SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jn

6946

House Bill No.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Water is a wellspring of life. Throughout history civilization has been
born beside rivers, waterways and oceans. For water brings not only
sustenance but life itself.

With the archipelagic nature of our country, it is regrettable that some
of our barangays are still without potable water supply system.

Immediate passage of this bill is thus earnestly recommended.

Z

MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR.


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —)
Second Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.
House Bill No. 6946

AN ACT
TO PROMOTE 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. 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
services including, but not limited to, the provision of an adequate potable
water supply system to minimize the exposure of water borne diseases.

SEC 2. Legal Agency. The Department of Social Welfare and Development
in cooperation with the Department of Health and the Department of Public
Works and Highways shall undertake a three year program for the
construction of 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 which shall be given priority.

SEC 3. Program Guidelines. The lead agencies concerned shall observe the
following priorities and guidelines in the planning, construction and
management of potable water supply projects

(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 inadequate supply of potable water.


(d) The local government unit concerned shall participate
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 in the preparation of feasibility studies and
design of communal potable water supply projects.

SEC 4. Appropriation. The sum of Fifty Million Pesos (50,000,000.00) 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.

SEC 5. Separability Clause. \f any provision of this Act is held
unconstitutional, other parts or provisions hereof which are not affected
thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC 6. Repealing Clause. All laws, presidential decrees, issuances, orders,
rules and regulations and inconsistent with the provision of this Act are hereby
amended, repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC 7. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved,