Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT  
TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF BEACHES AND COASTAL RECREATION WATER 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippines is an archipelago with over 7,000 islands and has the 5th largest coastline in the 
world making it home to thousands of world-class tropical beaches with crystal clear waters and 
postcard-worthy views. These pristine beaches make the Philippines a popular destination among 
tourists across the globe. Truly, our tropical beaches bring pride to our country but aside from 
that, it also provides for employment and income for many of our kababayans.  
Considering the numerous Filipinos relying on our pristine beaches for their livelihood and the 
constitutional mandate to “protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful 
ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature1”, it is incumbent upon the State to 
improve and maintain the quality of beaches and coastal recreation waters in the country. In this 
regard, this measure proposes the adoption of coastal recreational water quality criteria and the 
implementation of coastal beach water quality monitoring. This will ensure that public coastal 
recreation water and beaches in the country are safe for public use. The periodic water quality 
monitoring will also help towards conserving a healthy ecology and improve the environmental 
quality of our public beaches. This measure also mandates the Department of Environment and 
Natural Resources (DENR) to submit a report to Congress on the implementation of the law, 
specifically possible recommendations for improvement. 
On behalf of the people of Parañaque City’s Second District, and for the common good of the 
Filipino people, the approval of the said measure is earnestly sought. 
REP. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
2nd District, Parañaque City 
1 Article II, Section 16, 1987 Constitution 
September 7, 2022
8:00 am
4511


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT  
TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF BEACHES AND COASTAL RECREATION WATER 
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 “Beaches Environmental Assessment 
and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act”. 
Sec. 2. Purposes. – The purpose of this Act is to require uniform criteria and procedures for 
testing, monitoring, and notifying users of public coastal recreation water and beaches: 
A. To protect public safety; and
B. To improve environmental quality.
Sec. 3. Definitions. – For this Act, the following terms shall mean: 
A. Coastal recreation water – means water adjacent to public beaches and marine coastal
water (including bays, lagoon mouths, and coastal estuaries within the tidal zone) used
by the public for:
a.
swimming;
b. bathing;
c.
surfing; or
d. other similar body contact purposes
B. Floatable materials – means any foreign matter that may float or remain suspended in
water, including:
a.
Plastic;
b. Aluminum cans;
c.
Wood;
d. Bottles;
e.
Paper products; and
f.
Fishing gear.
Sec. 4. Adoption of Coastal Recreational Water Quality Criteria. 
4511


A. In General. – Not later than three (3) years and one hundred eighty (180) days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural 
Resources shall adopt water quality criteria for coastal recreation water. 
B. Development of Criteria. – Water quality criteria described in paragraph (A) shall be 
developed and promulgated by existing environmental laws and policies. 
 
Sec. 5. Water Quality Criteria Revision. 
 
A. Studies. – Not later than three (3) years after the date of enactment of this Act, and after 
consultation with appropriate officials, including local health officials, and other interested 
persons, the Secretary shall conduct studies to provide new information for use in 
developing: 
a. A more complete list of potential human health risks from inhalation, ingestion, or 
body contact with coastal recreation water, including effects on the upper 
respiratory system; 
b. Appropriate and effective indicators for improving direct: detection of the presence 
of pathogens found harmful to human health in coastal recreational water; 
c. Appropriate, accurate, and expeditious methods (including predictive models) for 
detecting the presence of pathogens in coastal recreation water that are harmful 
to human health; and 
d. Guidance for the application of the criteria issued under subsection (B) to account 
for the diversity of geographic and aquatic conditions throughout the country. 
 
B. Revised Criteria. – Not later than five (5) years after the date of enactment of this Act, 
based on the results of the studies conducted under paragraph (A), the Secretary, after 
consultation with appropriate officials, including local health officials, and other interested 
parties, shall: 
a. issue revised water quality criteria for pathogens in coastal recreation water that 
are harmful to human health, including a revised list of indicators and testing 
methods; and 
b. not less than once every five (5) years thereafter, review and revise the water 
quality criteria. 
 
Sec. 6. Coastal Beach Water Quality Monitoring. 
A. Monitoring 
a. In General. – Not later than one (1) year and one hundred eighty (180) days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall promulgate regulations· for 
the monitoring by the Department for: 
i. compliance with applicable water quality criteria; and 
ii. maintenance of public safety. 
b. Contents of Requirements. – Monitoring requirements established under this 
section shall specify, at a minimum –  
i. Available monitoring methods to be used; and 
ii. the frequency and location of monitoring based on: 
1. the periods of recreational use of coastal recreation water and 
beaches; 
2. the extent and degree of recreational use during the periods 
described in clause (1); 


3. the proximity of coastal recreation water to the known or identified 
point and non-point sources of pollution; and 
4. the relationship between the use of public recreation water and 
beaches. storm events; 
iii. Methods for: 
1. Detecting levels of pathogens· that are harmful to human health; 
and 
2. Identifying short-term increases in pathogens that are harmful to 
human health in coastal recreation water, including the relationship 
of short-term increases. in pathogens to storm events; and 
iv. Conditions and procedures under which discrete areas of coastal recreation 
water may be exempted by the Secretary from the monitoring 
requirements under this subsection if the Secretary determines that an 
exemption will not: 
1. Impair compliance with the applicable water quality criteria for that 
water; and 
2. compromise public safety 
B. Notification Requirements 
a. In General - Regulations promulgated under subsection (a) shall require provinces 
to provide notification of a failure or the likelihood of a failure to meet applicable 
water quality criteria for provincial coastal recreation water, to" 
i. Local governments; 
ii. the public; and 
iii. the Secretary. 
b. information included in Notification. -.Notification under this subsection shall 
require, at a minimum: 
i. the prompt communication of the occurrence, nature, extent, and location 
of, and substance, including pathogens, involved in a failure or immediate 
likelihood of a failure to meet water quality criteria, to a designated official 
of a local government having jurisdiction over land adjoining the coastal 
recreation water for which the failure or imminent failure to meet water 
quality criteria is identified; and 
ii. the posting of signs, during the· period in which water quality criteria are 
not met continues, that is sufficient to give notice to the public: 
1. of failure to meet applicable water quality criteria for the water; and 
2. the potential risks associated with water contact activities in the 
water 
C. Review and Revision of Regulations. – Periodically, but not less than once every five (5) 
years, the Secretary shall review and make any necessary revisions to regulations 
promulgated under this section. 
D. Implementation 
a. In General. – Not later than three (3) years and one hundred eighty (180) days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, each province shall implement a monitoring 
and notification program that conforms to the regulations promulgated under 
subsections (A) and (B). 
b. Revision of Program. - Not later than two (2) years after the date of publication of 
any revision by the Secretary under subsection (C), each province shall revise the 
program established under paragraph (A) to incorporate the revisions. 


E. Guidance: Delegation of Responsibility 
a. In General - Not later than one (1) year and one hundred eighty (180) days after 
the date of enactment of this title, the Secretary shall issue guidance establishing: 
i. Core performance measures for testing, monitoring, and notification 
programs under this section; and 
ii. The delegation of testing, monitoring, and notification programs under this 
section to the local government authorities. 
b. Delegation of Responsibility to Local Governments. - If a responsibility described 
in the above paragraph is delegated by a province to a local government authority 
or is delegated to a local government authority before the date of enactment of 
this section, resources, including grants made, shall be made available to the 
delegated authority to implement the delegated program in a manner that is 
consistent with the guidance issued by the Secretary. 
F. Floatable Materials Monitoring; Technical Assistance. - Not later than one (1) year and 
one hundred eighty (180) days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
a. provide technical assistance for uniform assessment and monitoring procedures 
for floatable materials in coastal recreation water; and 
b. specify the conditions under which the presence of floatable material shall 
constitute a threat to public health and safety. 
G. Occurrence Database. - The Secretary shall establish, maintain, and make available to the 
public by electronic and other means - 
a. A national coastal recreation water · pollution occurrence database using reliable 
information, including the information reported under paragraph (A); and 
b. A listing of communities conforming to the regulations promulgated under 
paragraphs (A) and (B). 
 
Sec. 7. Report to Congress. – Not later than four ( 4) years after the date of the enactment 
of this title and periodically thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that 
contains: 
 
A. Recommendations concerning the need for additional water quality criteria and other 
actions that are necessary to improve the quality of coastal recreation water; and 
B. An evaluation of efforts to implement this Act. 
 
Sec. 8. Separability Clause. – If any portion of this Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid, 
the portions or provisions which are not affected shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
 
Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules, and regulations or parts 
thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
Sec. 10. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
the Official Gazette or at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,