fs

> RECEIVED
"OT AL 2013

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

=
&

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS & INDEX ot

First Regular Session

381

oc “
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by CHRISTOPHER S. CO and RODEL M. BATOCABE

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 pra

The bill vas\filed in the 15the Congress but for lack of tig was halted at the
committee level. Ih light of all these circumstances, the swift pass; isfparnestly sought.

HER S. CO RODEL M. BATOCABE


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

Co 381

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by CHRISTOPHER S. CO and RODEL M. BATOCABE

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 2013”,

SECTION 2. Statement of Policy ~

A)

B)
13)

D)
5)

F)

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

The right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology shall be protected and advanced;
A systematic, comprehensive, ecological and sustainable sanitation management program
shall be developed by national and local government agencies;

Public health and environment shall be ensured protection;

Greater multi-stakeholder involvement shall be institutionalized in the development and
implementation of national and local sustainable sanitation programs;

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

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);


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

€) 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;
©) 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 followin,
1) 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.

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.