EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S E N A T E
Senate Bill No.
m U lf ot llH* g'l ru'tn.-i-
•19 
JUL-1 P5-39
RELt. ■ J1--
Intro d u ce d  by Senator Juan M iguel F. Zubiri
AN ACT
TO PROMOTE RURAL HEALTH BY PROVIDING FOR AN ACCELERATED 
PROGRAM FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A POTABLE WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM 
IN  EVERY BARANGAY IN  THE COUNTRY W ITH IN  THREE YEARS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Access to safe and clean water supply is one of the most basic human rights that 
each individual must be able to enjoy. The United Nations defines the right to water as 
everyone's entitlement to access "sufficient, safe, acceptable, physically accessible, and 
affordable water for personal and domestic use." While consistent efforts have been done 
to ensure that each and every Filipino has access to safe and affordable water supply, 
there still remains a fraction of the population who is denied of this basic right.
Based on the results of the 2017 Annual Poverty Indicator Survey (APIS) and Water 
Quality Testing Module of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), a good majority of 
the families or about 88% reported that they have sufficient access to drinking water, 
while there still remains 4% who were unable to have sufficient drinking water due to 
unavailability from the source. The report also showed that families in the rural areas are 
less likely to have their water sources within their premises compared to families who live 
in the urban areas.
While the percentage of Filipinos who have access to an improved source of 
drinking water over the past years have increased significantly, climbing up to 94% of 
the population in 2017, the potability of water is still not guaranteed, especially since only 
77% or four in every five families do not practice any kind of filtration method or 
treatment that will ensure that their water is safe to drink.
The health risks of an unsafe water supply is a case for serious concern. In fact, 
according to the World Health Organization, in 2016, acute water diarrhea, which usually 
comes from unsafe drinking water is one of the top ten leading causes of deaths in the 
country, claiming over 139,000 lives.
This bill endeavors to address the persisting problem of lack of access to safe 
drinking water especially in rural areas by establishing a program that would provide 
every barangay in the country with a potable water supply system within three years.


Providing every Filipino with an easy to access and safe supply of drinking water 
is an important key to protecting the health and well being of the population. Not only 
will it decrease the spread of water borne diseases, but it will also let more Filipinos enjoy 
their right to a healthy and quality life.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
MIGUEL F. ZU BIR I


t
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S E N A T E
Senate Bill No.
.03
F i 
ol lll^ ^-.rtrrtnr;>
'19 JUL-1 P5 39
Intro d u ce d  by Senator Juan M iguel F. Zubiri
AN ACT
TO PROMOTE RURAL HEALTH BY PROVIDING FOR AN ACCELERATED 
PROGRAM FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A POTABLE WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM 
IN  EVERY BARANGAY IN  THE COUNTRY W ITH IN  THREE YEARS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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SECTION. 1 Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote the
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quality of health of every Filipino through the provision of adequate social service
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including, but not limited to, the provision of an adequate potable water supply system
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to minimize the exposure of water borne diseases.
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SEC. 2. Lead Agencies. - The Department of Interior and Local Government, in
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cooperation with the Department of Health, and Department of Public Works and
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Highways shall undertake a three-year program for the construction of potable water
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supply system in every barangay throughout the country. The program shall give priority
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to areas with social and health problems brought about by the water-borne diseases
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taking into consideration population, area served, project cost and other economic, social
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and environmental factors as may be deemed necessary in undertaking the program
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within the context of the national development plans. The lead agencies concerned, in
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consultation with the provincial and municipal development councils, shall determine the
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areas that shall be given priority.
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SEC. 3. Program  G uidelines. - The lead agencies concerned shall observe the
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following priorities and guidelines in the planning, construction and management of
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potable water supply project:
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(a) Funds provided for in this Act shall be used only for the construction of the 
new potable water supply system;
(b) Priority shall be given to the construction of communal water supply;
(c) The potable water supply projects must be equitably distributed among the 
provinces and 
municipalities, 
giving 
priority to those 
provinces and 
municipalities having inadequate supply of potable water;
(d ) The local government unit concerned shall participate in the planning, 
identification, design, management of funds, construction and monitoring of 
the project;
(e) The potable water supply system shall be managed and maintained by the local 
government unit concerned;


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(f) The provincial officers of the Department of Interior and Local Government 
Department of Health, and Department of Public Works and Highways, shall 
be responsible in the preparation of feasibility studies and design of communal 
water supply projects.
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SEC. 4. A ppropriation. - The sum of Fifty Million Pesos (P50,000,000.00) is 
hereby appropriated for the initial implementation of the provision of this act. Thereafter, 
the succeeding appropriation for its continued implementation shall be included in the 
annual General Appropriations Act until the program shall have been completed.
SEC. 5. S eparability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held 
unconstitutional, other parts or provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall 
continue to be in force and effect.
SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, issuances, orders, 
rules and regulation and inconsistent with the provision of this Act are hereby amended, 
repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 7. E ffe ctivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or two (2) newspaper or general circulation.
Approved,