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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regulnr Session 
SENATE 
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S. NO. 
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INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VILLAR JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
An incurable new strain of water borne cholera is threatening the country. Medical 
scientists call it fibro choleras non-0139, and is said to be widespread in the countryside, 
particularly iii areas where there are inadequate sources of potable water. Six hundred four (604) 
cases of fibro choleras lion-0139 have been reported and a number have already died. 
At present, no medical remedy can cure the disease. There are no vaccines to immunize 
people against it. The only definitive solution to stop the spread of this disease is to have a clean 
supply of driiiltiiig water. There is therefore a need to build sanitary water systems and other 
facilities as a preventive measure for this epidemic. Such facilities will prevent not only cholera, 
but other water-borne diseases as well. 
This bill seeks to develop a three-year program for the construction of a potable water 
supply system in every baraiigay throughout the country. Providing a clean water supply source 
ji2 rural areas is important in order to prevent the outbreak of cholera and other water-borne 
diseases. 
This bill will realize the long-time dream of the barrio follts, including the few families 
who manage to afford electric punips despite exorbitant electric bills, in obtaining a modern and 
potable water system in their area. 
Approval of this bill is earnestly requested. 
MANU 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
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ENATE 
S. No. 
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INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VILLAR JR. 
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 
WITHIN THREE YEARS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
msem bled: 
SECTION 1. Policy - It is liereby declared to be tlie policy of the State to promote tlie 
quality of health of every Filipino through the provision of adequate social services including, bu 
iiot limited to, tlie provision of an adequate potable water supply system to minimize the 
exposure of water borne disease. 
SECTION 2. Lend Agency - The Department of Social Welfare and Developineiit in 
coordination with the Department of Health and the Department of Public Worlts and Highways 
shall undertake a three year program for the construction of potable water supply system in every 
baraiigay throughout the country. The program shall give priority to areas with social and health 
problems brought about by water-borne diseases taking into consideration population, area 
served, project cost and other econoinic, social and environmental factors as inay be deenied 
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necessary in uiidei-talting the program within the context of the national development plans. The 
lead agencies concerned, iii consultation with 
the provincial and municipal development 
councils, sliall detenniiie tlie areas which shall be given priority. 
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SECTION 3. Program Guidelines - The lead agencies concerned shall observe the 
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following priorities and guidelines in tlie planning, construction and management of potable 
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water supply projects: 
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a. Funds provided for in this Act shall be used only for the construction of the new 
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potable water supply system; 
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b. Priority shall be given to the construction of communal water supply; 
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c. Tlie potable water supply projects must be equitably distributed among the provinces 
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and municipalities, giving priority to those provinces and inuiiicipalities having 
inadequate snpply of potable water; 
d. The local government unit concerned shall participate in all stages of the project. The 
local government shall participate in the project planning, identification, design, 
management of tlie project funds, construction and monitoring; 
e. The potable water supply system shall be managed and maintained by the local 
government unit conceiiied; 
f. Tlie provincial offices of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, 
Department of Health, and Department of Public Works and Highways, shall be 
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water sup,ply projects. 
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SECTION 4. Appropriation - The sum of Fifty Million Pesos (50,000,000.00) is 
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hereby appropriated for the initial implementation of the provision of this Act. Thereafter, the 
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succeeding appropriations for its continued implementation shall be included in the annual 
responsible in the preparation of feasibility studies and design of coininunal potable 
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General Appropriations Act until the program sliall have been completed. 
SECTION 5. Separability CZnzise - If any provision of this Act is held unconstitutional, 
other parts or provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force 
and effect. 
SECTION 6 Repealing Clause - All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations and 
iiiconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 7. Effectivity - This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
in the official Gazette or two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,