Republic of the Philippines

m
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |< DATE September 5, 20229

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

‘4,
HOUSE BILL NO. 4441 Yo invexZ

Introduced by Representative Rex Gatchalian

AN ACT
MANDATING THE ESTABLISHMENT, MANAGEMENT, MAINTENANCE,
AND REGULATION OF A RAINWATER HARVESTING FACILITY IN ALL
NEW INSTITUTIONAL, COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL, AND RESIDENTIAL
DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN METRO MANILA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Rainfall is the most important climatic element in the Philippines. Rainfall
distribution throughout the country varies from one region to another,
depending upon the direction of the moisture-bearing winds and the location
of the mountain systems. The mean annual rainfall of the Philippines varies
from 965 to 4,064 millimeters annually.!

Unfortunately, rainfall coupled with clogged waterways, old drainage systems,
and the huge amount of trash generated due to improper waste disposal
caused major flooding in Metro Manila.?

+ GovPH, Climate of the Philippines. See https://www pagasa.dost.gov.ph/information/climate- philippines.
* Carstansen, Flood Disasters in the Philippines: Causes, Effects, and Policies Needed to Implement. See
bs ‘/Jeduzaurus.com/free-essay-samples/fiood-disasters-in-philippines-couses-etfects-and-policies-needed-

eee stext=According%20to%20theM20past%20Secretary,due%20to%20improper’k20wasteN20disp
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Another major concern is the lack of potable water in the country. More than
3 million people in the Philippines rely on unsafe and unsustainable water
sources and 7 million lack access to improved sanitation.

This bill aims to address these concerns by requiring the construction of
rainwater harvesting facilities in all new public and private commercial,
institutional, industrial, and residential developments in Metro Manila which
will serve as a pilot area from which other similar areas can learn.

Rainwater harvesting facilities shall be established to (1) conserve the supply
of portable faucet water and to (2) prevent flooding in communities that

sometimes result into devastating effects to human life and property.

° Water.org., Philippines’ water and sanitation crisis. See https://water.org/ourimpact/where-we-
work/philippines/,


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 4441

Introduced by Representative Rex Gatchalian

AN ACT
MANDATING THE ESTABLISHMENT, MANAGEMENT, MAINTENANCE,
AND REGULATION OF A RAINWATER HARVESTING FACILITY IN ALL
NEW INSTITUTIONAL, COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL, AND RESIDENTIAL
DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN METRO MANILA

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 “Rainwater
Harvesting Facility Act”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is declared a policy of the State to
protect the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology and
advance the health and welfare of its citizens in accordance with the rhythm
and harmony of nature. Pursuant thereto, the government and all its
instrumentalities shall systematically integrate the concept of climate change
in the various phases of policy formulation and development planning, in
drawing up and implementing poverty reduction strategies and innovations
that provide beneficial effects to the greatest number of people with the least
cost and negative externalities.

In this light, and given the demands of a growing population, the State
adopt measures and strategies in order to efficiently conserve water and help
attain water security. Among other strategies on water conservation,
rainwater harvesting facilities shall be established not only to conserve the

supply of potable faucet water but also to prevent flooding in communities


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that sometimes result into devastating effects to human life and property.
Both the public sectors are urged to actively participate in flood mitigating
efforts and initiatives of the government.

The State recognizes Metro Manila as one of the densest areas in the
country. To mitigate the adverse effects of continuing growth in population
and human settlements, the State shall ensure that Metro Manila local
governments are capacitated to respond to threats wrought by natural
calamities and disasters such as massive flooding. Towards this end, the
State shall mandate the construction of rainwater harvesting facilities in all
mew public and private commercial, institutional, and residential
developments in Metro Manila which will serve as a pilot area from which
other similar areas can learn.

Pursuant thereto, owners and developers of all new public and private
realty development projects in Metro Manila requiring the issuance of
building permits are mandated to design and construct a rainwater
harvesting facility to prevent or delay release of rainwater and runoff water
into the public drainage systems, creeks, and natural waterways.

SEC. 3. Purpose. — This Act secks to establish minimum rainwater
management requirements and controls to protect and safeguard the general
health, safety, and welfare of the public against the ill effects of floed on one
hand, and water shortage on the other. This Act pursues the following
objectives:

a. Reduction of flooding, siltation, increases in stream temperature and
stream bank erosion, and maintain the integrity of stream channel
by regulating the accumulation of rainwater runoff in any proposed
and existing commercial, institutional, industrial, and residential
developments;

b, Prevention of the degradation of water quality by averting non-point
source pollution caused by rainwater runoff developments;


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c. Regulation of the annual volume of surface water runoff from any
specific site during and following a development so as not to exceed
the pre-development hydrologic regime in an area; and

d. Establishment of standards for rainwater management control to
ensure that these and the facilities thus built are properly complied
with and do not pose without a threat to public safety.

SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:

a. Applicant — refers to a property owner or agent who has filed an
application for rainwater management permit;

b. Building - refers to any structure built for the support, shelter, or
enclosure of person, animals, chattels, or moveable property of any
kind and which is permanently affixed to the land;

c. Building Official - refers to a local building official as appointed or
designated pursuant to Presidential Decree (PD) 1096, or the
National Building Code of the Philippines (NBCP);

d. Certificate of Occupancy ~ refers to a permit issued by the Zoning
Officer indicating that the use of the building or land is in conformity
with the Zoning Ordinance or that there has been a legal variance
therefrom;

e. Channel - refers to a natural or artificial watercourse with definite
bed and banks that conducts flowing water continuously or
periodically;

f. Contour interval - refers to the vertical distance between the
elevations represented by adjacent contour lines on a map;

g. Contour line —refers to a line on a map or chart connecting all points
of the same elevation or depth in a particular area;

h. Detention —refers to a rainwater management practice of temporarily
storing rainwater runoff to control the peak discharge rate and to
likewise induce settling of pollutants through gravity;

i. Developer - refers to a person or entity who undertakes land
disturbance or land development activities; a developer may only be


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contracted to develop and may or may not be the owner of the
development, such as a building structure being built;

Development - refers to any man-made change to improved or
unimproved real estate, including buildings or other structures,
mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation, or drilling
operation;

. Flood frequency - refers to a record of past flood events or

occurrences that yield flood estimates used principally to compare
expected changes in flood damages with economic and social cost or
benefits guiding a contemplated action;

Hydrologic regime — refers to the quantity and dynamics of water flow
or the variations in the state and characteristics of a water body
depending on location and time of the year, which may occur in
regular patterns;

. Infiltration ~ refers to the process of percolating or gradually filtering

rainwater into the subsoil;

. Infiltration facility - refers to any structure or device designed to

infiltrate water to the subsurface. These facilities may be above
ground or below ground;

. Land disturbance - refers to any activity which changes the volume

or peak flow discharge rate of rainfall from the land surface. This
may include grading, digging, cutting, scraping, or excavating of soil,
placement of fill materials, paving, construction, substantial
removal of vegetation, or any activity which bares soil or rock or
involves the diversion or pipping of any natural or man-made
watercourse,

. Landowner —refers to the legal or beneficial owner of land, including

those holding the right to purchase or lease the land, or any other
person holding proprietary rights over the land;

|. Off-Site facility - refers to a rainwater management installation

located outside the subject property boundary described in the
permit application for land development activity;


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. On-Site facility — refers to rainwater management measure located

within the subject property boundary described in the permit
application for land development activity;

. Rainwater Design Manual — refers to the Planning and Design

Manual for the Control of Erosion, Sediment and Rainwater of the
Department of Public Works and Highways;

. Rainwater management ~ refers to the use of structural or non-

structural practices that are designed to reduce rainwater runoff
pollutant loads, discharge volumes, and peak flow discharge rates;

. Rainwater retrofit - refers to a rainwater management practice

designed for an existing development site that had not implemented
rainwater management measures, or had previously implemented
measures that were inadequate to meet the rainwater management
requirements of the site;

. Rainwater runoff— refers to water flow on the surface of the ground,

resulting from precipitation;

. Rainwater treatment — refers to a process by which collected

rainwater is filtered or cleaned through either structural or
nonstructural means to prevent or reduce point source or nonpoint
source pollution inputs to rainwater runoff and water bodies, as well
as to upgrade rainwater for re-use;

. Rainwater Harvesting Facility - refers to a flood control structure

such as a vertical detention tank, horizontal water tank, open
retarding basin, and multi-water catchment area, or an on-site
regulation pond used to prevent or delay the release of rainwater
into the public drainage system;

. Return period - refers to the average length of time in years for a

rain-related natural disaster of given magnitude to be equaled or
exceed by the length of time that a rainwater-related disaster may
probably recut;

- Recharge ~ refers to the replenishment of underground water

reserves;


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aa.Redevelopment — refers to any construction, alteration or
improvement exceeding one hundred (100) square meters in high
density areas where existing land use is for commercial, industrial,
institutional, or multi-family residential purposes;

bb. Stop Work Order — refers to an issuance by the Building Official
that requires the discontinuance or stoppage, in part or whole, of
the construction activity in a site due to a violation of the law;

cc. Watercourse — refers to a permanent or intermittent stream or other
body of water, either natural or man-made, which gathers or carries
‘surface.

SEC. 5 . Rainwater Harvesting Facility Requirement. - A project owner
or developer of a new commercial, institutional, industrial, and residential
development project in Metro Manila, with a building footprint area of at least
one hundred (100) square meters that requires the issuance of building
permit, shall reserve, develop, and maintain a rainwater harvesting facility
with a minimum storage tank size in cubic meters calculated by dividing the
building footprint area by 75.

The owner or developer of an ongoing development project in Metro
Manila, that has no existing provision for rainwater harvesting shall build a
facility within a period of three (3) years from the effectivity of this Act, or
suffer the penalty imposed in Section 13 thereof.

When additions, alterations, conversions, and renovations of an existing
building constructed after the effectivity of this Act fit within the minimum
building footprint, the whole building shall be subject to the applicable
provisions of this Act.

To converse potable water, rainwater collected by harvesting facility may
be used for non-potable and suitable purposes, such as gardening and air-
cooling processes, provided through a distinct and separate piping system
from the potable water supply system, The landowner or developer may opt


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to utilize a system or technology that can recycle collected rainwater for
potable uses such as bathing, dishwashing, or cooking, provided it meets the
water quality standard of any government water agency or duly accredited
water testing center.

SEC. 6. Requirements for Rainwater Management Plan. - All project
owners or developers of proposed commercial, industrial, and residential
development or any residential multi-dwelling units of more than One
Thousand square meters (1,000sqm) land area must submit a Rainwater
Management Plan (RMP) as part of the site development application and

approval process.

The RMP shall include the following information:

a. Description of existing conditions in the location of the development

site:

i.

iii.

Topographic map with 1.0 meter minimum contours line
or an appropriate contour interval of the land proposed for
development or redevelopment;

Location of natural waterways including banks and
centerline of streams and channels;

Normal shoreline, coastlines, outline of lakes, natural
depressions and ponds, including drainage flow lines; and
Quantification of flows (discharge and volume) in its
natural condition.

b. Proposed Site Development Plan (SDP) in an appropriate scale and
size showing the following:

i

Retention/detention basins and lines of inflow and
outflow;

Location, size, and slope of rainwater conduits and
drainage swales;

Rain, sanitary, and combined sewer and outfalls; and
Delineation of upstream and downstream drainage



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features and watersheds which might be affected by the
development; and
v. Other environmental features including limits of wetland
areas, green buffers, planting strips, and any designated
natural areas for rainwater management.
¢. Description of the Proposed Rainwater Management System (RMS)
to safely and completely manage rainwater runoff onsite or offsite,
help maintain the natural hydrologic cycle and condition of flow in
a locality, and reduce the risk of downstream flooding.

The proposed RMS shall be accompanied by hydrologic and hydraulic
calculations to adequately demonstrate the effectiveness of the RMP. It shall
be designed to meet the desired flood frequency which is designed to a
particular drainage structure as stated in the Design Manual of the DPWH:
Provided, That a 25-year flood frequency or higher may be required for major
rivers and waterways, subject to the design criteria in Section 9 of this Act.

The RMP shall be accompanied by relevant information such as rainfall
data in a locality, maps, and other descriptive material to include the
following:

a. The extent of catchment and drainage channels on site, and
direction of the flow of the channels including the final outfall of the
discharge from the site;

b. Hydrologic and hydraulic design calculations for the pre-
development and post-development conditions of a rainwater
management system as required under Section 9 hereof. The
calculations for determining peak flows include a description of
storm frequency, intensity, duration, time of concentration, soil
curve number or runoff coefficients, peak runoff rates and total
runoff volumes, infiltration rates, culvert capacities, flow velocities,
data on the increase in rate and volume of runoff for the design
storm; and

¢. Technical specifications of the proposed RMS, including a
description of proposed rainwater conveyance practices on:

ite,


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existing off-site rainwater conveyance systems including receiving
streams, channels, and outfall and inlet locations, and elevations of
locations and high-water elevations.

SEC. 7. Chemicals, Effluents, and other Contaminants. — Prior to the
issuance of a building permit for their development or re-development, all
industrial plants and estates shall secure the appropriate certification from
the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) that all
chemicals used in their operations, their by-products, effluents, and other
operational discharges do not contain harmful contaminants that can be
washed by or into the rainwater.

The type of roofing must also be identified and assessed if used for
collecting rainwater as some roofing materials may seep chemicals that can
cause adverse effects if ingested, used in irrigation, fishponds, groundwater
recharge, among others.

SEC. 8. Utilization of Rainwater. — Rainwater shall be harvested for the
following uses:

a. Rainwater for urban irrigation - Due to the high cost of Class A
water, its use for yard irrigation shall be minimized if not prohibited
and instead, water for irrigation shall come from the rainwater
detention system.

Rainwater as source of urban irrigation or watering of lawns shall
be indicated in all development plans. Treated grey water from
effluent of treatment facility may be a secondary source of water for
urban irrigation,

b. Rainwater for groundwater recharge — The RMS is intended mainly
to ensure natural balance of hydrologic cycle by allowing rainwater
to recharge the groundwater table that sustains the yield and
production of deep wells. Groundwater table recharging may be in


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the form of the following management systems:
i. Lagoon or retention pond that allows for natural seepage
to the ground water aquifer;
ii,  Swales and depression storage;
iii. Porous or paver blocks on some developed areas;
iv. Retention channels

The sizes and dimension of any of the above facilities shall
be dependent on the rainfall intensity and the size of the
development.

c. Rainwater for firefighting - Rainwater may substitute or augment
the firefighting requirement, subject to health and corrosion
standards. A separate storage tank for fire water reserve shall be
constructed. Other laws concerning the requirement of water for
firefighting shall be considered.

d. Rainwater for construction ~ Simple filtration systems and other
applicable methods to remove suspended solids and other course
materials may be employed to improve water quality and avert
adverse effects to construction equipment and the environment.

¢. Rainwater for other non-potable water supply - Rainwater shall be
subjected to primary and secondary treatment to make it a viable
secondary source for the following purposes:
i. Washing of cars, floor yards;
ii. Flushing of toilet (water quality should meet certain
standard to avoid discoloration of fixtures); and
iii. Fish ponds, aquarium and the like.

{. Rainwater for potable uses - To make it potable, rainwater may be

collected, processed, subjected to filtering innovations or
technological interventions, and used for drinking, cooking,

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dishwashing, and bathing, subject to water standards.

Potable water quality shall at all times comply with the
requirements and standards of the Philippine National Standard for
Drinking Water (PNSDW).

g- Rainwater for ecological requirements - Seasonal fluctuation of
rainfall effects the rain flora and fauna of waterways. Rainwater
runoff shall therefore be managed properly to allow steady release
of water to waterways, thus, ensuring the continued supply of
water.

SEC. 9. Preparation of the Rainwater Design Manual. - The Department
of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) shall prepare the Rainwater Design
Manual (RDM) which must provide, among others, information on the
following: (1) conveyance system of the rainwater harvesting facility, (2) make
of the rainwater retention facility, (3) management of rainwater discharge to
control flooding, (4) protection of the local water bodies from pollution
through rainwater discharge treatment, (5) dike or bank protection for water
bodies receiving rainwater discharge, and (6) utilization options for collected
rainwater.

The RDM shall contain the following guidelines:

a. All sites shall establish a rainwater management system to control
the peak flow rates of rainwater discharge and to allow the RMS
facility to treat collected rainwater for both quality and quantity.
Peak post-construction rainwater runoff should not exceed peak pr-
construction rainwater runoff from the site to the greatest extent
possible;

b. All rainwater runoff generated from any development shall not
discharge untreated rainwater directly into a jurisdictional wetland
or local water body without adequate treatment;

c. A structural and non-structural Rainwater Treatment System (RTS)
shall be designed to treat the first 20 millimeters of rainwater runoff.

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Thus, for every one (1) hectare or new development, a 200 cubic
meter detention or retention tank shall be constructed to minimize
flooding and improve water quality. Sanitary wastewater treatment
facilities shall be designed and installed to comply with existing
health regulations and the effluent standard of the DENR;
Untreated sanitary waste shall not be discharge to waterways and
land surface without proper treatment and shall not come in
contact with rainwater runoff, The discharge of treated effluent to
water bodies shall be in accordance with the river classification. For
unclassified rivers and water courses, effluents should meet the
Class C water category. To be discharged to an urban drainage
system, effluents should meet the Class D water category. In all
cases, the prescription provided by the DENR shall be followed;

To protect stream channels from degradation, the velocity of runoff
water shall be limited to less than 1.0m/s, otherwise, bank
protection shall be provided;

Rainwater discharges to critical areas with sensitive resources
{including shellfish beds, swimming areas, water supply reservoirs
and groundwater recharge areas) may be subject to additional
performance criteria and management restrictions;

. Rainwater discharges from land uses or activities with higher

potential pollutant loadings, known as “hotspots,” must be in
accordance with the specific structural and pollution prevention
practices;

. Rainwater storage and draining systems must be secured from

mosquito breeding and those of other similar insects that may
endanger public health;

Prior to designing the RDM, an applicant for a building permit must
consult with the Building Official to determine compliance with
additional rainwater design requirements;

For existing development or developed areas, the rainwater
management system requirement must be imposed on the following
conditions;

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i The owners of existing or old developments shall submit to
the concerned building officials the technical design of
existing rainwater management system to demonstrate its
contribution to flood control and mitigation and the
rainwater management program;

ii, The total storage volume of rainwater may be the
cumulative volume stored from various sources such as
cistern, lagoon onsite or offsite, and a depression storage;
and

iii. That at least 50% of the required volume shall be met
within five (5) years from the effectivity of this Act.

‘The Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Human
Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), Department of
Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR), and local government units
(LGUs) shall require the incorporation of a Rainwater Management System in
the design of all new commercial, institutional, industrial, and residential
development projects in Metro Manila, The LGUs shall ensure that these
facilities are built during the construction phase of the projects.

In formulating the design manual ,the DPWH shall consult the experts
or the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and DENR on
requirements that entail scientific bases or study.

SEC. 10. Construction Inspection.

a. The applicant for a building permit must notify the concerned
building official in advance before the commencement of
construction;

b. All applicants for a building permit for commercial buildings and
multi-family residential building over four (4) units are required to
submit actual drawings of the rainwater management facilities
located on-site after final construction. The rainwater facility plan
must show the final design specifications for all rainwater

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management facilities and must be certified by a licensed engineer.
A final inspection of the rainwater facility is required before the
release of any performance security, performance bond, or guaranty
between the owner or developer and the contractor or builder;

¢. The City or Municipal Engineer shall inspect all drainage facilities
while under construction. When facilities are not constructed
according to approved plans, the local government unit (LGU) shall
require the project owner or developer to make necessary corrections.
All drainage facilities, whether or not these are owned by or assigned
to the LGU, located on private property, shall be accessible at all
times for inspection by the City or Municipal Engineer or other
responsible public official;

d, The City or Municipal Engineer shall inspect all sanitary waste
treatment facilities while under construction of building and upon
completion to insure proper installation and connection to waste
water collection systems when applicable. The City/Municipal
Engineer shall ensure that sanitary waste treatment facilities are
properly functioning before issuing the required certificate of
occupancy,

Any contracted architect or civil engineer employed by the owner or
developer to plan and supervise the construction of the facility shall not be
precluded from inspecting the construction work to check and determine
compliance with the plans and specifications of the building, pursuant to the
provisions under Inspection and Supervision of Work or Section 308 of the
National Building Code of the Philippines.

SEC. 11, Maintenance and Repair of Rainwater Facilities. The owner or
developer is expected to perform regular maintenance and repair of the
in working
condition, safe for public use and the environment. At the minimum, the
following must be undertaken: (1) visual inspection and cleaning of the
facility after major rain events, (2) regular clearing of all sediments, silts, and

rainwater facility whenever necessary to make sure that thi

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debris, (3) drainage clean-up, and (4) replacement of filters and insect screens
as necessary.

In addition, the owner or developer shall comply with the following
a, All rainwater management facilities must undergo a yearly or regular

inspection process at a frequency sufficient to determine the

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8 functioning ability of the conveyance system and any repair needs;
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this shall include inspection prior to the beginning of the Typhoon

10 Season or any forecasted major rains that may equal the design
sel requirements, and after any major rain events;

12 b, All drainage and sanitary waste treatment facilities located on private
2B property, whether dedicated to the LGU or not, shall be accessible at
1“ all times for inspection by the City/Municipal Engineer or other
1s responsible public officials especially where there is reason to inspect
16 that a malfunction has resulted in rainwater runoff pollution by
v7 unsanitary wastes;

18 ¢. Depending on the type of facility, mosquito or insect screens must be
19 replaced as necessary to avoid infestation or breeding grounds for
20 pathogens;

21 4. Parties responsible for the operation and maintenance of a rainwater
2 management facility shall make and keep records of the installation,
23 maintenance, and repairs, and shall retain these records for at least
4 5 years. These records shall be made available to the City or
25 municipality during inspection of the facility and other reasonable
26 times upon request;

2 e. The concerned Building Official shall notify the owner of a rainwater
28 facility in writing that maintenance work is required on it. The owner
29 will have sixty (60) days from the receipt thereof to ensure that the
30 facility is in proper working condition.

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32 SEC. 12. Reportorial Requirements. —The DPWH shall require the owner

33 or developer of all new commercial, institutional, industrial, and residential

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development projects to submit a compliance report within twelve (12)
months from the date of the completion of the project.

The DPWH shall henceforth require the building owners covered under
Sections 5 and 6 of this Act to submit an annual report of the performance
of such rainwater retention facility which may include information on the
total volume of retained rainwater and its utilization,

SEC. 13. Enforcement and Penalties,

a. Any person found to be in violation of any of the provisions of this
Act shall be guilty of misdemeanor and shall be penalized with a fine
not to exceed Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php50,000.00) or imprisonment
for no more than ninety (90) days, or both, A continuance of a
violation without reasonable effort on the part of the violator to
correct the same shall constitute a new and separate offense each
day;

b, In the case of a partnership, association, corporation, or any juridical
person, the penalty shall be imposed upon the president, treasurer,
or any other officer or person responsible for the violation;

c. If the offender is a foreigner, the foreigner shall be deported
immediately without further proceedings after payment of fine;

d. If the concerned Building Official shall find that any provision of this
Act is violated, the person responsible for such violation shall be
notified in writing about the nature of the violation and the proper
action necessary to correct it, such as the discontinuance of any
construction on site.

SEC. 14. Incentives. - Landowners or developers of existing structures
built prior to the implementation of this Act who may opt to install a
rainwater harvesting system or a rainwater retrofit in accordance with this
law shall receive a realty tax incentive from the local government which may
be in the form of a tax discount or not less than three percent (3%) per annum
over and above the regular discount provided by the local government unit.

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An additional two percent (2%) tax discount per annum will be granted to
those who will invest in any innovation or a technology that will recycle
collected rainwater for potable uses within the standard prescribed by law.

SEC. 15. Obligation of the Regulatory Agencies. - The DPWH, DENR,
DOST, LGUs, their sub-agencies, and subsidiaries are mandated to provide
full assistance to every project owner or developer covered in this Act in order
that the requirements and standards prescribed herein may be properly
executed in the design and construction of rainwater harvesting facilities.
Agency assistance shall include proper advice, technical guidance, provision
for needed data and facilitation of required documents. As much as
practicable, all technical and documentation requirements must be at zero
to minimal cost to the applicant project owner or developer who shall
establish, manage, and maintain a rainwater harvesting facility.

SEC. 16. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days
from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Public Works and Highways
shall, in coordination with the Secretary of the Interior and Local
Government, Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources, Secretary of
Human Settlements and Urban Development, and Secretary of Science and
Technology, promulgate rules and regulations for the effective
implementation of this Act. The implementing rules and regulations shall
include the standards and guidelines for the design, construction,
installation, materials, site selection and planning, _ site-specific
considerations, and maintenance of the rainwater harvesting facility.

SEC. 17. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part of this Act is
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not
affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 18. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decree, orders, rules and
regulations, and other issuances, or part thereof, inconsistent with this Act

are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

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2 SEC. 19. Effectivity. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
3 promulgation in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,

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