Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
PROMOTING 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 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Access to safe and potable water is fundamental in every 
community. It cannot be emphasized enough that clean water is critical 
to every man's survival.  
Unfortunately, in the Philippines, more than 3 million people rely 
on unsafe and unsustainable water while 7 million lack access to 
improved sanitation.  
This bill seeks to address this alarming problem, by seeking to 
establish a potable water supply system in every barangay within three 
years. This shall be carried out by the Department of Social Welfare and 
Development, in collaboration with the Department of Health and the 
Department of Public Works and Highways.  
This measure also focuses on the priority construction of a 
communal water supply system that will be equitably distributed to the 
provinces and municipalities that most need them.  
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought. 
REP. PM VARGAS  
Fifth District, Quezon City 
November 7, 2022
8:20 am
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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
PROMOTING 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 assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Potable Water 
Supply Act.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the 
State to promote the quality of health of every Filipino through the 
provision of adequate social service including, but not limited to, the 
provision of an adequate potable water supply system to minimize the 
exposure of water-borne diseases.  
SECTION 3. Legal Agency. – The Department of Social Welfare and 
Development (DSWD) in cooperation with the Department of Health 
(DOH) and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) shall 
undertake a three-year program for the construction of a potable 
water supply system in every barangay 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 economic, social and 
environmental factors as may be deemed necessary in undertaking the 
program within the context of the national development plans. The 
lead agencies concerned, in consultation with the provincial and 
municipal development councils, shall determine the areas shall be given 
priority. 
SECTION 4. Program Guidelines. – The lead agencies concerned shall 
observe the following priorities and guidelines in the planning, 
construction and management of 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 an inadequate supply of potable 
water.  
 
d) The local government unit concerned shall participate in the project in 
the project planning, identification, design, management of all project 
funds, construction and monitoring;  
 
e) The potable water supply system shall be managed and maintained by 
the local government unit concerned; 
 
f) The provincial officers of the Department of Social Welfare and 
Development, Department of Health, and Department of Public Works 
and Highways, shall be responsible for the preparation of feasibility 
studies and design of communal water supply project.  
 
SECTION 
5. 
Appropriation. 
– 
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.  
 
SECTION 6. Separability Clause. – If any provision of Act is held 
unconstitutional, other parts or provisions hereof which are not affected 
thereby shall continue to be in force and effect.  
 
SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. – All laws, presidential decrees, issuances, 
orders, rule and regulation and inconsistent with the provision of this 
Act are here amended, repealed or modified accordingly.  
 
SECTION 8. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or two (2) newspaper of general circulation.  
 
Approved,