NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 2412
g»ensfe
of il)? g^rcrcim-p
23 AUG 16 P3 51
RtCEIVbD BV
Introduced by SENATOR RONALD "BATO" DELA ROSA
AN ACT
CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT, 
DEFINING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The recent woes showed that nearly half of the Philippines' 532 water districts 
were wasting a third of their water supply, creating water systems losses. The 
Chairperson of the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), Ronnie Ong, sought 
the assistance of the lower chamber in reducing, if not totally eliminating, the nearly 
30% annual water system losses of almost half of the water districts in the country.1
Based on LWUA data, the water districts, which serve areas outside Metro 
Manila, yield an average nonrevenue water (NRW) rate of 29.34%, which translates 
to an annual water loss of some 488 million cubic meters which Is over half the capacity 
of Angat Dam that supplies water to Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
Furthermore, the heat of the summer also contributed to the shrinking water 
level of the dams, which even led water companies to conserve the water supply 
meant for thousands of people in cities and villages. Warmer temperatures mean that
1 https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1816034/solve-water-woes-before-el-nino-worsens-house-urged
1


moisture in the soil evaporates at faster rates, and more frequent and severe 
heatwaves shall exacerbate drought conditions and contribute towards water 
shortages.2
With all the problems encountered, the country Is currently facing a water crisis. 
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., last March 2023, recently signed an executive order 
creating a water resource management office (WRMO) as part of the effort to address 
the water crisis threatening the country. In his latest SONA, the President even stated 
that water security deserves our special focus and remains hopeful of the passage of 
a bill creating the Department of Water.3
Thus, this bill seeks to create the Department of Water Resources Management^ 
which ultimately aims to provide Filipinos with a better quality of life. In more ways 
than one, the vision of such a life does and will always include clean and safe water 
for everyone, including the generations still to come. An integrated water resources 
management framework shall guide the Department, and they shall exercise the 
powers and functions necessary for the review, revision, and Integration of all 
regulations and policies pertinent to the conservation and effective management of 
water resources and water supply. Under the Department, systems shall be developed 
towards greater efficacy in optimizing the use of all the freshwater sources in the 
country as well as in improving water conservation.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
RONALD'^^riKDELA ROSA
u
2 https://earth.org/causes-and-effects-of-water-shortage
3 https://www.philstar.eom/headlines/2023/03/24/2254060/philippines-facing-water-crisis-marcos


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. no.2412
of tl)!?
23 AUG 16 P3 51
Rl-CEiVED BY
Introduced by SENATOR RONALD "BATO" DELA ROSA
AN ACT
CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT, 
DEFINING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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CHAPTER 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Department of Water 
Resources Management Act."
Sec. 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 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 for all Filipinos and adopt all necessary 
measures directed towards the realization of the human right to water; and
b) To strengthen and coordinate water resource planning and policymaking to 
ensure sustainable and fair allocation and efficient use of water resources 
between competing water uses and users, including but not limited to domestic


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and municipal use, irrigation, sanitation, power generation, farming, fisheries, 
commercial, and industrial use.
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. — For purposes of this Act, the following terms 
are hereby defined:
a) Department refers to the Department of Water Resources Management.
b) Rainwater harvesting faciiity refers to a flood control structure such as a vertical 
detention tank, horizontal water tank, open retarding basin, and multi-use 
water catchment area, or an on-site regulation pond used to prevent or delay 
the release of rainwater into the public drainage system.
c) Sanitation refers to sewage, sanitation, and septage management.
d) 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.
e) 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.
f) Septage refers to sludge produced on individual on-site wastewater disposal 
systems, principally septic tanks and cesspools.
The terms infrastructure and pubiic works es used in this Act should be read 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
Sec. 4. The Department of Water Resources Management — There is hereby 
created and established the Department of Water Resources 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 usage and conservation 
program for the Philippines Including, but not limited to:
a) Implementing necessary policy and resource reforms with respect to the 
management of all water resources including 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.
Sec. 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 for all Filipinos. These shall include policies for 
irrigation, sewage, and sanitation services;
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, sewage, 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;


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d) Manage the ownership, appropriation, utilization, exploitation, development, 
conservation and protection of water resources including but not limited to 
ground water, surface water, rainwater, run-offs, floods, stormwater and urban 
drainage, and treated wastewater and the rights to land related thereto and 
their competing demands;
e) Ensure the protection of all water resources with greater emphasis on sources 
of drinkable water and coordinate with the Local Government Units (LGUs) for 
the protection of waters within their jurisdictions especially on pollution 
prevention and restoration of rivers;
f) 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;
g) 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;
h) Conduct continuing surveys and studies of the country's renewable water 
supply with a view towards formulating 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;
i) 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;
j) 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;


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k) 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;
l) Regulate and control the utilization, exploitation, abstraction, diversion, and 
development of water resources, taking into account its equitable distribution, 
and determine the standards of beneficial and priority uses of water in times of 
crisis and national emergencies;
m) Promote water recycling and conservation as well as spearhead the efforts 
towards the study, research, feasibility, installation and operation of 
desalination systems;
n) 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;
o) Coordinate with other relevant government agencies and develop policies and 
plans in respect of water resources for farming, including sustainable 
mechanisms for irrigation;
p) Coordinate with other relevant government agencies in order to educate the 
public regarding water conservation, recycling, and other relevant information 
for the fulfillment of the goals of this Act.
q) 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;
r) 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;
s) Authorize its representatives or any deputized agent to enter any property of 
public dominion or any private land, building, or enclave, whether inhabited or


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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;
t) Require 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;
u) 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;
v) Plan, design, construct, and/or Improve all types of irrigation projects and 
appurtenant structures;
w) Operate, maintain, and administer all national irrigation systems (NIS);
x) 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;
y) 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;
z) Delegate the partial or full management of NIS to duly organized cooperatives 
or associations;


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aa)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;
bb)Charge and collect from the beneficiaries of the water from all Irrigation systems 
constructed by under its administration;
cc)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;
dd) 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; 
ee)ln coordination with other relevant agencies, ascertain that all plans and project 
implementation designs are consistent with current standards and guidelines; 
ff) 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;
gg) Assist other government agencies, including LGUs, in determining the most 
suitable entity to undertake the actual construction of water. Irrigation, sewage, 
and sanitation projects;
hh) 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; 
ii) Provide integrated planning for flood control, flood risk management and water 
resource development and management systems, other public works; 
jj) Issue and promulgate rules, regulations, and guidelines as may be necessary 
to implement and enforce Its powers and functions under this Act;


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kk) 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;
mm) Deputize agents, whether from the public or private sector, to assist in 
the performance of any of the powers and functions of the Department; 
nn)Appoint, hire, and maintain adequate staff and personnel, advisers, and/or 
consultants, with suitable qualifications and experience, as necessary; 
oo)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;
pp)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;
qq)Exercise such other incidental powers and functions as may be necessary to 
attain the objectives of this Act;
rr) 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; and 
ss) Promulgate rules on prohibited acts and impose the appropriate penalties 
thereto.
Sec. 6. Barangay Water Harvesting. -The duties under Republic Act No. 6716 
or the Act Providing for the Construction of Water Wells, Rainwater Collectors, 
Development of Springs and Rehabilitation of Existing Water Wells in All Barangays In 
the Philippines of 1989 shall be transferred from the Department of Public Works and 
Highways to the Department who shall consult with the respective LGUs for 
implementation. The Department shall, within two (2) years after the approval of this 
Act and every year thereafter, submit periodic reports to the respective Committees 
on Local Government of both Houses of the Congress of the Philippines for evaluation 
and consideration.
Sec. 7. Rainwater Harvesting Facility Requirement - An owner or developer of 
a new commercial, institutional, and residential development project anywhere In the


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Philippines with a land area of at least two thousand (2,000) square meters and 
requiring the Issuance of a building permit, shall reserve, develop, and maintain at 
least three percent of the total area, exclusive of roads, service streets, and alleys as 
a rainwater harvesting facility. The LGUs shall require and ensure compliance with this 
provision and shall deny requests for permits concerning the construction project until 
this provision is complied with. The design and specifications for the rainwater 
harvesting facility shall be prescribed by the Department. Projects still under 
construction 60 days following the effectivity of this Act shall be covered by this 
provision and shall comply within three (3) years from the effectivity of this Act.
Violators of this provision shall suffer the penalty of a fine of not less than Five 
hundred thousand (Php500,000) but not more than Two million pesos (Php2,000,000) 
for every year of non-compliance.
Sec. 8. A person is guilty of unlawful defilement of water when he intentionally 
or with reckless imprudence, introduces, places, or causes to be introduced or placed 
into a water supply, a defiling agent with the intent to cause sickness, physical injury, 
severe disfigurement or death of another human being, or with intent to cause 
irreparable harm to such water supply or to disturb the public peace.
Violators of this provision shall be penalized with Imprisonment of not less than 
five (5) years but not more than thirty (30) years. A fine of not less than Five hundred 
thousand pesos (Php500,000) but not more than Ten million pesos (Phpl0,000,000) 
shall also be imposed.
Sec. 9. Collection of Fines. - Fines collected from violators of the two preceding 
provisions shall be placed in a special fund and allocated to the Department for the 
implementation of Section 6 of this Act.
Sec. 10. Secretary of the Department of Water Resources Management — 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 Resources Management, 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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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.
Sec. 11. Office of the Secretary—1\\Q Office of the Secretary shall be composed
of the Secretary and his immediate staff.
Sec. 12. 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
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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.
Sec. 13. 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 Philippines upon the recommendation of the Secretary.
Sec. 14. 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, taking 
into consideration the existing water resources regions, river basins, and 
catchment basins of the country.
Sec. 15. 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
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e) Perform such other related duties and responsibilities as may be assigned or 
delegated by the Secretary or as may be required by law.
Sec. 16. 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
e) Perform such other related duties and responsibilities as may be assigned or 
delegated by the Secretary or as may be required by law.
Sec. 17. 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;
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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;
e) 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;
g) 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.
Sec. 18. 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
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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 regional and 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
j) Perform such other related duties and responsibilities as may be assigned or 
delegated by the Secretary or as may be required by law.
Sec. 19. 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:
14


1 
a) Advise the Secretary on all matters relating to legal affairs and regulation of
2 
the operation of the attached corporations, LWDs, RWSAs, cooperatives and
3 
other associations;
4 
b) Provide legal assistance to the Department Proper and Regional Offices and,
5 
when requested, the attached corporations and boards;
6 
c) Prepare Department contracts and legal instruments, review of administrative
7 
charges against officers and employees of the Department, members of the top
8 
management of the attached corporations and boards;
9 
d) Conduct administrative Investigation as well as the review of administrative
10 
charges against officers and employees of the Department, members of the top
11 
management of the attached corporations and boards;
12 
e) Exercise functional jurisdiction over the legal staffs of Regional Offices;
13 
f) Establish standards for: water quality; design and construction of facilities;
14 
optimum selection of equipment, materials and supplies; procedures for
15 
operations and maintenance of water and sewer equipment and facilities;
16 
training of personnel; organization; uniform accounting system; tariffs;
17 
g) Review all water rates or charges;
18 
h) Manage the financial assistance available and granted to LWDs, RWSAs and
19 
other qualified water utilities;
20 
i) Maintain a databank for water quantity and quality of all water resources,
21 
including ground water and or surface water resources being used by water
22 
utilities, power utilities, sewage facilities, sanitation facilities, and irrigation
23 
cooperatives and organizations and a databank for relevant information of all
24 
these organizations as well.
25 
Sec. 20. Operations. — The Operations is hereby created to provide the
26 
Department through Regional Offices with the capability to plan, design, and
27 
implement projects for water resource development systems, irrigation, flood control,
28 
and other public works in different regions of the country. For this purpose, it shall
29 
have the following functions:
30 
a) Undertake and evaluate the planning, design, construction, and works
31 
supervision functions of the Department for the abovementloned infrastructure
32 
within the region;
15


1 
b) Undertake the maintenance of the abovementioned infrastructure within the
2 
region and supervise the maintenance of such local infrastructure receiving
3 
national government financial assistance as the Secretary may determine;
4 
c) Ensure the Implementation of laws, policies, programs, rules and regulations
5 
regarding the abovementioned infrastructure as well as public and private
6 
physical structures;
7 
d) Provide technical assistance related to their functions to other agencies within
8 
the region;
9 
e) Coordinate with other departments, agencies, institutions, and organizations
10 
within the region, in the planning and implementation of infrastructure projects;
11 
f) Conduct continuing consultations with the local communicates, take
12 
appropriate measures to make the services of the Department responsive to
13 
the needs of the general public, compile and submit such information to the
14 
central office, and recommend such appropriate actions as may be necessary;
15 
and
16 
g) Perform such other related duties and responsibilities as may be assigned or
17 
delegated by the Secretary or as may be required by law.
18 
Sec. 21. Regional Director. — Each Regional Office shall be headed by a
19 
Regional Director who shall be responsible for efficiently and effectively carrying out
20 
the duties and responsibilities of the Regional Office. She/he shall also perform such
21 
other related duties and responsibilities as may be assigned or delegated by the
22 
Secretary or as may be required by law.
23 
The Regional Director shall be assisted by two (2) Assistant Regional Directors
24 
who shall exercise supervision respectively over (1) the planning, project design,
25 
evaluation, and technical assistance functions of the Regional Office, and (2) the
26 
construction, maintenance, and works supervision functions in the region.
27 
CHAPTER III
28 
TRANSITORY PROVISIONS
29 
Sec. 22. Interface with Other Sector Regulators. — The Department is
30 
mandated to coordinate with the different sector regulators as follows:
31 
a) The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) shall continue
32 
to have the primary authority and responsibility for protecting the environment
16


1 
and for the conservation of water and related natural resources, including
2 
protecting water bodies from waste and pollution and shall promulgate rules,
3 
regulates, and standards in this regard. The Department shall coordinate with
4 
the DENR with respect to the conservation of water resources, protection from
5 
sewage and septage waste, and restoration from environment damage.
6 
b) The Department of Health (DOH) shall have primary authority and responsibility
7 
for determining and enforcing drinking water quality and sanitation standards.
8 
The Department shall coordinate with the DOH to achieve an integrated
9 
approach for sanitation, including toilets, collection, treatment, and evaluation
10 
of wastewater.
11 
c) The Department shall subsume responsibility from the Department of Public
12 
Works and Highways (DPWH) for wholly or primarily water related public works
13 
projects including flood control, water resources development, sewerage,
14 
sanitation, and the harnessing and impounding of water. The Secretaries of
15 
each department shall coordinate on the development of evaluation criteria, as
16 
necessary, to determine proper allocation of public works projects between the
17 
two departments.
18 
d) The Department shall absorb the responsibility from the Department of Interior
19 
and Local Government (DILG) on the management and operation of water
20 
supply systems of local government units.
21 
Sec. 23. Transfer of Rights and Obligations. — The Department shall, by virtue
22 
of this Act, be subrogated to all the rights and assume all the obligations of the
23 
relevant parts of any government agency or unit whose powers and duties have been
24 
transferred to the Department, Including the DPWH, National Irrigation Administration
25 
(NIA), National Water Resources Board (NWRB), Metropolitan Waterworks and
26 
Sewerage System (MWSS), River Basin Control Office, Manila Bay Coordinating Office,
27 
Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), Metro Manila Development Authority
28 
(MMDA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of
29 
Interior and Local Government (DILG), Laguna Lake Development Authority, Pasig
30 
River Rehabilitation Commission, the Water Resources Regional Offices, and all other
31 
offices whose powers are transferred by this Act.
17


1 
The transfer of powers and functions in Sections 22 and 23 above, as
2 
applicable, as herein provided for, shall take effect within one hundred eighty (180)
3 
days after the effectivity of this Act. The foregoing transfer of powers and functions
4 
shall include all applicable funds, personnel, records, property, and equipment, as may
5 
be necessary. All offices shall continue to function under their present mandates until
6 
transition is completed as provided for under this Act.
7 
All rights and obligations of said government agencies are hereby transferred
8 
to and assumed by the Department and shall be acted upon in accordance with the
9 
rules and regulations of the Commission on Audit and other pertinent laws, rules, and
10 
regulations.
11 
Sec. 24. Separation from Service. — Employees separated from government
12 
service as a result of this Act shall be entitled to the benefits that they may receive
13 
under existing laws, rules, and regulations.
14 
Sec. 25. Funding. — The sum of Two billion pesos (Php2,000,000,000) shall be
15 
set aside from any available funds of the National Treasury and is hereby appropriated
16 
and authorized to be released for the organization of the Department and its initial
17 
operations.
18 
Thereafter, funds sufficient to fully carry out the objectives, powers, and
19 
functions of the Department shall be appropriated every fiscal year in the General
20 
Appropriations Act.
21 
The Department shall submit Its annual budget, which shall include, among
22 
others, detailed information on the compensation and benefits received by their
23 
employees to the Office of the President for approval.
24 
Sec. 26. Impiementing Ruies and Reguiations. - Within one hundred eighty
25 
(180) days after its organization as provided under Sec. 4 of this Act, the Department,
26 
in consultation with the concerned government agencies, shall promulgate the
27 
necessary rules and regulations for the implementation of this Act. The implementing
28 
rules and regulations shall only take effect 15 days following its publication in the
29 
Official Gazette or at least one (1) newspaper of general circulation.
30 
Sec. 27. Separabiiity Cause. - If any provisions or part hereof, is held Invalid
31 
or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected
32 
shall remain valid and subsisting.
18


1 
Sec. 28. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
2 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or
3 
inconsistent with the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended
4 
accordingly.
5 
Sec. 29. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
6 
publication in the Official Gazette or at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,
19