Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 4120

Introduced by HON. HENRY R. VILLARICA
4" District, Bulacan

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Employers must provide employees with safe drinking water in recognition of the
United Nations General Assembly's declaration that safe and clean drinking water and
sanitation is a human right essential to the full enjoyment of life. This legally entitles
everyone to sufficient, safe, acceptable, affordable and accessible drinking water, including
employees in their workplaces. This also takes into account that drinking fluids is vital for
normal body functioning which is important to maintain the good health and productivity of
employees.

The provision of free safe drinking water to employees, however, should not be
limited to established office spaces, but should also be enjoyed in workplaces that are
temporary, remote or mobile. Labor Advisory No. 03, series of 2016 of the Department of
Labor (DOLE) provides for safety and health measures to prevent control and heat stress at
the workplace, especially for those engaged in working outdoors who suffer from prolonged
exposure to extreme heat.

This proposed bill mandates all employers to provide free, safe and accessible
drinking water to all their employees during working hours, regardless of place of assignment
or workstations, with the qualification that the water provided will strictly adhere to
established standards for drinking water quality, or the Philippine National Standards for
Drinking Water (PNSDW).

This bill was filed during the 17" Congress but no further action was taken on it due
to time constraints, This is re-filed for the consideration of the 18" Congress.

‘Support for the enactment of this measure is earnestly requested.

REP. HENRY/R. ARICA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 4120

Introduced by HON. HENRY R. VILLARICA
4" District, Bulacan

AN ACT MANDATING ALL EMPLOYERS IN THE PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTORS,
INCLUDING ALL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, AGENCIES AND
INSTRUMENTALITIES, TO PROVIDE, FREE OF CHARGE, CLEAN, HEALTHY,
SUFFICIENT AND ACCESSIBLE DRINKING WATER TO ALL ITS EMPLOYEES

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 “Tubig para sa mga
Empleyado Act”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the declared Policy of the State to promote and
protect the right of health and the general welfare of all citizens.

The State shall protect and promote the rights of workers as labor is a primary social
economic force. It shall ensure that all employees are provided with clean, healthy, sufficient
and accessible drinking water.

SEC. 3.Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act:

(a.) Drinking Water — refers to water that is compliant with Administrative Order No.
2017-0010 issued by the Department of Health (DOH), Office of the Secretary or
the “Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water (PNSDW); and,

(b.)Employee — refers to any employee or worker regardless of the nature of
employment, including regular, non-regular, project-based contractual, permanent,
casual, co-terminous, job order employees and/or personnel.


SEC. 4. Drinking Water for all Employees. Prohibition. ~ All employees in the
private and public sectors are mandated to provide, free of charge, healthy, sufficient and
accessible drinking water to all its employees during working hours inside or outside their
workplaces.

Employers are prohibited from deducting any amount from the salaries, allowances or
benefits of the employees to purchase drinking water.

SEC. 5. Penalties. - Any person, entity or agency who fails to comply with the
provisions of Section 4 shall be punished with a fine of not less than one hundred thousand
pesos (Php100,000.00) but not more than five hundred thousand pesos (Php500,000.00) and
imprisonment of not more than six (6) months. This is without prejudice to the sanctions
under administrative law, civil service law or other laws if the offender is a government
official or employee.

SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Department of Labor (DOLE) in
coordination with the other concerned agencies shall promulgate the implementing rules and
regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 7. Separability Clause. ~ If any part or provision of this Act is invalid or
declared to be unconstitutional, the other parts or provisions thereof shall continue to be in
full force and effect.

SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, decrees, orders, proclamations, rules and
regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general publication.

Approved,