Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 2012

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ALFRED VARGAS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Access to safe and potable water is fundamental in every community. It cannot be emphasized
enough that clean water is critical to every man's survival.

Unfortunately, in the Philippines, only 86% of the 23 million families have access to safe water
supply. The remaining 14% get their water from unsafe sources, thus, bringing various
illnesses and infections into the household.

This bill seeks to address this alarming problem, by seeking to establish a potable water supply
system in every barangay within three years. This shall be carried out by the Department of
Social Welfare and Development, in collaboration with the Department of Health and the
Department of Public Works and Highways.

This measure also focuses on the priority construction of a communal water supply system that
will be equitably distributed to the provinces and municipalities that most need them

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

. ALFRED V$RGAS.
Fifth District, Quezon City


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No,_ 2012

i TRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT
PROMOTING RURAL HEALTH BY PROVIDING FOR AN ACCELERATED
PROGRAM FORTHE 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. Declaration of 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 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 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 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

(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;


(©) 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 concemed shall participate in the project in the

project planning, identification, design, management of all project funds,
construction and monitoring:

() The potable water supply system shall be managed and maintained by the
local government unit concemed;

(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 water supply project.

SEC. 4. Appropriation, The sum of Fifty Million Pesos (P50,000,000.00) 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 Act is held
unconstitutional, other parts or provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall
continue to be in force and effect.

SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. All laws, presidential decrees, issuances, orders, rule
and regulation and inconsistent with the provision of this Act are here 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) newspaper of general circulation

Approved,