity, the 
penalty shall be imposed upon the guilty officer or officers of such corporation, trust, 
firm, partnership or association or other entity. 
SECTION 6. Enforcement Monitoring Report. Not later than six (6) months after 
the date of the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the Department of Environment 
and Natural Resources, in consultation with the Secretary of Department of 
Transportation and Communication, shall submit a report to Congress. The report 
under this section shall contain (1) an accounting of discharges into waters of the 
territorial sea, the contiguous zone and the ocean include: 
(a) The total number of discharges; 
(b) The location, source, volume, and potential environmental effects of each 
(c) The date of original issuance, review and reissuance of the each discharge 
(d) The number of discharges that have been determined by the Secretary of 
(e) A schedule for implementing this Act and achieving compliance with guideline 
promulgated under such Act as expeditiously as practicable, and an estimate of the 
resources required to meet such schedule; and 
(f) Recommendations for any additional legislative authorities needed to achieve 
compliance with such guidelines. 
SECTION 7. Separability Clause. If any provision or part hereof is held invalid 
or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected 
shall remain valid and subsisting. 
discharge; 
permit; 
Environment and Natural Resources; 
SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. Any law, presidential decree, or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation not contrary 


to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is herby repealed, modified or amended 
accordingly. 
SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,