SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Third Regular Session 
)
S E N A T E  
S. No. 
PP 1 R
V H->  
of tl;r g 'l .i.-tu y
Introduced by: Senator Paolo Benigno "Bam" A. Aquino IV
AN ACT
CREATING THE 
DEPARTMENT OF WATER, IRRIG ATIO N, SEWAGE AND 
SANITATION 
RESOURCE 
MANAGEMENT, 
DEFINING 
ITS 
POWERS 
AND 
FUNCTIONS, 
APPROPRIATING 
FUNDS 
THEREFOR, 
AND 
FOR 
OTHER 
PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
During the 1997 Global Forum on Water Supply and Sanitation held in Manila, 
the Philippine's national vision for the water supply and sanitation sector of "a  world- 
class, affordable and sustainable water supply, sanitation and sewerage system 
accessible to every Filipino," was conceived in accordance with the long-term vision on 
water, life and the environment, or World Water Vision 2025.
For the Philippines to achieve its national water vision by 2025, it is imperative 
upon the government to develop a 
comprehensive 
national water resources 
management system to fully streamline the water sector and revitalize it in terms of the 
efficiency and sufficiency of its service and resources.
The proposed measure thus now 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.
1


At 
present, 
the 
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, 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.
With regulation and management of the said water resources currently lodged 
with various units and agencies of the government, there have been various challenges 
In the coordination and implementation of the national policies and plans on water, 
sewage, sanitation, and irrigation. The fragmentation among water-related agencies 
has resulted in a backlog in the provision of water supply and sanitation services to the 
public.
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It must be stressed that the Philippine government's responsibility to provide 
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.
The Philippine government must also 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.
The proposed measure shall address the immediate need to create the 
Department of Water, Irrigation, Sewage and Sanitation Resource Management, which 
shall 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.
The measure shall also 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 
providing a world-class, affordable and sustainable water supply, sanitation and 
sewerage system accessible to every Filipino.
In view of the foregoing, approval of this measure is earnestly sought.


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Third Regular Session 
)
S E N A T E  
S. No. 
2 2 1 6
of Iljc 
rr?tarj>
'19 
MAR 18
Introduced by: Senator Paolo Benigno "Bam" A. Aquino IV
AN ACT
CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF WATER, IRRIG ATIO N, 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 o f Representatives o f the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
CHAPTER 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Department of Water,
2 
Irrigation, Sewage, and Sanitation Resource Management Act."
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration o f Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
4 
recognize, protect, realize, and enhance the right of all Filipinos to safe, clean,
5 
affordable, and accessible drinking water, sanitation and irrigation as essential to the
6 
full enjoyment of life and all human rights and the protection and sustainability of the
7 
environment.
8 
In pursuit of said policy, this Act shall have the following objectives:
9 
(a) To prioritize and pursue the immediate attainment of universal access to
10 
safe, adequate, and sustainable water supply and sanitation services for
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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.
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Sec. 3. Definition o f Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms are
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hereby defined:
10 
(a) Department refers to the Department of Water, Irrigation, Sewage, and
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Sanitation Resource Management.
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(b) Sanitation refers to sewage, sanitation, and septage management.
13 
(c) Sewerage refers to any system or network of sanitary pipelines, ditches,
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channels, or conduits including pumping stations, lift stations, and force
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mains, service connections including other constructions, devices, or
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appliances appurtenant thereof, which includes the collection, sanitary
17 
piping transport, pumping, and treatment of water-borne human or
18 
animal waste removed from residences, buildings, institutions, and
19 
industrial and commercial establishments to point of sewage treatment
20 
plant disposal.
21 
(d) Sewage refers to water-carried waste in solution or suspension, including
22 
sanitary waste, commercial waste, industrial waste, agricultural waste,
23 
and surface runoff, conveyed by a sewerage system for treatment or
24 
disposal. For purposes of this Act, the definition of septage shall be
25 
included in the use of sewage.
26 
{q) Septage refers to sludge produced on individual on-site wastewater
27 
disposal systems, principally septic tanks and cesspools.
28 
The terms "infrastructure" and "public works" as used in this Act should be ready
29 
to apply only to wholly or primarily water-related projects and shall not be read to
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incorporate projects which would not otherwise fall within the purview of the objectives,
2 
powers, and duties of the Department.
CHAPTER I I  
ORGANIZATION
3 
Sec. 4. The Department o f Water, Irrigation, Sewage, and Sanitation Resource
4 
Management. -  There is hereby created and established the Department of Water,
5 
Irrigation, Sewage, and Sanitation Resource Management, hereinafter referred to as the
6 
"Department," which shall be organized within one hundred twenty (120) days after the
7 
effectivity of this Act. The Department shall be tasked with developing and
8 
implementing a comprehensive water, irrigation, sewage, and sanitation program for
9 
the Philippines including, but not limited to:
10 
(a) Implementing necessary policy and resource reforms with respect to the
11 
management of water, irrigation, sewage, and sanitation;
12 
(b) Monitoring and evaluating compliance with the national goals relating to
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water, irrigation, sewage, and sanitation;
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(c) Formulating an updated national road map to address the water, sewage,
15 
and sanitation requirements of the State; and
16 
(d) Improving conservation of water and increasing system efficiencies.
17 
Sec. 5. Powers and Duties o f the Department. — The Department shall have the
18 
following powers and duties, among others:
19 
(a) Develop 
policies to 
promote 
universal 
access to safe, 
adequate,
20 
affordable, 
and 
sustainable water supply, 
irrigation, sewage, 
and
21 
sanitation services for all Filipinos;
22 
(b) Coordinate with relevant government agencies or entities to provide policy
23 
directions, strategies, and targets to meet the goals and objectives for
24 
water supply, irrigation, sewage, and sanitation. Such policies shall.


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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;
(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 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;
(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;


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(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 to water resources management;
(k) 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;
(l) 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;
(n) 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;
(o) 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;


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(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;
(q) 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 ail national irrigation systems (NIS);
(u) Supervise 
the 
operation, 
maintenance, 
and 
repair, 
or 
otherwise, 
administer temporarily all communal and 
pump irrigation systems
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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\he 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 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;


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(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 LCDs, 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;
(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;
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(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 
(oo) Carry out such other functions as the President may from time to time 
assign to the Department consistent with the aims and provisions of this 
Act.
9 
Sec. 6 Secretary o f the Department o f Water, Sewage, and Sanitation. - The
10 
authority and responsibility for the exercise of the mandate of the Department and for
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the discharge of its powers and functions shall be vested in the Secretary of the
12 
Department of Water, Sewage and Sanitation, hereinafter referred to as the Secretary,
13 
who shall have supervision and control over the Department and shall be appointed by
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the President. For such purposes, the Secretary shall:
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(a) Advise the President on the promulgation of executive or administrative
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orders, regulations, proclamations, and other issuances relative to matters
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under the jurisdiction of the Department;
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(b) Establish the policies and standards for the operation of the Department
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pursuant to the President's guidelines;
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(c) Promulgate rules and regulations necessary to carry out Department
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objectives, policies, and functions;
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(d) Exercise supervision and control over all Bureaus and Offices under the
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Department;
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(e) Supervise all attached agencies and corporations in accordance with law;
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(f) As deemed appropriate by the Secretary, delegate authority for the
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performance of any power or function, as defined herein or as delegated by
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the President, to officers and employees under the Secretary's direction; and
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(g) Perform such other duties and responsibilities as may be provided by law.


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Sec. 7. Office o f the Secretary- The Office of the Secretary shall be composed of
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the Secretary and his/her immediate staff.
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Sec. 8. Undersecretaries. - The Secretary shall be assisted by not more than five (5)
4 
Undersecretaries, who shall be appointed by the President upon the recommendation of
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the Secretary, as follows:
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1) One for the Finance Service;
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2) One for the Administrative Service;
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3) One for the Planning and Engineering Services;
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4) One for the Regulatory and Financial Assistance Services; and
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5) One for the Operations.
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Within her/his functional area of responsibility, an Undersecretary shall have the
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following functions:
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(a) Advise and assist the Secretary in the formulation and implementation of
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Department policies, plans, programs, and projects;
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(b) Supervise all the operational activities of the units assigned to her/him, for
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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
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delegated by the Secretary to promote efficiency and effectiveness in the
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delivery of public services or as may be required by law.
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Sec. 9. Assistant Secretaries. - The Secretary shall also be assisted by one
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Assistant Secretary for Internal Audit and the five (5) Undersecretaries shall each be
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assisted by not more than three (3) Assistant Secretaries likewise appointed by the
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President of the Philippines upon the recommendation of the Secretary.
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Sec. 10. Organizational Structure. - The Department shall be composed of the
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following organization units:
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(a) Department Proper consisting of the Office of the Secretary, the Offices of
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the Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries, the Internal Audit, Finance
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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.
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Sec. 11. Internal Audit - The Internal Audit is hereby created for the purpose of
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conducting comprehensive audit of various Department activities and shall have the
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following specific functions:
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(a) Advise the Secretary on all matters relating to management control and
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operations audit;
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(b) Conduct management and operations performance audit of Department
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activities and units and determine as to compliance with established
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objectives, policies, methods and procedures, government regulations,
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and contractual obligations of the Department;
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(c) Review and appraise systems and procedures, organizational structure,
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assets management practices, accounting, and other records, reports, and
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performance standards of the Department of Proper and Regional Offices;
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(d) Analyze 
and 
evaluate 
management 
deficiencies 
and 
assist 
top
17 
management to solve problems by recommending realistic courses of
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action; and
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(e) Perform such other related duties and responsibilities as may be assigned
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or delegated by the Secretary or as may be required by law.
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Sec. 12 Finance Service. - The Finance Services is hereby created to provide the
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Department with coordinated services relating to financial systems and procedures,
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budget, cash, accounting, and ail financial matters not falling under other Services. For
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such purposes, it shall have the following functions;
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(a) Advise the Secretary on all matters relating to the accounting of
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government expenditures and receipts, budgeting and cash management,
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project finances, and financial systems and procedures;
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(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.
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Sec. 13. Administrative Service. - The Administrative Service is hereby created to
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provide the Department with services relating to human resources development,
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personnel records, facilities maintenance, medical and dental, gender and development
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(GAD), security, property and procurement services. For such purposes, it shall have
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the following functions:
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(a) Advise the Secretary on all matters relating to internal administration and
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human resources management;
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(b) Prepare and implement an integrated personnel plan that shall include
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provisions on merit promotion, performance evaluation, job rotation,
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suggestions and incentive awards systems, and health and welfare
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services;
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(c) Provide services related to human resource training, education, and
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development, including manpower, career planning and forecasting and
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development of indigenous training materials;
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(d) Prepare and/or implement Department GAD plans and budgets and GAD
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accomplishment reports;
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(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.
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Sec. 14. Planning and Engineering Services. - The Planning and Engineering
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Services is hereby created to provide the Department with the capability to undertake
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infrastructure development planning, programming, and implementation. For this
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purpose, it shall have the following functions:
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(a) Advise the Secretary on all matters relating to infrastructure planning and
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implementation;
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(b) Formulate 
strategies 
and 
priorities 
for 
infrastructure 
development
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consistent with national development objectives and initiate or undertake
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relevant surveys for development planning;
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(c) Formulate 
and 
implement 
long-range, 
medium-term 
and 
annual
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development plans and programs for infrastructure, including flood
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control, water resource development systems, and other public works
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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 interregional infrastructure development 
plans and programs as to their feasibility and consistency with approved 
strategies and long and medium-tens 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.
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Sec. 15. Regulatory and Financial Assistance Services. - The Regulatory and
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Financial Assistance Services is hereby created to provide the Department with services
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on all legal affairs, compliance of attached government corporations, LWDs, RWSAs,
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cooperatives, and other associations, including private entities under contractual or
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concession arrangement with them, and other private water service providers on the
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established standards, rules and regulations relating to: water quality; infrastructure
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and facilities design and construction; equipment, materials and supplies; operations
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and maintenance; personnel; organization; accounting; tariffs; and other matters
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subject to regulation. It shall also provide the Department services on the management
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of the financial assistance available and granted to LWDs and RWSAs. For this purpose,
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it shall have the following functions:
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(a) Advise the Secretary on all matters relating to legal affairs and regulation
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of the operation of the attached corporations, LWDs, RWSAs, cooperatives
5 
and other associations;
6 
(b) Provide legal assistance to the Department Proper and Regional Offices
7 
and, when requested, the attached corporations and boards;
8 
(c) Prepare 
Department 
contracts 
and 
legal 
instruments, 
review of
9 
administrative charges against officers and employees of the Department,
10 
members of the top management of the attached corporations and
11 
boards;
12 
(d) Conduct 
administrative 
investigation 
as 
well 
as 
the 
review of
13 
administrative charges against officers and employees of the Department,
14 
members of the top management of the attached corporations and
15 
boards;
16 
(e) Exercise functional jurisdiction over the legal staffs of Regional Offices;
17 
(f) Establish standards for water quality; design and construction of facilities;
18 
optimum selection of equipment, materials and supplies; procedures for
19 
operations and maintenance of water and sewer equipment and facilities;
20 
training of personnel; organization; uniform accounting system; tariffs;
21 
(g) Review all water rates or charges;
22 
(h) Manage the financial assistance available and granted to LWDs, RWSAs
23 
and other qualified water utilities.
24 
Sec. 16. Operations. - The Operations is hereby created to provide the
25 
Department through Regional Offices with the capability to plan, design, and implement
26 
projects for water resource development systems, irrigation, flood control, and other
27 
public works in different regions of the country. For this purpose, it shall have the
28 
following functions:
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16
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21 
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(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 communities, 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.
23 
Sec. 17. Regional Director. - Each Regional Office shall be headed by a Regional
24 
Director who shall be responsible for efficiently and effectively carrying out the duties
25 
and responsibilities of the Regional Office. She/he shall also perform such other related
26 
duties and responsibilities as may be assigned or delegated by the Secretary or as may
27 
be required by law.
28 
The Regional Director shall be assisted by two (2) Assistant Regional Directors
29 
who shall exercise supervision respectively over (1) the planning, project design,
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1 
evaluation, and technical assistance functions of the Regional Office, and (2) the
2 
construction, maintenance, and works supervision functions in the region.
CHAPTER I I I
TRANSITORY PROVISIONS
3 
Sec. 18. Interface with Other Sector Regulators. - The Department is mandated to
4 
coordinate with the different sector regulators as follows:
5 
(a) The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) shall
6 
continue to have the primary authority and responsibility for protecting
7 
the environment and for the conservation of water and related natural
8 
resources, including protecting water bodies from waste and pollution and
9 
shall promulgate rules, regulations, and standards in this regard. The
10 
Department shall coordinate with the DENR with respect to the
11 
conservation of water resources, protection from sewage and septage
12 
waste, and restoration from environment damage;
13 
(b)The Department of Health (DOH) shall have primary authority and
14 
responsibility for determining and enforcing drinking water quality and
15 
sanitation standards. The Department shall coordinate with the DOH to
16 
achieve an integrated approach for sanitation, including toilets, collection,
17 
treatment, and evaluation of wastewater.
18 
(c)The Department shall subsume responsibility from the Department of
19 
Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for wholly or primarily water-related
20 
public 
works 
projects 
including 
flood 
control, 
water 
resources
21 
development, sewerage, sanitation, and the harnessing and impounding
22 
of water. The Secretaries of each department shall coordinate on the
23 
development of evaluation criteria as necessary, to determine proper
24 
allocation of public works projects between the two departments.
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(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.
4 
Sec. 19. Transfer o f Rights and Obligations. - The Department, shall by virtue of
5 
this Act, be subrogated to all the rights, and assume all the obligations of the relevant
6 
parts of any government agency or unit whose powers and duties have 
been
7 
transferred to the Department, including the DPWH, National Irrigation Administration
8 
(NIA), National Water 
Resources Board (NWRB), Metropolitan Waterworks and
9 
Sewerage System (MWSS), Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), Metro Manila
10 
Development Authority (MMDA), and the Department of Interior and Local Government
11 
(DILG).
12 
The transfer of powers and functions in Section 18 above, as applicable, and
13 
agencies attached thereto, as herein provided for, shall take effect within one hundred
14 
eighty (180) days after the effectivity of this Act. The foregoing transfer of powers and
15 
functions shall include 
all applicable funds, 
personnel, 
records, 
property, and
16 
equipment, as may be necessary. All offices shall continue to function under their
17 
present mandates until transition is effected as provided for under this Act.
18 
All rights and obligations of said government agencies are hereby transferred to
19 
and assumed by the Department and shall be acted upon in accordance with the rules
20 
and regulations of the Commission on Audit and other pertinent laws, rules, and
21 
regulations.
22 
Sec. 20. Separation from Service. - Employees separated from government
23 
service as a result of this Act shall be entitled to the benefits that they may receive
24 
under existing laws, rules, and regulations.
25 
Sec. 21. Implementing Ruies and Regulations. — Within one hundred eighty
26 
(180) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Department, in consultation with the
27 
concerned government agencies, shall promulgate the necessary implementing rules
18


1 
and regulations for the implementation of this Act: Provided, That such revised
2 
implementing rules and regulations shall only take effect fifteen (15) days following its
3 
publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
4 
Sec. 22. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the initial
5 
implementation of this Act shall be sourced from any available funds of the National
6 
Treasury, and is hereby appropriated and authorized to be released for the organization
7 
of the Department and its initial operations.
8 
Thereafter, funds sufficient to fully carry out the objectives, powers, and
9 
functions of the Department shall be appropriated every fiscal year in the General
10 
Appropriations Act.
11 
The Department shall submit its annual budget, which shall include, among
12 
others, detailed information on the compensation and benefits received by their
13 
employees to the Office of the President for approval.
14 
Sec. 23. Separability Clause. - If any provisions or part hereof, is held invalid or
15 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall
16 
remain valid and subsisting.
17 
Sec. 24. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
18 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or
19 
inconsistent with the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended
20 
accordingly.
21 
Sec. 25. EffectMty Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from its
22 
complete publication in the Official Gazette and in at least one (1) newspaper of general
23 
circulation.
24
Approved,
19