5 
FER 24 1'1 :4R 
First Regular Session 
Introduced by SENATOR JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Water is the wellspring of life. Throughout lustory civilization has been 
born beside rivers, waterways and oceans. For water brings not o d y  sustenance 
but life itself. 
Witli the archipelagic nature of our country, it is regrettable that some of 
our barailgays are still without potable water. Tlus bill therefore seeks to provide 
to an adequate potable water supply syskem in every barangay in the country. 
Iinmediatoe passage of this bill is thus earnestly recommended. 
Senator 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S. No. - 
1931 
5 
FEB 24 P I  :68 
~ 
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
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 
assem bled: 
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 disease. 
SECTION 2. 
Lead 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 
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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. 


SECTION 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 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 potkble water; 
d. The local government unit concerned shall participate in the project 
planning, identification, design, management of all projects funds, 
construction and monitoring; 
e. The potable water supply system shall be managed and maintained by the 
local goveiment 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. 
SECTION 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 appropriations for its continued implementation shall be 
included in the annual General Appropriations Act until the program shall have been 
completed. 
SECTION 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. 


SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations 
and inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed or modified 
&bordingly. 
SECTION 7. Eflectivi@. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the official Gazette or two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,