Human Settlements in the Barangays: What to Consider

                                   Source: https://guidetothephilippines.ph/articles/history-culture/best-philippines-small-towns-villages-cities

The Barangay, as the basic political unit, serves as the primary planning and implementing unit of government policies, plans, programs, projects, and activities in the community and as a forum wherein the collective views of the people may be expressed, crystallized and considered, and where disputes may be amicably settled (section 384, RA7160). As enumerated under section 17 (b) of RA 7160, the barangays are expected to deliver the following basic services and facilities:

·        Agricultural support services which include planting materials distribution system and operation of farm produce collection and buying stations;

·        Health and social welfare services which include maintenance of Barangay health center and day-care center;

·        Services and facilities related to general hygiene and sanitation, beautification, and solid waste collection;

·        Maintenance of Katarungang Pambarangay; (structure such as barangay hall is necessary)

·        Maintenance of Barangay roads and bridges and water supply systems;

·        Infrastructure facilities such as multi-purpose hall, multipurpose pavement, plaza, sports center, and other similar facilities;

·        Information and reading center; and

·        Satellite or public market, where viable.

Being at the forefront of local development and community resiliency, the barangay development councils are expected to ensure that government services reach the community especially the community’s basic needs as enumerated in in Batas Pambansa Blg. 220 which include, Water Supply; Roads and Streets; Drainage System; Solid and Liquid Waste Disposal; Parks and Playgrounds, and; Power Supply. Fundings for these services may be accessed by the barangays from higher local government units like their respective cities and municipalities and provinces as well as concerned national government agencies and even from the private sector.

The following are some basic requirements that the barangays have to consider as they establish these basic services:

1. Water Supply

·        Public water supply system should be made available, (Level 1 and Level 2 Water System). One communal faucet should serve 10 households.

·        Communal well can be located strategically not closer than 300 meters from each other.

·        Alternative water supply may be availed, e.g., rain water collector and other devices with water impounding capacity.

·        PD. 1067 also known as the Water Code of the Philippines emphasizes that the following belong to the state (Article 5) (a) Rivers and their natural beds; (b) Continuous or intermittent waters of springs and brooks running in their natural beds and the beds themselves; (c) Natural lakes and lagoons; (d) Seawater; (e) All other categories of surface waters such as water flowing over lands, water from rainfall whether natural, or artificial, and water from  agriculture runoff, seepage and drainage; (f) Atmospheric water, and; (g) Subterranean or ground waters. It also emphasized under Article 6 that the following waters found on private lands belong to the State: (a) Continuous or intermittent waters rising on such lands; (b) Lakes and lagoons naturally occurring on such lands; (c) Rain water falling on such lands; (d) Subterranean or ground waters; and, (e) Water in swamps and marshes.

·        The law also underscored that the owner of the land where the water is found may use the same for domestic purposes without securing a permit, provided that such use shall be REGISTERED, when required by the Council. The Council, however, may regulate such when there is wastage, or in times of emergency.

·        Under Article 51 of the same law states that “the banks of rivers and streams and the shores of the seas and lakes throughout their entire length and within a zone of:

3 meters in urban areas;

20 meters in agricultural areas, and

40 meters in forest areas, along their margins are subject to the easement of public use in the interest of recreation, navigation, floatage, fishing and salvage. No person shall be allowed to stay in this zone longer than what is necessary for recreation, navigation, floatage, fishing or salvage or to build structures of any kind.”

 

2. The following are planning standards for roads and bridges and planting strips:

A. Roads and Streets

·        National Road             = 30 meters

·        Provincial Road          = 15-20 meters

·        Municipal Road           = 10 meters

·        Barangay Road           = 7 meters      

·        Alley and Pathwalk     = 3 meters (60 m. max. length)

B. Planting Strips

·     Municipal Road  = 0.8 meters

·     Barangay Road = 0.4 meters

·     Roads should intersect at right angles as much as practicable.

·     Multiple intersection along major roads shall be minimized.

·     Distance between offset intersections should not be less than 20 meters.

·     Maximum block length is 400 meters. Block length exceeding 250 meters shall be provided with alley approximately at mid-length.

3. Drainage System

·        The drainage system shall be concrete lined canal with load bearing cover.

·        Drainage system shall drain into appropriate catchment area, water bodies or natural outfalls.

·        If applicable, underground drainage system shall be provided with adequate reinforced concrete pipes (RCP), catch basins, manholes/inlets and cross drains for efficient maintenance.

4. Solid and Liquid Waste Disposal

·        Garbage disposal system shall be in accordance with R.A. 9003.

·        The sewage disposal system shall be communal or individual septic tank conforming to the design standard of the Sanitation Code of the Philippines.

·        Whenever applicable, sewage disposal connections shall be to an approved public or community sewer system.

·        Section 10 of RA 9003 also known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 provides that “the LGUs shall be primarily responsible for the implementation and enforcement of the provisions of this Act within their respective jurisdictions. Segregation and collection of solid waste shall be conducted at the barangay level specifically for biodegradable, compostable and reusable wastes: Provided, That the collection of non-recyclable materials and special wastes shall be the responsibility of the municipality or city.”

·        Also, under Section 32 of the same law provides that “there shall be established a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in every barangay or cluster of barangays. The facility shall be established in a barangay-owned or -leased land or any suitable open space to be determined by the barangay through its Sanggunian. For this purpose, the barangay or cluster of barangays shall allocate a certain parcel of land for the MRF. The determination of site and actual establishment of the facility shall likewise be subject to the guidelines and criteria set pursuant to this Act. The MRF shall receive mixed waste for final sorting, segregation, composting, and recycling. The resulting residual wastes shall be transferred to a long-term storage or disposal facility or sanitary landfill.

·        SEC. 13 of PD 856 also known as the Code on Sanitation of the Philippines emphasized that “to protect drinking water from contamination, the following measures shall be observed:

(a) Washing clothes or bathing within a radius of 25 meters from any well or other source of drinking water is prohibited.

(b) No artesian, deep or shallow well shall be constructed within 25 meters from any source of pollution.

(c) No radioactive sources or materials shall be stored within a radius of 25 meters from any well or source of drinking water unless the radioactive source is adequately and safely enclosed by proper shielding.

SEC. 90 also of PD 856 also known as the Code on Sanitation of the Philippines provides that the following requirements shall be applied and enforced:

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to bury remains in places other than those legally authorized in conformity with the provisions of this Chapter.

(b) A burial ground shall at least be 25 meters distant from any dwelling house and no house shall be constructed within the same distance from any burial ground.

(c) No burial ground shall be located within 50 meters from either side of a river or within 50 meters from any source of water supply.

5. Power Supply

·        The barangay should be connected to reliable power source e.g., local electric cooperative, local electric franchise holder or the local utility company.

·        Provision of street lighting per pole shall be mandatory if poles are 50 meter apart, and at every other pole if the distance is less than 50 meters.

·        The barangay should be connected to reliable power source e.g., local electric cooperative, local electric franchise holder or the local utility company.

·        Provision of street lighting per pole shall be mandatory if poles are 50 meter apart, and at every other pole if the distance is less than 50 meters.