Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
Introduced by Representative TEODORICO “NONONG” T. HARESCO, JR. 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF WATER IMPOUNDING 
FACILITIES, FOR PURPOSES OF FLOOD CONTROL, POTABLE WATER 
SOURCES, AND IRRIGATION, IN EVERY CITY AND MUNICIPALITY 
IN THE COUNTRY 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
 The Philippines is an agricultural nation heavily reliant on its natural resources for 
economic growth. Agriculture not only contributes significantly to the nation's GDP but also 
provides employment and livelihood opportunities for a substantial portion of the population. 
However, the sector faces challenges, such as irregular rainfall patterns, recurring droughts, 
and unreliable water supply, hindering its full potential. 
Water security is acknowledged to have fundamental importance especially in the 
Marcos administration. In June 2023, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. unveiled 
his administration’s plan to build water impounding facilities for flood mitigation and irrigation 
for agricultural purposes. In his State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Marcos 
reiterated his commitment to ensuring water security through implementing infrastructure 
projects concerning this most precious resource. 
Establishing water impounding facilities is an essential step towards ensuring 
sustainable agricultural development, mitigating the impacts of climate change, and promoting 
rural and urban development throughout the country. Thus, this bill seeks to address these 
challenges by mandating the construction of water impounding facilities, for purposes of flood 
control, potable water sources, and irrigation, in every city and municipality across the country. 
August 10, 2023
2:24 pm
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The establishment of such facilities will lead to a myriad of benefits: supporting the 
agricultural sector by improving food security and agricultural productivity; promoting climate 
resilience, flood control, and disaster mitigation; and ensuring sufficient and potable water 
supply for urban and rural communities. 
This proposed legislation is aligned with President Marcos' vision for a resilient, food-
secure, and prosperous Philippines. By investing in water infrastructure and harnessing the 
potential of sustainable water management, the nation will be better equipped to face the 
challenges of the future and secure a brighter tomorrow for all Filipinos. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
TEODORICO T. HARESCO, JR


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
Introduced by Representative TEODORICO “NONONG” T. HARESCO, JR. 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF WATER IMPOUNDING 
FACILITIES, FOR PURPOSES OF FLOOD CONTROL, POTABLE WATER 
SOURCES, AND IRRIGATION, IN EVERY CITY AND MUNICIPALITY 
IN THE COUNTRY 
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 “Water Impounding Facilities Act” 
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SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote 
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the quality of life of every Filipino through the provision of adequate water impounding, 
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potable water, and irrigation facilities made available to every city and municipality in the 
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country, aimed at promoting agricultural productivity, water conservation, flood control, 
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climate resilience, and inclusive economic development. 
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SECTION 3. Water Impounding Facilities. – There shall be established at least one (1) water 
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impounding facility for purposes of flood control, potable water sources, and irrigation, in such 
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available and suitable public space in every city and municipality. 
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The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) shall, within ninety (90) days after 
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the approval of this Act, undertake construction and development of water impounding, potable 
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water sources and irrigation facilities, and rehabilitation of existing water facilities, in all cities 
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and municipalities in the Philippines in such number as may be needed and feasible, taking into 
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consideration the population, hydrologic conditions, costs of project development and 
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operations, financial and economic factors and institutional arrangements suitable for different 
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areas in the country. 
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SECTION 4. Operation and Maintenance. – In order to ensure the proper use of the water 
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facilities herein provided, the local government units concerned shall be primarily responsible 
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for the operation, supervision, and management of water facilities established under this Act. 
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They are also hereby authorized to issue rules and regulations on their proper use and 
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maintenance, in consultation with the DPWH and other concerned government agencies. 
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The local sanggunian shall promulgate guidelines and procedures for the use and operation of 
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the water facilities under its jurisdiction. The guidelines shall prescribe rules on the utilization 
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of the water facilities as needed for local efforts on flood control, water resource development, 
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potable water sources, and irrigation. 
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SECTION 5. Submission of Report. – The DPWH shall, within one hundred eighty (180) days 
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after the approval of this Act and every one hundred eighty (180) days thereafter, submit 
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periodic reports to the respective Committees on Public Works and Highways of both Houses 
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of the Congress of the Philippines for evaluation and consideration. 
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SECTION 6. Funding. – The amount necessary for the initial implementation to fund the 
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construction, rehabilitation, and repair of water impounding facilities for flood control, potable 
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water source, and irrigation shall be charged under the DPWH. Thereafter, funds for this 
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purpose shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. The LGU concerned shall 
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provide for the continued maintenance, operation and management of the facility. 
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Additional funding for the construction of such facilities shall come from bilateral and 
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multilateral official development assistance, grants, donations, collections and other forms of 
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assistance from public or private entities, whether domestic or foreign: Provided, That the 
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payback period matches public infrastructure investment returns. 
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SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within sixty (60) days from the 
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effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the DPWH shall, in coordination with the Department 
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of Environment and Natural Resources, the National Irrigation Authority, and other concerned 
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agencies, with the participation of local government units, promulgate the rules and regulations 
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necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.  
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SECTION 8. Non-Impairment Clause. – Nothing in this Act shall be construed as to diminish, 
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impair, or repeal rights recognized, granted, or made available to disadvantaged, marginalized, 
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or specific sectors under existing laws. 
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SECTION 9. Separability Clause. – If any provision is held invalid or unconstitutional, the 
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remainder of the law or provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting. 
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SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. – Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order, 
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letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with 
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the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 11. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
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the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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