Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.  9525 
____________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by HON. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill is of paramount importance as it addresses a critical aspect of public health 
and social welfare in the Philippines. By declaring the policy of the state to promote the 
quality of health for every Filipino through the provision of adequate social services, 
with a specific focus on potable water supply systems, the bill recognizes the vital role 
that clean and safe drinking water plays in preventing water-borne diseases. The 
provision of adequate potable water is a fundamental human right, and this bill is 
essential in ensuring that this right is upheld for all citizens. 
Furthermore, the establishment of a legal agency composed of the Department of 
Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Health, and the Department of 
Public Works and Highways demonstrates a collaborative effort across various 
government departments to undertake a three-year program for constructing potable 
water supply systems in every barangay throughout the country. This coordinated 
approach is crucial in efficiently and effectively providing access to clean water, 
especially in areas with social and health problems caused by water-borne diseases. 
The bill's program guidelines emphasize several key principles, such as prioritizing 
communal water supply systems, ensuring equitable distribution among provinces and 
municipalities, and involving local government units in project planning, design, 
management, and maintenance. These guidelines promote community involvement, 
sustainability, and the fair allocation of resources, which are fundamental in addressing 
the water supply needs of different regions and populations. 
In summary, this bill is significant because it addresses a fundamental aspect of public 
health and social welfare by providing a structured approach to ensuring access to 
clean and safe drinking water for all Filipinos. It promotes cooperation among 
government agencies, community participation, and equitable distribution of resources, 
all of which are essential for improving the quality of life and health of the population. 
On behalf of the people of Parañaque City’s Second District, and for the common good 
of the Filipino people, the approval of the said measure is earnestly sought. 
REP. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
2nd District, Parañaque City 
November 13, 2023
12:04 pm


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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.  9525 
______________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by HON. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
______________________________________________________________________ 
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 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 services 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 the 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 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 which 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 projects:  
(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 local government unit concerned shall participate 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.


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(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 potable 
water supply projects.  
 
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. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is held unconstitutional, other parts or 
provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.  
 
SEC 6. Repealing Clause. All laws, presidential decrees, issuances, orders, rules and 
regulations 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 (15) days after its publication in 
the Official Gazette or two (2) newspapers of general circulation.  
 
Approved,