ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER, ANGARA'S FIRST BILL FOR 2011

At the resumption of the Senate regular session this week, Senator Edgardo J. Angara filed Senate Bill No. 2641, known as the Water Regulatory bill, which is his first bill for the year.

This bill seeks to provide a safe, adequate and affordable supply of clean, potable water to all Filipinos, especially those living in tight urban communities and distant rural areas.

"Universal access to clean water is a basic human right. Ironically, even with our numerous fresh water sources, a lot of Filipinos go without potable water. This bill was written to improve on the existing water programs and systems so that it would reach even the farthest barrio in the country," explained Angara.

To achieve this, SB 2641 would also establish an independent, quasi-judicial body called the Water Regulatory Commission, tasked to oversee water distribution which will centralize the regulation of water distributors. Presently, this task in lodged in several different agencies which causes confusion and lack of coordination among the city, municipality and provincial levels.

Entitled "An Act Rationalizing the Economic Regulation of Water Utilities, Creating the Water Regulatory Commission and for Other Purposes", the bill is awaiting the First Reading at the Senate floor.