Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HousEblLiNo.   5280
Introduced by HON. LINABELLE RUTH R. VILLARICA
4TH DISTRICT, BULACAN
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Employers  must  provide  employees  with  safe  drinking  water  in  recognition  of the
United  Nations  General  Assembly's  declaration  that  safe  and  clean `drinking  water  and
sanitation is a human right essential to the full enjoyment of life.  This legally entitles everyone
to  sufficient,  safe,  acceptable  and  accessible  drinking  water,  including  employees  in  their
workplaces.  This also considers that drinking fluids is vital for normal body functioning which
is important to maintain the good health and productivity of employees.
The provision of free and safe drinking water to employees, however, should not be
limited  to  established  office  spaces,  but  should  also  be  employed  to  workplaces  that  are
temporary, remote or mobile.   Labor Advisory No, 03, series of 2016 of the Department of
Labor and Employment (DOLE) provides for safety and health measures to prevent control
and heat stress at the workplace, especially for those engaged in working outdoors who suffer
from prolonged exposure to extreme heat.
This proposed bill mandates all employers to provide free, safe and accessible drinking
water  to  all  their  employees  during  working  hours,  regardless  of place  of assignment  of
workstations, with the qualifications that the water provided will strictly adhere to established
standards for drinking water quality, or the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water
(PNSDW).
This bill was filed during the 1 7th and 1 8th Congresses but due to time constraints no
further action was taken on it.  This is re-filed for the consideration of the 19th Congress.
Support for tile enactment of this measure is earnestly requested.
ndJjin
REP. LINABELLE RUTH R. VILLARICA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
5280
HOUSE BILL No.
Introduced by HON. LINABELLE RUTH R. VILLARICA
4th District, Bulacan
AN ACT MANDATING ALL EMPLOYEES IN THE PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTORS,
INCLUDING ALL GOVEENMENT OFFICES, AGENCIES AND
INSTRUMENTALITIES, TO PROVIDE, FREE OF CHARGE, CLEAN, HEALTHY,
SUFFICIENT AND ACCESSIBLE DRINKING WATER TO ALL ITS EMPLOYEES
Be  it  enacted by  the  Senate  and  House  Of Represertlatives  Of the  Philippines  in Congress '
assembled:
SECTION  1, Sfeor/  rz.//e.  ~ This Act shall be known as the "Water for all Employees
Act".
SEC. 2. Dec/czr¢f!.o# a/Po/j.ey.  ~ It is the declared policy of the State to promote and
protect the right of health and the general welfare of all citizens.
The State shall protect and promote the rights of workers as labor is a primary social
economic force.   It shall ensure that all employees are provided with clean, health, sufficient
and accessible drinking water.
SEC. 3. De/3#ztj.o# a/rerrms. -As used in this Act:
(a)  Drinking water -refers to water that is compliant with Administrative Order No. 2017-
0010  issued  by  the  Department  of Health  (DOH)  Office  of the  Secretary  or  the
"Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water" (PNSDW); and
(b) Employee - refers to any employee or worker regardless of the nature of employment,
including regular, proj ect-based contractual, permanent, casual , co-terminous, j ob order
employees and/or personnel.
SEC. 4. Dr!.#fr!.7ig Wcirer/or cr// Emp/o};ees.  Pro¢i.bj/z.o77. -All employees in the private and
public  sectors  are  mandated  to  provide,  free  of charge,  healthy,  sufficient  and  accessible
drinking water to all its employees during working hours inside or outside their workplacaes.
Employees are prohibited from deducting any amount from the salaries and allowances or
benefits of the employees to purchase drinking water.
1


SEC.  5.  P€#cr/fz.es.  -  Any  person,  entity  or  agency  who  fails  to  comply  with  the
provisions of Section 4 shall be punished with a fine of not less than One Hundred Thousand
Pesos (Phpl 00,000.00) but not more than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php500,000.00) and
imprisonment of not more than six (6) months.  This is without prejudice to the sanctions under
administrative law, civil service law or other laws if the offender is a government official  or
employee.
SEC. 6. Jmp/emerl/J.ng R#/es cr#c7 Jtcgz{/cr/i.our.  - The Department of Labor (DOLE) in
coordination with the other concerned agencies shall promulgate the implementing rules and
regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.
SEC. 7. Sepc}r¢bjJj.ty C/¢#se. ~ If any part of provision of this Act is invalid or declared
to be so unconstitutional, the other parts or provisions thereof shall continue to be in full force
and effect.
SEC.  8.  Jtepe¢/i.#g  C/a2/se.  -  All  laws,  decrees,  orders,  proclamations,  rules  and
regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 9. EJorec/j.vz.fy. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,
2
•drgf;Figx