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

HTEENTH CONGRESS,
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.__ 4235

Introduced by HON. JUMEL ANTHO!

1. ESPIN

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In November 2018, President Rodrigo R. Duterte said * Every Filipino family must have
access to safe drinking water for them to lead productive lives.” He further emphasized, “I
have always believed that access to safe drinking water is a fundamental right that must be
enjoyed by every Filipino family so that they may lead healthy, dignified and productive
lives.” He acknowledged that water has become a commodity that is harder to secure

According to water org out of 101 Million Filipinos, nine million rely on unimproved,
unsafe and unsustainable water sources and that because of these a lot more lack access to
improved sanitation. Filipino families continue to spend a lot of time, money and energy just
to secure water.

The 2017 Annual Poverty Indicator Survey (APIS) and Water Quality Testing Module
of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), show that about 88% of families reported that
they have sufficient access to drinking water, while the remaining were unable to have
sufficient drinking water due to unavailability from the source. Families in the rural areas are
more vulnerable since they are less likely to have their water sources within their premises
‘compared to families who live in the urban areas.

Furthermore, the problem of the potability of water is also not guaranteed, especially
since only 77% or four in every five Filipino 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 since acute water
diarrhea, which usually comes from unsafe drinking water is one of the top ten leading causes
of deaths in the country, claiming over 139,000 lives.

This bill seeks to address the persisting problem of lack of access to safe drinking water
especially in rural areas by establishing a 3-year program that would provide every barangay
in the country with an easy access to safe and potable water supply system.

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



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

413
HOUSE BILL NO. EC

Introduced by HON. JUMEL ANTHONY I. ESPINO

AN ACT
TO PROMOTE RURAL HEALTH BY PROVIDING FOR AN
ACCELERATED PROGRAM FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A
POTABLE WATER SUPPL STEM 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 service including, but not limited to, the provision of an adequate potable
water supply system 4 to minimize the exposure of water borne diseases

>. 2. Lead Agencies. - The Department of Interior and Local
Government, 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:


5

(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 iocai government unit concerned shail participate in the planning,
identification, design, management of funds, construction and monitoring of the
project;

(e) The potable water supply
the local government unit concerned;

stem shall be managed and maintained by

(f) The provincial officers of the Department of Interior and Local
government, Department of Health, and Department of Public Works and
Highways, shaii be responsibie in the preparation of feasibility studies and
design of communal water supply projects.

SEC. 4. Appropriation. - The sum of Fifty Million Pesos (P50,000,000)
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. - if any provision of this Act is heid
unconstitutional, other parts or provisions hereof which are not affected thereby
shall continue to be in force and effect.

EC. 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, issuances
orders, rules and regulation 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 days after
its publication in the Official Gazette or two (2) newspaper or general

circulation

Approved,