IN light of the recurring flooding incidents across Metro Manila and other parts of the country due to torrential rains, enhanced Southwest Monsoon (Habagat), and recent typhoons, Surigao del Norte, 2nd District Representative Bernadette S. Barbers has called on both the government and the public to adopt a more proactive and resilient approach in preparing for natural calamities.
“There is truth in President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s statement that natural disasters are inevitable, and the effects of climate change—such as heavier rainfall and more frequent typhoons—are now part of our ‘new normal”, Barbers said
“We cannot prevent typhoons or monsoons, but we can prepare smarter and better.” Barbers said.
While the government continues to implement flood control measures, Barbers emphasized that public participation and home-level solutions are equally crucial in minimizing the impacts of floods.
In response to this, Barbers has filed House Bill No. 931, entitled “An Act Requiring All New Residential, Commercial, and Institutional Buildings in the Philippines to Install Rainwater Collection System, and Providing Penalties Therefor.”
The proposed measure aims to reduce flood volume during rainy seasons and ensure water availability during emergencies, especially in Metro Manila and other flood-prone areas, Barbers added.
Under the bill:
-All new buildings—residential, commercial, or institutional—must incorporate a rainwater collection system in their architectural design as a precondition for building permit approval;
-The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and Local Government Units (LGUs) shall be responsible for enforcing this requirement;
-Existing building owners are encouraged to retrofit with a rainwater harvesting system and will be entitled to a 10% tax credit on their real property tax for two (2) years upon compliance;
-Non-compliant owners or developers of new residential, commercial and institutional buildings shall be penalized with fines ranging from ₱100,000.00 to ₱500,000.00 per year of non-compliance;
-Government officials or employees who issue permits in violation of the Act shall face administrative sanctions, including suspension after due process.
“Rainwater harvesting is a simple, cost-effective, and sustainable solution. If implemented nationwide, this can significantly reduce floodwater runoff and simultaneously help address water supply shortages during calamities,” Barbers said.
The lawmaker hopes that the proposed measure will generate widespread support from fellow legislators, urban planners, architects, and private sector stakeholders. She underscored that in this new era of climate unpredictability, resilience must be built into every layer of our infrastructure and way of life.
