Ofit off's TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 JUL 14 P4:05 SENATE RECENED 1 Senate Bill No. _ - Introduced by Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri 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 EXPLANATORY NOTE Access to safe and clean water is one of the most basic human rights. The United Nations defines the right to water as everyone's entitlement to access "sufficient, safe, acceptable, physically accessible, and affordable water for personal and domestic use." While the Philippine government has been consistent in its efforts to ensure access to safe and affordable water across the country, there still remains a fraction of the population who is denied of this basic right. The 2024 Annual Poverty Indicators Survey of the Philippine Statistics Authority reported that while 97.5 percent of Filipino families have access to basic service level drinking water, there is still a glaring regional disparity in safely managed drinking water services, which is defined by the World Health Organization as an "improved source that is accessible on premises, available when needed, and free from fecal and priority chemical contamination." While 85.5 percent of families in the National Capital Region have access to a safely managed drinking water service, families in the Cagayan Valley, the Bicol Region, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao have dismal access, at 27.6 percent, 25.8 percent, and 14.8 percent, respectively. This bill endeavors to address the persistent problem of lack of access to safe drinking water, especially in rural areas, by establishing a program that will provide every barangay in the country with a potable water supply system within three years. Providing every Filipino with an accessible and safe supply of drinking water is key to protecting the health and wellbeing of the entire population. In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. JUAN MIGUEL F. ZUBIRI
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session JUL 14 P4:05 SENATE RECEIVED E Senate Bill No. 581 Introduced by Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri 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 service including, but not limited to, the provision of an adequate potable water supply system to minimize the exposure of water-borne diseases.
SEC. 2. Lead Agencies. The Department of Interior and Local Government, in
cooperation with the Department of Health, and Department of Public Works and Highways shall undertake a three-year program for the construction of a 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 that 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 project:
(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 planning, identification, design, management of funds, construction and monitoring of the project; (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 Interior and Local Government Department of Health, and Department of Public Works and Highways, shall be responsible in the preparation of feasibility studies and design of communal water supply projects.
SEC. 4. Appropriation. The sum of Fifty Million Pesos (P50,000,000.00) 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 force and effect.
SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. All laws, presidential decrees, issuances, orders, rules
and regulation 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 in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,