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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.8244
Introduced by: Hon. Angelina “Helen” D.L. Tan, M.D. Svoen

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The Philippines is prone to disasters and hazards due to its geography and geology as well
as the presence of internal disputes in some regions of the country.

In its Executive Summary, “The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan”,
provides the following facts which are instructive regarding the occurrence of disasters and
hazards in the country:

- Tropical cyclones and its sequential effects of rain and windstorms, as well as floods are the
most prevalent types of hydro-meteorological hazards in the country. Between 1997 and 2007, eighty
four (84) tropical cyclones entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). These typhoons
resulted to a total of 13,155 in human casualty and more than $1 million families have been affected.

- Environmental factors such as denuded forests aggravate flood risks. Even now, the effects of
loose soil and reduced forest cover from past forestry activities are felt in frequent landslides and
floods. Recent events show that the annual monsoon season in the country has brought severe flooding,
in most areas,

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- In 2011, most of the disasters that claimed the lives of people and affected properties
livelihoods of the most vulnerable were brought about by increased rainfall which caused mas
flash flooding in areas which don’t normally experience such.

the Philippines is situated along a highly seismic area lying along the Pacific Ring of Fire
and is highly-prone to earthquakes. According to the Philippine Institute on Volcanology and
Seismology (PHIVLOCS), the country experiences an average of five (5) earthquakes a day.
Earthquake disasters are not as frequent as the typhoons and flooding that take place in the
Philippines. Nevertheless, the impact generated on affected communities is usually massive and
devastating,

- The Philippines is ... prone to volcanic eruptions being situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire
where two major tectonic plates (Philippine Sea and Eurasian) meet. This explains the occurrence of
earthquakes and tsunamis and the existence of around 300 volcanoes of which 22 are active.

- In an analysis of natural disaster hotspots by the Hazard Management Unit of the World Bank
in 2005, the Philippines is among the countries where large percentages of population reside in
disaster prone areas. In the 2011 World Risk Report published by United Nations University and the
Institute of Environment and Human Security, looking into the four components of risk (exposure,
susceptibility, coping and adapt capacities), the Philippines is the third most disaster risk country
worldwide.

= Aside from natural causes, the country also experiences human-induced disasters. These are
brought about by hazards that are of political and socio-economic origins, among others. Many are
forced to evacuate during times of conflict. Violence continues to plague the country, with most of the
fighting in the South. Intense fighting between government forces and the Moro Islamic Liberation
Front (MILF) during the first half of year 2009 resulted in the displacement of hundreds of thousands
of civilians. The government and the MILF decided to lay down their arms and work toward peace
accord that had failed in 2009 in Malaysia. On the other hand, the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG). labelled
1 terrorist organization, continued to carry out bombings and rebels were Killed during clashes with
the military in the latter part of 2009. These human-induced disasters caused by armed fightings in the
South continue to threaten the security of civilian communities which result into the displacement of
thousands of civilians. So long as there is no peace settlement mechanism in Mindanao, intemally
displaced civilians will remain a given collateral damage of every armed conflict. Such disasters


consequently cause public anxiety, lost of lives, destruction of properties and sometimes socio-
political stability

Undoubtedly, both natural and man-made disasters bring life to a standstill as calamities
do not only hamper electricity but also clean drinking water supply, which affects the public with
numerous waterborne diseases.

‘A case in point is the experience of many victims of the recent 7.2 magnitude earthquake
that hit Bohol, Cebu Province and Siquijor Island in Central Visayas where cases of diarrhea and

other waterborne diseases were reported due to the disruption of running water. Many areas that
were affected by the killer quake are living without adequate quantities of clean water and
sanitation facilities.

Sinkholes also reportedly appeared in some areas and local folks claimed that water from
underground sources turned yellowish, a problem that is aggravated by the closure of bottling
stations making it difficult for the residents to find potable water.

As a result, reports say that the Maynilad Water Services, Inc. has dispatched around 400
pieces of five-gallon containers with potable water to Tagbilaran City in Bohol through the
Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Philippine Coast Guard,

Since the country is prone to disasters and hazards, waterborne diseases become
prevalent in times of tropical cyclones, earthquakes and social conflicts. Hence, communities
across the archipelago need guaranteed access to clean water and sanitation facilities to prevent
the spread of diseases.

In this light, this bill aims to provide potable water to communities affected by calamities
by requiring all provinces and cities throughout the country to acquire appropriate and adequate
portable water filters in order to ensure the continuous supply of safe drinking water to the
ims of calamities and the general public.

In view thereof, approval of this bill is earnest

OG
ANGELINA “HELEN? D.L. TAN, M.D.
4" District, Quezon


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon Ci

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 3244

Introduced by: Hon. Angelina “Helen” D.L.

Tan, M.D,

ACT
REQUIRING ALL PROVINCES AND CITIES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY TO
ACQUIRE PORTABLE WATER FILTERS TO ENSURE POTABLE WATER SUPPLY
DURING DISASTERS

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

SECTION 1. It is the policy of the State to uphold the people’s constitutional right to life by
addressing the root causes of vulnerabilities to disasters, strengthening the country’ institutional
capacity for building the resilience of local communities to disasters including climate change
impacts, and adhere to and adopt the universal norms, principles and standards of humanitarian
assistance as concrete expression of the country’s commitment to overcome human sufferings
due to recurring disasters.

Towards this end, it shall ensure the availability of appropriate technology that will guarantee the
continuous supply of potable water in times of disasters.

SEC. 2. Within six (6) months after the effectivity of this Act, all provinces and cities are hereby
required to acquire appropriate and adequate portable water filters, which shall be used to ensure
the provision of safe drinking water during disasters.

SEC. 3. Any provincial or city local chief executive who fails to comply with this Act shall be
punished with a fine of Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00) but not more than One Hundred
Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00).

SEC. 4. The Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government, in consultation with
the Department of Health, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to implement the
provisions of this Act.

SEC. 5. Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order, letter of instruction,
administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act
are hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.

SEC. 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least two (2)
newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,