c * 
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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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5 MAY -5 P6 :02 
First Regular Session 
) 
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I .  ’ 
GEIVED 
S E N A T E  
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19 9’8 
Senate Bill No. - 
Introduced by: Senator “C0MPANERA”i PIA S. CAYETANO 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Republic Act 9003 otherwise known as the Solid Waste Management Act 
does not, cover medical waste which, almost often than not, are hazardous to 
health. 
It is imperative therefore that this type of waste be properly treated before 
it is released in the environment in order to prevent the spread of diseases and 
its catastrophic effect. This Senate Bill seeks to provide a guideline for the 
proper handling, treatment and tracking of medical waste. 
For these reasons, approval of this Bill is urgently sought. 
“CO PA ERA” IA S. CAYETANO 
Senator 


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, .  
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
5 
M R  -5 P6:Oil 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
n 
S E N A T E  
S.B. No. 1 9 3  
Introduced by SENATOR COMPANERA PIA S. CAYETANO 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR A COMPREHENSIVE HAZARDOUS AND RADIOACTIVE 
WASTES MANAGEMENT, PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS 
THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
CHAPTER I - General Provisions 
SECTION 1. Short Tifle - This Act shall be known as the "Philippine 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Poiicy - It is hereby declared the policy of the 
State to advance the protection of human health and the environment from the 
potential ,risks of hazardous and radioactive wastes within the framework of 
sustainable development. Towards this end, the State shall: 
Hazardous and Radioactive Wastes Management Act of 2005." 
a. Develop and implement national and local integrated and comprehensive 
hazardous and radioactive waste management programs, including 
resource conservation and recovery systems, which shall: 
i. 
Improve 
waste 
management 
techniques, 
organizational 
arrangements, methods of collection, separation and recovery of 
wastes; 
Promote environmentally safe disposal of residues; 
Minimize the generation of hazardous and radioactive wastes by 
encouraging cleaner production, process substitution, resource 
recovery, recycling and reuse, and treatment; and 
iv. 
Institutionalize public participation in the development and 
b. Promulgate guidelines for the generation, collection, segregation, 
transport, recovery, storage, treatment and disposal of hazardous and 
radioactive wastes including emergency and contingency plans for 
ii. 
iii. 
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implementation of such programs. 
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accidents involving such wastes; 
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c. Prohibit the entry, even in transit, of hazardous and radioactive wastes 
into the Philippine territorial limits for whatever purpose consistent with 
international agreements and protocols; 
d. Promote a national research and development program for improved 
hazardous and radioactive waste management and resource conservation 
techniques; 
e. Formulate and enforce a system of accountability for generators, including 
the promotion of extended producer responsibility, product stewardship 
and responsible care program. 
f. Promote international environmental standards on waste management; 
and, 
g. Strengthen the integration of hazardous and radioactive waste 
management and resource conservation and recovery topics into the 
academic curricula of formal and non-formal education in order to promote 
environmental awareness and action among the citizenry. 
SEC. 3. Coverage of the Act - This act shall apply to the generation, 
possession, collection, recovery, reuse, storage, transport, treatment and 
disposal, of hazardous and radioactive wastes in the country for whatever 
purposes: Provided, That this Act shall cover the entry, even in transit, into the 
Philippine territorial limits of such wastes. 
SEC. 4. Definition of terms - As used in this Act: 
a. Abandoned underground mines shall refer to worked out mineral mines 
-with deep shafts extending to about one to two thousand feet below the 
ground surface. 
b. Besf Available Techniques (BAT) shall refer to any technology that shall 
take consideration costs and benefits of a measure as well as precaution 
and prevention, such as but not limited to: 
1. the nature, effects and mass of releases concerned; 
2. consumption and use of raw materials in the process and its energy 
efficiency; 
3. the need to prevent or reduce to a minimum the overall impact of 
releases to the environment; and 
4. ensure occupational health and safety at the workplaces. 
c. Besf Environmental Practices (BEP) shall refer to practices that are 
generally accepted as “environmentally friendly” taking into consideration 
the nature, traditions and culture of the locality. For this purpose, 
technological advances and changes in scientific knowledge and 
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d. 
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understanding shall likewise be considered in determining acceptable 
practices in preserving the environment. 
Borehole facilities shall refer to those that entail the emplacement of solid 
radioactive waste in an engineered facility of relatively narrow diameter 
bored and operated directly from the surface. It covers a range of design 
concepts with depths ranging from a few meters up to several hundred 
meters and their diameters can vary from a few tens of centimeters up to 
more than one meter. 
Carcinogen means any substance that can cause or contribute to the 
incidence of cancer; 
Collection refers to the act of removing hazardous waste from the source 
or from a storage point. 
Consfrucfion means the erection or building of new structures; 
Contaminated sites shall refer to a place or spot where the soil quality 
exceeds the soil standards set pursuant to Sec. 17 hereof; 
Corrective action refers to the steps taken to assess, prioritize and clean 
up hazardous and radioactive wastes from Treatment, Storage and 
Disposal Facilities (TSDFs) and/or contaminated sites in order to protect 
health and the environment; 
Corrosivify refers to a state where the waste has either of the following 
properties: (1) it is aqueous and has a pH less than or equal to 2 or 
greater than or equal to 12.5; (2) it is a liquid and corrodes steel (SAE 
1020) at a rate greater than 6.35mm (0.250 inch) per year at a test 
temperature of 55OC (1 30OF); 
Degradability refers to the ability of a compound to be reduced to simpler 
forms through a break down of its structure; 
Deep injection well means a well used for the underground injection of 
excess brine and geothermal sludge from geothermal operations; 
m. Department means the Pepartment of Environment and Natural 
n. Disposal means the discharge, deposit, injection, dumping, spilling, 
leaking, or placing of any hazardous and radioactive wastes into or on any 
land or water so that such wastes or any constituent thereof may enter the 
environment or be emitted into the air or discharged into any waters, 
including ground waters; 
0. Generation refers to the act or process of producing hazardous and 
radioactive waste; 
Resources; 
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Generafor refers to a person, natural or juridical, who produces hazardous 
and radioactive waste; 
Geological reposifory refers to the isolation of high level radioactive waste 
using a system of engineered and natural barriers at depths up to several 
hundred meter in a geologically stable formation; 
Hazardous wastes refers to a substance discarded from commercial and 
industrial establishments, institutions and healthcare facilities which, 
because of the concentration, or physical, chemical, or infectious 
characteristics, may cause or significantly contribute to increases in 
mortality or serious illnesses, or pose an unreasonable risk and potential 
threat to human health, and the environment; 
Hazardous and radioactive waste management means the systematic 
administration of activities which provide for the identification, listing, 
collection, segregation, storage, transport, recovery, reuse, processing, 
reprocessing, treatment, and disposal of hazardous and radioactive 
wastes. 
Healthcare waste shall refer to waste that is generated or produced as a 
result of the following activities: diagnosis, treatment, or immunization of 
human beings or animals; research pertaining to the above activities; 
production or testing of biologicals; and waste originating from minor or 
scattered sources. 
lgnifabilify means the characteristic used to define as hazardous wastes 
that could cause a fire during transport, storage, or disposal. A waste 
exhibits the characteristics of ignitability if a sample of the waste has any 
of the following properties: 1) it is a liquid that has flash point less than 60° 
c (140O 9; 2 )  it is not a liquid and is capable, under standard temperature 
and pressure, of causing fire through friction, absorption of moisture, or 
spontaneous chemical changes and when ignited, burns so vigorously and 
persistently that it creates a hazard; 3) it is an ignitable gas; or, 4) it is an 
oxidizer. 
lnjecfion zone means a geological formation, group of formation, or a part 
of a formation receiving fluids through a well or orifice; 
international environmental standards shall refer to the requirements or 
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standards under existing international environmental agreements to which 
the Philippines is a party; 
x. Landfill means a waste disposal site designed, constructed, operated and 
maintained in a manner that exerts engineering control over significant 
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potential environmental impacts arising from the development and 
operation of the facility 
y. Land disposal refers to the placement of hazardous and radioactive 
wastes on the surface, near surface and at depths within the soil column; 
z. Land freafrnenf or land farming refers to a managed technology that 
involves the controlled application of waste on the soil surface and/or the 
incorporation of waste or contaminated soils into the upper soil zone. 
aa.Manifest or Consignment Note refers to a form prescribed by the 
Department and PNRI accompanying hazardous and radioactive wastes 
from point of generation, through transport, to final disposition. 
bb.M$ifary rnunifions shall refer to all types of both conventional and chemical 
ammunition products and their components produced by or for the military 
for national defense and security, including munitions produced by other 
parties under contract with or acting as agent for the Department of 
National Defense. 
cc. Mined cavities shall refer to the emplacement of radioactive waste at 
some depths inside mines or caverns which is either man-made or natural. 
dd.Mufagens means any substance that can cause a change in genetic 
ee. Near surface facilifies shall refer to the disposal of radioactive waste with 
or without engineered barrier on or below ground surface where the final 
protective covering is of the order of a few meters thick or in caverns a few 
tens of meter below the earths surface. 
ff. On-site treatment fakilities refers to facilities of generators who treat their 
own hazardous and radioactive wastes either by themselves or through a 
service provider inside their facilities in compliance with waste acceptance 
criteria promulgated by the Department, DOH and PNRI. 
gg.Open burning shall refer to shall refer to the low temperature thermal 
destruction of wastes by means of direct exposure to fire. For this 
purpose, this shall apply to the traditional small-scale methods of 
community sanitation called "siga". 
hh.fartial freatmenf refers to any process used to modify the characteristics 
of a hazardous or radioactive waste without totally negating its hazardous 
characteristics. This may include, volume reduction, conditioning, moisture 
reduction, neutralization among others. 
ii. Persistence shall refer to the substantial length of time a compound, once 
introduced into the environment, stays there; or the property of a 
material. 
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substance whose half-life in water, sediment or soil exceeds duration of 50 
days. 
jj. Person@) refers to any being, natural or juridical, susceptible of rights and 
obligations, or of being the subject of legal relations. 
kk. People's Organization (PO) shall refer to non-profit and non-stock 
association of citizens in a locality embracing a common goal to protect 
the environment and ultimately public health. 
11. 
Primary Care Hospifal refers to a non-departmentalized hospital that 
provides (a) Clinical care and management on the prevalent diseases in 
the locality; (b) Clinical services like general medicine, pediatrics, 
obstetrics and gynecology, surgery and anesthesia; (c) Administrative and 
 ancillary services (clinical laboratory, radiology, pharmacy); and (d) 
Nursing care for patients who require intermediate, moderate and partial 
category of supervised care for 24 hours or longer. 
mm. Radioactive wastes refer to materials that contain or are contaminated 
with radionuclides at concentrations or activities greater than clearance 
levels as established by the PNRI. This also refers to disused sealed 
sources for which no use is foreseen. 
nn. Reactivity shall refer to the state of a waste, or a representative sample of 
the waste, exhibiting any of the following properties: (1) it is normally 
unstable and readily undergoes violent change without detonating; (2) it 
reacts violently with water; (3) it forms potentially explosive mixtures with 
water; (4) when mixed with water, it generates toxic gases, vapors, or 
fumes in a quantity sufficient to present danger to human health or the 
environment; (5) it is a cyanide- or sulfide- bearing waste which, when 
exposed to ph conditions between 2 and, 12.5, can generate toxic gases, 
vapors, or fumes in a quantity sufficient to present a danger to human 
health or the environment; (6) it is capable of detonation or explosive 
reaction if subjected to a strong initiating source or if reacted under 
confinement; or, (7) it is readily capable of detonation or explosive 
decomposition or reaction at standard temperature and pressure. 
00. Resource recovery shall refer to the collection, extraction or recovery of 
recyclable materials from the waste stream for the purpose of recycling, 
generating energy or producing 'a product suitable for beneficial use: 
Provided, That such resource recovery facilities exclude incineration. 
pp.Recycle means the process of minimizing the generation of waste by 
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recovering usable products that might othetwise become waste. 
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gq. Secondaly Care Hospital refers to a departmental hospital that provides 
(a) Clinical care and management of diseases in the locality as well as 
particular forms of treatment, surgical procedure and intensive care; (b) 
Clinical services provided in the Primary Care Hospital as well as specially 
clinical care; (c) Appropriate administrative and ancillary services (clinical 
laboratory, radiology, pharmacy); and (d) Nursing Care provided in the 
First Level Referral Hospital as well as total and intensive skilled care. 
rr. Segregation shall refer to a waste management practice of separating 
different materials found in hazardous waste in order to promote recycling 
and re-use of resources and to reduce the volume of waste for collection 
and disposal. This also refers to separating radioactive wastes according 
to level of activity, physical form and half-life. 
ss. Special hazardous wasfes shall refer to substances discarded from 
households and consumer or industrial goods or products which become 
hazardous at the end of its useful life by virtue of its toxic or hazardous 
content which may be released to the environment upon indiscriminate 
disposal. 
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tt. Storage means the containment of hazardous and radioactive wastes, 
either on a temporary basis or for a period of years, consistent with the 
guidelines as prescribed by the Department and in such a manner as not 
to constitute disposal of such wastes. 
uu.Surface impoundments shall refer to pits, ponds, lagoons and dike areas 
that are either natural topographic depression or man-made excavations 
that are primarily of earthen materials. They are designed and constructed 
to hold or store, treat andlor dispose liquid waste or waste containing free 
liquids through processes such as evaporation, cooling, aeration, photo 
decomposition, andlor settling. 
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vv. Sustainable development refers to development which meets the needs of 
the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet 
their own needs. 
ww. Special hazardous wasfes collectors refer to entities which receive or 
collect special hazardous wastes under a take back program or similar 
collection mechanism for the purpose of consolidating the wastes from 
households or consumers preparatory to delivery to an accredited 
recycling or treatment facility. 
xx. Technical demonstration means the initial exhibition of a new technology 
process or practice or a significantly new combination or use of 
technologies, processes or practices, subsequent to the development 
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stage, for the purpose of proving technological feasibility and cost 
effectiveness. 
yy. Tertiary Care Hospital refers to a teaching and training hospital that 
provides: (a) Clinical care and management of diseases in the locality as 
well as specialized and sub-specialized forms of treatment, surgical 
procedure and intensive care; (b) Clinical services provided in the Second 
Level Referral Hospital as well as sub-specially clinical care; (c) 
Appropriate administrative and ancillary services (clinical laboratory, 
radiology, pharmacy); and, (d) Nursing Care provided in the Secondary 
Care Hospital as well as continuous and highly specialized critical care. 
zz. Thermal treatment refers to the controlled heating which involves a 
prescribed heating rate, maximum temperature, and cooling cycle to 
produce the property and grain structure required. 
aaa. Toxicity means the degree of danger posed by a substance to human or 
animal due to its acute lethality, chronic and sub-chronic toxicity, 
carcinogenicity, teratogenicity, or mutagenicity among others. 
bbb. Treatment means any method, technique, or process designed to 
change the physical, chemical, or biological character or composition of 
any hazardous and radioactive wastes so as to render such waste non- 
hazardous, safer for transport, amenable for recovery, amenable for 
storage, or reduced in volume. 
CCC. Treatmenf, Storage and Disposal Facility (TSDF) refers to a site where a 
hazardous substance is treated, stored or disposed. 
ddd. Waste acceptance criteria shall refer to a list of parameters which 
describes the minimum characteristics which the waste should possess 
before it may be placed or accepted in a TSDF. 
CHAPTER II - Management System 
SEC. 5. identification and Listing of Hazardous Wastes -Within six (6) 
months from the effectivity of this Acti the Department shall, after notice and 
public consultation, develop, formulate and publish criteria for identifying and 
listing the characteristics of hazardous wastes taking into account, but not be 
limited to, toxicity, persistence, reactivity and degradability in nature, potential for 
accumulation in tissue, and other related factors such as ignitability, corrosivity, 
and other hazardous characteristics. Such criteria shall be reviewed and revised 
every four (4) years thereafter, or as the need arises. 
Provided, That the Department, in coordination with the Department of 
Health (DOH) and Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI), shall also 
identify or list those hazardous and radioactive wastes that contain certain 
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constituents such as identified carcinogens, mutagens, or teratogens that 
endanger human health. 
Provided, further, That the Department, in coordination with the 
Department of National Defense (DND) and appropriate government agencies, 
shall formulate criteria for identifying when military munitions become hazardous 
and radioactive wastes. For purposes of this act, the term "military munitions" 
includes chemical and conventional munitions. 
Provided, finally, That within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act, 
the Department in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 
and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), after public 
consultation, shall formulate criteria for identifying and listing the categories of 
special hazardous wastes products to be tracked and regulated taking into 
account, but not be limited to, the presence of toxicity, reactivity, ignitability and 
corrosivity. 
SEC. 6. Notification of Hazardous and Radioactive Waste Activity - 
Upon the effectivity of this Act, any person generating or managing hazardous or 
radioactive waste is required to notify in writing the Department, DOH and PNRI 
of their hazardous or radioactive waste activities specifying, among others, the 
types of waste, quantities and containers used for storage, including incidents 
involving hazardous and radioactive wastes. 
SEC. 7. National Hazardous and Radioactive waste Status Report - 
The Department in coordination with the DOH, PNRI, and other concerned 
agencies, shall within six (6) months after the formulation of the criteria for 
identifying and listing of hazardous and radioactive wastes pursuant to section 6 
hereof, prepare a National Hazardous and Radioactive Waste Management 
Status Report which shall be used as a basis in formulating the National 
Hazardous and Radioactive waste Management Framework provided in Sec. 8 of 
this Act. The said report shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following: 
a. inventory of existing hazardous and radioactive wastes and their depots 
and facilities; 
b. general waste characterization, taking into account, but not be limited to, 
the source, type and quantity of hazardous and radioactive wastes 
generated; 
c. projection of hazardous and radioactive wastes generation including 
d. listing of treatment, storage and disposal facilities including transporters of 
quantity for reduction, recovery and reuse; 
hazardous and radioactive wastes; and, 
e. listing of identified contaminated sites. 
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SEC. 8. National Hazardous and Radioactive Waste Management 
Framework - Within eighteen (18) months from the effectivity of this Act, the 
Department, in coordination with the DOH, PNRl and other appropriate agencies 
and entities, shall prepare and formulate a National Hazardous and Radioactive 
Waste Management Framework, herein referred to as the Framework, that shall 
embody policies established pursuant to this Act. Specifically, the Framework 
shall contain the following: 
a. hazardous and radioactive waste control strategies and techniques: 
b. proper hazardous and radioactive waste transport, treatment, storage and 
disposal systems; 
c. waste reduction goals and targets; 
d. period of compliance for waste reduction; 
e. information and education campaign; 
f. human resources development; and, 
g. roles and responsibilities of relevant government agencies. 
The framework shall be adopted as the official blueprint for hazardous and 
radioactive waste management with which all I relevant government agencies 
must comply with. 
SEC. 9. Use of best available technology and best environmental 
practices in hazardous and radioacfive waste management - Generators and 
owners of treatment, storage and disposal facilities are required to use best 
available technologies and best environmental practices (BATIBEP) ip hazardous 
and radioactive waste management. The Department, in coordination with the 
Inter-Agency Technical Advisory Council (IATAC) created hereof, shall formulate 
criteria in assessing the proposed BAT/BEP to be used. In the formulation of 
these criteria, consideration shall be given, among others, to the relative 
economic feasibility of the technology. Further, such technology shall render the 
waste sufficiently low in toxicity, reactivity corrosivity and ignitability as to present 
the least possible risk to human health and safety and to the environment. 
SEC. 10. Requirements for Generators >of ffazardous and Radioactive 
Wastes - Within six (6) months after effectivity of this Act, the Department, DOH 
and PNRl shall establish requirements for generators of such hazardous and 
radioactive wastes necessary to protect human health and the environment. 
These requirements shall ensure that the generators shall be responsible for the 
proper management of the wastes generated and bear the costs for proper 
storage, transport, treatment and disposal of such waste. Further, such 
requirements shall include, but not be limited to, the following: 
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a. recordkeeping practices that accurately identify the quantities of such 
hazardous and radioactive wastes generated, the constituent thereof 
which are significant in quantity or in potential harm to human health or the 
environment, and the disposition of such wastes; 
b. use of appropriate storage facilities and containers to prevent release of 
materials to the environment; 
c. labeling practices for any containers used for the storage, transport, or 
disposal of such hazardous and radioactive wastes as will identify 
accurately such waste; 
d. use of a manifest or consignment note system and any other means 
necessary to assure that all hazardous and radioactive wastes generated 
are designated for treatment, storage, or disposal in, and arrived at TSDFs 
with appropriate permit issued pursuant to this Act; 
e. Emergency and contingency plans for effective action to minimize damage 
and contain and mitigate effects of spills and accidents in connection with 
the generation, transport, storage or disposal of such wastes; 
f. When it is necessary to transport the waste, the generators shall only 
engage services of transporters and TSDFs holding permits issued 
pursuant to this Act; and, 
g. In the case of radioactive waste, the waste generator is required to submit 
a certificate of transport from their Radiological Health and Safety Officer 
(RHSO) for the transport of radioactive waste to the treatment facility. 
SEC. 1 I. Requirements Applicable to Transporters of Hazardous and 
Radioactive Wastes -Within six (6) months after the effectivity of this Act, the 
Department, in coordination with the DOH, PNRI, the Department Of 
Transportation and Communication (DOTC) shall establish requirements 
applicable to transporters of hazardous and radioactive wastes necessary to 
protect human health and the environment. Such requirements shall include, but 
need not be limited to the following: 
a. recordkeeping concerning such waste transported, and their source and 
delivery points; 
b. use of carriers duly registered with the Department of Transportation and 
Communication (DOTC); 
c. transport of waste only if properly labeled; 
d. transport of waste only to TSDF which the generator designates in the 
manifest form to be a facility holding appropriate permit issued pursuant to 
this Act; 
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e. emergency and contingency plans for effective action to minimize damage 
and contain and mitigate effects of spills and accidents in connection with 
the transport of such wastes; 
f. coordination with other concerned government agencies in the event that 
transport of such hazardous and radioactive wastes to designated TSDF 
requires security escort or police protection/assistance. 
SEC. 12. Requirements Applicable to Owners of Hazardous, and 
Radioactive Waste Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facilitips - Within six 
(6) months after the effectivity of this Act, the Department, in coordination with 
the DOH'and PNRI, shall establish requirements applicable to owners of TSDFs 
of hazardous and radioactive wastes necessary to protect human health and the 
environment: Provided, That the Department,! DOH and PNRI shall, where 
applicable, distinguish requirements appropriate for new and existing facilities at 
the time of effectivity of this Act. Such requirements shall include, but need not 
be limited to the following: 
a. Performance 
Standard 
for 
the 
design, 
construction, 
operation, 
, 
maintenance and monitoring of the facility. 
b. Requirements and Standard to ensure' adequate resources, including 
human and financial, throughout the life cycle of the facility. 
c. Requirements and Standards for the closure, decommissioning and post 
closure care, monitoring and maintenance and use of the facility. 
d. Waste acceptance requirements and i procedures, approved by the 
Department, DOH and PNRI, for different types of hazardous and 
radioactive waste packages. 
e. Management, engineering controls and use of personnel protective 
equipment to minimize exposure of workers to the hazardous wastes and 
medical surveillance of workers directly involve in the collection, transport, 
storage or disposal of hazardous wastes. 
SEC. 13. Categories of TSDFs for Hazardous Wastes and Radioactive 
Wastes - Within six (6) months after the effectivity of this Act, the Department 
shall formulate specific, relevant and appropriate standards, including waste 
acceptance criteria, for the various categories! of TSDFs identified hereunder: 
Provided, That no waste shall be accepted unless it complies with the waste 
acceptance criteria formulated pursuant to this: act: Provided, fun'her, That the 
Department shall revise, as the need arises,, the regulations, standards and 
guidelines applicable to the categories listed hereunder taking into account 
improvements in the technology of control and measurement: Provided, finally, 
That such regulations shall specify criteria for the acceptable location of new and 
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existing TSDFs as necessary to protect human health and the environment. The 
categories of TSDFs are as follows: 
(A) Facilities that conduct on-site storage, treatment and disposal of hazardous 
waste generated or produced at the premises through industrial or 
commercial processes and activities other than disposal via sewer. 
The Department shall encourage on-site treatment of hazardous wastes by, 
among others, providing for incentives: Provided, That generators who 
undertake partial treatment of waste shall not be considered as on-site facility 
operators for purposes of this category: Provided, however, That mining 
operations shall fall under this category. 
(B) Commercial or industrial hazardous waste thermal treatment facilities. 
TSDFs in this category are facilities that conduct on-site and off-site thermal 
treatment: Provided, That the Department shall promulgate regulations on 
hazardous wastes used as fuel and raw material: Provided, further, That the 
Department may also exempt from the requirements hereof facilities which 
burn de minimis quantities of hazardous wastes as fuel, as defined by the 
Department, if (i) the wastes are burned at the same facility at which such 
wastes are generated; (ii) the waste is burned to recover useful energy, as 
determined by the Department on the basis of the design and operating 
characteristics of the facility and the heating value and other characteristics of 
the waste; and (iii ) the waste is burned in a type of device determined by the 
Department to be designed and operated at a destruction and removal 
efficiency sufficient such that protection of human health and environmeqt IS 
assured. 
(C) Landfills that accept hazardous waste for disposal. 
The Department shall, after due review and public consultation, promulgate 
regulations concerning the prohibition of specified hazardous wastes in 
landfills: Provided, That the placement of such specified hazardous wastes in 
landfills may be allowed upon determination by the Department that the 
prohibition for disposal of such waste in landfills is not required in order to 
protect human health and the environment for as long as the waste remains 
hazardous, taking into account the following factors: 
(1) the long-term uncertainties associated with land disposal; 
(2) the goal of managing hazardous waste in an appropriate manner in the 
(3) the persistence, toxicity, mobility, and propensity to bioaccumulate of 
first instance; and, 
such hazardous wastes and their hazardous constituents. 
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For this purpose, disposal of hazardous waste in landfills is deemed to be 
protective of human health and the environment if it is determined that there 
will be no migration of hazardous constituents of the waste from the disposal 
unit: or injection zone: Provided, further, That the disposal of any liquids in 
landfills shall be prohibited. 
Provided, further, That the disposal in landfills of wastes containing 
hazardous solvents, pesticides and polycyclic hydrocarbons such as, among 
others, furans and dioxins, as determined by the Department, after public 
consultation, are prohibited unless the Department determines the prohibition 
of the disposal of such waste is not required in order to protect human health 
and the environment for as long as the waste remains hazardous, taking into 
account the factors referred to in subparagraphs (1) to (3) of this category. 
Within six (6) months from the preparation of the status report, the 
Department shall review, classify and rank, subject to public consultations, all 
hazardous wastes listed pursuant to this act other than those wastes which 
are referred to in paragraph 3 of this category or deep injection wells. Within 
twelve months (12) thereafter, the Department, when necessary, shall 
promulgate regulations prohibiting disposal in landfills of such hazardous 
wastes listed and ranked: Provided, further, That the Department shall 
promptly publish in a newspaper of general circulation notice of such 
determination, together with an explanation of the basis for such 
determination. 
Provided, fina//y, That the storage of waste in landfills is hereby prohibited. 
(D) Facilities that recycle or reprocess hazardous waste which are not generated 
or produced at the premises. 
The Department, in coordination with DOST, shall promulgate standards 
for this category of TSDF. Facilities in this category are those that receive off- 
site treatment of hazardous waste and recover valuable materials from the 
hazardous wastes, use hazardous waste as input materials or fuel for 
production, or produce compost by biological treatment of hazardous waste. It 
also includes, but are not limited to, reclaimers of spent lead-acid batteries, 
precious metals, and oil recyclers. 
(E) Other off-site treatment facilities. Facilities in this category are those facilities 
that receive hazardous waste outside the premises and transform physical 
andlor chemical characteristics of the hazardous waste by physicochemical or 
thermal treatment other than incineration or in order to dispose of them into 
fandfiffs. 
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(F) Facilities that store hazardous wastes which are not generated or produced at 
the premises within allowable period. 
The storage of any hazardous waste is prohibited, unless such storage is 
solely for the purpose of the accumulation of such quantities of hazardous 
wastes as are necessary to facilitate proper recovery, treatment or disposal 
but shall not be longer than is prescribed by the Department. 
(G) Other land disposal facilities. Facilities under this category shall include, 
among others, deep injection wells, borehole facilities, near surface facilities, 
mined cavities, surface impoundments, land treatment units/land farming and 
abandoned underground mines. 
SEC. 14. Closure plan - The owner of TSDFs shall submit a closure 
plan, including the funds necessary for the same, subject to the review and 
approval of the Department. 
SEC. 15. Post-closure of facility - The owner of a TSDF must close the 
facility upon termination of its operation, and shall, after such closure, provide for 
protection during a post-closure care period, in accordance with the requirements 
of the Department and the closure plan, including the funds necessary for same. 
The protection shall include, but not be limited to, monitoring and maintenance. 
The owner shall maintain a hazardous waste facility permit for the post-closure 
care period pursuant to chapter VI hereof. 
SEC. 16. Environmental Impact Statement (&IS) System - Prior to the 
establishment of TSDFs, all government agencies and private corporations, firms 
and entities who intend to set up TSDFs shall be subject to environmental impact 
statement (EIS) system pursuant to the provisions of P.D. 1586 and its 
implementing rules and regulations. 
SEC. 17. Formulation of Soil Quality Standards for Identification of 
Contaminated Sites - Within six [6] months from the effectivity of this act, the 
Department, in coordination with other relevant government agencies, shall 
formulate soil quality standards which shall be used to determine contaminated 
sites. 
SEC. 18. Registry of Contaminated Sites - The Department shall 
maintain a registry of confirmed contaminated sites in the country based on the 
soil quality standards set pursuant to Section 17 hereof: Provided, That the 
Department shall take all necessary action to insure that the registry provides a 
complete listing of all such sites, their exact location, and the types of waste 
found at each site: Provided, further, That in developing and maintaining the 
registry, the Department shall assess, based upon new information received, the 
relative priority of the need for action at each site to remedy environmental and 
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health problems resulting from the presence of hazardous and radioactive 
wastes at such sites: Provided, finally, That any site classified as properly closed 
or remediated where no evidence of present or1 potential adverse impact exists 
shall be deleted from the registry. 
SEC. 19. Import and Export of Hazardous and Radioactive Wastes - 
The Department and PNRI shall promulgate rules and regulations on the import 
and export of hazardous and radioactive wastes in accordance with relevant 
international treaties and agreements. 
SEC. 20. Market-Based Instruments, Responsible Care and Product 
Stewardship Program - Within six [6] months from the effectivity of this Act, the 
Department in coordination with the manufacturers of commercial or industrial 
products shall identify and implement markef-based insfrumenfs, extended 
producer responsibility, responsible care, products stewardship programs that 
shall include, but not be limited to take back, or return to supplier or third party 
treater schemes, that shall promote cleaner production, waste minimization, 
resource recovery and treatment. Provided, That, the Department shall identify 
and list products that shall be covered by such programs. 
CHAPTER 111 - Radioactive Wastes 
SEC. 21. Listing of Radioactive Wasfes - Within six (6) months from the 
effectivity of this Act, the DOST/PNRI, in coordination with the Department, after 
public consultation, shall formulate and publish the criteria for identifying and 
listing the types of radioactive wastes to be monitored and regulated. 
Act, radioactive wastes are classified as follows: 
SEC. 22. Classification of Radioactive Wastes - For purposes of this 
A. Exempt wastes (EW) are radioactive wastes with activity level at or below 
clearance levels set by the PNRI which are based on an annual dose to 
members of the public set by the PNRI; 
6. Low and intermediate wastes (LILW) are iradioactive waste with activity or 
concentration level above the clearance levels set by the PNRI. LLlW may 
be a short lived waste or a long lived waste. A short lived waste (LILW-SL) 
is a waste containing radionuclides with half-lives below or equal to the 
limits set by the PNRI. It may contain long lived radionuclides but with 
activity level not exceeding the limit set by the PNRI. Long lived wastes 
(LILW-LL)’ are wastes containing radionuclides with long half-lives and 
with activity exceeding the short lived waste limits set by the PNRI; and, 
C. High level waste (HLW) is radioactive waste with activity or concentration 
level exceeding the limits for low and intermediate waste set by the PNRI. 
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SEC. 23. Management of Radioactive Wastes - Pursuant to Sections 
10, 11, and 12 hereof, the PNRl shall promulgate rules and regulations on 
radioactive waste management. Said rules and regulations shall be based on the 
best available technique to limit the outflow of radioactive substances to the 
environment, taking into account the benefits as well as the cost of the 
measures. The measures shall be both technically and economically feasible: 
Provided, That said rules and regulations may be based on, but not be limited to, 
the following methods of managing radioactive waste: 
A. Dilute and disperse - radioactive waste: with activity level that can be 
disposed of as ordinary waste into the sewage, municipal landfills etc. 
B. Delay and decay - short lived radionuclides by storing under well 
controlled conditions until the radioactivity has decayed to a level which 
meets the established exemption or clearance limits for such waste. 
C. Characterization, segregation, treatment, conditioning, transport, storage, 
disposal - Methods for managing radioactive waste containing long lived 
radio nuclides, including disused sealed 'sources, and other wastes that 
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cannot be managed under subsections (a) and (b) of this section. 
Provided, further, That the acceptable ;storage period for conditioned 
wastes prior to the establishment of a final disposal repository shall be for a 
maximum period of fifty (50) years. 
SEC. 24. Guidelines for the Acceptance of Radioactive Wastes by 
Transporters and TSDFs -Within six (6) months after the effectivity of this act, 
the PNRl shall formulate specific, relevant and appropriate waste acceptance 
criteria for transporters and TSDFs of radioactive !wastes: Provided, that no 
radioactive waste shall be accepted unless it complies with the waste acceptance 
criteria formulated pursuant hereof. 
-SEC. 25. Site Requirements and Selecfion Criteria - The PNRl shall 
develop and promulgate generic site requirements for locating a final repository 
for radioactive wastes. 
SEC. 26. Safety Assessment and Environmental Impact Assessment 
- The PNRl shall develop and promulgate criteria and regulations on the 
performance requirements and safety assessment of TSDF. Provided, That the 
safety assessment shall, among others, address both radiological and non- 
radiological risks. Provided, further, That non-radiological environmental impact 
assessment shall be carried out in accordance with relevant environmental laws. 
SEC. 27. Emergency Preparedness - The PNRl shall promulgate 
requirements and guidance on the formulation of emergency plan commensurate 
to the seriousness of the accidents that could occur at the TSDFs. 
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SEC. 28. Security - The PNRl shall promulgate guidelines on security 
arrangements that should be in place to ensure that radioactive waste is not 
accidentally or deliberately removed from their proper location without location. 
Particular attention shall be given to materials of'intrinsic value that could pose a 
serious threat to human health and the environment if control were lost. 
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CHAPTER IV - Hazardous Healthcare Waste 
SEC. 29. Listing of Hazardous Healthcare Waste - Within six (6) 
months from the effectivity of this Act, the DOH in coordination with the 
Department and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), after 
public consultation, shall formulate criteria for identifying and listing the 
categories of hazardous healthcare waste to be tracked and regulated. In the 
formulation of such criteria, the DOH shall take into account, but not be limited to, 
presence of infectious agents, toxicity, reactivity, ignitability and corrosivity. 
SEC. 30, Management of Hazardous Healthcare Wastes in Hospitals 
and other Healthcare Facilities - Pursuant to Sections. 10, 11 & 12 hereof, the 
DOH shall promulgate rules and regulations on the effective management of 
hazardous healthcare wastes in hospitals and ofher healfh care facilifies. Such 
rules and regulations shall include, but not be limited to, the following: 
A. Hospitals and other health care facilities shall practice or implement waste 
minimization and segregation. 
B. Segregation at source shall be the responsibility of the waste generator. 
C. Appropriate storage receptacles or bins shall be provided for each 
healthcare waste category. 
D. Labeling of receptacle per waste category shall likewise be implemented 
for identification of waste and management measures in case of 
accidents. 
E. All hazardous healthcare wastes shall be collected and stored in 
designated on-site storage area until transported to a TSDF. 
F. Treatment of 'hazardous healthcare waste on-site shall be done through 
appropriate treatment methods. 
G. Upon the approval of the Department, health care facilities with capacity to 
manage hazardous healthcare waste on-site may also treat for a fee the 
hazardous healthcare waqte generated by other healthcare facilities. 
Provided, That in case of treatment of radioactive healthcare waste, 
approval of the PNRl shall be secured. 
H. For hazardous healthcare liquid waste, all healthcare facilities shall 
provide wastewater treatment facilities 'and comply with the effluent 
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standards set by DENR. Treatment and disposal of sludge shall conform 
to the provisions of this Act. 
I. To ensure proper management of hazardous healthcare waste, a 
committee on hazardous healthcare waste management may be created 
in all healthcare facilities: Provjded, That in all Primary Care Hospitals, 
Secondary Care Hospitals and Tertiary Care Hospitals the creation of a 
committee on hazardous healthcare waste management shall be 
mandatory. The committee shall also develop an emergency plan to 
ensure an immediate and appropriate action once an emergency occurs. 
For other health care establishments, a hazardous healthcare waste 
management officer shall be designated. 
CHAPTER V - Special Hazardous Wastes 
SEC. 31. Collection of Special Hazardous Wastes - Local Government 
Units (LGUs) shall be responsible for the collection of special hazardous wastes 
from persons, households and commercial establishment in accordance with 
Republic Act No. 9003. Provided, That the LGUs may enter into agreement with 
entities duly accredited by the Department for the collection of special hazardous 
wastes. 
SEC. 32. Responsible Care Program for Special Hazardous Wastes - 
The LGUs shall enact appropriate ordinances implementing responsible care, 
extended producer responsibility or product stewardship program, that shall 
include, but not be limited to, take back or return to supplier or third party treater 
schemes, that shall promote cleaner production, waste minimization, resource 
recovery and treatment. 
SEC. 33. Disposal of Special Hazardous Wastes - The disposal of 
special hazardous wastes in municipal solid waste, in any landfill or other TSD 
facilities shall be prohibited; Such disposal shall only be done through delivery to 
a retailer or wholesaler, or to a collection or recycling facility authorized by the 
Department Provided, That retailers shall dispose of special hazardous wastes 
only through delivery to the agent of a wholesaler, or to a collection or recycling 
facility authorized by the Department. 
SEC. 34. Transport, Treatment, Storage and Disposal of Special 
Hazardous Wastes - Upon collection of hazardous special wastes by LGUs 
pursuant to Sec. 31 hereof, the transport, treatment, storage and disposal of 
special hazardous waste shall be regulated in accordance with this Act. 
CHAPTER VI - Institutional Mechanism 
SEC. 35. Lead Agency - The Department shall be the primary 
government agency responsible for the implementation and enforcement of this 
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Act, including in P E D  areas, special economic zones and free ports, unless 
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otherwise provided herein. As such, it shall have the following functions, powers 
and responsibilities: 
A. prepare a National Hazardous and Radioactive Wastes Report; 
B. prepare a National Hazardous and Radioactive Wastes Management 
C. develop and promulgate criteria for! identifying and listing the 
D. establish, enforce, review and revise standards for generators of 
Framework; 
characteristics of hazardous and radioactive wastes; 
hazardous and radioactive wastes; 
E. establish, enforce, review and revise 
~ standards for transporters of 
hazardous and radioactive wastes; 
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F. establish, enforce, review and revise standards applicable to owners and 
operators of facilities for the treatment, storage and disposal of hazardous 
G. exercise jurisdiction over all aspects of generation, possession, collection, 
destruction, recovery, use, storage, transportation, entry into, even in 
transit, treatment and disposal of hazardous and wastes; 
H. evaluate applications for and issue permits and licenses pursuant to this 
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objectives of this Act; 
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N. encourage, coordinate, participate in or!; conduct studies, investigations, 
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research and technical demonstrations relating to hazardous and 
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radioactive waste management as it may deem advisable and necessary 
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for the discharge of its duties pursuant to this Act; 
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revoke, modify or deny in accordance! with the standards, rules and 
regulations, hazardous waste transporter licenses, TSDFs permits and 
other permitsllicenses issued in accordance with this Act; 
J. establish a cooperative effort among the national government, LGUs, 
academic institutions, civil society and the private sector to attain the 
K. develop and implement programs to achieve goals and objectives set 
L. accept, receive and administer grants 06; other funds or gifts from public 
and private agencies for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this 
Act. Funds received by the Department pursuant to this section shall 
accrue to the Hazardous and Radioactive!;Waste Management Fund; 
M. secure necessary scientific, technical, including laboratory facilities, by 
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0. encourage waste reduction, resource recovery, exchange and energy 
P. oversee any corrective action work undertaken pursuant to rules and 
conservation in hazardous and radioactive waste management; 
regulations issued in accordance with this Act; 
Q. formulate and undertake appropriate protocol with other concerned 
agencies for immediate coordinated responses to hazardous and 
radioactive waste-related emergency incidents; 
R. issue order against any person or entity and impose fines, penalties and 
other administrative sanctions to compel: compliance with the provisions 
hereof, standards, rules and regulations issued pursuant to this Act; and, 
S. exercise such powers and perform such other functions as may be 
necessary to carry out the objectives of this Act. 
SEC. 36. Role of She DOH - The DOH shall be primarily responsible in 
A. Develop, promulgate and publish criteria in identifying and listing the 
.categories of hazardous healthcare wastes to be monitored and regulated; 
6. Develop and promulgate rules and ' regulations on the effective 
management of hazardous healthcare wastes in hospitals and other 
health care facilities; and, 
C. Exercise such powers and perform such other functions as may be 
performing the following duties and responsibilities: 
necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. 
SEC. 37. Role of the PNRl - The PNRI: shall be primarily responsible in 
A. Develop and promulgate regulations establishing a program for the 
monitoring of the radioactive waste listed pursuant to this Act; 
B. Develop, promulgate and publish criteria for identifying and listing the 
types of radioactive wastes to be monitored and regulated; 
C. Develop and promulgate rules and regulations on the radioactive waste 
management pursuant to section 23 hereof; 
D. Formulate specific, relevant and appropriate waste acceptance criteria for 
transporters and TSDFs of radioactive wastes pursuant to section 24 
hereof; 
E. Exercise jurisdiction over ail aspects of generation, possession, collection, 
recovery, transport, entry, even in transit, into Philippine territory, 
treatment, storage and disposal of radioactive wastes; and 
performing the following duties and responsibilities: 
F. Exercise such powers and perform such other functions as may be 
necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. 
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SEC. 38. Role of Local Government Units - Local government units 
shall have the following duties and responsibilities: 
A. Share the responsibility for the implementation, enforcement and 
monitoring of the provisions of this Act within their territorial jurisdictions 
such as registration and compliance monitoring of generators, transports 
and TSDFs.; 
B. Prepare a compliance scheme in accordance with their special hazardous 
waste management program; 
C. Segregation and collection of special hazardous waste; 
D. Emergency preparedness and response; and, 
E. Participate in all efforts concerning hazardous and radioactive wastes 
management. 
SEC. 39. Interagency Technical Advisory Council (IATAC) - For 
purposes of policy integration and harmonization and coordination of functions, 
there is hereby created an inter-agency technical advisory council attached to the 
Department which shall be composed of the following officials or their duly 
authorized representatives: 
1. Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources, as Chairperson 
2. Secretary of Health, as Co-Ohairperson 
3. Secretary of Science and Technology, as Co-Chairperson 
4. Secretary of Agriculture, as Member 
5. Secretary of Finance 
6. Secretary of Trade and Industry 
7. Secretary of National Defense 
8. Secretary of Foreign Affairs 
9. Secretary of Transportation and Communication 
f0. League of Cities 
11. League of Municipalities 
12. League of Provinces 
13. League of Barangays 
14.Director General of the Philippine Export Zone Authority 
15. Representative from Civil Society 
16. Representative from the Industry 
17. Representative from TSDF operators 
18. Representative from third party environmental service providers 
19. Representative from the Academe 
The IATAC shall be the have the following functions, among others: 
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(A) Formulate criteria in assessing the proposed BATlBEP to be used in 
(B) Constitute and authorize a multidisciplinary body to conduct annual audit 
to determine compliance of TSDF operators with the terms and conditions 
in the permits and licenses issued pursuant to this Act. 
SEC. 40. lATAC Technical Working Group - The IATAC shall be 
supported by a Technical Working Group (TWG) which shall be composed of 
representatives of the following: 
accordance with section 9 hereof; and, 
1, Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department 
2. Environmental and Occupational Health Office of the DOH 
3. Philippine Nuclear Research Institute of the DOST 
4. Industrial Technology Development Institute of the DOST 
5. Bureau of Soil and Water Management of the Department of Agriculture 
PA) 
6. Food and Pesticide Authority of the DA 
7. Bureau of Customs of the Department of Finance 
8. Bureau of International Trade Relations of DTI 
9. Board of Investments of the DTI 
10. Bureau of Import Services of the DTI 
11. Department of National Defense 
12. Land Transportation Office of the DOTC 
13.0ccupational Health and Safety Center of the Department of Labor and 
14. Philippine Coast Guard 
15. NGOs 
16. Industry 
17. Academe 
Employment 
The TWG shall provide technical support to the IATAC. 
SEC. 41. Linkage Mechanism - The Department and its concerned 
agencies may coordinate and enter into agreement with other government 
agencies, civil society, industrial sector and other concerned sectors in the 
furtherance of the policies of this Act. Provided, That the Department shall 
coordinate with the Department of Interior and Local Government and the 
Philippine National Police in the enforcement of the requirements for transporters 
issued pursuant to this Act. 
SEC. 42. Visitorial Powers - The Department, PNRl and DOH or its duly 
authorized representative shall have access to, and the right to copy therefrom, 
the records required to be maintained pursuant to the provisions of this Act. The 
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Secretary of the Department and DOH and director of PNRl or their authorized 
representatives shall likewise have the right to enter the premises of any 
generator, transporter, or TSDF any time to question any employee or investigate 
any fact, condition or matter which may be necessary to determine any violation, 
or which may aid in the effective enforcement of this Act and its implementing 
rules and regulations. This section shall not apply to private dwelling places 
unless the visitorial power is otherwise judicially authorized. 
CHAPTER VI1 - Permits and Fees 
SEC. 43. Permits for Treatment, Storage, or Disposal of Hazardous 
and Radioactive Wastes - (A) Any person owning an existing or a new TSDF of 
hazardous or radioactive wastes identified or listed pursuant to this Act is 
required to secure a permit or license pursuant to this section. The Department 
and PNRl shall prescribe reasonable fees for the issuance of said permit or 
license. 
(B) Duration of permit - Any permit under this section shall be issued annually 
during the first three (3) years of operation as TSDF. Thereafter, the Department 
and PNRl may issue a permit license which is valid for five (5) years to TSDF 
who has satisfactorily complied with the rules and regulations issued pursuant to 
this Act for the three (3) consecutive years: Provided, That an annual audit shall 
be conducted by a multidisciplinary body constituted and authorized by the 
IATAC created pursuant hereof. 
(C) Permit modification, suspension and revocation - The Department and PNRl 
shall modify, suspend and revoke such permit upon a determination of 
noncompliance by a TSDF with the relevant provisions of this Act or the terms 
and conditions of the permit. 
(D) lnterim status - Any person who owns a TSDF in existence prior to this Act 
which is required to have a permit under this section shall be treated as having 
been issued such permit for a period of twelve (12) months after the effectivity of 
this Act. Provided, That the required application for TSDF permit or license shall 
have been filed within the said twelve (12) month period. Provided, further, That 
this paragraph shall not apply to any facility which has been previously denied a 
TSDF permit or license or if authority to operate the facility has been previously 
terminated. 
SEC. 44. Hazardous and Radioactive Waste Transporter License - (A) 
Any person transporting any hazardous and radioactive waste is required to 
secure a waste transporter license from the Department subject to payment of 
reasonable fee. 
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(6) 
Duration of license - A waste transporter license issued under this section 
shall be valid for a period of one (1) year. 
(C) License modification, suspension and revocation - The Department and 
PNRl shall modify, suspend and revoke such license upon a determination of 
noncompliance by a transporter with the relevant provisions of this Act or the 
terms and conditions of the permit. 
A license is not required for the transport of any hazardous or radioactive waste 
on the premises where it is generated or onto a property owned by the generator 
thereof located within a one (1) km. radius from said premises or within the same 
industrial estate. Provided, That the Department is notified in writing prior to the 
transfer and a week after the transfer has been completed. Nothing in this 
section shall be interpreted to preclude the Department and the PNRl from 
inspecting unlicensed hazardous waste transporting equipment and to require 
that it be adequate to provide protection for the health of humans and the 
environment. 
SEC. 45. Hazardous Waste disposal Fee - All hazardous waste disposal 
facility shall collect, on behalf of the government, from each hazardous waste 
generator or transporter disposing such waste at the disposal site, a fee that shall 
accrue to the hazardous waste management fund. The fee shall be established 
by the Department taking into consideration the following: 
(A) To provide strong economic inducement for generators to modify their 
To cover the cost of administering hazardous and radioactive waste 
management; 
Reflect damages caused by hazardous and radioactive waste on 
the surrounding environment, including the cost of rehabilitation; 
production or management processes; 
i. 
ii. 
iii. 
Category of waste; and, 
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Classification of waste. 
The fee, which shall be established after due public consultation, shall be 
based on the quantity of waste disposed. 
SEC. 46. Prohibition against the Use of Open and Controlled Dumps 
for Hazardous and Radioactive Wastes - No open and controlled dumps shall 
be established and operated nor any practice or disposal of hazardous and 
radioactive wastes by any person, including LGUs, which constitutes the use of 
open and controlled dumps for such wastes, be allowed after the effectivity of this 
Act. 
CHAPTER VIII-- Financing Hazardous Waste Management 
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SEC. 47. Hazardous and Radioactive Waste Management Fund - 
There is hereby created a Hazardous and radioactive Waste Management Fund 
which shall be constituted from the following sources: 
(A) Fifty million pesos (P50,000,000.00) from the net income of the Philippine 
Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) after deducting the taxes 
and income share of the national government, which shall be remitted by 
PAGCOR directly to the Department in two (2) equal tranches for a period of 
two (2) years from effectivity of this Act; 
(B) Fines and penalties imposed, fees, proceeds of permits , licenses issued by 
the Department, DOH and PNRl under this Act, donations, endowments, 
grants and contributions from domestic and foreign sources; and 
(C) Amounts specifically appropriated for the Hazardous and radioactive Waste 
Management Fund under the annual General Appropriations Act. 
The Fund shall be used to finance the following: 
(A) products, facilities, technologies and processes to enhance proper 
hazardous and radioactive waste management; 
(B) awards and incentives; 
(C) research program; 
(D) information, education, communication and monitoring activities; 
(E) technical assistance; and 
(F) capacity and capability building activities. 
The DOH and the PNRl shall have a share in the Fund in connection with 
the management of hazardous healthcare and radioactive wastes in accordance 
with this Act. Specific criteria for the availment of the Fund shall be prepared by 
the Department. 
In no case, however, shall the Fund be used for the creation of positions 
or payment of salaries and wages. 
SEC. 48. Financial Liability for Environmental Rehabilitation - The 
Department shall require generators and owners of TSDFs to put up 
Environmental Guarantee Fund (EGF) as part of the Environmental Management 
Plan attached to the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) pursuant to 
Presidential Decree No. 1586 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations. The 
EGF shall finance the needs of emergency response, clean up or rehabilitation of 
areas that may be damaged during the generation, transport, treatment, storage 
or disposal of hazardous and radioactive wastes. Liability for damages shall 
continue even after the termination of the project and, until the lapse of a given 
period indicated in the ECC, as determined by the Department. 
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The EGF may be in the form of a trust fund, environmental insurance, 
surety bonds, letters of credit, self-insurance, and any other instrument which 
may be identified by the Department The choice of the guarantee instrument or 
combinations thereof shall depend, among others, on the assessment of the risks 
involved. Proponents required to put up guarantee instruments shall furnish the 
Department with evidence of availment of such instruments. 
SEC. 49. Performance Bond - Prior to issuance of the required permit to 
operate, the Department shall require transporters, owners of treatmenffstorage 
facilities to post performance bond in the amount equivalent to not less than 5% 
to 25% of their capitalization depending on whether the transporter or owner of 
treatmenffstorage facility is small, medium or large scale. The performance bond 
shall be forfeited in the event of abandonment ofisites and/or non-performance of 
post-closure requirements issued pursuant to Sec. 15 hereof. Provided, That this 
provision shall not apply to State-owned treatmentlstorage facilities and to 
recyclers identified and listed as such pursuant to this Act. 
CHAPTER X -- INCENTIVES 
SEC. 50. Rewards - Rewards, monetary or otherwise, shall be provided 
to individuals, private organizations and entities, including non-government 
organizations that have undertaken outstanding and innovative projects, 
technologies, processes and techniques or activities in hazardous and 
radioactive wastes management. Said rewards shall be sourced from the 
Hazardous and Radioactive Wastes Management Fund herein created. 
SEC. 51. Incentives Scheme - An incentive scheme is hereby provided 
for the purpose of encouraging enterprises, private entities, LGUs and NGOs to 
develop or 
undertake an effective hazardous and radioactive waste 
management, or actively participate in any program geared towards the 
promotion thereof, consistent with the objectives of this Act. 
A. Tax and Duty Exemption on Imported Capital Equipment and Vehicles - 
Within ten (IO) years upon the effectivity of this Act, enterprises, private 
entities, LGUs, and NGOs shall enjoy tax and duty-free importation of 
machinery, equipment, vehicles and spare parts used for transport, 
processing, storage and treatment of hazardous and radioactive wastes 
including cleaner production and waste minimization technologies: 
Provided, That the importation of such machinery, equipment, technology, 
vehicle and spare parts shall comply withrthe following conditions: 
They are not manufactured domestically in sufficient quantity, of 
comparable quality and at reasonable prices; 
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ii. 
They are reasonably needed and will be used actually, directly and 
exclusively for the above mentioned activities; and, 
The approval of the Board of Investment (BOI) of the DTI for the 
importation of such machinery, equipment, vehicle and spare parts. 
iii. 
Provided, further, That the sale, transfer or disposition of such machinery, 
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equipment, technology, vehicle and spare parts, without prior approval of 
the 801, within five (5) years from the date of acquisition shall be 
prohibited, otherwise, the enterprise,, private entity, LGU or NGO 
concerned and the buyer, transferee or assignee shall be solidarily liable 
to pay twice the amount of tax and duty exemption given it. 
Tax Credit on Domestic Capital Equipmenf - Within ten (IO) years from 
the effectivity of this Act, a tax credit equivalent to 50% of the value of the 
national internal revenue taxes and customs duties that would have been 
waived on the machinery, equipment, technology, vehicle and spare parts, 
had these items been imported shall be given to enterprises, private 
entities, LGUs and NGOs subject to the same conditions and prohibition 
cited in the preceding paragraph. 
Tax and Duty Exemption i f  Donations, Legacies and Gift - All legacies, 
gifts and donations to enterprises or private entities, LGUs, and NGOs, for 
the support and maintenance of the program for effective hazardous and 
radioactive waste management shall be exempt from donor's tax and shall 
be deductible in full from the gross income of the donor for income tax 
purposes. 
Financial Assistance Program - Government financial institutions such as 
the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), Landbank of the 
Philippines (LBP), Government Service #Insurance System (GSIS), and 
such other government institutions providing financial services shall, in 
accordance with and to the extent allowed by the enabling provisions of 
their respective charters or applicable laws, accord high priority to extend 
financial services to individuals, enterprises, or private entities engaged in 
hazardous, 
radioactive, medical 
and 
hazardous 
special 
waste 
management. 
Extension of Granfs to LGUs. - Cities 'or municipalities whose special 
hazardous waste management programs have been duly accredited by 
the Department or have adopted innovative waste management programs 
may be entitled to receive grants for the purpose of developing their 
technical capacities toward actively participating in the program for 
effective and sustainable waste management, 
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F. incentives fo Host LGUs. - Local government units who host common 
hazardous and radioactive waste management facilities shall be entitled to 
incentives. 
G. Tax and Duty ExempfiDn on Hazardous waste materials generated within 
and exifing from PEZA areas and other special Ecozones. - Hazardous 
waste materials generated within and exiting from PEZA areas, free ports 
and other special Ecozones intended solely for recycling or treatment and 
disposal shall enjoy tax and duty-free importation. Provided, that said 
recyclable waste materials are identified and listed in accordance with 
Section 20 of this Act. 
CHAPTER XI - Civil Liability and Penal Provisions 
SEC. 52. Generator’s /iabi/ify - The generator is primarily responsible for 
the management of hazardous and radioactive waste until said waste has been 
certified as properly treated or disposed by duly accredited TSDFs. Provided, 
That wastes that are exported outside of the country and treated and disposed in 
accordance with international agreements, the TSDFs in the country of 
destination shall issue the certificate of treatment and disposal. All other 
environmental service providers involved in the transport, treatment, storage and 
disposal of said waste shall be jointly and severally liable with the generator in 
the event of any adverse environmental impacts due to the improper 
management of the waste. 
SEC. 53. Prohibited Acts - The following acts are prohibited: 
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Discarding, throwing or dumping of hazardous or radioactive wastes, listed 
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pursuant to this Act in public places, such as roads, sidewalks, canals, 
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esteros, parks, establishments and municipal solid waste facilities, or 
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causing or permitting the same; 
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2. Undertaking activities involving the collection or transport of hazardous or 
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radioactive waste in violation of the standards and other requirements or 
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5. Transporting hazardous or radioactive waste without the required permit 
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or license pursuant to this Act; 
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waste in any vehicle, box, container or receptacle used in hazardous or 
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radioactive waste collection or disposal; 
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7. Disposal of hazardous or radioactive wastes in open and controlled dumps 
8. Transporting and dumping of collected hazardous or radioactive wastes in 
areas other than facilities prescribed under this Act; 
9. Disposal of special hazardous waste except by delivery to a retailer or 
wholesaler or to a collection or recycling facility authorized by the 
Department; 
as enjoined in this Act, or causing and permitting the same; 
10. Open burning of hazardous or radioactive hazardous wastes; 
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Transporting any hazardous or radioactive wastes to a TSDF which is not 
authorized to receive such waste pursuant to this Act; 
12.Treating, storing or disposing of any hazardous or radioactive waste 
either: (a) without permit or license to do so pursuant hereof; or (b) in 
knowing violation of any material condition or requirement of such permit 
or license; or (c) in violation of any standards promulgated pursuant to this 
Act; 
13. Making any false material statement, representation or certification in any 
application, label, permit, record, report, manifest or other document filed, 
maintained, or required to be maintained under this Act; 
14. Falsifying, tampering with, or rendering inaccurate any monitoring device 
or result therefrom used, filed, maintained, or required to be maintained 
under this Act; 
15. Generating, treating, storing, transporting, disposing of or handling any 
hazardous or radioactive wastes, and who in connection therewith 
knowingly destroying, altering or concealing any record required to be 
maintained pursuant to this Act; 
16. Owning, maintaining or operating any hazardous or radioactive waste 
disposal facility in a manner which permits any acts or hazardous waste 
management practices in violation of standards or rules and regulations 
issued pursuant to this Act; 
17.Failing to notify the Department, DOH and PNRl of hazardous or 
radioactive waste activities pursuant to section 6 hereof; 
18. Importing or causing or permitting the entry, even in transit, into Philippine 
territory in violation of the provisions of this act and its implementing rules 
and regulations and relevant international agreements and protocols; 
19. Constructing, substantially altering or operating, including all post-closure 
activities and operations specified in the rules and regulations, a 
hazardous or radioactive waste TSDF without first obtaining a permit as 
specified in this Act; and, 
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20. Site preparation, construction, expansion or operation of TSDFs without 
an Environmental Compliance Certificate required pursuant to Presidential 
Decree No. 1586 and this Act. 
For purposes of this provision, the term “hazardous waste” shall include 
special hazardous and healthcare waste. 
SEC. 54. Fines, Damages and Penalties - Unless otherwise provided 
herein, any person who commits any of the prohibited acts provided in the 
immediately preceding Section or violates any of the provision of this Act or its 
implementing rules and regulations, shall be fined by the Pollution Adjudication 
Board (PAB) in the amount not less than ten thousand (W0,OOO.OO) but not more 
than one hundred thousand pesos (PI 00,000.00) for every violation. Provided, 
That for violation of Section 53 involving prohibited act no. 1, 7, 8, 12, 16, I 9  and 
20, the fine shall be imposed for every day of violation. 
For purposes of the application of the fines, the PAB, within one (1) year 
upon the effectivity of this Act, shall establish a fine rating system to adjust the 
maximum fine based on the violator’s ability to pay, degree of willfulness, degree 
of negligence, degree of severity of the offense, history of non-compliance and 
degree of recalcitrance. 
The fines herein prescribed shall be reviewed and revised, whenever 
necessary, every three (3) years to compensate for inflation and to maintain the 
deterrent function of such fines. 
Provided, That the PAB may order I the closure, suspension of 
development or construction, or cessation of operations until such time that 
proper environmental safeguards are put in place and/or compliance with the Act 
or its rules and regulations are undertaken. This paragraph shall be without 
prejudice to the issuance of an ex parte order for such closure, suspension of 
development or construction, or cessation of operations during the pendency of 
the case. 
Provided, further, That if the prohibited act undertaken shall require clean- 
up and rehabilitation, the offender shall also be required to restore or 
compensate for the restoration of the area. The PAB may also award such 
damages as it may deem just under the circumstances in favor of the private 
complainant in the case. 
In case of gross violation of this Act, the PAB shall issue a resolution 
recommending that the proper government agencies file criminal charges against 
the violators. Gross violation shall mean any of the following: 
a. Deliberate disposal of hazardous or radioactive waste without the required 
permit issued pursuant to this Act; 
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b. three (3) or more violations referred to in items 1, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13 and 14 of 
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sec. 53 hereof within a period of two (2) years; or 
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c. blatant disregard of the orders of the PAB, such as the non-payment of 
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fines, breaking of seals, or operation of the source of pollution despite the 
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existence of an order for closure, discontinuance or cessation of 
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an authorized Department representative. 
In which case, offenders shall be punished a fine of not less than one 
hundred pesos (PlOO,OOO.OO) 
but not more than three million pesos 
(p3,000,000.00) 
and/or with imprisonment of not less than three (3) years but not 
more than ten (IO) years at the discretion of the court. If the offender is a juridical 
person, the chief executive officer and the pollution control officer or its 
equivalent shall suffer the penalty herein provided. Provided, finally, That the 
officers and incorporators of TSDFs who violated the post-closure requirements 
issued pursuant to Sec. 15 hereof shall be banned from setting up TSDFs and 
hazardous and radioactive waste transport companies, and engaging in the 
operation of the same. 
prescribed above, be deported without further administrative proceedings. 
The fines herein prescribed shall be reviewed and revised, whenever necessary, 
every three (3) years to compensate for inflation and to maintain the deterrent 
function of such fines. 
If the offender is an alien, he or she shall, after service of the sentence 
SEC. 55. Administrative Sanctions - Local government officials and 
officials of government agencies concerned who fail to comply with and enforce 
rules and regulations promulgated relative to this Act shall be charged 
administratively in accordance with R. A. 7160 and other existing laws, rules and 
regulations. 
SEC. 56. Administrative Action - Without prejudice to the right of any 
affected person to file an administrative action, the Department, DOH and PNRl 
shall, on its own instance or upon verified complaint by any person, institute 
administrative and civil proceedings against any person who violates: 
a. Standards or limitation provided under this Act; or 
b. Any order, rule or regulation issued by the Department, DOH or PNRl with 
respect to such standard or limitation. 
SEC. 57. Citizen Suits - For purposes of enforcing the provisions of this 
Act or its implementing rules and regulations, any citizen may file an appropriate 
civil, criminal or administrative action in the proper courts or bodies against the 
following: 
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(a) Any person who violates or fails to comply with the provisions of this Act 
(b) The Department or other implementing agencies with respect to orders, 
(c) Any public officer who willfully or grossly neglects the performance of an 
act specifically enjoined as a duty by this Act or its implementing rules and 
regulations; or abuses his authority in the Performance of his duty; or, in 
any manner, improperly performs his {duties under this Act or its 
implementing rules and regulations: Provided, however, That no suit can 
be filed until after a thirty-day (30) notice has been given to the public 
officer and the alleged violator concerned and no appropriate action has 
been taken thereon. 
The court shall exempt such action from the payment of filing fees, except 
fees for actions not capable of pecuniary estimations, and shall, likewise, upon 
prima facie showing of the non-enforcement or violation complained of, exempt 
the plaintiff from the filing of an injunction bond for the issuance of a preliminary 
injunction. 
Within thirty (30) days, the court shall make a determination if the 
complaint herein is malicious and/or baseless and shall accordingly dismiss the 
action and award attorney’s fees and damages. 
or its implementing rules and regulations; or 
rules and regulations issued inconsistent with this Act; or 
SEC. 58. Suits And Strategic Legal Action Against Public 
Participation (SLAPP) And The Enforcement Of This Act - Where a suit is 
brought against a person who filed an action as provided in Sec. 57 of this Act, or 
against any person, institution or government agency that implements this Act, it 
shall be the duty of the investigating prosecutor or the court, as the case may be, 
to immediately make a determination not exceeding thirty (30) days whether said 
legal action has been filed to harass, vex, exert undue pressure or stifle such 
legal recourses of the person complaining of or] enforcing the provisions of this 
act. Upon determination thereof, evidence warranting the same, the court shall 
dismiss the case and award attorney’s fees and double damages. 
This provision shall also apply and benefit public officers who are sued for 
acts committed in their official capacity, there being no grave abuse of authority, 
and done in the course of enforcing this act. 
CHAPTER XI1 -- Miscellaneous Provisions 
SEC. 59. Mandatory Public Hearings - Mandatory public hearings for the 
Framework shall be undertaken in accordance with the process to be formulated 
by the Department. 
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SEC. 60. Research on Hazardous and 
Radioactive 
Waste 
Management - The Department, after consultations with the cooperating 
agencies, shall encourage, cooperate with, and render financial and other 
assistance to appropriate government and private agencies, institutions and 
individuals in the conduct and promotion of researches, experiments, and other 
studies on hazardous and radioactive waste management, particularly those 
relating to: 
(a) adverse health welfare effects of the release into the environment of 
hazardous and radioactive wastes, and methods to eliminate said effects 
or minimize the health risks; 
(b) the operation and financing of hazardous1 and radioactive waste disposal 
(c) the planning, implementatidn and operation of resource recovery and 
(d) the production of usable forms of recovered resources, including fuel from 
(e) the development and application of new and improve methods of 
collecting, separating and disposing of hazardous and radioactive wastes 
and processing and recovering materials and energy from hazardous and 
radioactive wastes; 
programs; 
resource conservation systems; 
hazardous waste; 
(f) cleaner production technologies; 
(9) improvements in land disposal practices for hazardous and radioactive 
(h) development of new uses of recovered 
~ resources and identification of 
existing or potential markets of recovered resources. 
In carrying out hazardous and radioactive waste researches and studies, 
the Department, DOH and PNRl or their authorized representatives may award 
grants or enter into contracts, with government agencies, non-government 
organizations and private persons. 
SEC. 61. Public Education and lnformation - The Department, PNRl 
and DOH, in coordination with Department of Education (DepEd), TESDA, 
Commission on Higher Education (CHED), DlLG and Philippine lnformation 
Authority (PIA) and LGUs, shall conduct a continuing education and information 
campaign on hazardous and radioactive waste management. Such education 
and information program shall: 
a. Aim to develop public awareness of the impacts of hazardous and 
radioactive wastes and how to prevent or minimize their adverse effects; 
wastes; and 
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b. Concentrate on activities which are feasible and which will have the 
greatest impact on the hazardous and radioactive waste management; 
and 
c. Encourage the general public, accredited NGOs and POs to publicly 
endorse and patronize environment friendly products. 
SEC. 62. Environmental Education in1 the Formal and Non-formal 
Sectors -The national government, through the DepEd and in coordination with 
concerned government agencies, NGOs and private institutions, shall strengthen 
the integration of environmental concerns in school curricula at all levels, with 
particular emphasis on hazardous and radioactive waste management principles 
in order to promote environmental awareness and action among the citizenry. 
SEC. 63. Business and lndusw Role - The Department, DOH and PNRl 
shall encourage commercial and industrial establishments, through appropriate 
incentives other than tax incentives, to initiate, participate and invest in integrated 
hazardous and radioactive waste management projects, to manufacture 
environment-friendly products, to introduce, develop and adopt innovative 
processes that shall recycle and re-use materials, conserve raw materials and 
energy, reduce waste, and prevent pollution, and to undertake community 
activities to promote and propagate effective hazardous and radioactive waste 
management practices. 
CHAPTER Xlll - Final Provisions 
SEC. 64. lmplementing Rules and Regulations - Within one (I) 
year 
after the effectivity of this Act, the Department, DOH and PNRI, in coordination 
with the Committees on Environment and Ecology of the Senate and House of 
Representatives, respectively, shall promulgate the implementing rules and 
regulations of this Act: Provided, That rules and regulations issued by other 
government agencies and instrumentalities relative to hazardous and radioactive 
waste management consistent with this act shall supplement the rules and 
regulations issued by the DENR, PNRl and DOH pursuant to the provisions of 
this Act. 
There shall be a mandatory review' of the implementing rules and 
regulations and standards set pursuant to the provisions of this Act. 
SEC. 65. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee - There is hereby 
created a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee to monitor the 
implementation of this Act. The Committee shall be composed of five (5) 
Senators and five (5) Representatives to be appointed by the Senate President 
and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively. The Oversight 
Committee shall be co-chaired by a Senator and a Representative designated by 
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the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, 
respectively. 
SEC. 66. Transitory Provision - Pending the establishment of the 
Framework under Sec. 8 hereof, and promulgation of implementing rules and 
regulations of this Act, pertinent existing laws, regulations, programs and projects 
on hazardous and radioactive waste management shall be enforced. Provided, 
That for specific undertaking, the same may be revised in the interim in 
accordance with the intentions of this Act. 
SEC. 67. Report to Congress - The Department shall report to Congress, 
not later than March 30 of every year following the approval of this Act, giving a 
detailed account of its accomplishments and progress on hazardous and 
radioactive waste management during the year and make the necessary 
recommendations in areas where there is need for legislative action.. 
SEC. 68. Separability Clause - If any provision of this Act or the 
application of such provision to any person 1 or circumstances is declared 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the Act or the1 application of such provision to 
other persons or circumstances shall not be affected by such declaration. 
SEC. 69. Repealing Clause - Republic Act No. 6969, Executive Order 
No. 192, Republic Act No. 9003, Republic Act No. 7160, and Republic Act No. 
2067, as amended, are partly modified. All laws, decrees, issuances, rules and 
regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with i the provisions of this Act are 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly: 
SEC. 70. Effectivity CIause - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation 
Approved, 
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