THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
) 
E N A T  
s. No. 
I 
Introduced by Senator S. R. QsmeAa 111 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Considering our bodies are comprised of 55-75% water, it should come as 
no surprise that drinking water is one of the best things you can do to improve 
your health and overall well being. Aside from aiding in digestion and the 
absorption of food, drinking water regulates body temperature, carries nutrients 
and oxygen to cells, and removes toxics and other wastes from the body. 
While the health benefits of drinking water are both immeasurable and 
undeniable, the importance of consuming safe, clean drinking water cannot and 
should not be overlooked. Drinking water offers a safe haven to contaminants 
and pollutants, like lead, mercury, nitrates and asbestos. Without the use of an 
effective drinking water treatment system, you could actually jeopardize your 
health by drinking contaminated water. 
The sales of bottled drinking water have exploded in recent years, as 
drinking water quality concerns and fitness and health awareness continue to 
increase. Bottled drinking water sold in the country, however, is not necessarily 
cleaner or safer than most tap water. 
This bill aims to protect public health by regulating all types of drinking 
water businesses that shall include both the bottled water and water refill station 
businesses. It mandates that owners, proprietors and operators of water refill 
stations and producers of bottled water should be responsible in guaranteeing 
that their products comply with the World Health Organization Guideline for 
Drinking Water. 
Protection of the water source from contamination and proper treatment 
will be secured with the establishment of a Local Drinking Water Quality 
Monitoring Committee. The Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) shall ensure 
compliance of all franchise holders of duly accredited water refill stations with 
prescribed uniform quality standards. 
The BFAD, along with third party organizations, city and municipal 
councils, and local health authority shall work together to ensure these drinking 
water standards are met. 
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly requested. 
Lz, 
SERGIO OSMEQA 111 
Senator 


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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
I 
OF THE PHlLlPPlNES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
S E N A T E  
S. No. 
Introduced by Senator S. R. Osmefia 111 
AN ACT 
REGULATING THE DRINKING WATER BUSINESS AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION I. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Drinking 
Water Business Act of 2004” 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to protect 
the health of people. Towards this end, it shall ensure that potable, safe and 
affordable drinking water is available to all people by adopting a comprehensive 
policy framework to regulate the activities of the drinking water business. 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. -Under this Act: 
a. 
“Approved water source” refers to the source of water, either 
spring, drilled well, public or community water system or any other source 
that has been inspected and the water sampled, analyzed and found safe 
and sanitary, with or without treatment, in accordance with prescribed 
qua I ity standards . 
b. 
“Bottled Water” refers to water that is intended for human 
consumption and that is sealed in bottles or other containers with no 
added ingredients except that it may optionally contain safe and suitable 
anti-microbial agents and may optionally contain minerals such as, but not 
limited to fluorides, chlorides, carbonates and sulfates, including flavoring 
within the limitations established by the bottler‘s country. Bottled water 
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may be used as an ingredient in beverages such as, but not limited to 
diluted juices and flavored bottled waters. It does not include those food 
ingredients that are declared in ingredient labelling as “water” and or 
carbonated, disinfected, filtered, seltzer, soda, sparkling and tonic water. 
C. 
“Bottled water business” refers to the selling for profit, either 
wholesale or retail of bottled water. It includes any and all activities 
concerning 
the 
procurement, 
production, 
processing, 
promotion, 
advertising and selling of such product. 
d. 
“Consumer” refers to a natural person who is a purchaser, lessee, 
recipient or prospective purchaser, lessor or recipient of a consumer 
product, services or credit. 
e. 
or for use in food preparation. 
f. 
“Water refill station business” refers to the selling for profit either 
wholesale or retail of water placed in refillable water containers or in 
customer’s containers in refilling stations. 
SEC. 4. Coverage. - This Act shall apply to all types of drinking water 
businesses that shall include both the bottled water and water refill station 
businesses. 
“Drinking Water” refers to water intended for human consumption 
SEC. 5 Registration. - Any person who wishes to engage in the 
drinking water business shall secure the appropriate water business certificate to 
be issued by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). The certificate shall 
contain all such information needed as determined by the DTI. The water 
business certificate shall be a requirement precedent to the application for local 
business permits, clearances and licenses. 
SEC. 
6. 
Responsibility of Owners Proprietors, Operators and 
Producers. - Owners, proprietors and operators of water refill stations and 
producers of 
manufacturing 
bottled water are responsible for ensuring, through good 
practices, appropriate manufacturing techniques and sufficient 
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quality control 
that all refilled 
World Health C 
SEC. 7 
and local govt 
Drinking Water 
source water I: 
ground or sur 
community. 
SEC. 8 
owners/proprie 
or join their res 
SEC. 9 
independent th 
the DOH for b 
Local Governr 
report violatioi 
organizations I 
of Food and Dr 
SEC. 1 
franchise holdc 
BFAD to ens1 
BFAD, in coorc 
rules and reg1 i 
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wocedures provided for in existing laws, rules and regulations, 
and bottled water products sold to consumers comply with the 
ganization (WHO) Guideline for Drinking Water. 
Source Water Proteefion. - The Department of Health (DOH) 
nment unit concerned shall coordinate and establish a Local 
hality Monitoring Committee that shall institute and implement a 
2tection and treatment program to prevent any contamination of 
ace water from affecting the drinking water supplies of the 
lndusfry Associations. - All procedures of bottled water and 
irs and operators of water refill stations are encouraged to form 
ective industry associations. 
Deputation of Independent Third Party Organization. - An 
d party organization or industry association shall be deputized by 
ttled water businesses and the Department of the Interior and 
3nt 
(DILG) for water refill station businesses to monitor and 
: of laws and rules and regulations: Provided, that these 
iall coordinate with the respective local health officer and Bureau 
gs (BFAD) representatives in the fulfillment of their duties. 
. Responsibilities of the Bureau of Food and Drugs. - All 
s of duly accredited water refill stations shall be governed by the 
e compliance with prescribed uniform quality standards. The 
iation with appropriate agencies, shall promulgate the necessary 
ations and standards necessary for the efficient and effective 
implementatio li 
, of this Act. 
I, Councils. - The city and municipal councils shall enact the 
nances to ensure that the various laws implementing rules and 
cerning water refill stations are strictly enforced. 
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SEC. 12. Additional Responsibilifies and Powers. - In addition to 
the powers and responsibilities mandated by existing laws, rules and regulations, 
the local health authority, upon the recommendation of the local health office 
shall: 
(1) Suspend operations of water refill stations if found to have violated any 
of the laws and existing rules and regulations; and 
(2) Prohibit the sale of water products that do not comply with regulations 
and standards and/or order the recall or withdrawal from the market of 
any water product that has been found unsuitable for human 
consumption. 
SEC. 
13. Penalties. - A fine not exceeding Ten thousand pesos 
(PlO,OOO.OO) or imprisonment'of not more that six (6) months, or both, at the 
discretion of the court shall be imposed on any person who: 
(a) Violated, disobeys, refuses without reasonable cause, omits or 
neglects to comply with any provision of the laws, rules and 
regulations on the bottled water and water refill station industries. 
(b) Interferes with or hinders, or opposes any officer, agent or member of 
the DOH or DlLG or the bureaus or agencies under it, in the 
performance of his duty as such under this law; and 
(c) Wilfully tears down or mutilates, defaces or alters any placard or 
notice affixed to premises in the enforcement of the law, its rules and 
regulations. 
Subsequent violations shall be punished by a fine not exceeding Fifty 
thousand pesos (P50,OOO.OO) or imprisonment of not more than one (1) year, or 
both, at the discretion of the court. In addition, the business permits and licenses 
to operate of violators shall be revoked or cancelled. 
SEC. 14. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, decrees, proclamations, 
rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or 
modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 15. SeparabiRfy Clause. - If, for any provision herein is declared 
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unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected shall remain in full force and 
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effect. 
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SEC. 16. Effecfivify Claus . - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) 
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days after its publication in the Official Gazeffe at least two (2) newspapers of 
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national circulation. 
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Approved 
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