Rainwater wells and collectors now a requirement

in subdivisions and condominiums

A lady lawmaker has filed a bill requiring subdivision and condominium owners and developers
to provide rainwater wells and collectors in their subdivision or condominium projects as part of a flood
mitigation measure.
Rep. Rosenda Ann Ocampo (6
th
istrict! "anila# said $ouse %ill &'() seeks to prevent direct
rainwater discharge into drainages or sewers in order to mitigate! if not prevent flooding in low*lying
areas.
Ocampo said it is the duty of the government to encourage the participation of the private sector
in its effort to implement and find new ways to control floods.
+,atural calamities and freak weather phenomena cannot be prevented. %ut there are creative and
effective ways to minimi-e the effects caused by typhoons and monsoon rains!. Ocampo said.
Ocampo said as a tropical country! the /hilippines frequently e0periences typhoons and monsoon
rains that bring heavy rainfall. 1hese heavy rainfalls! coupled with the devastating effects of climate
change! result in the loss of lives and damage to properties! she said.
+One way is to provide for rainwater wells and collectors that will harvest! collect and store
rainwater to prevent flooding!. Ocampo stressed.
2nder the measure! rainwater wells and collectors refer to structures or receptacles that would
harvest! collect and store rainwater and prevent the direct discharge of rainwater into drainages or sewers
which cause flooding in low*lying areas.
1he bill mandates all subdivision and condominium owners and developers to provide rainwater
wells and collectors in their subdivision or condominium projects as a requirement before being issued
licenses! permits! clearances and other documents by government offices or government regulatory
agencies.
1he same license and permit shall not be renewed if the subdivision or condominium owners and
developers fail to construct the rainwater wells and collectors.
3n order to ensure that owners or developers of subdivision or condominium projects follow this
requirement! violators would be punished with a fine of /4!'''.'' or with imprisonment of not more than
one year! or both! at the discretion of the court.
3f the offender is a foreigner! the offender should be deported immediately without further
proceedings at the %ureau of 3mmigration.
On the other hand! government officials! employees and agents who should approve the issuance
of licenses or permits in violation of this Act should be suspended for not more than (' days.
2nder the measure! the epartment of /ublic 5orks and $ighways (/5$# in coordination with
the epartment of 3nterior and 6ocal 7overnment (367# and $ousing and 6and 2se Regulatory %oard
($26R%# are mandated to promulgate the rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this
Act. (('# lvc
NR # 3618B
OCT. 13, 2014