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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
Second Regular Session 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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S E N A T E  
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Introduced by Senator Manuel “Lito” M. Lapid 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article 14, Section 10 of the 1987 Constitution provides that “Science and 
technology are essential for national development and progress.” As such the 
State shall give priority to research and development and their utilization for the 
improvement of the lives and welfare of the general public. 
Furthermore, Article II, Section 16 provides that “The State shall protect and 
advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord 
with the rhythm and harmony of nature.” 
One precious resource that needs to be conserved is our precious potable water 
resource. From the macro perspective, scientific studies indicate that about 97.5% of all 
water on earth is salt water, leaving only 2.5% as fresh water. Of these available 2.5% 
freshwater, nearly 70% is frozen in the icecaps of Antartica and Greenland while most 
of the remaining freshwater is present as soil moisture, or lies in deep underground 
aquifers as groundwater not accessible to human use. 
As such, less than 1% of the world‘s fresh water is accessible for direct human 
consumption and utilization. This is the water found in our lakes, rivers, reservoirs and 
those underground sources that are shallow enough to be tapped at an affordable cost. 
Only this amount is regularly renewed by rain and snowfall and is therefore available on 
a sustainable basis. 
According to a World Bank report, more than a billion people which is almost 
one-fifth of the worlds population lack access to safe drinking water, and 40 percent 
lack access to basic sanitation. As such, water shortage is becoming a perennial 
problem in our country with the growing scarcity of potable water in urban centers as 
well as rural areas. As human population increases, the difficulty of providing an 
adequate supply of clean water will become even more acute. 
Ironically, despite the obvious problem of scarce water resources all over the 
world, every year billions of liters of precious drinking water are wasted in the flushing of 
urinals and cleaning our restrooms. Research findings indicate that at the average, one 
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urinal can consume over 100,000 liters of water every year. Each time we flush or 
urinals, about 6 to 12 liters of water is used. The average commercial urinal flushes 
about 50 times per day which equates to more than 100,000 liters of precious water that 
is wasted every year. 
save an average of 40,000 gallons of water per year with just one urinal. 
Interestingly, available waterless technologies in the market can help consumers 


In waterless urinal technologies, urine flows down the bowl of the urinal past a 
debris-catching strainer. The urine then passes through a sealing liquid, usually a 
specially designed oil based fluid or simply vegetable oil, and collects in the waste pipe 
below. The different densities of urine and oil mean that the urine sinks through the 
sealing liquid and the oil floats on top of the layer of urine below. Any air bubbles rise to 
the top and escape leaving the urine in a relatively low oxygen environment. Odor is 
therefore trapped below the oil layer and cannot find the nose of bathroom occupants. 
This proposed measure seeks to promote research and development (R&D) on 
the utilization of waterless technologies to be used in our restrooms in order to conserve 
our precious water resources. This bill gives emphasis on the utilization of our precious 
water resource which is identified as one of the critical resources affected by the global 
warming phenomenon. It seeks to promote the utilization of waterless urinal 
technologies to be used in our establishments in order to conserve our potable water 
and preserve our environment. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought. 
M 
Senator 
L' 


Introduced by Senator Manuel “Lito” M. Lapid 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM FOR THE PROMOTION 
OF WATERLESS TECHNOLOGIES TO CONSERVE PRECIOUS WATER 
RESOURCES, 
PROVIDING 
ENABLING 
MECHANISMS 
FOR 
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSE 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. 
Technology Act of 2009”. 
Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Waferless 
SEC. 2. 
Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State 
to advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the 
rhythm and harmony of nature. The State shall ensure the protection, conservation and 
sustainability of our water resources. It shall promote the efficient use of water 
resources and adopt waterless technologies. 
Towards this end, the State commits itself to the adoption of state-of-the art 
technologies and promote the development of modern, appropriate and cost-effective 
and environment friendly technology. 
SEC. 3. 
are defined as follows: 
Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms 
(1) 
Department - refers to the Department of Science and Technology 
(DOST); 
Secrefary - refers to the Secretary of the Department of Science and 
Technology (DOST); 
(2) 
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(3) 
waterless Urinal Technologies - For purposes of this Act, the term 
“Waterless Urinal Technologies” refer to gadgets specifically designed 
and formulated to neutralize and encapsulate urine odor. It works by 
countering and neutralizing the ammonia oxide coming from urine with its 
proprietary elements and at the same time releasing fragrant smell to 
completely eliminate any smell. Waterless urinal technologies operate with 
absolutely no water. In waterless urinal technologies, urine flows down the 
bowl of the urinal past a debris-catching strainer. The urine then passes 
through a sealing liquid, usually a specially designed oil based fluid or 
simply vegetable oil, and collects in the waste pipe below. The different 
densities of urine and oil mean that the urine sinks through the sealing 
liquid and the oil floats on top of the layer of urine below. Any air bubbles 
rise to the top and escape leaving the urine in a relatively low oxygen 
environment. 
SEC. 4. 
Comprehensive Research and Development (R&D) 
on 
Waterless Technology Applied in Commercial Use. - The Department, together with 
the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and other concerned 
government agencies shall establish a research and development program that 
promotes the utilization and use of waterless technologies in order to conserve water 
resources. 
The research and development program shall include the following areas of 
study: 
1, 
Existing waterless technologies and processes available in the market that 
enable the efficient conservation of water resources; 
Behavioral, social and economic enabling factors that promote the greater 
utilization of waterless technologies; 
Impact of legislation on consumer behavior and utilization of waterless 
technologies; 
Technologies and processes likely to achieve the greatest increases in 
water use efficiency and conservation. 
2. 
3. 
4. 
The Secretary shall support research and development (R&D) activities to 
expand the knowledge and understanding of waterless technology to be used 
commercially, including a renewed investment into advance technology research in 
order to adopt state-of-the-art technologies to promote the conservation of water 
resources 
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For purposes of this Act, the Secretary is hereby mandated to conduct a 
comprehensive information, education and communication (IEC) campaign on the 
benefits of waterless technology applied in commercial use. 
SEC. 5. 
Promotion of Technology Transfer of Waterless Technology. - 
Technology transfer shall be facilitated under this Act. 
The Department is hereby mandated to undertake the following activities to 
promote technology transfer: 
1. 
Facilitate the adoption of waterless technologies and processes to 
2. 
Collect and disseminate information on waterless technologies and 
processes to promote water use efficiency and conservation such as: 
a. 
Incentives 
and 
impediments 
to 
development 
and 
promote water use efficiency and conservation; 
commercialization; 
Best practices in the utilization of waterless technologies; and 
Anticipated increases in water use efficiency and conservation 
resulting from the implementation of specific technologies and 
processes. 
b. 
c. 
SEC. 6. 
Designation as “Environment - Friendly Establishment”! - The 
Department shall certify an establishment that utilizes waterless urinal technologies as 
“Environment-Friendly €sfablishment”. An establishment that utilizes waterless 
technology may use the designation “Environment-Friendly Establishment” in its 
promotional and marketing materials. The establishment shall submit proof of 
compliance to the Department, which shall thereafter issue the certificate. 
The 
Department 
shall 
maintain 
a 
list 
of 
“Environment-Friendly 
Establishments” and make the list available for public inspection. 
SEC. 7. 
Informational, Education, Communication (IEC) Materials. - 
The Department, in coordination with the various local government units, is mandated to 
develop and formulate, produce and make available relevant information and materials 
to inform establishments and the general public of the benefits of utilizing waterless 
technologies to conserve precious water resources. 
SEC. 8. 
Appropriation. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions 
of this Act shall be included and incorporated in the annual general appropriations of the 
Department. 
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SEC. 9. 
Implementing Rules and Regulafions (IRR). - Within six (6) 
months from the date of effectivity of this Act, the Department, in consultation with the 
Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Trade and 
Industry, shall promulgate the necessary implementing rules and regulations to 
implement the provisions of this Act. 
SEC. I O .  
Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees and executive orders 
inconsistent with this provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 11. 
Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act, or the 
application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held unconstitutional or invalid, the 
remainder of this Act shall not be affected thereby. 
SEC. 12. 
Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
from the date of its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) 
national newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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