EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
of 11)0 2'rcvcinrp
S E N A T E
Senate Bill No.
3 6
'19 
JUL -1  
AH ;0 9
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS N. PANGILINAN
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE MANAGEMENT, CONTROL, REGULATION, AND 
UTILIZATION OF RAINWATER RUNOFF, AND THE IMPROVEMENT OF 
ECOLOGICAL 
CHARACTERISTICS 
OF 
CATCHMENTS 
TO 
ADDRESS 
FLOODING AND WATER SUPPLY NEEDS IN URBAN AND RURAL CENTERS, 
AND CREATING THE NECESSARY INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISMS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The United Nations Environment Programme (2009) suggested considering 
rainfall as an important resource in water management policies, strategies and plans. 
Rainwater harvesting can be an effective complementary and viable alternative to large- 
scale water withdrawals and can ensure environmental sustainability. In the context of 
the Philippines, torrential rains have caused severe flooding due to poor planning, 
control and regulation of runoff rainwater.
It is then the objective of this bill to conserve rainwater as well as reduce its runoff. 
As to the utilization of rainwater, this bill provides that it will be for urban and rural 
irrigation, groundwater recharge, firefighting, and non-potable water supply source - 
such as watering plants, flushing of toilet, and washing of cars and floor yards, among 
others. This also seeks to help in the issue of water shortage that several areas in the 
country experience. A version of this measure was filed by Senator Poe in the 17th 
Congress.
Due to the limits in Republic Act No. 6716 or An Act Providing for the 
Construction of Water Wells, Rainwater Collectors, Development of Springs and 
Rehabilitation of Existing Water Wells in all Barangays in the Philippines in terms of 
managing, controlling, regulating, and utilizing rainwater runoff, the approval of this bill 
is earnestly sought.
FRANCIS,
NGILINAN


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S E N A T E
Senate Bill No.
3G
' 
.5^' iSl(:cr of the ^ rirfla rj»
'19 
JUL -1 
A ll :09
KLLL , _
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS N. PANGILINAN
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AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE MANAGEMENT, CONTROL, REGULATION, AND 
UTILIZATION OF RAINWATER RUNOFF, AND THE IMPROVEMENT OF 
ECOLOGICAL 
CHARACTERISTICS 
OF 
CATCHMENTS 
TO 
ADDRESS 
FLOODING AND WATER SUPPLY NEEDS IN URBAN AND RURAL CENTERS, 
AND CREATING THE NECESSARY INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISMS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
SECTION 1. Purpose. - The purpose of this Act is to establish minimum rainwater 
management requirements and controls to protect and safeguard the general health, 
safety, and welfare of the public. This seeks to meet that purpose through the following 
objectives:
a) Minimize increase in rainwater runoff from any development, both existing 
and proposed, in order to reduce flooding, siltation, increases in stream 
temperature, and stream bank erosion and maintain the integrity of stream 
channels;
b) Minimize increase in nonpoint source pollution caused by rainwater runoff 
development which would otherwise degrade local water quality;
c) Minimize the annual volume of surface water runoff which flows from any 
specific site during and following development to not exceed the pre­
development hydrologic regime to the maximum extent practicable; and
d) Reduce rainwater runoff rates and volumes, soil erosion, and nonpoint 
source pollution, wherever possible, through rainwater management


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controls and to ensure that these management controls are properly 
maintained and pose no threat to public safety.
SEC. 2. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:
a) Applicant - means a property owner or agent who has filed an application for 
a rainwater management permit;
b) Building - any structure built for the support shelter, or enclosure or person, 
animals, chattels, or moveable property of any kind and which is 
permanently affixed to the land;
c) Building Official - Local Building Official as appointed or designated 
pursuant to PD 1096;
d) Certificate ofOcciipanaj - a permit issued by the Zoning Officer indicating that 
the use of the building or land in question is in conformity with the Zoning 
Ordinance or that there has been a legal variance therefrom, as provided by 
the ordinance;
e) Channel - means a natural or artificial watercourse with definite bed and 
banks that conducts continuously or periodically flowing water;
f) 
Dedication - means the deliberate appropriation of property by its owner for 
general public use;
g) Detention - means the temporary storage of rainwater runoff in a rainwater 
management practices with goals of controlling peak discharge rates and 
providing gravity settling of pollutants;
h) Developer - means a person or entity who undertakes land disturbance or 
development activities;
i) 
Development - means any man-made change to improve or unimproved real 
estate, including but not limited to buildings or other structures, mining, 
dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation, or drilling operation;


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j) 
Drainage Easement - means a legal right granted by the landowner to a 
grantee allowing use of private land for rainwater management purposes;
k) Erosion and Sediment Control Plan - means a plan that is designed to minimize 
the accelerated erosion and sediment runoff at a site during construction 
activities;
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Hotspot - is an area where land use or activities generate highly contaminated 
runoff, with concentration of pollutants in excess of those typically found in 
rainwater;
m) Impendous Coverage - refers to those surfaces that cannot effectively infiltrate 
rainfall (e.g. building rooftops, pavement, sidewalks, driveways etc.);
n) Industrial Rainwater Permit - refers to a National Pollutant Discharge 
Elimination System permit issued to a commercial industry or group of 
industries which regulates the pollutant levels associated with industrial 
rainwater discharges or specifies on-site pollution control strategies;
o) Infiltration - is the process of percolating rainwater into the subsoil;
p) Infiltration Facilitx/ - is any structure or device designed to infiltrate water to 
the subsurface. These facilities may be above grade or below grade;
q) Land Disturbance Activity - is any activity which changes the volume or peak 
flow discharge rate of rainfall from the land surface. This may include 
grading, digging, cutting, scraping, or excavating of soil, placement of fill 
materials, paving, construction, substantial removal of vegetation, or any 
activity which bares soil or rock or involves the diversion or piping of any 
natural or man-made watercourse;
r) Landowner - means the legal or beneficial owner of land, including those 
holding the right to purchase or lease the land, or any other person holding 
proprietary rights in the land;


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s) 
Offsite Facility - means a rainwater management measure located outside the 
subject property boundary described in the permit application for land 
development activity;
t) 
Onsite Facility - means a rainwater management measure located within the 
subject property boundary described in the permit application for land 
development activity;
u) Recharge - means the replenishment of underground water reserves;
v) Redei'elopment - means any construction, alteration or improvement 
exceeding 100 square meters in areas where existing land use is high density 
commercial, industrial, institutional or multi-family residential;
w) Stop Work Order - means an order issued which requires that all construction 
activity on a site be stopped;
x) Rainwater Design Manual - means the planning and design manual for the 
control of erosion, sediment and rainwater written by Department of Public 
Works and Highways;
y) Raimoater Management - means the use of structural or non-structural 
practices that are design to reduce rainwater runoff pollutant loads, 
discharge volumes, and/or peak flow discharge rates;
z) Rainwater Retrofit - means a rainwater management practice designed for an 
existing development site that previously had either no rainwater 
management practice in place or a practice inadequate to meet the rainwater 
management requirements of the site;
aa) Rainwater Runoff - means water flow on the surface of the ground, resulting 
from precipitation;
bb) Rainwater Treatment Practices - mean measures, either structural or non- 
structural, that are determined to be the most effective, practical means for


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preventing for reducing point source or nonpoint source pollution inputs to 
rainwater runoff and water bodies; and
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cc) Watercourse - means a permanent or intermittent stream or other body of
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water, either natural or man-made, which gathers or carries surface.
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SEC. 3. Requirements for Rainwater Management Platu - All landowners or
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developers of proposed commercial, industrial, and residential development or any
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residential multi-dwelling units of more than 1,000 square meter land area must submit
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a Rainwater Management Plan (RMP) as part of the site development application and
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approval process.
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The RMP shall include the following information:
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a) Description of Existing Conditions - description of the existing condition shall
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be shown on a map. It shall include:
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i. 
Topographic map witli 1.0 meter minimum contours line or an
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appropriate contour interval of the land proposed for development
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or redevelopment;
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ii. 
Location of natural waterways including banks and centerline of
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streams and channels;
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iii. 
The normal shoreline, coastlines, outline of lakes, natural 
depression and ponds, including drainage flow lines; and
iv. 
Quantification of flows (discharge and volume) in its natural 
condition shall be provided.
b) Proposed Site Development Plan - the proponent shall provide Site 
Development Plan (SDP) in an appropriate scale and size showing the 
following:
i. 
Retention/ detention basins ancf lines of inflow and outflow;
ii. 
The location, size and slope of rainwater conduits and drainage 
swales;


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m.
IV.
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Rain, sanitary and combined sewer and outfalls; and 
Delineation of upstream and downstream drainage features and 
watersheds which might be affected by the development; and 
other environmental features including limits of wetlands areas, 
green buffers, planting strips, and any designated natural areas for 
rainwater management.
c) Description of Proposed Rainwater Management System (RMS) - the proposed 
RMS shall be designated to safely and completely managed rainwater runoff 
onsite or offsite and provide facility to regulate the increased rainwater 
runoff, thus, maintain the natural hydrologic cycle and condition of flow in 
a locality. The purpose of the RMS is to reduce the risk of downstream 
flooding by reducing the amount of runoff and regulating the discharge 
release at a given time.
The proposed RMS shall be accompanied by hydrologic and hydraulic 
calculations to adequately demonstrate the effectiveness of the plan.
The proposed RMS shall be designed to meet the desired flood frequency 
which is designated to a particular drainage structure as stated in the Design 
Manual of the DPWH. Higher flood frequency such as 25-year or higher may 
be required for major rivers and waterways. Specific details of the design 
criteria are incorporated in Section 4.
The plan shall be accompanied by relevant data (such as rainfall data in a locality).
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maps, and other descriptive material to include the following:
i. 
The extent of catchment, drainage channels on site and direction of the flow 
of the channels including the final outfall of the discharge from the site;
ii. 
Hydrologic and hydraulic design calculations for the pre-development and 
post-development conditions for the design storm proposed in Section 5. 
The calculations for determining peak flows are found in the Rainwater


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111.
Design Manual to include description of design storm frequency, intensity, 
and duration, time of concentration, soil curve number or runoff 
coefficients, peak runoff rates and total runoff volumes, infiltration rates, 
culvert capacities, flow velocities, data on the increase in rate and volume 
of runoff for the design storm; and
Technical specifications of the proposed SMS, providing descriptions of 
proposed rainwater conveyance practices to be on-site, existing off-site 
rainwater conveyance system including receiving streams, channels, and 
outfall and inlet locations. Include the elevations of locations and high 
water elevations.
SEC. 4. Utilization of Rainwater. - The following are the specific utilization of 
rainwater and the recommended facility to harness its volume for the intended use:
a) Rnimvater for ninil irrigation - agriculture in tlie Philippines is predominantly 
rainfed. Rainwater catchments thus hold a significant potential to improve 
efficiency and sustainability of rainwater use for rainfed and upland 
agriculture in the country.
b) Rnimvater for urban irrigation - most of the urban centers are currently 
dependent on Class A water quality for irrigation supply which are costly 
and environmentally unsustainable. Utilization of Class A water for yard 
irrigation shall be minimized if not prohibited. Instead, rainwater shall be 
utilized for such purposes. The irrigation water shall come from the 
rainwater detention system.
Rainwater as source for urban irrigation and/or watering of lawns shall be 
included in the development plans. Secondary source of water for irrigation 
may also come from treated grey water from effluent of treatment facility.


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c) Raimvnter for groiuidwatcr recharge - the RMS is intended mainly to ensure 
natural balance of the hydrologic cycle by allowing rainwater to recharge the 
groundwater table that sustains the yield and production of deep wells. The 
proposed facility to allow for recharge may be in the form of the following 
best management system:
i. Lagoon or retention pond that allows for natural seepage to the 
ground water aquifer;
ii. Swales and depression storage;
iii. Porous or pavers blocks on some developed areas; and
iv. Retention channels.
The sizes and dimensions of the above facility is dependent on the rainfall 
intensity and the size of the development.
d) Rninumter for firefighti)ig - considerable amount of water is also needed for 
firefighting. At present, water for firefighting comes from potable water 
sources which are expensive. Rainwater is a good substitute. The quality 
requirement may be upgraded to meet required standard that may not cause 
health issues and abrasion to machines. A separate storage tank for fire water 
reserve shall be constructed. Upgrading of the quality of water may be done 
using simple filtration system to remove suspended solids and other coarse 
materials that will interfere with electromechanical and pipe systems. Other 
laws concerning the requirement of water for firefighting shall be considered.
e) Rainwater for non-potable water supply source - rainwater subjected to primary 
and secondary treatment can be a viable secondary source for water supply 
in urban and rural areas. It can be used for the following purposes:
i. Watering plants;
ii. Washing of cars, floor yards;


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iii. Flushing of toilet (water quality should meet certain standard to
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avoid discoloration of fixtures); and
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iv. Fish ponds.
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It is necessary to provide separate guidelines for water quality on the above
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mentioned usage for various commercial and industrial purposes. For
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potable water supply, strict compliance of water quality that will meet the
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Philippine National Standard for Drinking Water (PNSDW) is required.
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f) 
Rainwater for ecological requirements - seasonal fluctuation of rainfall affects
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the flora and fauna of waterways. The management of rainwater runoff
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provides steady release of water to the waterways enhancing their continued
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supply.
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SEC. 5. Preparation of the Rainwater Design Manual. - The Department of Public
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Works and Highways (DPWH) is hereby directed to prepare the Rainwater Design
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Manual which should incorporate the following criteria:
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In the interim period (within 1 year), the following shall be enforced:
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a) All sites shall establish rainwater management system to control the peak
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flow rates of rainwater discharge associated with specified design storms and
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reduce the generation of rainwater for the site to provide treatment for both
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water quality and quantity. Peak post-construction rainwater runoff will not
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exceed peek pre-construction rainwater runoff from the site to the greatest
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extent possible.
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b) All rainwater runoff generated from any development shall not discharge
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untreated rainwater directly into a jurisdictional wetland or local water body
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without adequate treatment.
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c) Structural and non-structural Rainwater Treatment System (RTS) shall be
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designed to treat the first 20 mm of rainwater runoff. That means for every
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one 
a ) 
hectare 
of 
new 
development, 
a 
200 
cubic 
meters 
of


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detention/retention tank shall be constructed to minimize flooding and 
improve water quality.
d) Sanitary wastewater treatment facilities shall be designed and installed to 
comply with existing health regulations and meet the Effluent Standard of 
the DENR. Untreated sanitary waste should not be discharge to waterways 
and land surface without proper treatment and shall not come in contact with 
rainwater runoff. For discharge of treated effluent to water bodies, it shall 
meet the river classification. For unclassified rivers and water course. Class 
C water shall be met. For discharge to urban drainage system, the minimum 
requirement shall be Class D effluent. Any variation with the required 
standard set by DENR, the prescription provided by the DENR shall be 
followed.
e) To protect stream channels from degradation, velocity of runoff water shall 
be limited to less than l.Om/s otherwise bank protection shall be provided.
f) 
Rainwater discharges to critical areas with sensitive resources (including 
shellfish beds, swimming areas, water supply reservoirs and groundwater 
recharge areas) may be subject to additional performance criteria, or may 
need to utilize or restrict certain rainwater management practices.
g) Rainwater discharges from land uses or activities with higher potential 
pollutant loadings, known as "hotspots," may require the use of specific 
structural and pollution prevention practices.
h) Prior to design, applicants are required to consult with the building official 
to determine if they are subject to additional rainwater design requirements.
i) 
For existing development or develop areas, the rainwater management 
system requirement may be imposed on the following conditions:
i. 
Existing or old development shall submit to the building officials 
plans of existing rainwater management system to demonstrate its
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contribution to flood control and mitigation and rainwater 
management program;
ii. 
That at least 50 percent of the required volume shall be met within five 
(5) years from the effectivity of this Act; and
iii. 
The total required volume of storage may be the cumulative volume 
store from various storage such as cistern, lagoon onsite or offsite, and 
depression storage.
SEC. 6. Construction Inspection. -
a) The applicant must notify the buikiing official in advance before the 
commencement of construction.
b) All applicants for commercial and multi-family residential units over four (4) 
units are required to submit actual record drawings for any rainwater 
management practices located on-site after final construction is completed. 
The plan must show the final design specification for all rainwater 
management facilities and must be certified by a professional engineer. A 
final inspection is required before the release of any performance security, 
performance bond, or guaranty.
c) Permanent vegetation must be seeded or planted within 30 days after the 
final grade is reached. Planting guidance for permanent vegetative practices 
is included in the Rainwater Design Manual. Any area of re-vegetation must 
exhibit a survival of a minimum of seventy-five percent (75 percent) of the 
crop cover throughout the year immediately following re-vegetation. Re­
vegetation must be repeated in successive years until the minimum seventy- 
five percent survival for one year is achieved.
d) The City/Municipal Engineer shall inspect all drainage facilities while under 
construction. When facilities were not constructed according to approved 
plans, the local government unit (LGU) has the explicit authority to compel
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compliance and have any situations corrected which are not according to the 
approved plans. All drainage facilities located on private property, whether 
ciedicated to the LGU or not, shall be accessible at all times for inspection by 
the City/Municipal engineer or other responsible public official.
e) The City/Municipal Engineer shall inspect all sanitary waste treatment 
facilities while under construction and upon completion to insure proper 
installation and connection to waste water collection systems when 
applicable. Proper function of sanitary waste treatment facilities is required 
prior final approval and issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
SEC. 7. Maintenance ami Repair of Rainwater Facilities. -
a) All rainwater management facilities must undergo a regular yearly 
inspection process at a frequency sufficient to determine the functioning 
ability of the conveyance system and any repair needs; at a minimum this 
should include inspection prior to the beginning of the typhoon season, prior 
to any forecast major rains that may equal the design requirements and after 
any major rain events.
b) All drainage facilities located on private property, whether dedicated to the 
ECU or not, shall be accessible at all times for inspection by the 
City/Municipal Engineer or other responsible public officials. All sanitary 
waste treatment facilities located on private property shall be accessible for 
inspection for proper function by the City/Municipal Engineer or other 
responsible public officials where there is reason to suspect that a 
malfunction has resulted in rainwater runoff pollution by unsanitary waste.
c) 
Parties responsible for the operation and maintenance of a rainwater 
management facility shall make records of the installation and of all, 
maintenance and repairs, and shall retain these records for at least five years.
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These records shall be made available to the city during inspection of the 
facility and other reasonable times upon request.
d) The building official shall notify the owner in writing that maintenance is 
required. The owner will have 60 days from the receipt of such written notice 
to bring the facility into proper working order.
SEC. 8. Enforcement and Penalties. -
a) Any person found to be in violation of any of the terms and provisions of this 
Act shall be found guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine not to exceed 
Php50,000.00 or imprisonment for no more than ninety (90) days or both fine 
and imprisonment. A continuance of a violation witliout reasonable effort on 
the part of the defendant to correct shall constitute a new and separate 
offense each day.
b) If the building official shall find that the provisions of this ordinance are 
violated, the person responsible for such violation shall be notified in writing, 
indicating the nature of the violation and ordering action necessary to correct 
it. Among those actions which he/she may be ordered is discontinuance of 
any actions on site.
c) In case any 
post-construction rainwater practice is constructed, 
reconstructed, altered, repaired, or converted or any person would be 
damaged by such violation, in addition to other remedies, the building 
official may institute injunction, mandamus, or other appropriate action in 
proceeding to prevent violation of the final plan or any element of this plan.
d) Violators may be required to restore land to its undisturbed condition. In the 
event that restoration is not undertaken within a reasonable time, after notice, 
the LGU may take necessary corrective action, the cost of which shall become 
a lien upon the property until paid.
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SEC. 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
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unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected by such declaration shall remain in full
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force and effect.
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SEC. 10. Repealiug Clause. - All laws, executive orders, administrative orders, and
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rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended
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accordingly.
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SEC. 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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complete publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,
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