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Republic of the Philippines a RECEIVED
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
DATE 26 AUG 205 _

Quezon City, Metro Manila

‘Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO. 4049

Introduced by Representative RAYMOND ADRIAN SALCEDA

AN ACT
ENSURING UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO SAFE AND RELIABLE WATER SUPPLY

ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS NATIONWIDE, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The right to education cannot be fully realized without ensuring the health, dignity, and
well-being of every leamer. Access to safe and reliable water in schools is fundamental not
only for hydration, but also for sanitation, nutrition, and protection against disease. The absence
of water in classrooms, toilets, and kitchens undermines student performance, teacher welfare,
and public health.

According to the Department of Education’s (DepEd) own assessments, thousands of
public schools across the country — particularly those in geographically isolated and
disadvantaged areas (GIDAs), small islands, and upland barangays — still lack access to safe
and adequate water supply. Many rely on intermittent deliveries, unsafe open wells, or have no
water facilities at all. This condition disproportionately affects rural children, who already face
the greatest barriers to quality education.

Global evidence reinforces this urgent need. The World Health Organization (WHO)
and UNICEF emphasize that access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in schools
directly improves student learning outcomes, reduces absenteeism, especially among girls, and
strengthens resilience against disease outbreaks. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted even
more starkly the risks of inadequate hygiene infrastructure in schools.

This bill therefore proposes the Water for All Schools Act, which seeks to guarantee
universal access to safe, reliable, and climate-resilient water supply in all public schools
nationwide. It mandates the installation of potable drinking water facilities, hygiene and
sanitation systems, and climate-adaptive solutions such as rainwater harvesting and solar-



powered pumps in GIDA schools. It also requires the conduct of a national inventory of water
access in schools within one year, to establish a baseline and guide planning.

To ensure accountability, the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher
Education (CHED), in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department
of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), shall submit annual reports to Congress on progress
towards achieving 100% coverage. Partnerships with local governments, water districts,
cooperatives, and the private sector are also encouraged to complement national resources.

By passing this measure, Congress will affirm the principle that no child should be
deprived of a safe and supportive learning environment simply because of where they are born.
Water in schools is not a luxury — it is a right, a necessity, and a precondition for learning.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is eamestly sought.

RAYMON) SALCEDA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BiLL No. 4049

Introduced by Representative RAYMOND ADRIAN SALCEDA

AN ACT
ENSURING UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO SAFE AND RELIABLE WATER SUPPLY IN
ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS NATIONWIDE, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “Water for All Schools Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to uphold
the right of every Filipino child to safe, adequate, and sustainable water supply in schools, as
essential for health, sanitation, nutrition, and learning. The State shall ensure that all public
schools are equipped with functioning water systems consistent with standards of safety,
reliability, and climate resilience.

SEC. 3. Coverage. This Act shall apply to all public elementary and secondary schools
under the Department of Education (DepEd), and all state universities and colleges (SUCs)
under the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

SEC. 4. Water Access Mandate. All schools covered by this Act shall have:

(a) Potable drinking water facilities, accessible to all learners and personnel;

(b) Water for sanitation and hygiene, including toilets, handwashing facilities, and
kitchens;

(c) Climate-resilient water systems, capable of operating during droughts, floods, or
disasters, through rainwater harvesting, storage tanks, and other appropriate technologies; and

(4) Monitoring and quality assurance, to ensure water safety consistent with
Department of Health (DOH) standards.


SEC. 5. Water Access in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs).
For schools in remote, island, upland, or water-scarce areas, DepEd, CHED, and the
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), in coordination with the DOH, the
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Department of Science and
Technology (DOST), shall implement alternative water solutions, including but not limited to:

(a) rainwater harvesting systems;

(b) solar-powered water pumps;

(0) water purification and filtration technologies; and

(d) partnerships with local water districts, cooperatives, and barangay water systems.

SEC. 6. School Water Access Inventory. Within one (1) year from the effectivity of this
Act, DepEd and CHED, in coordination with DPWH and DOH, shall conduct a nationwide
inventory of water access in schools, identifying those without adequate and safe water supply.
The results shall serve as the baseline for program planning and annual reporting.

SEC. 7. Funding. The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be
charged against the appropriations of DepEd, CHED, DPWH, and DOH in the annual General
Appropriations Act. For schools in GIDAS, priority access to disaster risk reduction and climate
adaptation funds shall be provided.

SEC. 8. Partnerships. The DepEd, CHED, DPWH, and DOH shall be authorized to
enter into partnerships with local government units, water districts, cooperatives, and the
private sector to implement water access projects for schools.

SEC. 9. Reporting. The DepEd and CHED shall submit an annual report to Congress
on the status of water access in schools, including progress in achieving 100% coverage,
challenges encountered, and recommendations for further legislation.

SEC. 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within ninety (90) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the DepEd, CHED, DOH, and DPWH, in consultation with relevant
stakeholders, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for its implementation.

SEC. 11. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional
or invalid, the remaining provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 12. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 13. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,