Senators are appealing for bipartisan support on banning and cirminalizing the use and production of chemical weapons in the country.

In a press release on Wednesday, November 6, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada called for bipartisan support for his bill on the said outlaw activities related to the use and manufacture of chemical weapons to control toxic substances that can be used for the production of weapons. The proposal is aimed at banning the “development, production, possession, transfer, and use of chemical weapons” within the country.

Under Senate Bill No. 2871 or the Chemical Weapons Prohibition Act, authorities can enforce offenses, set penalties, and outline procedures related to the chemical industry.

"Layunin natin na huwag magamit ang dual-use chemicals sa pagbuo ng mapaminsalang chemical weapons. Hindi natin nais na bigyan ng dagdag na pasanin o pigilan ang paglago ng ating local chemical industry, lalo't ito ay isa sa pinakamalaking manufacturing sub-sector sa bansa na kinabibilangan ng 1,400 chemical manufacturing firms at 147,000 direct employees,”Estrada said.

According to the Senate, the bill’s enactment is obligated by the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). Despite this, the national legislation needed to fully enforce the bill is still pending in Congress.

Estrada said the measure provides authorities to manage chemicals of security concern, including tools to prevent, respond to, and manage chemical incidents that concern national security and regional stability.

“This acts as a deterrence as the bill provides stiff penalties for violations, in consonance with the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, and the Strategic Trade Management Act (STMA). The bill seeks to effectively reduce the threat of chemical terrorism and ensure that advancements in chemistry will only be for peaceful purposes," Estrada said.