Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3152

HOUSE BILL No.”

Introduced by HON. LINABELLE RUTH R. VILLARICA
4" DISTRICT, BULACAN

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF RAINWATER CATCHMENT PONDS IN
ALL FLOOD-PRONE BARANGAY NATIONWIDE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS.
THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The flood control programs and policies of the Department of Public Works and
Highways (DPWH) as articulated in its Flood Control Master Plan must be supplemented by a
flood control system viable for interior flood-prone areas. This can minimize the damaging
impact of rainwater flooding in barangay where the Flood Control Master Plan infrastructure
may be less effective.

Considering, however, that the Flood Control Master Plan is a structural engineering
work where before hard structures are built, formulas, equations and computations are studied
and drawn, its actual application may not result in easing the devastation brought down by
angry Mother Nature. This proposed bill seeks the establishment of rainwater catchment ponds
in low-lying areas in flood-prone barangays nationwide. The idea is to excavate the ground to
allow the rampaging floodwaters to enter and accumulate for it to naturally filter down to the
depleted ground water table (aquifers). This process brings back the water to where it belongs
to prevent or minimize flooding.

Support for the enactment of this measure is eamestly requested.

Miner’
REP, LINABELLE RUTH R. VILLARICA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3152

HOUSE BILL No.

Introduced by HON. LINABELLE RUTH R. VILLARICA
4" DISTRICT, BULACAN

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF RAINWATER CATCHMENT PONDS IN
ALL FLOOD-PRONE BARANGAY NATIONWIDE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS.
THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Rainwater Catchment Ponds
Act”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy, ~ It shall be the policy of the State to minimize the
consequences of rainwater flooding in flood-prone areas to protect life and limb as well as
public and private properties from destruction.

SEC, 3. Establishment of Rainwater Catchment Ponds. ~The Department of the Interior
and Local Government (DILG) in coordination with the Department of Public Works and
Highways (DPWH), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the
Department of Agriculture (DA) shall facilitate the establishment of Rainwater Catchment
Ponds, hereinafter referred to as “Ponds”. These government agencies shall search and identify
the low-lying and flood-prone areas for this purpose.

SEC. 4. Construction, Operation and Maintenance of the Rainwater Catchment Ponds.
~The designated land area should be sufficient to accommodate the average measurement of
ten (10) ft. by fifteen (15) fi. of the Pond. To collect rainwater, it must be absorbed by plants
and guide it down the pond. To do this, its surrounding area should be planted with swamp
cabbage (kangkong) in the shallow portions of the pons. Fruit-bearing trees such as papaya and
banana can be planted along the banks. To maintain the cleanliness of the Pond, water lilies
and hyacinth should be allowed to propagate as these absorb dirt from the water and prevent
the oxygen in the water from depletion. Fish and frogs should populate the pond to prevent it
from becoming a breeding ground for mosquitoes.



SEC. 5. Role of Local Government Units. ~The LGUs shall construct and maintain the
Ponds in the pre-identified areas and shall provide the needed materials, equipment and
personnel for its sustainability.

SEC. 6. Appropriation, ~ The amount necessary to carry out the initial implementation
of this Act shall be charged against the current budget of the DILG. Thereafter, such sums as
may be necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual
General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations, ~ The DILG, in coordination with the
DPWH, DENR, and DA shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations to implement
the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 8. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full force and
effect.

SEC. 9, Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or parts
thereof inconsistent with any provision of this Act are repealed or amended accordingly.

SEC 10. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,