REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

House Bill No. Bet

Introduced by Rep. AURELIO D. GONZALES, JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to create the Department of Water, Irrigation, Sewage and Sanitation

Resource Management which shall have the following primary functions

Be

. Set the policies for water supply and sewage and sanitation management,

Develop and manage the country’s water resources to ensure optimal use, including but not
limited to domestic, irrigation, power generation, industrial, agricultural and commercial
use;

Build, maintain and monitor water-related infrastructure, water quality and accessibility;
Regulate the operation and management of water utilities such Metropolitan Waterworks
and Sewerage System (MWSS), Local Water Districts (LWDs), Rural Waterworks and
Sanitation Associations (RWSAs) and other water and sanitation service providers;

Make available and/or provide financial assistance to non-viable LWDs for the
improvement of water facilities or services through funds prior and future appropriations of
the National Government for waterworks and sewerage systems;

. Regulate and control the utilization, exploitation, development, conservation and protection

of all water resources;

Administer and enforce the provisions of Water Code of the Philippines;

Plan, design, construct, and/or improve all types of irrigation projects and appurtenant
structures;

Operate, maintain, and administer all national irrigation systems (NIS);

Supervise the operation, maintenance and repair or otherwise, administer temporarily all
communal and pump irrigation systems constructed, improved, and/or repaired wholly or
partially with government funds;

Delegate the partial or full management of NIS to duly organized cooperatives or

associations;
Construct multi-purpose water resources projects designed primarily for irrigation, and
secondarily for hydraulic power development and/or other uses such as flood control,


drainage, land reclamation, domestic water supply, roads and highway construction, and
reforestation, among others. Provided, that the plans, designs, and the construction thereof,
shall be undertaken in coordination with the agencies concerned; and

13. Charge and collect from the beneficiaries of the water from all irrigation systems
constructed by or under its administration.

Water is vital to the national development. It is clearly established that water and sanitation
are critical for poverty eradication and sustainable development. Unfortunately, the issue of conflict
of use and water allocation continue to plague our water sector to this day. The worsening pollution
of water, which can be contributed to the increase of population, and the lack of infrastructure and
facilities result in allocation issues and conflicting rights over limited water supply.

Nonprofit aid organization, Water. Org, said that nine million Filipinos rely on unimproved,
unsafe and unsustainable water sources, while 19 million lack access to improved sanitation. In
2016, data from World Health Organization showed that 139,000 Filipinos died from acute water
diarrhea, which is considered as one of the leading causes of death in our country. The WHO
suggested that the situation could worsen as the country is lumped with the effects of El Nifio and
climate change that contribute to increase in temperature, drying up our water sources. The recent
water crisis which affected more than 6 million Filipinos in Metro Manila and Rizal, also
highlighted the uncertainty of water access even in urban areas.

At present, there are different government agencies like the National Water Resource Board,
MWSS, Local Water Utility Administration, National Irrigation Authority, local water districts, and
rural waterworks and sanitation associations, among others, which separately deal with the different
sectors of water supply, irrigation, hydro power, flood control, pollution and watershed
management. The absence of a singular government agency dealing with water-related activities led
to the poorly-coordinated implementation of national policies which resulted to backlog in the
provision of water supply and sanitation services to the public.

Hence, it has become increasingly necessary for our government to intervene actively in
improving the management of water resources. The creation of the Department of Water, Irrigation,
‘Sewage and Sanitation Resource Management will address the lack of a central institution to
address the issue of development and management of water related resources.

In view of the foregoing considerations, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

U Ap D. LES, JR.
3nd District, jpanga


REPUBLIC O F THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

House Bill No. peed

Introduced by Rep. AURELIO D. GONZALES, JR.

AN ACT CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF WATER, IRRIGATION, SEWAGE
AND SANITATION RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, DEFINING ITS POWERS AND
FUNCTIONS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representativesof the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Short title. This Act shall be known as the “Department of Water, Irrigation,
‘Sewage and Sanitation Resource Management Act of 2018.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to recognize,
protect, realize and enhance the right of all Filipinos to safe, clean, affordable, and accessible
drinking water, sanitation and irrigation as essential to the full enjoyment of life and all the human
rights and the protection and sustainability of the environment.

In pursuit of the said policy, this Act shall have the following objectives:

a) To prioritize and pursue the immediate attainment of the universal access to safe, adequate
and sustainable water supply and sanitation services for all Filipinos and adopt all
necessary measures directed towards the realization of the human right to water and
sanitation; and

To strengthen and coordinate water resource planning and policy-making to ensure
sustainable and fair allocation and efficient use of water resources between competing
water uses and users, including but not limited to, domestic and municipal use, irrigation,
power generation, fisheries, farming, commercial and industrial use.

b)

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. ~ For purposes of this Act, the following terms are hereby
defined:


a) Department pertains to the Department of Water, Irrigation, Sewage and Sanitation
resource Management.

'b) Sanitation refers to sewage, sanitation and septic management.

c) Sewerage refers to any system or network of sanitary pipelines, ditches, channels, or

conduits including pumping stations, lift stations, and force mains, service connections

including other constructions, devices, or appliances appurtenant thereof, which includes

the collection, sanitary piping transport, pumping, and treatment of water-borne human or

animal waste removed from residences, buildings, institutions, and industrial and

commercial establishments to point of sewage treatment plant disposal.

‘Sewage refers to water-carried waste in solution or suspension, including sanitary waste

(waste products of normal living), commercial waste, industrial waste, agricultural waste,

and surface runoff conveyed by a sewerage system for treatment or disposal. For purposes

of this Act, the definition of septage shall be included in the use of sewage.

fe) Septage refers to sludge produced on individual on-site wastewater disposal systems,
principally septic tanks and cesspools.

‘The term “infrastructure” and “public works” as used in this Act should be ready to apply only

to wholly or primarily water-related projects and shall not be read to incorporate projects

which would not otherwise fall within the purview of the objectives, powers, and duties of the

Department.

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CHAPTER II
ORGANIZATION

SECTION 4. The Department of Water, Irrigation, Sewage and Sanitation Resource
Management- There is hereby created and established the Department of Water, Irrigation,
‘Sewage and Sanitation Resource Management, hereinafter referred to as the “Department”,
which shall be organized within one hundred twenty (120) days after the effectivity of this
‘Act. The Department shall be tasked with developing and implementing a comprehensive
water, irrigation, sewage and sanitation program for the Philippines including, but not limited
to:

a) Implementing necessary policy and resource reforms with the respect to the
management of water, irrigation, sewage and sanitation,
b) Monitoring and evaluating compliance with the national goals relating to water,

irrigation, sewage and sanitation;

c) Formulating a national updated road map to address the water, sewage and sanitation
requirements of the State; and

d) Improving conservation of water and increasing system efficiencies.

SECTION 5. Powers and Duties of the Department. — The Department shall have the
following powers and duties, among others:

a) Develop policies to promote universal access to safe, adequate, affordable, and
sustainable water supply, irrigation, sewage, and sanitation services for all Filipinos;

b) Coordinate with the relevant government agencies or entities to provide policy
directions, strategies, and targets to meet the goals and objectives for water supply,
irrigation, sewage and sanitation. Such policies hall, among other things, integrate
issues of water, irrigation, sewer, energy, environment, and food security;

c) Manage and protect the country’s water resources to ensure the optimal use thereof
for domestic water supply, sewage, sanitation, irrigation, hydropower navigation,


flood control, and recreation, including the enhancement and maintenance of water

quality, conservation of watersheds, control of water pollution, and environmental

restoration, without compromising the natural ecosystem functions and services;

Manage the ownership, appropriation, utilization, exploitation development,

conservation, and protection of water resources and rights to land related thereto and

their competing demands;

Undertake and coordinate with other agencies and government entities in data

gathering, scientific research, and studies on water resources management and

development, and conduct nationwide hydrologic surveys to determine the annual
renewable water available per water region;

f) Formulate and enforce rules and regulations in the administration and management

‘of the country’s water resources and implement rules and guidelines for the

enforcement of water-related laws;

Conduct continuing surveys and studies of the country’s renewable water supply

with a view towards formulation long-term policies to balance the sustainability and

optimal use of water resources, defining the hydrologic boundaries of basins of the
existing water supply resources, and creating as well as implementing countrywide
master plans for water resources management and development;

Coordinate with and assist other government agencies in all aspects of data

gathering, conduct studies and research, and classify and establish water quality

standards for surface and ground water, including national standards for drinking
water and wastewater effluence in coordination with relevant agencies;

i) Coordinate with other relevant agencies to engage in flood control and flood risk
management, formulate integrated water resources management (IWRM) policies
and plans, and coordinate the implementation, promotion, revision and enhancement
of IWRM plans;

j) Effect and compel inter-sectoral, inter-agency, and inter-departmental coordination
on water, irrigation, energy, environmental, sewage, and sanitation resources
development planning with the aim of operationalizing the integrated approach water
resources management,
Regulate and control the utilization, exploitation, abstraction, diversion, and
development of water resources taking into its equitable distribution, and determine
the standards of beneficial and priority uses of water in times of crisis and national
‘emergencies;
Assist and provide the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) with
required data and inputs from and for the water sector in the formulation of the
country’s short-term and long-term strategic development plans and actions;
m) Coordinate with other relevant government agencies and develop policies and plans
in respect of water resources for farming including sustainable mechanisms for
irrigation;
Pass upon, approve, or disapprove all plans, programs, or development projects of
private individuals, corporations, and government agencies, whether national or local
that affect water resources, its diversion or abstraction, and the construction of
hydraulic facilities, including but not limited to plans and projects in watershed or
basin areas or water supply sources, which have direct or indirect impact on the
affected locality’s water resources;

Review from time to time regulations prescribed by any government agency

pertaining to water use, exploitation, development, conservation, or protection of

‘waters, water resources, and watershed or basin areas;

Authorize its representatives or any deputized agent to enter any property of public

dominion or any private land, building or enclave, whether inhabited or not, for the

purpose of conducting hydrologic surveys and investigations, including assessing

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and evaluating the conditions of water facilities installed and determining
compliance with water laws and standards;

Require Local Government Units (LGUs) and national agencies to submit zoning
and land use management plans to ensure the integration of water resource
management plans; Provided, That no zoning and land use plan shall become
effective and enforceable unless and until a certification of integration of water,
sewage, and sanitation resource management plan has been issued by the
Department. Should the Department have various concerns affecting conversation
and sustainability of water supply, such concerns must first be resolved by the
Department and concerned LGU and/or national agency. However, in the absence of
such concerns, the concerned LGU and/or government agency may, ninety (90) days
from the submission of its zoning and land use plan and after submitting to the
Department a written notice of compliance with this provision, proceed with the
implementation of its zoning and land use plan without prejudice to later integration
of the water resource management plan for the locality;

Provide technical assistance to water, irrigation, sewer and sanitation users, whether
directly or in coordination with other agencies, to assist them in applying for water
and irrigation permits and providing data on water, irrigation, sewage and sanitation
resource usage;

Plan, design, construct and/or improve all types of irrigation projects and
appurtenant structures;

Operate, maintain, and administer all national irrigation systems (NIS);

Supervise the operation maintenance and repair, or otherwise, administer temporarily
all communal and pump irrigation systems constructed, improved, and or repaired
wholly or partially with government funds;

Supervise the operation, maintenance, and repair, or otherwise, administer
temporarily all communal and pump irrigation systems constructed, improved,
and/or repaired wholly or partially with government funds;

w) Delegate the partial or full management of NIS to duly organized cooperatives or

associations;

Construct multi-purpose water resources projects designed primarily for irrigation,
and secondarily for hydraulic power development and/ or other uses such as flood
control, drainage, land reclamation, domestic water supply, roads and highway
construction thereof, shall be undertaken in coordination with agencies concerned;
Charge and collect from the beneficiaries of the water from all irrigation systems
constructed by under its administration;

In coordination with other relevant government agencies, develop and implement
effective codes, standards and reasonable guidelines to ensure the safety of all public
and private structures in the country and assure efficiency and proper quality in the
construction of water, irrigation, sewage, and sanitation infrastructures,

aa) Coordinate with relevant government agencies, including the Department of

Environment and Natural Resources, to ensure that the agencies’ respective
standards complement each other when taken as part of a larger whole;

bb) In coordination with other relevant agencies, ascertain that all plans and project

implementation designs are consistent with current standards and guidelines;

cc) Provide the works supervision function for all public works construction and ensure

that actual construction is done in accordance with approved government plans and
specifications;

dd) Assist other government agencies, including LGUs, in determining the most suitable

entity to undertake the actual construction of water, irrigation, sewage and sanitation
projects;


ee) Maintain and cause to be maintained all flood control, water resource development
systems, irrigation systems, and other public works throughout the country except
those that are the responsibility of other agencies as directed by the President of the
Philippines or as provided by law;

ff) Provide integrated planning for flood control, flood risk management, and water
resource development and management systems, other public works;

gg) Issue and promulgate rules, regulations, and guidelines as may be necessary to
implement and enforce its powers and functions under this Act;

hh) Determine and require the monitoring and submission of such data, statistics, and
other information as may be necessary for the effective and efficient exercise of its
duties, functions, powers and responsibilities;

ii) Respond to consumer complaints and ensure the adequate promotion of consumer
interests;

ij) Deputize agents, whether from the public or private sector, to assist in the
performance of any of the powers and functions of the Department,

kk) Appoint, hire and maintain adequate staff and personnel, advisers, and/or
consultants, with suitable qualifications and experience, as necessary;

II) Manage funds coursed through it under the general Appropriations Act intended as
financial assistance to LWDs or LGUs for the development and/or improvement of
water supply and sanitation facilities;

mm) Exercise such other powers and functions necessary or incidental to the
effective administration and management of the country’s water, irrigation, sewage
and sanitation resources;

nn) Exercise such other incidental powers and functions as may be necessary to attain
the objectives of this Act; and

00) Carry such other functions as the President may from time to time assign to the
Department consistent with the aims and provisions of this Act.

SECTION 6. Secretary of the Department of Water, Sewage and Sanitation.- The authority and
responsibility for the exercise of the mandate of the Department and for the discharge of its powers
and functions shall be vested in the Secretary of the Department of Water, Sewage and Sanitation,
hereinafter referred to as the Secretary, who shall have supervision and control over the Department
and shall be appointed by the President. For such purposes, the Secretary shall

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Advise the president on the promulgation of executive or administrative orders, regulations,
proclamations, and other issuances relative to matters under the jurisdiction of the
Department;

Establish the policies and standards for the operation of the Department pursuant to the
President’s guidelines;

Promulgate rules and regulations necessary to carry out Department objectives, policies and
functions;

Exercise supervision and control over all Bureaus and Offices under the Department;
Supervise all attached agencies and corporations in accordance with law;

‘As deemed appropriate by the Secretary, delegate authority for the performance of any
power or function, as defined herein or as delegated by the President, to officers and
employees under his direction; and

Perform such other duties and responsibilities as may be provided by law.

SECTION 7. Office of the Secretary. The Office of Secretary shall be composed of the
Secretary and his/her immediate staff.


SECTION 8. Undersecretaries. The Secretary shall be assisted by not more than five (5)
Undersecretaries, who shall be appointed by the President upon the recommendation of the
Secretary, as follows:

1) One for the Finance Service

2) One for the Administrative Service

3) One for the Planning and Engineering Services;

4) One for the Regulatory and Financial Assistance Services; and
5) One for the Operations.

Within her/his functional area of responsibility, and Undersecretary shall have the following
functions:

a) Advise and assist the Secretary in the formulation and implementation of Department
policies, plans, programs, and projects,

'b) Supervise all the operational activities of the units assigned to her/him, for which she/he is
responsible to the Secretary; and

c) Perform such other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned or delegated by the
Secretary to promote efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of public services or as
may be required of law

SECTION 9. Assistant Secretaries. the Secretary shall also be assisted by one Assitant
Secretary for Internal Audit and the five (5) Undersecretaries shall each be assisted by not more
than three (3) Assistant Secretaries likewise appointed by the President of the Philippines upon the
recommendation of the Secretary.

SECTION 10. Organizational Structure.- The Department shall be composed of the following
organization units

a) Department Proper consisting of the Office of the Secretary, the Offices of the
Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries, the Internal Audit, Finance Service,
Administrative Service; and Operations; and

b) Regional Offices, as deemed appropriate and necessary by the Secretary.

SECTION 11. Internal Audit.- The Internal Audit is hereby created for the purpose of
conducting comprehensive audit of various Department activities and shall have the following
specific functions:

a) Advise the Secretary on all matters relating to management control and operations
audit;

b) Conduct management and operations performance audit of Department activities and

units and determine as to compliance with established objectives, policies, methods

and procedures, government regulations, and contractual obligations of the

Department;

Review and appraise systems and procedures, organizational structure, assets

management practices, accounting, and other records, reports, and performance

standards of the Department of Proper and Regional Offices;

d) Analyze and evaluate management deficiencies and assist top management to solve
problems by recommending realistic courses of action; and

e) Perform such other related duties and responsibilities as may be assigned or
delegated by the Secretary or as may be required by law.

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SECTION 12. Finance Service.- The Finance Services is hereby created to provide the
Department with coordinated services relating to financial systems and procedures, budgets, cash,
accounting, and all financial matters not falling under other Services. For such purposes, it shall
have the following functions:

a) Advise the Secretary on all matters relating to the accounting of government expenditures
and receipts, budgeting and cash management, project finances, and financial systems and
procedures;

b) Prepare budget proposals and pursue formal budget authorizations, undertake budget

execution, and prepare and submit all appropriate reports to the proper offices;

Develop and maintain accounting, financial and assets management systems, procedures,

and practices in the Department Proper and Regional offices in accordance with the existing

government accounting and auditing rules and regulations;

Provide assistance in its area of specialization to any unit of the Department and, when

requested, to government corporations, councils and boards attached to the Department; and

Perform such other related duties and responsibilities as may be assigned or delegated by the

Secretary or as may be required by law.

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SECTION 13. Administrative Service.- The Administrative Service is hereby crated to provide
the Department with services relating to human resources development, personnel records, facilities
maintenance, medical and dental, gender and development (GAD), security, property and
procurement services. For such purposes, it shall have the following functions:

a) Advise the Secretary on all matters relating to international administration and
humanresources management

b) Prepare and implement an integrated personne! plan that shall include provisions on merit
promotion, performance evaluation, job rotation, suggestions and incentive awards systems,
and health and welfare services;

c) Provide services related to human resource training, education, and development, including
manpower, career planning and forecasting and development of indigenous training

materials;

Prepare and/or implement Department GAD plans and budgets and GAD accomplishment

reports;

Develop, establish and maintain an efficient and cost-effective property procurement system

and facilities and coordinate or otherwise interface with relevant agencies, either

government or private, for the purpose of developing or upgrading the system;

f) Secure and maintain necessary Department facilities, and develop, establish, and maintain
an efficient and effective security system covering among others, personnel, physical
installations, equipment, documents, and materials, including the conduct of security
investigations;

2) Coordinate with the appropriate government agencies for a more efficient conduct of
administrative processes;

h) Develop, establish and maintain an efficient records system;

i) Provide assistance in its area of specialization to the Department Proper and Regional
offices and, when requested, the government agencies and corporations attached to the
Department; and

j) Perform such other related duties and responsibilities as may be assigned or delegated by the
Secretary or as may be required by law.

d)

e)

SECTION 14. Planning and Engineering Services. - The Planning and Engineering
Services is hereby created to provide the Department the capability to undertake infrastructure


development planning, programming and implementation. For this purpose, it shall have the
following functions

a) Advise the Secretary on all matters relating to infrastructure planning and implementatiot

b) Formulate strategies and priorities for infrastructure development consistent with national

development objectives and initiate or undertake relevant surveys for development planning;

Formulate and implement long range, medium-term and annual development plans and

programs for infrastructure, including flood control, water resource development systems,

and other public works projects, including phasing of implementation and review and
integrate land use plans with such water development plans;

Identify and implement priority packages for infrastructure development, including flood

control, water resource development systems, and other public works projects, and

undertake or supervise and evaluate the conduct of feasibility studies and project preparation
and implementation thereof,

Prioritize project implementation and the allocation of funds and other resources and

package project proposals for funding and implementation;

f) Evaluate and appraise all reginal interregional infrastructure development plans and
programs as to their feasibility and consistency with approved strategies and long and
medium-term plans;

g) Initiate regular Department-wide planning exercises and act as the secretariat thereof

h) Gather, analyze, and organize needed statistical data and information;

i) Provide technical assistance related to its functions to the other services and Regional

offices as needed; and

Perform such other related duties and responsibilities as may be assigned or delegated by the

Secretary or as may be required by law.

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SECTION 15. Regulatory and Financial Assistance Services, - The Regulatory and
Financial Assistance Services is hereby created to provide the Department with services on all legal
affairs, compliance of attached government corporations, LWDs, RWSAs, cooperatives, and other
associations, including private entities under contractual or concession arrangement with them, and
other private water service providers on the established standards, rules and regulations relating to:
water quality; infrastructure and facilities design and construction; equipment, materials and
supplies; operations and maintenance; personnel; organization; accounting; tarrifs; and other
matters subject to financial assistance available and granted to LWDs and RWSAs. For this purpose,
it shall have the following functions:

a) Advise the Secretary on all matters relating to legal affairs and regulation of the operation of
the attached corporations; LWDs, RWSAs, cooperatives and other associations;

b)

Provide legal assistance to the Department Proper and Regional Offices and, when
requested, the attached corporations and boards;

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Prepare Department contracts and legal instruments, review of administrative charges
against officers and employees of the Department, members of the top management of the
attache corporations and boards;

d

Conduct administrative investigation as well as the review of administrative charges against
officers and employees of the Department, members of the top management of the attached
corporations and boards;

e) Exercise functional jurisdiction over the legal staff’ of the Regional Officers;


f) Establish standards for water quality; design and construction of facilities; optimum
selection of equipment, materials and supplies; procedures for operations and maintenance
of water and sewer equipment and facilities; training of personnel; organization; uniform
accounting system; tariffs;

g) Review all water rates and charges;
h) Manage the financial assistance available and granted to LWDs, RWSAs, and other qualified
water utilities.

SECTION 16. Operations.- The Operations is hereby created to provide the Department
through Regional Officers with the capacity to plan, design, and implement projects for water
resource development systems, irrigation, flood control, and other public works in difference
regions of the country. For this purpose, it shall have the following functions

a) Undertake and evaluate the planning, design, construction, and works supervision functions
of the Department for the abovementioned infrastructure within the region;

b) Undertake the maintenance of the abovementioned infrastructure within the region and
supervise the maintenance of such local infrastructure receiving national government
financial assistance as the Secretary may determine;

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Ensure the implementation of laws, policies, programs, rules and regulations regarding the
abovementioned infrastructure as well as public and private physical structures;

d) Provide technical assistance related to their functions to other agencies within the regions;

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Coordinate with other departments, agencies, institutions, and organizations within the
region, in the planning and implementation of infrastructure projects;

f) Conduct continuing consultations with the local communicates, take appropriate measures to
make the services of the Department responsive to the needs of the general public, compile
and submit such information to the central office, and recommend such appropriate actions
as may be necessary; and

2) Perform such other related duties and responsibilities as may be assigned or delegated by the

Secretary or as may be required by law.

SECTION 17. Regional Director. - Each Regional Office shall be headed by a Regional
Director who shall be responsible for efficiently and effectively carrying out the duties and
responsibilities of the Regional Office. She/he shall also perform such other related duties and
responsibilities as may be assigned or delegated by the Secretary or as may be required by law.

‘The Regional Director shall be assisted by two (2) Assistant Regional Directors who shall exercise
supervision respectively over (1) the planning, project design, evaluation, and technical assistance
functions of the Regional Office, and (2) the construction, maintenance, and works supervision
functions in the region.

CHAPTER IL
TRANSITORY PROVISIONS

SECTION 18. Interface with Other Sector Regulators. - The Department is mandated to
coordinate with the different sector regulators as follows:


a)

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) shall continue to have the
primary authority and responsibility for protecting the environment and for the conservation
of water and related natural resources, including protecting water bodies from waste and
pollution and shall promulgate rules, regulations, and standards in this regard. The
Department shall coordinate with the DENR with respect to the conservation of water
resources, protection from sewage and septage waste, and restoration from environment
damage;

b) The Department of Health (DOH) shall have primary authority and responsibility for
determining and enforcing drinking water quality and sanitation standards. The Department
shall coordinate with the DOH to achieve an integrated approach for sanitation, including
toilets, collection, treatment, and evaluation of wastewater.

c) The Department shall subsume responsibility from the Department of Public Works and
Highways (DPWH) for wholly or primarily water-related public works projects including
flood control, water resources development, sewerage, sanitation, and the harnessing and
impounding of water. The Secretaries of each department shall coordinate on the
development of evaluation criteria as necessary, to determine proper allocation of public
works projects between the two departments.

d

The Department shall absorb the responsibility from the Department of Interior and Local
Government (DILG) on the management and operation of water supply systems of local
government units.

SECTION 19. Transfer of Rights and Obligations.- The Department, shall by virtue of this,
Act, be subrogated to all the rights, and assume all the obligations of the relevant parts of any
government agency or unit whose powers and duties have been transferred to the Department,
including the DPWH, National irrigation Administration (NIA), National Water Resources Board
(NWRB), Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), Local Water Utilities
Administration (LWUA), metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and the Department of
Interior and Local government (DILG).

The transfer of powers and functions of Section 18 above, as applicable, and agencies
attached thereto, as herein provided for, shall take effect within one hundred eighty (180) days after
the effectivity of this Act. The foregoing transfer of powers and functions shall include all
applicable funds, personnel, records, property, and equipment, as may be necessary. All offices
shall continue to function under their present mandates until transition is effected as provided for
under this Act.

All rights and obligations of said government agencies are hereby transferred to and
assumed by the Department and shall be acted upon in accordance with the rules and regulations of
the Commission on Audit and other pertinent laws, rules, and regulations.

SECTION 20. Separation from Service.- Employees separated by the government service as
a result of this Act shall be entitled to the benefits that they may receive under existing laws, rules,
and regulations.

SECTION 21, Funding.- The amount necessary for the organization of the department and
its initial operations shall be included in the General Appropriations Act.


‘Thereafter, funds sufficient to fully carry out the objectives, powers, and functions of the
Department shall be appropriated every fiscal year in the General Appropriations Act.

‘The Department shall submit its annual budget, which shall include, among others, detailed
information on the compensation and benefits received by their employees to the Office of the
President for approval.

SECTION 22. Separability Clause. ~ If any provisions or part hereof, is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid
and subsisting.

SECTION 23. Repealing Clause. Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order,
letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with the
provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly

SECTION 24. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation with its Implementing Rules and
Regulations promulgated by the MPPPC within the sixty (60) days from the formal organization of
the Council.