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NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
Senate Bill No. 310
of tl)c ffi'irrret.uj
•22 JUL 12 A9 59
RECEIVED EV
Introduced by Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri
AN ACT
TO PROMOTE RURAL HEALTH BY PROVIDING 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 clean water supply is one of the most basic human rights 
that each individual must be able to enjoy. The United Nations defines the right to 
water as everyone's entitlement to access "sufficient, safe, acceptable, physically 
accessible and affordable water for personal and domestic use." While consistent 
efforts have been done to ensure that each and every Filipino has access to safe 
and affordable water supply, there still remains a fraction of the popuiation denied 
of this basic right.
Based on the results of the 2017 Annual Poverty Indicator Survey (APIS) and 
Water Quality Testing Module of Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), a good 
majority of the families of about 88% reported that they have sufficient access to 
drinking water, while there still remains 4% who were unable to sufficient drinking 
water due to unavailability from the source. The report also showed that families 
in the rural areas are less likely to have their water sources within their premises 
compared to families who iive in urban areas.
While the percentage of Filipinos who have access to an improved source of 
drinking water over the past years have increased significantly, climbing up to 94% 
of the population in 2017, the potability of water is slill not guaranteed, especially 
since 77% of four in every five families do not practice any kind of filtration method 
or treatment that will ensure that their water is safe to drink.
The health risks of an unsafe water supply is a case for serious concern. In 
fact, according to the World Health Organization, in 2016, acute water diarrhea, 
which usually comes from unsafe drinking water is one of the top ten leading 
causes of death in the country, claiming over 139,000 lives.
This bill endeavors to address the persisting problem of lack of access to safe 
drinking water especially in rural areas by establishing a program that would


provide every barangay in the country with a potable water supply system within 
three years.
Providing every Filipino with an easy to access and safe supply of drinking 
water is an important key to protecting the health and well-being of the population. 
Not only will it decrease the spread of water borne diseases, but it will also let 
more Filipinos enjoy their right to a healthy and quality life.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
MIGUEL F. ZUBIRI


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NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 310
Ornate
o( {i)c
72 JUL12 AlO -00
RliCEiVED at;
Introduced by Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri
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 the House of Representatives of the Phiiippines in the
Congress assembied:
SECTION. 1 Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote the 
quality of health of every Filipino though 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.
SEC. 2. Legal Agency. - The Department of Social Welfare and Development in 
cooperation with the Department of Health and 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 the 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 that 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 project:
(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;


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(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 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 
water supply project.
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. Separabiiity Ciause, - 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.
SEC. 6. Repeaiing Ciause, - All laws, presidential decrees, issuances, orders, 
rule and regulation and inconsistent with the provision of this Act are here amended, 
repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 7. Effectivity Ciause, - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or two (2) newspaper or general circulation.
Approved,