Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.  9943 
Introduced by CIBAC Party-List Representative 
Hon. Eduardo “Bro. Eddie” C. Villanueva 
         EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Water is life. Despite being a water rich country many Filipinos especially its workforce 
has inaccessibility to a safe, potent, and free drinking water. United Nations General Assembly 
explicitly recognized the human right to water and acknowledged that clean drinking water and 
sanitation are essential to the realization of all human rights. 
Every employer in the country including all government offices should provide a safe 
drinking water within its workplace free of charge. There should be a free refilling station in the 
aforementioned establishments where patrons may refill their own water flasks. This policy may 
even dramatically reduce the use of single-use plastic bottles that are harmful to our environment. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
EDUARDO “BRO. EDDIE” C. VILLANUEVA 
February 19, 2024
2:15 pm


Republic of the Philippines  
    HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
    Quezon City, Metro Manila 
     NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
House Bill No. 9943 
Introduced by CIBAC Party-List Representative 
Hon. Eduardo “Bro. Eddie” C. Villanueva 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT 
REQUIRING ALL EMPLOYERS IN THE COUNTRY, BOTH IN PUBLIC AND 
PRIVATE SECTORS, TO PROVIDE FREE DRINKING WATER TO ALL ITS 
EMPLOYEES 
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 “Libreng Malinis na Inuming 
Tubig para sa mga Empleyado Act.” 
Section 2. Declaration of Policy. – Access to water is a basic human right. The State 
recognizes the need to promote an accessible and free drinking water to all Filipino employees 
throughout the country. 
Section 3. Definition of Terms. – As used under this Act, the following words or terms shall 
have the following meanings: 
a.
Drinking Water – water intended for direct human consumption or for use in food
preparation or related processes and with quality within the standard limits set in
accordance with Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water of 2017 by the
Department of Health.
b. Employers – is any person or entity who employs the services of others and pays them
wages or salaries or one for whom an employee works. It includes owners/proprietors of
private businesses, commercial, trade, industrial or service establishments such as, but
not limited to, malls, stores, pharmacies, factories, restaurants, hotels, inns and the like
likes.
c.
Employee – refers to any worker disregarding the nature of employment including
permanent, regular, contractual, job order, and the likes.


Section 4. Free Drinking Water for all employees. –  All employers in the private and public 
offices are mandated to provide free, safe and potent drinking water for all its employees within 
the vicinity of their workplace. 
Employers are prohibited from taking off any amount against the salaries and allowances or 
benefits of the employee for the consumption of the drinking water. 
Section 5. Penalties. –  Any person, entity or agency who fails to comply with the 
provisions of Section 4 of this Act shall be punished with a fine of not less than Two Hundred 
Thousand (P200,000.00) but not more than Five Hundred Thousand (P500,000.00) and an 
imprisonment of not more than six (6) months.  
Section 6. Implementing Agencies. – The Department of Labor and Employment and the 
Department of Health shall lead the implementation of this Act. 
Section 7. If, for any reason, any part or provision of this Act is declared invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full force and 
effect.  
  
Section 8. All other laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations 
contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are repealed or modified accordingly.  
  
Section 9.  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official 
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.  
  
Approved,