The second Technical Working Group (TWG) meeting on rainwater harvesting facilities was held at the House of Representatives today, 14 February 2024.

The group headed by Congressman Angelo Marcos Barba discussed the “establishment of rainwater harvesting facilities in all new institutional, commercial, industrial, and residential development projects” as proposed by House Bill Nos. 2553, 2753, 3862, 4441, 5640, 7786, 8148, and 9353. Said House Bills were written by Representatives Barba, Momo, De los Santos, Tambunting, Gatchalian, Barbers, Villafuerte, Gomez, Mercado-Revilla, Tulfo, Tulfo, Tulfo, Cabredo, Violago, Rivera, Yap, Celeste, and Vergara.

The Representative of Ilocos Norte’s Second Congressional District also led the discussion on granting incentives to all establishments that will incorporate said technology based on HB 5027 written by Representatives Pancho and Domingo.

In a recent post on his official Facebook page, Congressman Barba expressed that “rainwater harvesting, on a larger scale, will function as a supplemental source for our irrigation needs.” He also noted that the water management technique can “help lessen flooding.” HB 8833 written by Representatives Haresco and Acharon addresses this very issue. The House Bill, according to the TWG, reiterates the need for the construction of rainwater harvesting systems for the “purposes of flood control, potable water sources, and irrigation, in every city and municipality in the country.”

Other technical details were discussed by the TWG, according to the TWG’s chairperson Mr. Barba. The group also directed the Committee on Public Works and Highways “to conduct an inquiry” on the status of RA 6716, an act that mandates the construction of rainwater collectors and wells in all barangays in the country.