The ordinance requiring the use of lead safe paints in construction, maintenance, and renovation projects in the city will be tackled on third reading this week.
The proponent of the ordinance is councilor Pilar Braga, a member of the committee on trade, commerce and industry committee.
The ordinance covers the procurement and used certified lead safe paints, including enamels, glazes, lacquers, primers, stains, varnishes and other surface coatings, for publicly funded construction, maintenance and renovation projects and activities undertaken by the local government through its employees, contractors, and services providers, as well as partners from the public and private sectors including the privately funded constructions.
Prohibited acts listed in the proposed ordinances are manufacturing, distributing, and selling of paints containing lead above the regulatory limit of 90 parts per million; procuring and purchasing paints that lack independent proof of compliance with the regulatory standard on lead in paint; and donating and receiving paints without the necessary certificate of compliance with the lead paint regulation.
Using uncertified lead-containing paints in decorating and constructing public and private facilities and amenities, including but not limited to, schools, daycare centers, children’s park and playgrounds, health centers, sports complexes, and covered multipurpose courts, residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings are also forbidden.
First time violators will be fined P5,000, with repeat offenders threatened with imprisonment of up to 30 days.
Third time offenders will be imprisoned for up to six months.
Braga said that the ordinance aims to reduce the exposure of toxic lead.
