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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS .OF THE REPUBLIC 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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S E N A T E  
Senate Bill No. 3 5 9 
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INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Water is the 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. 
This bill seeks to provide for an accelerated program for the construction 
of a potable water supply system in every barangay in the country. Through this 
proposed measure, it is hoped that the government will be able to address the 
health needs of our people in the rural areas. 
Immediate passage of this bill is thus earnestly recommended. 
W ~ G O ~ J E R C I T O  
ESTRADA 
-Senator 


~~ 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. 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 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 
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. 
(9 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. 
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,