1 Republic of the Philippines

3 House of Representatives
4 Quezon City

5

6 SIXTEENTH CONGRESS

7 First Regular Session

8

9 HOUSE BILL NO 2796

10

11 Introduced by Honorable Anthony M. Bravo and Honorable
12 Cresente C. Paez

EXPLANATORY NO’

‘The Philippines is well known for its extraordinary beaches. Hence, the beaches,
especially those used most by the public, should be tested to make sure the water is safe for
swimming for both locals and tourists

This bill requires the Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR) to: (1) prepare an annual assessment of the compliance of local
governments with program requirements, (2) update within 12 months after the effectivity of
this Act and biennially after the enactment, the list indicating which coastal recreational
waters adjacent to beaches used by the public are, and which of such waters are not, subject
to a monitoring and notification program; and (3) study and report to Congress on the long-
term impact of climate change on pollution of coastal recreational waters,

This bill further proposes a 2015 deadline for the DENR Secretary to complete its
validation of a rapid testing method, which would provide beachgoers with same day
information on beach water safety.

HON. ANTH! tr M. BRAVO HON. G&PSENTE C. PAEZ



1 Republic of the Philippines
2
3 House of Representatives
4 Quezon City
5
6 SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
ae First Regular Sessi
8
9 HOUSE BILL NO.
10
11 Introduced by Honorable Anthony M. Bravo and Honorable
12 Cresente C. Paez
13 AN ACT
PROVIDING PROGRAMS FOR BEACH MONITORING
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled.

15 SECTION 1. Short Title. ~ This Act shall be known as the “Clean Coastal Environment

16and Public Health Act of 2013.”

7 SECTION 2. Definition of Terms, ~ As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean
18 (A) Rapid Testing Method means a method of testing the water quality of coastal
19 recreation waters for which results are available as soon as practicable and
20 not more than 2 hours after the commencement of the rapid testing method;
21 (B) ‘Secretary means the Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural
2 Resources;

23 SECTION 3. Contents of Monitoring and Notification Programs. — & program for

24monitoring, and notification shall include monitoring consistent with the performance criteria es
2Sdetermined by the Secretary, public notification, source tracking, sanitary surveys, and
26prevention efforts to address identified sources of contamination by pathogens and pathogen
2Tindicators in coastal recreation waters adjacent to beaches or similar points of access that are

28used by the public.

29 SECTION 4. Validation of Rapid Testing Methods, — Not later than two years after the
30effectivity of this Act, the Secretary shall complete an evaluation and validation of a rapid testing

31 method for the water quality criteria and standards for pathogens and pathogen indicators


1 SECTION 5. Guidance for Use of Rapid Testing Methods. ~ Not later than 180 days after
2the date of completion of the validation and after providing notice and an opportunity for public
3comment, the Secretary shall publish guidance for the use at coastal recreation waters adjacent to
beaches or similar points of access that are used by the public of rapid testing methods that will
Senhance the protection of public health and safety through rapid public notification of any
Gexceedance of applicable water quality standards for pathogens and pathogen indicators

7 In developing guidance, the Secretary shall require the use of rapid testing methods at

Sthose beaches or similar points of access that are the most used by the public,

information to

9 SECTION 6, Information Dissemination. — The Secretary shall provide
1Othe public about coastal recreation waters, which is publicly accessible and searchable on the

identifies applicable water quality

l1Internet; organized by beach or similar point of ace:
12standards, monitoring protocols, sampling plans and results, and the number and cause of coastal
recreation water closures and advisory days; and updated within 24 hours of the availability of

\4revised information,

15 SECTION 7. National List of Beaches. ~ Not later than 1 year after the effectivity of this

16Act, the Secretary shall make a National List of Beaches, which shall be updated biennially

W SECTION 8. Compliance Review. ~ On or before 31 July of each calendar year beginning

18after the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary shall:

19 (A) prepare a written assessment of compliance with all statutory and regulatory
20 requirements of this Act for each local government,

21 (B) notify the local government of each such assessment, and

22 (C) make each of the assessments available to the public in a searchable database on the
B Internet on or before 31 December of the applicable calendar year

24 SECTION 9. Impact of Climate Change on the Pollution of Coastal Recreation Watters. —

25The Secretary shall conduct a study on the long-term impact of climate change on pollution of
26coastal recreation waters. A report on the study shall be submitted to Congress
ey The report shall include information on potential contaminant impacts on ground and

28surface water resources; and public and ecosystem health in coastal communities. The report


ng cond

Ishall also address monitoring required to document and assess chan;

2Qwater resources, recreational waters, and ecosystems; and review the current ability to assess and

3 forecast impacts associated with long-term change

4 SECTION 10. Impact of Algae on Coastal Recreation Waters. ~ Not later than 1 year
Safter the date of effectivity of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a study on the
Gimpact of algae on coastal recreation waters, The following should be considered in preparing
7the study: (a) quantify the levels of algae that cause problems at recreational beaches, and (b)

Squantify the concentrations of phosphorus that may be associated with algae problems;

9 SECTION 11. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part of this Act is held invalid ot
1Ounconstitutional, the remainder of the Act or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain

livalid and subsisting

12 SECTION 12. Repealing Clause. ~ Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
Border, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, or inconsistent

l4with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly

15 SECTION 13. Effectivity Clause. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

16publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,