, , , 
£>emltl' 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) 
FIRST REGULAR SESSION 
) 
I(Hf1~r llf nte ~r'tttnr~ 
'14 FEB17 P3 j:52 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No, 2125 
Introduced by Senator Cynthia A. Villar 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING A FRAMEWORK FOR NATIONAL SUSTAINABLE SANITATION 
PROGRAM, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
One out of every five Filipino households do not have access to sanitary toilet 
system. 
Recent data from United Nations Children's Fund show that 28% of the 
population is subjected to indignities of having to defecate in the open, in plastic bags 
or buckets disposed on rivers and garbage bins. The embarrassment of our countrymen • 
compelled to do this for want of proper toilet facility hits right at the core of their beings. 
Sanitation as a human right goes deep and touches on the basic dignity of every 
person. 
The large number of those without access to proper toilet facilities is alarming 
considering that health and well-being are' closely connected to sanitation. The 
prevalence of sanitation-related diseases, such as cholera and amoebiasis, is an 
indication not only of unhygienic conditions our people are daily exposed to, but of the 
extent of poverty faced by the majority of Filipinos. In fact, diarrhea is one of the leading 
cause of morbidity in the Philippines. 
For many years, vital reforms on the delivery of health and' sanitation services 
have been pushed at the back-burner. The small health .budget has lead to limited 
access of health services. Instead of sustained and concrete programs, the health 
sector resorts to short term expedient solutions to decades-old health and sanitation 
concerns. Little importance is given to sanitation despite the passage of the Clean 
Water Act of 2004 and the rising incidence of water-borne diseases outbreaks, the 
continued disregard of the importance of sustainable sanitation is also reflected on the 
high morbidity rate especially of children and pregnant women. 
Sustainable sanitation does not end with the availability of a toilet facility inside 
the house, it extends to complete communl!y-wlde sanitation systems designed to 
properly treat and dispose waste. It involves a comprehensive review and 
implementation of the national sanitation program taking into consideration the practices 
and standards applicable to Philippine setting. 
This bill seeks to promote sustainable sanitation by strengthening and expanding 
the services of the Sanitation Unit of the Department of Health, and by amending 
Sections 3 and 103 of Presidential Decree 856 also known as the ~anitation Code. 
In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly sought. 
/l /l-.·IV~ 
IC;N~I~ ~. VILLAR 
, 


.. 
.iCt1lltl' 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) 
FIRST REGULAR SESSION 
) 
tOfh~r IJ.f Ul£ $t'rrl't~r~ 
• 
'14 
FEB 17 P 3 :53 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 2125 
Introduced by Senator Cynthia A, Villar 
1 
AN ACT 
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PROVIDING A FRAMEWORK FOR NATIONAL SUSTAINABLE SANITATION 
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PROGRAM, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
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Congress assembled: 
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Section 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the "National Sustainable 
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Sanitation Act of 2014". 
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. The State shall pursue a policy on sustainable 
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sanitation to protect public health and human development as a fundamental human 
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right. As such, it shall be the guided by the following policy statements: 
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1) 
Sanitation is both a social and economic good. It is essential for basic healtn 
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and dignity of the person. 
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2) 
Sanitation policies, plans and programs must be localized and its 
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management decentralized at the lowest level possible. 
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3) 
Sanitation is a responsibility of all citizens. Different stakeholders must be 
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involved in promoting good sanitation and hygiene practices. 
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4) 
Sanitation systems must be financially sustainable, economically affordable, • 
socially and culturally acceptable. 
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5) 
Good sanitation contributes to environmental sustainability and penalizes 
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polluters. 
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6) 
Sanitation services must be, responsive and shall' include capacity 
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development for consideration of appropriate technologies, financing and 
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management options at various levels. 
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7) 
Proper resource conservation, re-use, recycle and recovery of sanitation by-
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products will be considered. 
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8) 
Access to sanitation should be equitable, and sensitive to gender 
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differences. 
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9) 
Efficient water governance includes sanitation. 
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Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean: 
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a) 
Ecological Sanitation - refers to a system that separates urine and feces 
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and provides for the safe recycling of excreta resources (plant nutrients and 
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organic matter) to crop production in such a way that the ujSe of non-renewable 
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resources is minimized; 
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b) 
Excreta - refers to both human feces and urine; 
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c) 
Sanitation - refers to a wide range of services and arrangements pertaining 
to the hygienic and proper management of human excreta and community liquid 
wastes to safeguard the health of individuals and communities. This is usually 
concerned with preventing diseases by hindering pathogens or disease-causing 
organisms found in excreta and wastewater from entering the environment and 
coming into contact with people and communities. This also involves the • 
construction of adequate collection and disposal/reuse facilities and the 
promotion of proper hygiene behavior so that facilities are effectively used at all 
times; 
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d) 
Septage - means the sludge produced on individual onsite wastewater 
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disposal systems, principally septic tanKs and cesspools; 
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e) 
Sewage - means water-borne human or animal wastes excluding oil or oil 
wastes 
removed from residences, buildings, institutions, industrial and 
commercial establishments; 
f) 
Sewerage - refers to any system or network of pipelines, ditches, channels 
or conduits including pumping stations, lift stations and force mains, service 
connections including other constructions, devices and appliances appurtenant 
thereof, which includes the collection, transport, pumping and treatment of 
sewage to a point of disposal; 
g) 
Sludge - means any solid, semi-solid or liquid waste or residue generated 
from a wastewater treatment plant, water supply treatment plant, or water control 
pollution facility, or any other such waste having similar characteristics and 
effects; 
h) 
Sustainable sanitation system - a system that protects and promotes human 
health, minimizes environmental degradation and the depletion of the resource 
base. It is technically and institutionally appropriate, while maintaining social 
acceptability and economic viability in the long term; 
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i) 
Treatment - means any method, technique, or process designed to alter the 
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physical, chemical or biological and radiological character or composition of any 
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waste or wastewater to reduce or prevent pollution; 
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j) 
Universal Coverage - one hundred percent (100%) of total households have 
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their own sanitary toilet facilities; 
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k) 
Zero Open Defecation - refers to the state of no defecation in open public 
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places; a community is said to have zero open defecation when 100% of its 
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households have their own sanitary toilets. 
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Sec. 4. The Strengthening of the Sanitation Unit. 
For purposes of carrying out the 
declared policy in Section 2, it is hereby established that the present Sanitation Unit, 
hereinafter called the Unit, under the Department of Health be strengthened through 
additional support services and appropriate funds as per recommendation of the 
Department of Health. It shall be an autonomous unit directly under the Office of the 
Health Secretary. 
The Unit shall be headed by an Administrator who is a sanitation engineer, or 
equivalent qualification, with at least five (5) years distinguished service and experience 
in any of the following fields: waterworks, sanitation management, and health. The 
administrator shall receive compensation, benefits, privileges and other emoluments 
equivalent to an Undersecretary of the DOH. 
Sec. 5. Objectives of the Unit. The Unit shall have the following objectives: 
1) 
To establish the policy guidelines for the implementation of sustainable 
sanitation including regulatory and institl:ltional arrangements; 
2) 
To promote rapid expansion of sanitation coverage throughout the 
Philippines in partnership with different stakeholders; and 
3) 
To set national targets and directions that will guide national and local 
plans and programs on sustainable sanitation. 
Sec. 6. Powers and Functions of the Unit. The Unit shall oversee the preparation 
and implementation of local sustainable sanitation management plans and prescribe 
policies to achieve the objectives of this Act. 
The Unit shall undertake the following activities: 
1) 
Prepare and 
regularly update the National Sustainable Sanitation 
Management Framework; 
2) 
3) 
4) 
5) 
6) 
7) 
8) 
Lead inter-agency implementation of the National Sustainable Sanitation 
Program; 
Develop and implement a program to provide technical and other capability 
building assistance and support to local government units in the 
development and implementation of local sustainable sanitation plans; 
Review and monitor national agency and local government sustainable 
sanitation plans in accordance with its rules and regulations; 
Develop and implemen,t a national pro-poor sanitation program that will 
target to achieve zero open defecation nationwide and one hundred percent 
sanitation coverage of all households by 2016; . 
Establish and manage the Sanitation Program Fund of the DOH; 
Monitor and regularly report to the public, through the DOH, the national 
account for sanitation; 
Formulate the necessary education promotion, information campaign and 
social marketing strategies; 
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9) 
Spearhead the research and development of the knowledge and skills on 
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technology, management and financing options for sustainable sanitation; 
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10) Encourage community participation and other partnership modalities in the 
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different areas of sustainable sanitation service delivery chain; 
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11) Propose and adopt policy, standards, regulations and guidelines relative to 
the implementation of this.Act and other related laws; 
12) Promote knowledge, standards, skills and proper hygiene behaviour for 
appropriate and sustainable sanitation solutions in schools and in 
emergency situations; 
13) Develop a program for the development, training and professionalization of 
sanitary inspectors in partnership with their national organization; and 
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14) Facilitate the organization, registration and regulation of Sanitation Service 
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providers. 
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Sec. 7. 
Role of the Department of Interior and Local Govemment. The 
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(Department of Interior and Local Government) DILG shall formulate its own sustainable 
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sanitation strategy that will ensure that all the capacities of LGUs are enhanced and are 
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assisted in developing and updating their local sustainable sanitation plans, and in the 
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regular inclusion of sustainable sanitation in the LGI,J annual investment and 
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development plans. They will also assist in over-all sector monitoring and assessments 
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and maintenance of a database. 
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Sec. 8. Role of the Department of Public Works and Highways. The Department 
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of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) shall implement the National Sewerage and 
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Septage Management Plan (NSSMP) for highly urbanizing cities as provided for in the 
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Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004. It shall ensure that the implementation of the 
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NSSMP is in partnership with the LGUs. 
It will also develop its own sustainable 
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sanitation strategy that will ensure proper installation of adequate and sustainable toilet 
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and hand washing facilities for men, women, disabled persons, of the public, and 
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employees in all government buildings. 
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Sec. 9. Role of the Housing and Land Use Regulatory BoarD and its attached 
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agencies such as the National Housing Authority and the Housing and Urban 
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Development Coordinating Council. The HLURB, NHA, and HUDCC shall develop its 
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own sustainable sanitation plans consistent with this Act that will: 
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a. Ensure that appropriate sustainable sanitation systems are adequately 
provided for in all its housing projects; and 
b. Identify their agency targets and budgets for sanitation. 
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Sec. 10. 
Role of the Local Water Utilities Administration. The Local Water 
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Utilities Authority (LWUA) will develop its sustainable sanitation strategy and action plan 
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aimed to assist water utilities (not limited to water districts) who will implement 
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sustainable sanitation initiatives. It will also ensure that at least five percent (5%) of its 
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total loan products are allocated for sanitation, sewerage and septage management 
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projects. As much as possible, it will also provide access to innovative financing 
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schemes and capacity development of the water districts. 
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Sec. 11. Role of the National Water Resources Board. The National Water 
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Resources Board (NWRB), as the main economic regulator of the water sector provided 
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for in the Water Code shall be the economic regulator for sewerage and septage 
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management. The sanitation economic regulatory guidelines shall be developed by the 
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NWRB and it should cover the following tasks: 
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1) 
Promotion of operating efficiency and performance indicators; 
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2) 
Service standard specification and monitoring; 
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3) 
Ensure asset serviceability over time; 
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4) 
Promotion of water use efficiency; 
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5) 
Safety net regulations; and 
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6) 
Customer service responsiveness. 
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In special areas where there is a different economic regulator for the water 
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service provider (such as those regulated by contract), the regulator assumes 
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responsibility for sanitation and sewerage regulation. Their regulatory guidelines should 
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be consistent with the national economic regulatory guidelines for sanitation that will be 
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developed by the NWRB. In such cases, the NWRB shall serve as the appellate body 
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for complaints between the service provider and the consumers. 
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Sec. 12. 
Role of the MunicipaVCity Local Government Units. The local 
government units (LGUs) are mandated to ensure that basic sanitation services are 
provided to their constituents. Consistent with the provisions of the local government 
code, it is hereby mandated that: 
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1) 
Sanitation l!nit in each city or municipality be established. The Sanitation 
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Unit will be under the local health departments to be headed by a Sanitation Engineer or 
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its equivalent. 
This unit shall be composed of the head and a team of sanitary 
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inspectors. This unit shall be responsible for the development and implementation of the 
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local sustainable sanitation plans and programs and shall recommend local legislation 
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as deemed necessary. 
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2) 
LGUs will develop their local sustainable sanitation plans that respond to 
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their local situation and priority needs and furnish the Unit a copy of the plan for 
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monitoring and technical assistance. 
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3) 
They will work with different stakeholders and service providers such as 
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Water Districts, small private entrepreneurs, and community-based associations to 
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develop the plan and ensure its implementation and enforcement of the national 
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policies. 
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4) 
They will develop local policies aod ordinances which defines its strategies 
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and stipulates penalties and fines for violations for open defecation and for other 
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unsanitary behaviors that affect public health. 
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5) 
The LGUs shall allocate at least 10% of their 20% development funds for 
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improvement of sanitation, the amount of which shall be regularly reported and 
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accounted for separately. 
The sanitary fees levied by the LGUs shall be solely 
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allocated for sanitation related project~. 
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6) 
The LGUs will develop programs and incentive schemes to achieve 
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universal coverage of their total household population having their own sanitary toilet 
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facilities within a reasonable time frame as indicated in their sustainable sanitation plan. 
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7) 
The LGUs shall also ensure the provision, operation and maintenance of 
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adequate sanitary toilet facilities for men and women in public places such as public 
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markets, bus terminals, public parks, public basketball courts/gymnasiums. They shall 
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also ensure adequate operation and maintenance of public school buildings. 
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8) 
The LGUs will work with communities and households to create demand 
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for sanitation improvement through health and hygiene awareness programs. 
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Sec. 13. Role of Provincial LGUs. The Provincial LGUs will assist the Municipal 
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and City LGUs by: 
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1) 
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Ensuring compliance with the national policy, norms and standards; 
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Developing provincial legislation, norms and standards; 
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Monitoring progress of the LGUs in meeting their targets; 
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4) 
Allocating portion of their IRA to provide for counterpart support financing 
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tomunicipal/city LGUs; and 
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5) 
Providing for the establishment, operation and maintenance of at least one 
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septage treatment facility for the province. 
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Sec. 14. Role of the Oeparlment of Education. The Department of Education 
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(DepEd) shall ensure that all schools have adequate number of sustainable sanitary 
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toilet facilities for the students. 
No school building is considered complete without 
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proper toilet facilities. The DepEd shall immediately address the access gaps by giving 
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priority to schools that maybe used as evacuation centers. All of these information shall 
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be identified in their sustainable sanitation action plan which should indicate their 
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targets, plans and budgets within a given timeframe. 
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Sec. 15. Role of the Inter-Agency Committee on Environmental Health. The 
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Inter-Agency Committee on Environment Health (IACEH) shall be a high level inter-
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agency platform to ensure coordination and monitoring of agency performance. They 
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will address emerging bottlenecks that constrain achievement of universal coverage. 
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Sec. 16. Role of the Oeparlment of Finance. The Department of Finance will 
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take responsibility for ensuring equitable and practical funding and financing 
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arrangements that will enable the provincial and municipal LGUs to finance their 
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sanitation plans and programs. 
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Sec. 17. Role of Civil Society. 
Non-government organizations and community-
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based organizations can include but are not limited to health and hygiene awareness 
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promotion and education; training and capacity development; facilitating community 
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participation; 
implementing 
community-based 
sanitation 
improvement 
projects; 
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monitoring plan implementation; and piloting demonstration projects. 
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Sec. 18. Individual Excreta and Sewage Disposal System. All hous~s and 
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buildings shall have an excreta and sewage disposal system as approved by the local 
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Sanitation Inspector and provided for in Section 19. 
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Sec. 19. Sewerage and Sewage Treatment System. 
All households and 
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buildings covered by the system shall be connected to the sewer. 
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Sec. 20. Approval of the Department. The approval of the "Department shall be 
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required in the following matters: 
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1. The construction of any approved type of individual excreta and sewage disposal 
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system; 
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2. Plans, deSigns, and specifications of individual excreta and sewage disposal 
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System; 
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3. Plans, designs and specifications of sewerage and sewage treatment systems; 
and 
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4. Methods of disposal of sludge and/or septage from excreta or sewage disposal 
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treatment facilities. 
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Sec. 21. Achieving Universal Sanitation Coverage. The Unit, in coordination with 
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IACEH and the LGUs shall spearhead a sustainable sanitation campaign aimed at 
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achieving universal sanitation coverage in the country that will: 
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1. Raise awareness and cultivate demand for improved sanitation at LGU level; 
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2. Achieve zero open defecation in all barangays in the country by 2016; 
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3. Ensure that all households will have their own sanitary toilet facility; 
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4. Ensure that LGUs provide a support system for disposing human excreta, 
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household wastewater and refuse which is acceptable to users, safe, hygienic, 
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easily accessible and which does not have an unacceptable impact on the 
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environment; and 
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5. Trigger LGUs to develop their sustainable sanitation plans and programs and 
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allocate resources for its implementation. 
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Sec. 22. 
The National Sustainable Sanitation Plan. The DOH thru the Sanitation 
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Unit shall prepare a five-year (5) National Sustainable Sanitation Plan consistent with 
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the Sustainable Sanitation Framework within one (1) year from the approval of this Act. 
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Sec. 23. The Local Sustainable Sanitation Plan. The Local Government Units shall 
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prepare its respective five-year (5) Sustainable Sanitation Plans consistent with the 
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Sustainable Sanitation Framework Plan within one (1) year from the approval of this 
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Act. 
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Sec. 24. Amendatory and Repealing Clause. The following sections of 
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Presidential Decree 856 also known as "Sanitation Code" is hereby amended to read as 
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follows: 
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Section 3. Functions of the Department of Health. The 
Department shall have the following powers and functions: 
(a) Undertake the promotion and preservation of the health 
of the people and raise the health standards of individuals 
and communities throughout the Philippines. 
xxx 
(i) TAKE A LEAD ROLE IN SANITATION GOVERNANCE 
BY PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, SETTING 
STANDARDS AND POLICY GUIDELINES, AND THE 
CONDUCT OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND 
MONITORING OF PLANS AND PROGRAMS. 
Section 103. Penal Provision. 
(a) Unless otherwise provided il') any Chapter or section in 
this Code, any [person] public official who shall violate, 
disobey, refuse, omit or neglect· to comply with any of the 
rules and regulations promulgated under this Code shall be 
guilty <;>f misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be 
punished by imprisonment for a period not exceeding [six 
months or by a fine of not exceeding one thousand pesos] 
FOUR (4) YEAR~ AND A FINE NOT l.,ES$ THAN, FIFTY 
THOUSAND PESOS (Php 50,000.00) AND NOT MORE 
THAN 
ONE 
HUNDRED 
THOUSAND 
PESOS 
(Php 
100,000.00) PER DAY FOR EACH DAY OF VIOLATION 
depending upon the discretion of the court. 
(b) Any person who shall interfere with or hinder, or oppose 
any officer, agent or member of the Department or of the 
bureaus and offices under it, in the performance of his duty 
as such under this Code, or shall tear down, mutilate, deface 
or alter any placard, or notice, affixed to the premises in the 
enforcement of the Code. shall be guilty of a misdemeanor 
and punishable upon conviction by imprisonment for a [six 
months or by a fine of not exceeding one thousand pesos or 
both depending upon the discretion of the court] FOUR (4) 
YEARS AND A FINE NOT LESS THAN FIFTY THOUSAND 
PESOS (Php 50,000.00) AND NOT MORE THAN ONE 
HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (Php 100,000.00) PER 
DAY FOR EACH DAY OF VIOLATION depending upon the 
discretion of the court. 
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Sec. 25. Appropriations. The' Department shall allocate an in'itial Php 100 million 
53 
for the launching of the NSSP nationwide and jump-start sustainable sanitation in high-
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risk areas as recommended by the Provincial Health Units in every region. The National 
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Sanitation Unit shall have an allocation of at least Php 100 million thereafter. First, 
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second and third municipalities and cities shall provide funding for the implementation of 
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their local sanitation programs. Fourth and fifth class municipalities shall receive 
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counterpart assistance from DOH, DENR and DPWH for the implementation of their 
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sanitation programs. 
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Sec. 26. Separability Clause. If, for any reason, any section or provision of this 
Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid, such other sections or provisions not affected 
thereby shall remain in full force and effect. 
Sec. 27. Repealing Clause. Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, leiter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or 
inconsistent with the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
accordingly. 
Sec. 28. 
Effectivity. 
This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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