Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

7121

HOUSE BILL No.,

Introduced by the Honorable Deogracias Victor ‘DV’ B. Savellano

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Hydrology defines spring as an opening at or near the surface of the Earth for the discharge
of water from underground sources. A spring is a natural discharge point of subterranean water at
the surface of the ground or directly into the bed of a stream, lake or sea. Water that comes from
the spring can be an alternative and valuable source of water. With a rapidly growing population
whose requirement for water is growing just as fast, there are modern technologies that can be used
to harness the benefits of spring water,

Spring water has been used for a variety of human needs — such as drinking water, domestic
water supply, irrigation, mills, and even electricity generation. Spring water can also be used for
recreational activities such as fishing, swimming, and floating; therapy; water for livestock and also
for fish hatcheries. It is the view of this author that we should avail of spring water thereby
‘maximizing all possible sources of water which we can be used for primary and secondary schools
particularly in rural areas either for drinking, recreation and sanitization purposes ( such as hand
washing for protection against the pandemic COVID-19 and any other affliction of such magnitude
that may come later ) by the students and faculty.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

(CTOR ‘DV’ B. SAVELLANO
Wve, 1 District, llocos Sur


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRSENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

72t

HOUSE BILL No.,

Introduced by the Honorable Deogracias Victor “DV” B. Savellano

AN ACT

INSTITUTIONALIZING A SPRING WATER COLLECTION SYSTEM FOR THE USE OF SCHOOLS IN THE
PHILIPPINES.

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy - The State recognizes the importance of fully utilizing its natural
resources such as spring water. The State shall therefore maximize its use by providing a collection
system that will promote, regulate and sustain its usage to supplement the dwindling water supply.
Pursuant thereto, the State and its instrumentalities shall adapt and implement programs that will
promote the sustainability and maximization of spring water.

SECTION 2. Definition of Terms - As used in this Act:

a) Spring Water ~ refers to liquid water discharged from underground sources reaching to
an opening or near the surface of the earth such as a spring. Water in springs, seeps,
and wells generally originates as rainfall that has soaked into the soil and percolated
into underlying rocks.

b) Spring Water Collection System (SWCS) — refers to an area with a system wherein
spring water can be collected.

SECTION 3. Purpose and Utilization of Spring Water Collection. ~ A spring water collection system
shall be constructed wherever feasible so that nearby schools may avail of it for the primary purpose
of hand washing as protection against COVID-19 and other afflictions. Storage tanks not susceptible
to contaminants can be installed to preserve excess spring water collected.

The school benefiting from the Spring Water shall also utilize the facilities that have been
provided and constructed by the Department of Public Works and Highways pursuant to its mandate
under RA 6716, entitled, An Act Providing for the Construction of Water Wells, Rainwater Collectors,
Development of Springs and Rehabilitation of Existing Water Wells in all Barangays in the
Philippines.

SECTION 4. Spring Water Treatment — To ensure the quality of Spring Water for drinking purposes, a
Spring Water treatment device shall be installed in the SWCS for filtration and purification processes.


SECTION 5. Operation and Maintenance. - Notwithstanding the provisions of Sec.3 of RA 6716, the
operation and maintenance of the SWCS shall be vested upon the barangay government where the
spring is located, to regulate the proper distribution and utilization of water and to ensure the
regular cleaning and inspection of the system. It shall implement additional care mechanisms to
avoid damage to equipment and facilities, and possible contamination by people and animals to the
spring. It shall integrate the concept of climate change in the various phases of policy formulation.

SECTION 6. Monitoring and Evaluation. - The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)
shall conduct regular monitoring and evaluation on the SWCS to determine the safety of water for
domestic use.

SECTION 7. Appropriations - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be
included in the budget of the concerned departments and agencies. For the concerned local
government units, the amount shall be taken from the internal revenue allotment.

SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations— Within sixty (60) days of the effectivity of this
Act, the DILG, in consultation with the local chief executive and representative of the barangay
council, shall formulate the guidelines to fully implement the provisions of this Act .

SECTION 9. Separability Clause - if any provision of this Act is held invalid or unconstitutional, the
same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other provisions hereof.

SECTION 10. Repealing Clause — All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations contrary
or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 11. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,