Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. _1320

Introduced by Representative ROSANNA V. VERGARA

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

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to rationalize the water, irrigation, sewage, and sanitation resource
management, including water rights, through the creation of the Department of Water,
Irrigation, Sewage, and Sanitation Resource Management.

The Philippines is rich in water sources like rivers, lakes, and groundwater reservoirs
which assure as of adequate supply for domestic, agricultural, and industrial purposes.
However, at present, management of the said water sourced is lodged with different units
or agencies of the government thereby resulting to poorly coordinated or even conflicts in
the implementation of the national policies and plans on water, sewage, sanitation, and
irrigation thereby resulting to backlog in the provision of water supply and sanitation
services to the public.

The present set-up for water, irrigation, sewage, and sanitation responsibilities of
the government involves, among others, the following major government agencies:

a) National Water Resources Board (NWRB), a government agency responsible for the
enforcement of the Water Code of the Philippines which is under the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR);

b) Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), a government-owned and controlled
corporation (GOCC) attached to the Department of Public Works and Highways
(DPWH) and has regulatory powers over:


1) all local water districts (LWDs); and
2) rural waterworks and sanitation associations (RWSAs) nationwide;

c) Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), a GOCC also attached to
the DPWH, which is responsible for the water supply and sanitation in Metropolitan
Manila and such contiguous areas as may be added to its area of jurisdiction, and;

d) National Irrigation Administration (NIA), a government agency under the Office of
the President primarily responsible for irrigation development and management.

Upon the United Nations General Assembly's recognition of the human right to water
and sanitation and acknowledgement that clean drinking water and sanitation are essential
to the realization of all human rights, it is imperative upon the Philippine government to
efficiently and effectively manage its water resources to attain ideal allocation of its water
resources that will focus primarily on the people's right to safe and affordable drinking
water and sanitation service that are indispensable to every citizen's basic health and
economic prosperity. The Philippine government must consider the rapid population
growth, common waterborne diseases like diarrhea, leptospirosis, and dengue, agricultural
requirements for food production, water pollution, watershed degradation, climate
change, and other related factors that need to be adequately addressed without delay.

It must be stressed that the Philippine government's responsibility to safe, clean,
accessible and affordable drinking water, sanitation, and irrigation service to the public is
of utmost importance and it is attainable through well-coordinated, effective, efficient and
sustainable management of its water and sanitation resources.

Hence, there is an immediate need to create the Department of Water, Irrigation,
Sewage and Sanitation Resource Management which shall have the following primary
functions:

1) Set the policies for water supply and sewage and sanitation management;

2) 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;

3) Build, maintain and monitor water-related infrastructure, water quality and
accessibility;

4) Regulate the operation and management of water utilities such as MWSS, LWDs,
RWSAs and other water and sanitation service providers;

5) 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;

6) Regulate and control the utilization, exploitation, development, conservation and
protection of all water resources;

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

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

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


10) 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;

11) Delegate the partial or full management of NIS to duly organized cooperatives or
associations;

12) Construct multiple-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;

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

In view of the foregoing, approval of this measure is earnestly requested.

ROSAN kee

3" District, Nueva Ecija


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No, 1320

Introduced by Representative ROSANNA V. VERGARA

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 Representatives of the Philippines
in Congress assembled:

CHAPTER 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS

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 human rights and the protection and sustainability of the environment.

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

a) To prioritize and pursue the immediate attainment of 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

b) 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, farming, fisheries, commercial,
and industrial use.

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

a) Department refers to the Department of Water, Irrigation, Sewage, and
Sanitation Resource Management.

b) Sanitation refers to sewage, sanitation, and septage 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.

d) 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.

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

The terms "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.

CHAPTER II
ORGANIZATION

SECTION 4. The Department of Water, Irrigation, Sewage, and Sanitation Resource
Managernent — 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 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 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 shall, among other
things, integrate the 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;

d) Manage the ownership, appropriation, utilization, exploitation, development,
conservation, and protection of water resources and rights to land related
thereto and their competing demands;

e) 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;

g) 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 sources, and creating and implementing
countrywide master plans for water resources management and development;

h) 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;

k) 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;

1) 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;

1) 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 of water supply sources, which have direct or indirect
impact on the affected locality's water resources;

0) 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;

P) 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 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 serious concerns affecting
conservation and sustainability of water supply, such concerns must first be
resolved by the Department and the 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;

r) 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;


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

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

U) 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;

V) 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;

x) Construct multiple-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;

y) Charge and collect from the beneficiaries of the water from all irrigation systems
constructed by under its administration;

Z) 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;

jj) 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;

Il) Manage funds coursed through it under 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:

a) 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;

b) Establish the policies and standards for the operation of the Department
pursuant to the President's guidelines;

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

d) Exercise supervision and control over all Bureaus and Offices under the
Department;

e) Supervise all attached agencies and corporations in accordance with law;

f) 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

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

SECTION 7. Office of the Secretary — The Office of the Secretary shall be composed
of the Secretary and his 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, an 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 by law.

SECTION 9. Assistant Secretaries. — The Secretary shall also be assisted by one
Assistant 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 Philippine 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, Planning and Engineering Services,
Regulatory and Financial Assistance Services; 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;


C) 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.

SECTION 12. Finance Service. — The Finance Services is hereby created to provide
the Department with coordinated services relating to financial systems and procedures,
budget, 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;

C) 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;

d) 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.

SECTION 13. Administrative Service. — The Administrative Service is hereby created
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 internal administration and human
resources management;

b) Prepare and implement an integrated personnel 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;

d) 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, whether 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;

8) 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.

SECTION 14. Planning and Engineering Services. — The Planning and Engineering
Services is hereby created to provide the Department with 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
implementation;

b) Formulate strategies and priorities for infrastructure development consistent
with national development objectives and initiate or undertake relevant surveys
for development planning;

C) 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;

d) 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;

e) 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;

Q) 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

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

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; tariffs; and other matters subject to
regulation. It shall also provide the Department services on the management of the
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;

C) Prepare Department contracts and legal instruments, review of administrative
charges against officers and employees of the Department, members of the top
management of the attached 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 staffs of Regional Offices;

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;

8) Review all water rates or 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 Offices with the capability to plan, design, and implement
projects for water resource development systems, irrigation, flood control, and other public
works in different 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;

C) 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 region;

e) 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

g) 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 III
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, regulates, 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
(MMA), and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The transfer of powers and functions in 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 from 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 sum of ______Billion Pesos shall be set aside from any
available funds of the National Treasury, and is hereby appropriated and authorized to be
released, for the organization of the Department and its initial operations.

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 sixty (60) days from the formal
organization of the Council.

Approved,