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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
Second Regular Session 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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S.B. sEN?ff31 
No. 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article 11, Section 16 of the Constitution states: 
Sec. 16. The State shall protect and advance the right of the people 
to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and 
harmony of nature. 
Climate change is here and is happening. The U.N.’s Intergovernmental Panel on 
Climate Change (IPCC) said that climate change is “unequivocal, is already happening, 
and is caused by human activity. The IPCC listed likely effects of global w m i n g  such as 
arid regions will grow dryer, rising seas will flood coastal areas, and melting glaciers will 
flood communities downstream and then dry up the source of future water supplies. 
With climate change identified as the biggest threat to the world’s resources, a 
more proactive stance must be adopted by our country in order to mitigate the likely 
effects of climate change. 
This bill aims to facilitate the research, development, education and technology 
transfer activities related to water use efficiency and conservation technologies, processes 
and best practices. This bill gives emphasis to our water resource which is identified as 
one of the critical resources affected by the global warming phenomenon. 
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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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Second Regular Session 
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9 I?AR 17 ? 1 3 7 
S.B. sEN&131 
No. 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, EDUCATION AND 
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER ACTIVITIES RELATED TO WATER USE 
EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION TECHNOLOGIES AND PRACTICES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Water Use Efficiency 
and Conservation Research Act of2009.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to advance the 
right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and 
harmony of nature. The State must therefore ensure the protection, conservation and 
sustainability of our natural resources. With climate change and other human activities 
posing a threat to our water resources, the State must adequately respond by promoting 
water use efficiency and conservation through research, development, education and 
technology transfers. 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes ofthis Act, the following terms 
are defined: 
(1) “DENR” - Department of Environment and Natural Resources 
(2) “DOST” - Department of Science and Technology 
(3) “Greywater - non-industrial wastewater generated from domestic processes 
such as dish washing, laundry and bathing 
(4) Stormwater - water from precipitation that get seeped into the ground or 
drained into the drain system 
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SECTION 4. Research Program. - The Department of Science and Technology 
(DOST), together with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and other 
concerned government agencies, boards and bureaus shall establish a research and 
development program (hereinafter referred to as “Program”) that promotes water use 
efficiency and conservation. 
The program shall include the following areas of study: 
1. Technologies and processes that enable the collection, storage, treatment 
and reuse of rainwater, stormwater and greywater; 
2. Water storage and distribution systems; 
3. Behavioral, social and economic barriers to achieving greater water use 
efficiency; and 
4. Use of watershed planning directed towards water quality, conservation 
and supply. 
In planning and implementing the program, the agencylies-in-charge shall 
consider the following: 
1. Research needs identified by water resource experts, local governments 
and other interested parties; 
2. Technologies and processes likely to achieve the greatest increases in 
water use efficiency and conservation, 
SECTION 5. Strategic Research Plan. - The DOST, together with DENR and 
other concerned government agencies, boards and bureaus, shall coordinate the 
development of a strategic research plan for the Water Use Efficiency and Conservation 
Research and Development Program. 
The plan shall: 
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1. Establish research goals and priorities for a water use efficiency and 
conservation research agenda such as developing innovative water supply- 
enhancing processes and technologies and improving existing processes 
and technologies, including wastewater treatment, desalinization and 
groundwater recharge and recovery schemes; and 
2. Identify current research efforts on water use efficiency and conservation. 
SECTION 6. Technology Transfer. - Technology transfer shall be facilitated 
under the Program. The following technology transfer activities shall be specifically 
undertaken: 
1. Facilitate the adoption of technology and processes to promote water use 
efficiency and conservation; 
2. Collect and disseminate information on technologies and processes to 
promote water use efficiency and conservation such as: 
a. Incentives 
and 
impediments 
to 
development 
and 
commercialization; 
b. Best practices; and 
c. Anticipated increases in water use efficiency and conservation 
resulting from the implementation of specific technologies and 
processes. 
SECTION 7. Report. - Not later than eighteen (18) months after the date of the 
enactment o f  this Act, and every two (2) years thereafter, the lead government agency 
shall transmit to Congress a progress report on the projects and researches conducted 
under the Program. 
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SECTION 8. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions 
of this Act, are hereby authorized to be appropriated from the National Treasury. 
SECTION 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid 
or unconstitutional, the remainder of the Act or the provision not otherwise affected shall 
remain valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. - 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 is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
accordingly. 
SECTION 11. Efectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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/ctr 
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