Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City ue

> RECEIVED A

ip 02 SEP 2013

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS ]

First Regular Session

House Bill No.__ 2655

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM FOR THE PROMOTION OF
WATERLESS TECHNOLOGIES TO CONSERVE PRECIOUS WATER RESOURCES,
PROVIDING ENABLING MECHANISMS FOR TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article 14, Section 10 of the 1987 Constitution provides that “Science and
technology are essential for national development and progress.” As such, the
State shall give priority to research and development and their utilization for the
improvement of the lives and welfare of the general public.

Furthermore, Article Il, Section 16 provides that “The State shall protect and
advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord
with the rhythm and harmony of nature.”

With these provisions of the Constitution in mind, it is imperative that we
conserve our precious potable water resource. Based on scientific studies, about
97.5% of all water on earth is salt water, leaving only 2.5% as fresh water. Of these
available 2.5% freshwater, nearly 70% is frozen in the icecaps of Antartica and
Greenland while most of the remaining fresh water is present as soil moisture, or lies in
deep underground aquifers as groundwater not accessible to human use

As such, less than 1% of the world's fresh water is accessible for direct human
consumption and utilization. This is the water found in our lakes, rivers, reservoirs and

1


those underground sources that are shallow enough to be tapped at an affordable cost.
Only this amount is regularly renewed by rain and snowfall and is therefore available on
a sustainable basis.

More than a billion people, almost one-fifth of the world’s population, lack access
to safe drinking water, and 40 percent lack access to basic sanitation based on a World
Bank report. As a result, water shortage is becoming a perennial problem in our country
with the growing scarcity of potable water in urban centers as well as rural areas. As
human population increases, the difficulty of providing an adequate supply of clean
water will become even more acute.

Ironically, despite the obvious problem of scarce water resources all over the
world, billions of liters of precious drinking water are wasted in the flushing of urinals
and cleaning our restrooms yearly. Research findings indicate that at the average, one
(1) urinal can consume over 100,000 liters of water every year. Each time we flush our
urinals, about 6 to 12 liters of water is used. The average commercial urinal flushes
about 50 times per day which equates to more than 100,000 liters of precious water that
is wasted every year.

Interestingly, available waterless technologies in the market can help consumers
save an average of 40,000 gallons of water per year with just one urinal.

In waterless urinal technologies, urine flows down the bowl of the urinal past a
debris-catching strainer. The urine then passes through a sealing liquid, usually a
specially designed oil-based fluid or simply vegetable oil, and collects in the waste pipe
below. The different densities of urine and oil mean that the urine sinks through the
sealing liquid and the oil floats on top of the layer of urine below. Any air bubbles rise to
the top and escape leaving the urine in a relatively low oxygen environment. Odor is
therefore trapped below the oil layer and cannot find the nose of bathroom occupants.

This proposed measure seeks to promote research and development (R&D) on
the utilization of waterless technologies to be used in our restrooms in order to conserve
our precious water resources. This bill gives emphasis on the utilization of our precious
water resource which is identified as one of the critical resources affected by the global
warming phenomenon. It seeks to promote the utilization of waterless urinal
technologies to be used in our establishments in order to conserve our potable water
and preserve our environment.

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

DIOSDADO {ayy \GAL ARROYO GLORIA IACAPAGAL ARROYO.

Second District, Camarines Sur Secor District, Pampanga


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No._ 2655

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM FOR THE PROMOTION OF
WATERLESS TECHNOLOGIES TO CONSERVE PRECIOUS WATER RESOURCES,
PROVIDING ENABLING MECHANISMS FOR TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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 “Waterless Technology
Act of 2013.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the State
to advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the
rhythm and harmony of nature. The State shall ensure the protection, conservation and
sustainability of our water resources. It shall promote the efficient use of water
resources and adopt waterless technologies.

Towards this end, the State commits itself to the adoption of state-of-the art
technologies and promote the development of modem, appropriate and cost effective
and environment friendly technology.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. — For purposes of this Act, the following terms
are defined as follows:

(1) Department — refers to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST);


(2) Secretary — refers to the Secretary of the Department of Science and
Technology (DOST);

(3) Waterless Urinal Technologies — For purposes of this Act, the term
"Waterless Urinal Technologies” refer to gadgets specifically designed and
formulated to neutralize and encapsulate urine odor. It works by countering and
neutralizing the ammonia oxide coming from urine with its proprietary elements
and at the same time releasing fragrant smell to completely eliminate any smell.
Waterless urinal technologies operate with absolutely no water. In waterless
urinal technologies, urine flows down the bowl of the urinal past a debris-catching
strainer. The urine then passes through a sealing liquid, usually a specially
designed oil based fluid or simply vegetable oil, and collects in the waste pipe
below. The different densities of urine and oil mean that the urine sinks through
the sealing liquid and the oil floats on top of the layer of urine below. Any air
bubbles rise to the top and escape leaving the urine in a relatively low oxygen
environment.

SECTION 4. Comprehensive Research and Development (R&D) on Waterless
Technology Applied in Commercial Use. - The Department, together with the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources and other concerned government
agencies shall establish a research and development program that promotes the
utilization and use of waterless technologies in order to conserve water resources.

The research and development program shall include the following areas of
study:

1) Existing waterless technologies and processes available in the market that
enable the efficient conservation of water resources;

2) Behavioral, social and economic enabling factors that promote the greater
utilization of waterless technologies;

3) Impact of legislation on consumer behavior and utilization of waterless
technologies; and

4) Technologies and processes likely to achieve the greatest increases in water
use efficiency and conservation.

The Secretary shall support research and development (R&D) activities to
expand the knowledge and understanding of waterless technology to be used
commercially, including a renewed investment into advance technology research in
order to adopt state-of-the-art technologies to promote the conservation of water
resources


For purposes of this Act, the Secretary is hereby mandated to conduct a
comprehensive information, education and communication (IEC) campaign on the
benefits of waterless technology applied in commercial use.

SECTION 5. Promotion of Technology Transfer of Waterless Technology. -
Technology transfer shall be facilitated under this Act

The Department is hereby mandated to undertake the following activities to
promote technology transfer:

1. Facilitate the adoption of waterless technologies and processes to promote
water use efficiency and conservation;

2. Collect and disseminate information on waterless technologies and processes
to promote water use efficiency and conservation such as:

a. Incentives and impediments to development and commercialization;
b. Best practices in the utilization of waterless technologies; and

c. Anticipated increases in water use efficiency and conservation
Tesulting from the implementation of specific technologies and processes.

SECTION 6. Designation as “Environment-Friendly Establishment". - The
Department shall certify an establishment that utilizes waterless urinal technologies as
“Environment-Friendly Establishment.” An establishment that utilizes waterless
technology may use the designation “Environment-Friendly Establishment” in its
promotional and marketing materials. The establishment shall submit proof of
compliance to the Department, which shall thereafter issue the certificate.

The Department shall maintain a list of “Environment-Friendly Establishments”
and make the list available for public inspection.

SECTION 7. Informational, Education, Communication (IEC) Materials. - The
Department, in coordination with the various local government units, is mandated to
develop and formulate, produce and make available relevant information and materials
to inform establishments and the general public of the benefits of utilizing waterless
technologies to conserve precious water resources.

SECTION 8. Appropriation. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions
of this Act shalll be included and incorporated in the annual general appropriations of the
Department.

SECTION 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). — Within six (6) months
from the date of effectivity of this Act, the Department, in consultation with the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Trade and


Industry, shall promulgate the necessary implementing rules and regulations to
implement the provisions of this Act.

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

SECTION 11. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part of this Act, or the
application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held unconstitutional or invalid, the
remainder of this Act shall not be affected thereby.

SECTION 12. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days

from the date of its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2)
national newspapers of general circulation

Approved,