$$axn*saessWorld
Mot{. ocT. 21, 2019
Party-list le$slator propose s
asbestos ban in construction
A PARTY-LIST legislator represeltilg or-
ganized labor has filed a bill seeking to ban
the use of asbestos in most construction ap-
plications,
TUCP Partytist Rep. Raymond C Mendoza
filed House Bill No. 2636, $'hich if passed will
become the Ban Asbestos Act of 20lq in a bid
to protect from asbestos exposure shipbuild-
ers, construction workers, plumbers, electri-
cians and auto workers, amongothers.
The bill will authorize the .Depa*ment
of Health and members of an inter-agency
council to propose.regulations prohibi{ing
asbestos imports, manufacturin& processing,
use, or distribution for commercial purposes.
The Health department may grant exemp-
tions to the Department ofNalional Defense;
^ n4op*<r/ea
if there are no reasonable alternatives to any
asbestos-containing product; if the use of
sueh a product will do no environmental or
health damage; and the use of such products
otherwisd complies with othel regrlations.
The measure would also allow anyone to
file charges for any damage or harm due to
violation of t}Ie proposed law
-TheSiE proposes to penalize violators with
a fine of betweel P100,000 and Pl million
and/or imprisonment of three months to
three years.
The current rules in force are outlined in
the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources' Admidstrctive Order 2000-02
dated Jan. 6 2OOO, limiting the use of asbes-
tos. - Vince Angeld C, Ferreras