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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippines is well known for its extraordinary beaches. Hence, the beaches, 
especially those used most by the public, should be tested to make sure the water is safe 
for swimming for both locals and tourists. 
This bill requires the Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural 
Resources (DENR) to: (I) prepare an annual assessment of the compliance of local 
governments with program requirements; (2) update within 12 months after the 
effectivity of this Act and biennially after the enactment, the list indicating which coastal 
recreational waters adjacent to beaches used by the public are, and which of such waters 
are not, subject (0 a monitoring and notification program; and (3) study and report to 
Congress on the long-term impact of climate change on pollution of coastal recreational 
waters. 
This bill further proposes a 2012 deadline for (he DENR Secretary to complete its 
validation of.a rapid testing method, which would provide beachgoers with same day 
informatioq on beach water safety. 1 
I This bill was originally filed in the third regular session oflhe 14"' Congress. 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
s.No.1808 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING PROGRAMS FOR BEACH MONITORING 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SE<;:TION I. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Clean Coastal 
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Environment and Public Health Act." 
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SECTION 2. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall 
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mean: 
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(A) Rapid Testing Method means a method of testing the water quality of coastal 
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recreation waters for which results are available as soon as practicable and not 
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more than 2 hours after the commencement of the rapid testing method; 
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(B) Secretary means the Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural 
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Resources; 
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SECTION 3. Contents of Monitoring and Notification Programs. - A program for 
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monitoring and notification shall include monitoring consistent with the performance 
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criteria as determined by the Secretary, public notification, source tracking, sanitary 
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surveys, and prevention efforts to address identified sources of contamination by 
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pathogens and pathogen indicators in coastal recreation waters adjacent to beaches or 
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similar points of access that are used by the public. 
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SECTION 4. Validation of Rapid Testing Methods. - Not later than 30 December 
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two year after the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary shall complete an evaluation and 
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validation of a rapid testing method for the water quality criteria and standards for 
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pathogens and pathogen indicators. 
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SECTION 5. Guidance for Use of Rapid Testing Methods. - Not later than 180 
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days after the date of completion of the validation and after providing notice and an 
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opportunity for public comment, the Secretary shall publish guidance for the use at 
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coastal recreation waters adjacent to beaches or similar points of access that are used by 
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the public of rapid testing methods that will enhance the protection of public health and 
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safety through rapid public notification of any exceedance of applicable water quality 
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standards for pathogens and pathogen indicators. 
lOrn developing guidance, the Secretary shall reqUIre the use of rapid testing 
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methods at those beaches or similar points of access that are the most used by the public. 
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SECTION 6. Information Dissemination. -
The Secretary shall provide 
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information to the public about coastal recreation waters, which is publicly accessible and 
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searchable on the rnternet; organized by beach or similar point of access; identifies 
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applicable water quality standards, monitoring protocols, sampling plans and results, and 
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the number and cause of coastal recreation water closures and advisory days; and updated 
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within 24 hours of the availability of revised information; 
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SECTION 7. National List of Beaches. - Not later than I year after the effectivity 
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of this Act, the Secretary shall make a National List of Beaches, which shall be updated 
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biennially. 
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SECTION 8. Compliance Review. - On or before 31 July of each calendar year 
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beginning after the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary shall: 
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(A) prepare a written assessment of compliance with all statutory and regulatory 
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requirements ofthis Act for each local government; 
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(B) notify the local government of each such assessment; and 
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eC) make each of the assessments available to the public in a searchable database 
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on the Internet on or before 31 December of the applicable calendar year. 
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SECTION 9. Impact of Climate Change on the Pollution of Coastal Recreation 
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Waters. - The Secretary shall conduct a study on the long-term impact of climate change 
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on pollution of coastal recreation waters. A report on the study shall be submitted to 
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Congress. 
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The report shall include infonnation on potential contaminant impacts on ground 
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and surface water resources; and public and ecosystem health in coastal communities. 
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The report shall also address monitoring required to document and assess changing 
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conditions of coastal water resources, recreational waters, and ecosystems; and review 
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the current ability to assess and forecast impacts associated with long-tenn change. 
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SECTION 10. Impact of Algae on Coastal Recreation Waters. - Not later than 1 
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year after the date of effectivity of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a 
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study on the impact of algae on coastal recreation waters. The following should be 
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considered in preparing the study: (a) quantify the levels of algae that cause problems at 
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recreational beaches; and (b) quantify the concentrations of phosphorus that may be 
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associated with algae problems; 
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SECTION I I. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act is held 
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invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the Act or the provision not otherwise 
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affected shall remain valid and subsisting. 
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SECTION 12. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
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executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, 
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or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
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accordingly. 
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SECTION 13. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
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after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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