Republic of the Philippines ie RECEIVED
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES — || * pare:

Quezon City, Metro Manila | TIME:

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS

Regular Session

6517

House Bill No.

Introduced by: Rep. EVELIO R. LEONARDIA

EXPLANATORY NOTE.

This bill seeks to provide public convenience, maintain cleanliness, health and
to stop the anti-social street urination

It is embodied in our Constitution that the State shall protect and promote the
right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them, Public
urinals are used in several parts of the world to provide public convenience and
obviate problems resulting from street urination .The street urination is disgusting
habit and is a growing problem which must be given attention to promote heaith
and sanitation.

Dr. Richard Mwondha, a urologist says it is not good to withhold urine to a
point where you cannot control the urge to pass it. Holding on stretches the
bladder in that, it eventually loses the ability to know when it is time to go to the
toilet, due to weakening of the nerves,”. He explains that the longer one withholds
urine, the more the bladder becomes a breeding ground for bacteria to grow
which leads to infections. The infections may spread to the kidneys and cause
damage to the body.

However, public urination is penalize in many areas where there is a specific
law prohibiting the emptying one's bladder made in a public place. Unfortunately,
it would be unfair to impose penalty upon the violators when the government also
fails to provide reasonable measure in preventing their violation.

There is a need therefore for the government to combat this habit of street
urination and promote sanitation. It is our responsibility to provide the people with
the basic facilities to protect health and maintain cleanliness in our society. This is
also an effective preventive measure to forestall greater problems that may result
therefrom in the future.

The foregoing reasons warrant the approval of this measure, re

REP. EVELIO R. LEONARDIA
Lone District, Bacolod City

NESE

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

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Regular Session

6517

House Bill No._

Introduced by: Rep. EVELIO R. LEONARDIA

AN ACT CREATING PUBLIC URINALS IN THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS
(LGUs) AND APPROPRIATING FUND THEREFORE

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

Section 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “Public Urinals for
Health and Sanitation Act of 2016,

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. It is the declared policy of the State to
provide protection and promotion of the right of the people to health and to instill
health consciousness among them through the practice of sanitation in accord
with the right of the people as enshrined in the Constitutional right to a balance
and healthful ecology in accord with rhythm and harmony of nature. Toward this
end, basic facilities such as public urinals shall be provided in certain designated
areas for the convenience and health of the people.

Section 3. Definition of Terms. For the purpose of this Act, the following
shall refer to:

Public Health refers to all organized measures to prevent disease, promote
health, and prolong life among the population as a whole.

Hygiene is the practice of keeping oneself and his/her surroundings clean,
especially to avoid illness or the spread of preventable diseases.

Sanitation means measures necessary for improving and protecting health
and well-being of the people.

Portable Toilets are structures composed of 4-wall cement slabs with roofing
and doors, painted in shades of blue for male and pink for women, and have slits
near the ceiling for ventilation.

Section 4. Coverage. The public urinals shall be established near public
markets, near public establishments and areas where no public comfort rooms
are provided, in public areas where there are no establishments or residence near
highways on a reasonable distance. It shaii be iocaied in accessible areas for the
convenience of the public and shall be available anytime.

Section 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Secretary of Department
of Health and the Secretary of DILG in consultation with the heads and leaders of


duly recognized organizations of the local government, shall promulgate the rules
and regulations to implement this Act.

Section 7. Penalty on Vandalism and other Damages. Any person who
shall deliberately cause any damage to the Portable Toilets shall be guilty of
Special Case Of Malicious Mischief under Article 328 of Act No. 3615, otherwise
known as the Revised Penal Code and shall receive a penalty double than that
provided under the said Article

Section 8. Penalty on Theft. Any person who, with intent to gain but without
violence against or intimidation of persons nor force upon things, shall take the
Portable Toilet from its designated place without the consent of an authorized
person, shall be guilty of Qualified Theft, punished under Article 210 of Act No.
3815, otherwise known as the Revised Penal Code.

Section 6. Budget.The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this
Act shall be included in the budget of concerned government agencies in the
General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into law and
thereafter.

Section 7. Separability Clause. If any part, section or provision of this Act is
declared invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions not affected therein shall
remain in full force and effect

Section 8. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees and executive orders
inconsistent with this act is repealed or modified accordingly.

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

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

Approved,