SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
'13 
OCT '·3 P5 :33 
SENJ1TE 
S. No. 
l~OO 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article II, Section 16 ofthe Constitntion states: 
Sec. 16. The State shaH protect and advance the right of the people to a 
balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of natl,lTe. 
Climate change is here and is happening. The U.No's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate 
Change (IPCC) said that climate change is "unequivocal, is already happening, and is caused by 
human activity. The IPCC listed likely effects of global warming such as arid regions will grow 
dryer, rising seas will flood coastal areas, and melting glaciers will flood communities 
downstream and then dry up the sOl,lTce of future water supplies. 
With climate change identified as the biggest threat to the world's resources, a more 
proactive stance must be adopted by our country in order to mitigate the likely effects of climate 
change. 
This bill aims to facilitate the research, development, education and technology transfer 
activities related to water use efficiency and conservation technologies, processes and best 
practices. This bill gives emphasis to our water resource which is identified as one of the critical 
resources affected by the global warming phenomenon.' 
~~ 4 h·.-<~ ~,,~ 
~ 
. MIRIAM DEF~'iSOR sANTII('O 
• This bill was originally filed in the Fourteenth Congress, Second Regular Session. 
I 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
!i>l'nCltf' 
t~ffHIt ur H!&' :_h(\· .. I~r~ 
'13 
OCT -3 P5 :33 
SENtlfoo 
S. No. -" __ _ 
-----------------------------------------;RHE~'(~'I~;I~\'~C+nh!W;.~I.~ 
... ~. 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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AN ACT 
2 
PROVIDING FOR RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, EDUCATION AND TECHNOLOGY 
3 
TRANSFER ACTIVITIES RELATED TO WATER USE EFFICIENCY AND 
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CONSERVATION TECHNOLOGIES AND PRACTICES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Water Use Efficiency and 
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Conservation Research Act." 
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SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to advance the right of 
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the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. 
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The State must therefore ensure the protection, cOf\servation and sustainability of our natural 
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resources. With climate change and other human activities posing a threat to our water resources, 
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the State must adequately respond by promoting water use efficiency and conservation through 
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research, development, education and technology transfers. 
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SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the term-
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(A) 
"DENR" refers to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources; 
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(B) 
"DOST" refers to the Department of Science and Technology; 
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(C) 
"Graywater" refers to non-industrial wastewater generated from domestic 
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processes such as dish washing, laundry, and bathing; and 
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(D) 
"Stormwater" refers to water from precipitation that get seeped into the ground or 
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drained into the drain system. 
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SECTION 4. Research Program. - The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), 
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together with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and other 
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concerned government agencies, boards, and bureaus shall establish a research and development 
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program (hereinafter referred to as "Program") that promotes water uSe efficiency and 
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conservation. 
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The program shall include the following areas of study: 
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(A) 
Technologies and processes that enable the collection, storage, treatment, and 
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reuse of rainwater, stormwater, and graywater; 
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(B) 
Water storage and distribution systems; 
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(C) 
Behavioral, social and economic barriers to achieving greater water use 
II 
efficiency; and 
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(D) 
Use of watershed planning directed towards water quality, conservation, and 
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supply. 
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In planning and implementing the program, the DOST and the DENR shall consider the 
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following: 
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(I) 
Research needs identified by water resource experts, local governments, and other 
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interested parties; and 
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(2) 
Technologies and processes likely to achieve the greatest increases in water use 
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efficiency and conservation. 
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SECTION 5. Strategic Research Plan. - The DOST, together with the DENR and other 
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concerned government agencies, boards, and bureaus, shall coordinate the development of a 
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strategic research plan for the Water Use Efficiency and Conservation Research and 
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Development Program. 
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The plan shall: 
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(A) 
Establish research goals and priorities for a water use efficiency and conservation 
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research agenda such as developing innovative water supply-enhancing processes and 
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technologies and improving existing processes and technologies, including wastewater treatment, 
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desalinization and groundwater recharge and recovery schemes; and 
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. , 
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(B) 
Identify current research efforts on water use efficiency and conservation. 
SECTION 6. Technology Transfer. - Technology transfer shall be facilitated under the 
Program. The following technology transfer activities shall be specifically undertaken: 
(A) 
Facilitate the adoption of technology and processes to promote water use 
efficiency and conservation; 
(B) 
Collect and disseminate information on technologies and processes to promote 
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water use efficiency and conservation such as: 
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9 
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(1) 
(2) 
(3) 
Incentives and impediments to development and commercialization; 
Best practices; and 
Anticipated increases in water use efficiency and conservation resulting 
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from the implementation of specific technologies and processes. 
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SECTION 7. Report. - Not later than eighteen (18) months after the date of the 
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enactment of this Act, and every two (2) years thereafter, the DOST and the DENR shall transmit 
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to Congress a progress report on the projects and researches conducted under this Act. 
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SECTION 8. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this 
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Act are hereby authorized to be appropriated from the National Treasury. 
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SECTION 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the Act or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
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valid and subsisting. 
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SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive -
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order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
22 
with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly_ 
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., . 
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SECTION 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
2 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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