Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOusEB]LLri6.       5941
RECEIVED
Introduced by Representative DAVID "Jayuay" C. SUAREZ and Representative ANNA
IVIARIE VILLARAZA- SUAREZ
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Water  is  one  of  the  principal  physical  resources  that  can  play  a  major  role  in
enhancing  the  pace of overall development of a country.  Sustainable water resources can
significantly contribute poverty alleviation and economic growth.1
Water plays a vital  role  in  life sustenance on  earth  and  will  become  increasingly
critical in the future given the continuing population growth and economic development. There
is growing and conflicting demand for water for domestic, agricultural, and industrial purposes
in the face of water scarcity, inadequate infrastructure, and limited acoess to water and habitat
destruction and pollution, all of which affect water quality and quantity.
The  availability  of and  access  to  water  has  become  one  of the  most  important
challenges  that countries face today,  and water resource  management becomes a  major
priority in most countries where water supply shortage is threatening their development.
The goal of water use program is to increase the amount of water available to users
while protecting water resouroes, water-dependent natural systems and interrelated habitats.2
Based on the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) records, thirty-six (36) percent
of the country's 3,128,631  irrigable areas do not have a well-functioning  irrigation  system.
With this problem, the National Water Use Plan will address the perennial problem of water
1  Extwprlegsl .fao.org/docs/pdf/nepl 58194.pdf
2 http://pemsea.Org


shortage  for  farmlands  and  subsequently,  ensure  a  more  efficient  national  food  security
Program.
This  Water  Use   plan  will   likewise  optimize  the   use  of  the  country's   natural
resources, as well as complement the Farm-to-Market Road masterplan of the President.
Hence,  this  bill  proposes to  create  a water use  plan  to  ensure  a  cost- efficient,
effective,  and  adequate  water  supply  and  access  to  farmlands  throughout the  country to
ensure food security.
Thus,  it is hoped that the Water Use plan be given the priority it deserves in the
Congress.
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of this measure is respectfully sought.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO.
Introduced by Representative DAVID "Jayuay" C. SUAREZ and Representative ANNA
MARIE VILLARAZA€UAREZ
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING  THE  NATIONAL  FRAMEWORK  FOR  WATER  USE  PLAN  TO  PROVIDE
ACCESSIBLE  WATER  SUPPLY  FOR  FARMLANDS  AND  ENSURE  EFFICIENT  NATIONAL
FOOD SECURITY AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be  it  epacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of the  Philippines  in  Congress
assembled:
SEC.  1. This Act shall be known as the "National Water Use Plan".
SEC.  2. This Act shall have the principal objective of ensuring a comprehensive program
and  cost-  efficient  use  of water systems  to  address  perennial  problem  of water shortage for
farmlands and subsequently, ensure a more efficient national food security program.
The  National  Water Use  Plan will  also  provide farmers with  accessible water supply to
improve their productivity and boost their incomes.
This Act shall likewise improve the country's irrigation system, optimize natural  resources
and to complement the National Farm to Market Road plan`
SEC. 3. Vvlthin one (1) year after the approval of this Act, the Department of Agriculture in
coordination  with  other  concerned  agencies  shall  prepare  a  developmental  water  use  plan


including  its  construction,  installation  and  maintenance  of such  appropriate facilities  that  shall
improve the irrigation system and water supply among farmlands.  Provided, that the water use
plan shall ensure the conservation of the country's natural resources.
See 5. The crafting of the National Water Use plan shall involve all National Government
Agencies with existing programs related to water use, including Civil Society Organizations and/or
Non-  government  Organizations  focused  on  water  use.  This  is  to take  into  consideration  the
adoption of the water use plan and its effects across various sectors including but not limited to
irrigation, climate change, flood management/mitigation, disaster preparedness, rural and urban
planning, among others.
See.  6.  The  amount  necessary  to  cover the  initial  implementation  of this  Act  shall  be
charged with the current year's appropriations of agencies and offices transferred and subsumed
by  the   Department   in   the   General  Appropriations  Act.   Thereafter,   The   Secretary  of  the
Department of Agriculture shall include in their Department's program the implementation of this
Act,  the funding  of which  shall  be  included  in the annual  General Appropriations Act and  shall
augment such allocation internally generated funds of the Department of Agriculture.
Sec. 7. The Secretary of Agriculture after the effectjvjty of this Act, shall in consultation with
the concerned agencies as well as the farmers, shall promulgate the necessary and appropriate
rules and regulations for the proper and effective implementation of this Act.
See. 8.   If in any reason, any portion or provision of this Act shall be held unconstitutional
or invalid, the remaining provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.
Sect. 9. All other laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, presidential proclamations,
rules and  regulations, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed or amended accordingly.
Sec. 10. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the official gazette
or in a newspaper of general circulation.
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