NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  _____ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Water is a wellspring of life. Throughout history civilization has been born beside rivers, 
waterways and oceans. For water brings not only sustenance but life itself.  
With the archipelagic nature of our country, it is regrettable that some of our barangays 
are still without potable water supply system. 
Immediate passage of this bill is thus earnestly recommended. 
RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ 
April 12, 2023
6:30 pm
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NINETEENTH CONGRESS   
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session  
 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  _____ 
AN ACT 
TO PROMOTE RURAL HEALTH BY PROVIDING FOR AN ACCELERATED PROGRAM 
FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A POTABLE WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM IN EVERY 
BARANGAY IN THE COUNTRY WITHIN THREE YEARS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1.  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 services 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 the 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 which 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 
projects: 
(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;
(c) 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 concerned shall participate in the project
planning, identification, design, management of all project funds,
construction and monitoring.
(e) The potable water supply system shall be managed and maintained
by the local government unit concerned.
(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 potable water supply
projects.
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SEC 4.  Appropriation. The sum of Fifty Million Pesos (50,000,000.00) 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 this Act is held unconstitutional, other parts or 
provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
 
SEC 6. Repealing Clause. All laws, presidential decrees, issuances, orders, rules and 
regulations and inconsistent with the provision of this Act are hereby 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) newspapers of general circulation. 
  
Approved,