U” CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
’04 
JUL -6 All 37 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
) 
Introduced by Senator Ralph G. Recto 
Explanatory Note 
People can fast and survive for weeks without food, but it is impossible for our 
bodies to last more than a week without water. 
Water is undeniably a very important 
resource which everybody utilizes and benefits from. Unfortunately it is also a finite 
resource whch is slowly being exhausted due to population explosion, economic growth, 
jndustrial development and the continuing threat of the El NZIO phenomenon. 
These developments have made it increasingly necessary for government to 
intervene actively in improving the management of our country’s water resources. 
And 
thus, P.D. 1067, othenuise known as the ‘“Water Code of the Philippines” was enacted to 
govern the ownership, appropriation, utilization, exploitation, development, conservation 
and protection of water resouces. 
Three years prior to the issuance of P.D. 1067, P.D. 198 or the “Provincial Water 
Utilities Act of 1973” authorized the formation and operation of independent locally 
controlled public water dstricts that enjoy technical and funding support on the national 
level. 
Existing water utilities have endeavored to meet the needs of the communities they 
service even as they give the consumers equal right to the water system. 
Unfortunately 
however, most barangays hosting the water source do not enjoy adequate supply of water 
even for domestic use. In order to give back to the barangays which serve as water sources, 
it should be incumbent upon the government to grant them special pxivileges. 
Thus, this bill seeks to provide a 20% reduction in the water rates and charges 
applicable to the consumers of the barangays hosting the water source. 
Access to safe drinking water and efficient water resources need not come at 
exorbitant costs. 


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WTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
) 
'04 
JUL -6 
A11 :37 
First Regular Session 
) 
Introduced by Senator Ralph G. Recto 
AN ACT 
REDUCING THE WATER RATES AND CHARGES FOR WATER USERS IN 
THE BARANGAY/S HOSTING THE WATER SOURCE WITHIN A WATER 
DISTRICT THEREBY WENDING SECTION 37, CHAPTER IX, TITLE I1 OF 
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 198 AS AMENDED, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted b_y the Senate and Houe of Representatives ofthe Phih)pines in Congress assembled: 
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control, under schedules of rates and charges as may be determined by the Board, to 
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any and all water users within. the district: PROVIDED, THAT SUCH RATES 
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AND CHARGES APPLICABLE TO THE WATER USERS IN THE 
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BARANGAY/S HOSTING THE WATER SOURCE SHALL BE 20% 
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LOWER THAN THE RATES AND CHARGES APPLICABLE TO THE 
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OTHER WATER USERS WITHIN THE DISTRICT. 
Said schedule may 
provide for differential rates for different categories of use and different quantity 
blocks. The district, as far as practicable, shall fix such rates and charges for water 
as will result in revenues which wiU: 
SECTION 1. 
Section 37, Chapter IX, Title I1 of Presidential Decree No. 198 as 
amended, is hereby further amended to read as follows: 
"SEC. 37. Rates and Charges. -Water - A district may sell water under its 
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SEC. 2. This Act shall take effect upon its approval. 
Appmued