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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
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10 JI.12 A9:,1 
SENb-TE 
S.No. 1857 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article II, Section 16 of the Constitution states: 
Sec. 16. The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a 
bala11ced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and hannony of nature. 
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" ... 
Climate change is here and is happening. The U.N.'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 wanning 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 source 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 wanning phenomenon. 1 
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MIRIAM DEFE~SOR SA'<:fTIA?J 
pPY' 
I This bill was originally filed in the Fourteenth Congress, Second Regular Session 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
... 
, 
H) -Ill 22 A9:tI 
SENATE' 
S. No. 
1857 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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AN ACT 
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PROVIDING FOR RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, EDUCATION AND TECHNOLOGY 
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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, conservation 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 following terms are 
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defined: 
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(1) "DENR" - Department of Environment and Natural Resources' 
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(2) "DOST" - Department of Science and Technology 
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(3) "Greywater - non-industrial wastewater generated from domestic processes such as 
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dish washing, laundry and bathing 
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(4) Stormwater - water from precipitation that get seeped into the ground or drained into 
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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 and other concerned 
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government agencies, boards and bureaus shall establish a research and development program 
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(hereinafter referred to as "Program") that promotes water use efficiency and conservation. 
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The program shall include the following areas of study: 
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1.. Technologies and processes that enable the collection, storage, treatment and 
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reuse of rainwater, stormwater and greywater; 
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2. Water storage and distribution systems; 
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3. Behavioral, social and economIc barriers to achieving greater water use 
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efficiency; and 
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4. 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 agency/ies-in-charge shall consider the 
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fOllowing: 
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1. Research needs identified by water resource experts, local governments and other 
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interested parties; 
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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 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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1. 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 
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and technologies and improving existing processes and technologies, including 
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wastewater treatment, desalinization and groundwater recharge and recovery 
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schemes; and 
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2. Identify current research efforts on water use efficiency and conservation. 
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SECTION 6. Technology Transfer. - Technology transfer shall be facilitated under the 
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Program. The following technology transfer activities shall be specifically undertaken: 
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1. Facilitate the adoption of technology and processes to promote water use 
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efficiency and conservation; 
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2. 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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a. Incentives and impediments to development and commercialization; 
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b. Best practices; and 
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c. 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 lead government agency shall 
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transmit to Congress a progress report on the proj ects and researches conducted under the 
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Program. 
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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 shaH 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 
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with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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