s SOF Pei SENTATIVES
RECEIVED
04 JUL 2016

DATE:
TIME:
BY:

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

816

REGISTRATION UNIT
BILLS AND INDEX SERVICE
HOUSE BILL No.

Introduced by HON. RODEL M. BATOCABE, HON. ALFREDO A. GARBIN, Jr. and
HON. CHRISTOPHER S. CO

EXPLANATORY NOTE.

The passage of this bill seeks to address the nationwide problem of sanitation
and waste dispersal by unifying and integrating agencies concerned in sanitation, and
establishing institutional responsibility and capability for sustainable sanitation.

It responds to the mandate of the State to protect and promote the right to health
of the people and instil health consciousness among them. The State is obliged to
protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in
accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. (Sect 15 and 16, Article II: Declaration of
Principles and State Policies). Furthermore, the State shall adopt an integrated and
comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make
essential goods, health and other social services available to all the people at affordable
cost. (Section 11, Article XIII: Social Justice and Human Rights, Health)

UN General Assembly adopted a resolution calling on states and international
organizations to provide financial resources, build capacity and transfer technology,
particularly to developing countries, in scaling up efforts to provide safe, clean,
accessible and affordable drinking water and sanitation for all. The Philippines
recognizes the United Nations declaration that sanitation is a fundamental human right
and is essential to public health and human development. In addition, it acknowledges
the responsibility of the state to declare sustainable sanitation as a national policy and
program priority.

Although the Department of Health reports that the population has gained greater
access in sanitation, there is still a need to aggressively resolve this sanitation problem.
It remains to be a grave concern as clearly observed not only during calamities but also
in a day-to-day basis. A significant percent of the population still practice open
defecation and negligent waste disposal. Much of said wastes are desludged into
bodies of water causing its pollution. A substantial percent of reported diseases and
deaths of the Filipino population is attributed to water pollution, sanitation conditions,
and hygiene practices.

The bill was filed in the 15the Congress but for lack of time, its progress was
v ;, the swift passage of



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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

16
HOUSE BILL No. 8.15

Introduced by HON. RODEL M. BATOCABE, HON. ALFREDO A. GARBIN, Jr. and
HON. CHRISTOPHER S. CO

AN ACT
CREATING THE NATIONAL SANITATION COORDINATING COUNCIL THAT SHALL
PROVIDE FOR A NATIONWIDE PROGRAM AND MANAGEMENT OF
SUSTAINABLE SANITATION AND OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Title — This Act shall be known as the “National Sustainable Sanitation Act
of 2016”,

SECTION 2. Statement of Policy —

A) The right to health of the people and instil health consciousness among them
shall be protected and promoted;

B) The right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology shall be protected
and advanced;

C) Asystematic, comprehensive, ecological and sustainable sanitation management
program shall be developed by national and local government agencies;

D) Public health and environment shall be ensured protection;

E) Greater multistakeholder involvement shall be institutionalized in the
development and implementation of national and local sustainable sanitation
programs;

F) It shall be the responsibility of all government departments, bureaus, agencies
and instrumentalities to have documented plans for sustainable sanitation.

SECTION 3. Creation of the National Sanitation Coordinating Council. There is
hereby created the National Sanitation Coordinating Council to be composed of the
following;

1) Secretary, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), as

the Chairman;

2) Secretary, Department of Health, (DOH)

3) Secretary, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG);

4) Secretary, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH);

5) Chief, National Housing Agency (NHA);

6) Chairman, Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB);

7) Chairman, Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC);

8) Administrator, Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA); and

9) Executive Director, National Water Resources Board (NWRB);


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SECTION 4. Functions of the National Sanitation Coordinating Council. The
Council shall have the following functions:

A) Formulate a national plan, framework, and strategies for sustainable sanitation;

B) Coordinate and integrate the activities and functions of the various government
agencies, private institutions, and civic organizations to implement the policies
set by the Council; and

C) Oversee the implementation of national and local sustainable sanitation
management in cooperation with stakeholders, service providers, and other
concerned government units and entities.

Section 5. Organization of the Regional Level. The organization for coordination of
operations in all local political and administrative subdivisions are prescribed as follows:
A) The Regional Executive Director of the DENR as Chairman;
B) The Regional Director, Centers for Health Development, as Vice-Chairman and
Action Officer;
C) Regional Director, DPWH;
D) Regional Director, HLURB; and
E) Head, Management Office of the NHA;

Section 6. Organization of the Local Government Level. The organization for
coordination of operations in all local political and administrative subdivisions are
prescribed as follows:

F) The Metropolitan Manila Sanitation Councils shall be headed by the Metro Manila
Development Authority (MMDA) Chair. Its members shall be composed of all
Metro Manila Mayors.

G) The Provincial Sanitation Coordinating Councils shall be composed of the
following:

1) The Provincial Governor as Chairman;

2) The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer as the Vice-
Chairman and Action Officer;

3) The Provincial Health Officer;

4) The Provincial Engineer, and

5) The Provincial Planning and Development Officer.

H) The City/Municipal Sanitation Coordinating Councils shall be composed of the

following:
4) The City/Municipal Mayor as Chairman;
2) The Community Environment and Natural Resources (CENRO) shall be the
Vice-Chairman and Action Officer of the Council;
3) The City/Municipal Planning Officer;
4) The City/Municipal Engineer;
5) The City/Municipal Health; and
6) The Water District (LWUA) General Manager.

Section 7. Rules and regulations. The National Sanitation Coordinating Council, shall
promulgate and issue the necessary Implementing Rules and Regulations for the
implementation of this Act.

SECTION 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall
remain valid and subsisting.

SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or
inconsistent with, the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended
accordingly,
6 Approved.


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Page 4 of 4

SECTION 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.