Republic of the Philippines
| HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

6225

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by ANG PROBINSYANO
Party-List Representative Alfred Delos Santos

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Despite being acknowledged by the United Nations General Assembly as a basic
human right, the right to receive safe, affordable, and accessible clean water still
remains a dream in the Philippines. Based on the publication by the World Health
Organization in 2019," around 1 in 10 people in the Philippines still do not have access
to improved water sources. Likewise, Water.Org, a global non-profit organization,
reported that around seven million Filipinos use unimproved, unsafe, and
unsustainable water sources, and that more than twenty-four million Filipinos do not
have access to improved sanitation.?

These statistics are bothersome not only because the number of Filipinos involved
are high, but also because lack of access to clean water is a public health issue. Without
access to water, people cannot clean their homes and surrounding as well as maintain
their personal hygiene. These in turn would lead to increased chances of acquiring and
transmitting di

In response to the foregoing, this bill seeks to establish in every local government
unit (LGU) a communal potable water supply system as well as the improvement of
existing water supply systems. Each LGU shall actively support and coordinate with the
designated lead agencies in the development of these communal potable water supply
systems during the three-year program. LGUs shall likewise maintain and ensure that
the communal water supply systems remain operational for all the generations to come.

It is hoped that through this legislation, we will see a future where no Filipino
would have to endure using and drinking unsafe water. A future where no one is
deprived of access to water. A future with better health and wellness for,

ybinsyano Party List

} World Health Organization, Water shortage in the Philippines threatens sustainable development and
health, https:/ /www.who.int/ philippines /news /feature-stories /detail water-shortage-in-the-philippines-
threatens-sustainable-development-and-health, March 22, 2019.

2 Water. Org, Philippines’ Water and Sanitation Crisis, https: //water.org/our-impact/philippines/


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 6225

Introduced by ANG PROBINSYANO
Party-List Representative Alfred Delos Santos

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION OF POTABLE
WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS IN EVERY BARANGAY ALL THROUGHOUT THE
COUNTRY WITHIN THREE YEARS

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

Section 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “Water for All Act of
2020.”

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State shall adopt an integrated and
comprehensive approach in promoting the quality of health among all Filipinos,
through the adequate provision of essential social services, such as clean and
potable water.

Section 3. Lead Agencies. The Department of Public Works and Highways
(‘DPWH”), in cooperation with the Department of Interior and Local Government
(‘DILG”), the Department of Health (“DOH”), and the Department of Social
Welfare and Development (“DSWD”), shall undertake a three-year program for
the development and construction of potable water supply systems in every
barangay throughout the country.

Section 4. Guidelines. - The lead agencies concerned shall observe the
following guidelines in the development of the three-year program:

(a) Funds provided for in this Act shall be used only for the construction of
new potable water supply systems and/or the development of previously-
constructed potable water supply systems;


(b) Priority shall be given to the construction of communal water supply
systems;

() The allocation of funds provided for in this Act must be equitably
distributed among all local government units, giving priority to those that
lack access to clean and potable water;

(d) In alll phases leading to the development, construction, and monitoring of
potable water systems, the lead agencies shall consider the best practices
in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (“WASH”);

(¢) The lead agencies, in coordination with the local government units
concerned, shall consult concerned sectors and stakeholders in the
Gecineinsas of the three-year program and the implementation thereof;
and

(f) Other factors, such as economic, social, and environmental factors, shall
be accounted for in the development of the three-year program.

Section 5. The Role of Local Government Units - Local government units
shall participate in all phases leading to the development, construction, and
monitoring of potable water supply systems in their respective jurisdictions. The
local government units concerned shall thereafter manage and maintain the
water supply systems constructed in accordance with this Act.

Section 6. Appropriation. - The sum of Fifty Million Pesos (P50,000,000.00)
is hereby appropriated for the initial implementation of the provisions 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 7. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is held
unconstitutional, the other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall
continue to be in force and effect.

Section 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, issuances,

orders, rules, and regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby amended, repealed, or modified accordingly.

after its publication in the Official Gazette or two (2) newspaper or general

Section 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
circulation. -

Approved,