Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTAT!
Quezon City

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RECEIVED
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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House BillNo, 4759 _

Introduced by Honorable Sherwin T. Gatchalian

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Our Rivers in the metropolitan area have become eyesores and air
pollutants, This is the case of the Tullahan River that traverses through the
cities of Valenzuela and Quezon. Back in the old days, they were clean and
green, and live can be actually caught from them, Now with the influx of
people, urban settlement along river banks has become commonplace. They
pose both a threat to the degradation of the river and the lives of the people
living near or along it. Because of improper waste disposal, the river has
become a clutter of unsanitary debris of garbage and a human waste dumping
site. Added to this are the trailings/ pollutants from drainage or waterways of
industries adjacent to the area, With the onslaught of rainy days coupled with
the clogged riverway, ‘Tullahan River spills over and brings neck-deep flood to
the communities in Valenzuela City.

In order to prevent its further deterioration, the Tullahan River must be
rehabilitated at the soonest possible opportunity. By reviving its beauty and
natural potential for livelihood and tourism, the Tullahan River must be
improved on and the cause of its pollutants controlled in order to enhance its
development and regain its useful utilization for socio-economic purposes of
the people.

The improvement of our waterways is very timely pursuant to climate
change initiatives. Interventions by both the publ private sectors must
necessarily be forged as growing environmerifal consciolisness among our
people have raised these serious concern, Hence, immedigte passage of this bill
is urgently requested.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House BillNo. _ 4759 _

Introduced by Honorable Sherwin T. Gatchalian

AN ACT
CREATING THE TULLAHAN RIVER REHABILITATION COMMISSION,
DEFINING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the Tullahan River
Rehabilitation Commission.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the
State to protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful
ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. Towards this end,
the State shall endeavor to forge concerted initiatives to clean the waterway
and educate the people on the continued preservation of the river for a clean
environment and balanced ecosystem for the succeeding generations.

SEC. 3. Creation of the Tullahan River Rehabilitation Commission.
- There is hereby created the Tullahan River Rehabilitation Commission
(TRRC), which shall be the agency tasked to plan, assist and implement the
programs for the rehabilitation of the Tullahan River.

SEC. 4. Composition and Membership. - The Commission shall be
composed of the following:

a.) The Chairperson of the Metro Manila Development Authority or a duly
authorized representative who shall act as its chairperson;


b.) The Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways or a
duly authorized representative who shall act as its co-chairperson;

c.) The Secretaries and Heads of the following agencies or their respective
representatives as members:

1. Department of Environment and Natural Resources

2. Department of Tourism

3. Department of Transportation and Communications

4, Department of Finance

5. Department of Interior and Local Government

6. Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council

7. Office of the Executive Secretary

8. The City Mayor or a duly authorized representative from the cities
of Quezon, Malabon and Valenzuela.

d.) Three (3) Representatives from the private sector to be appointed by
the President.

SEC. 5. Powers and Function of the Commission. - In order to achieve
its mandate, the Commission shall exercise the following powers and functions;

a) Draw up an updated and integrated Master Plan on the
Rehabilitation of the Tullahan River, taking into account its potential for
transportation, recreation and tourism;

b) Ensure that the easements provided for in the Civil Code and other
related laws are observed including all the esteros and waterways that drain
into the Tullahan River;

c) Integrate and coordinate all programs related to the rehabilitation
of the Tullahan River;

d) Abate the dumping of untreated industrial wastewater and
sewerage into the river including all acts and omission in violation of Pollution
Control Law and other related laws;

e) Relocate settlers, squatters and other unauthorized or unlawful
occupants along its banks;

) Undertake civil works for the purpose, such as dredging, clearing
of structures, cleaning of the River and all the esteros and waterways that
drain into it;


9) Submit regular reports to the Office of the President on the status
of the government's efforts on the rehabilitation and development of the
Tullahan River; and

h) Coordinate with all government agencies and offices, including
local government units, regarding the necessary measures to implement this
Act.

SEC. 6. Appropriations. - The amount of ‘Twenty Million Pesos
(P20,000,000.00) is hereby authorized to be appropriated from the National
Treasury for the initial requirements of the Tullahan River Rehabilitation
Commission. Thereafter, the amount necessary for the continued operation of
the Commission shall be included in the annual appropriations of the
Department of Public Works and Highways.

SEC. 7, Filing of Report to Congress. - Within two (2) years from the
approval of this Act and every year thereafter, the Commission shall submit a
Progress Report to Congress in order to assess the program implementation in
accordance with this Act.

SEC. 8. Separability Clause. ~ If any provision, or part thereof, is held
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not
otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

SEC. 9. Repeating Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation
contrary to or inconsistent with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed,
modified, or amended accordingly.

SEC. 10. Bffeetivity Clause. — ‘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,