Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4897
House Bill No.

Introduced by HON. LORD ALLAN JAY Q. VELASCO

AN ACT
CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

A 2017 report made by the World Health Organization (WHO) / United Nations Children’s
Fund (UNICEF) Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene
(MP) revealed that in the Philippines there are 6.75 Million people lacking access to “at
least ‘basic’ water”.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) 2017 Annual Poverty Indicators
Survey, ninety-four percent (94%) of the country’s 24.354 Million families or 9 in 10 families
now have access to improved source of drinking water. However, more needs to be done
and Congress must put in place the policy framework and administrative infrastructure in
order to meet the challenge especially with the adverse effects of climate change being
gradually felt on our current water resources.

Recently, the water levels at Angat Dam almost breached its all-time low of 157.57 meters that
was registered in July 2010 when it again fell below its critical water level of 160 meters and
measured 159.09 meters last June 24, 2019 triggering a congressional inquiry in aid of legislation
last 17th Congress that culminated with the recommendation of the adoption of a legislative
measure to create a specialized department called the Department of Water Resources to take
on the challenges posed by our country’s water crisis.

Moreover, a 2015 World Resources Institute study warned that the Philippines will likely
experience a "severe water shortage" by the year 2040. This is not surprising given the fact that
in the World Bank’s 2003 Philippine Environment Monitor, it was already reported that as of
year 2000, compared to other countries in Southeast Asia, the Philippines already ranked 2nd to
the lowest in terms of annual renewable water resources per capita.

Climate change hazards (rainfall variability, increasing temperatures, rising sea level, and more
extreme weather), which pose major risks to water resources and also a growing population will
further aggravate this situation. Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical
Services Administration (PAGASAY’s downscaled climate projections have shown that the
country’s water resources will be one of the most adversely affected by climate hazards. This

' Progress on household drinking water, sanitation and hygiene 2000-2017: Special focus on inequalities
? https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/06/24/1929 140/angat-dam-seen-breach-lowest-water-level-week


highlights the urgent need to properly plan for and manage our finite water resources in order
to meet the increasing demand of a growing population, continuing economic development
amidst many competing users.

Access to safe and potable drinking water as a basic right was recognized by the United Nations
as one of its Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). On July 28, 2010, 122 countries formally
acknowledged this "right to water" in a UN General Assembly. Barely two months later, the
ITN Human Rights Council adopted a binding resolution recognizing that the human right to
water and sanitation is part of the right to an adequate standard of living.

Unfortunately, the management of the country’s water resources remains fragmented and
uncoordinated with over 30 government units and agencies at national and local levels
implementing separate and disharmonized policies, plans and programs to develop and operate
water facilities and infrastructure for various uses, regulate water use and set tariffs, and monitor
water-related parameters. This continued overlapping and fragmented management and
regulation of water resources and services hinder the enactment and implementation of a
comprehensive, integrated and doable long-term solution to address keener competition,
imbalance resource utilization and conflict of interests among water users, especially in areas
already identified as water-stressed. It puts at risk the attainment of the SDG target of universal
‘access to safe water supply and improved sanitation by 2030.

There is an urgent need for an integrated and coordinated planning and implementation of
programs and projects that promote synchronized, sustainable and science-based management
of the country’s water resources that would address the imbalance in water resource utilization,
reduced water availability, declining water quality, recurrent flooding, and other water-related
issues in many parts of the country. This cannot be achieved without addressing the
fundamental governance and institutional issues of the sector.

‘An apex body for the water sector is critically needed in order to have a single entity that will
be in charge of the overall planning, programming, policy formulation, and management for the
sector. It will serve as the sector’s champion and ensure that subsector policies and plans are
aligned with the overall Sector Master Plan. It will coordinate, monitor and evaluate sector
performance and take appropriate action as needed. It will conduct extensive and regular
hydrological studies/analyses which are very vital for water planning and allocation purposes.

It is thus proposed that a Department of Water Resources be created to ensure that Filipinos
benefit from this fundamental human right and that this finite resource will be sustained.

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

LORD ALLAN JAY Q. VELASCO


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

Bosse BitlNe =o!

Introduced by HON. LORD ALLAN JAY Q. VELASCO

AN ACT
CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES,
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 Resources
Act”.

SECTION 2. Declaration of National Policy. Itis hereby declared the policy of the State
to ensure the provision of safe, adequate, affordable and sustainable water supply and
improved sanitation services while maintaining the protection, preservation, and revival
of the quality of the country’s water resources and ecological balance.

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

a) Department refers to the Department of Water Resources (or Department of Water).

b) Flood Control refers to methods, acts and protocols to be observed in order to
prevent and reduce the detrimental and catastrophic effects of floodwaters which
include sediment-laden or turbid flows, hyper-concentrated flows or debris flows.

©) Flood Risk Management (FRM) refers to such acts of defining and determining the
appropriate methods, acts, and protocols aimed at preventing and reducing the
risk of incurring the loss of both life and property due to floodwaters. Flood risk
management consists of a cycle of prevention, mitigation, adaptation,
preparedness, and early warning, and, finally response and recovery. The
elements of FRM include: integrating land-use planning, coastal zone
management into water management; adopting a holistic approach so that FRM is
part of wider risk or multi-hazard management (earthquake, landslides, storm
surge, etc.); managing risk and uncertainty as a whole so it is not only hydrological


uncertainties but also social, economic and political uncertainties in view of the
human behavior and cultural dimensions of FRM.

d) Gender Equality refers to the principle asserting the equality of men and women
and their right to enjoy equal conditions realizing their full human potentials to
contribute to and benefit from the results of development, and with the State
recognizing that all human beings are free and equal in dignity and rights.

2)

Infrastructure and public works as 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,
power, and duties of the Department.

f) IWRM refers to the Integrated Water Resource Management or to a systematic,
collaborative and multi-stakeholder process, which promotes the coordinated
development and management of water, land and related resources within
geophysical boundaries in order to maximize the resultant economic and social
welfare in an equitable manner and without compromising the sustainability of
vital ecosystems.

g) Levels of water supply service shall mean as follows:

Level I (point source) - a protected well or a developed spring with an outlet but
without any distribution system, generally adaptable for rural and upland areas
where the houses are thinly scattered. A Level 1 facility usually serves an average
of 15 households.

Level I (communal faucet system or stand posts) - a system composed of a water
source, a reservoir, a piped distribution network, and communal faucets. Usually,
one faucet serves 4 to 6 households. Generally suitable for rural and urban fringe
areas where houses are clustered densely to justify a simple piped system.

Level III (waterworks system or individual house connections) - a system with a water
source, a reservoir, a piped distribution network, and household taps. This is
generally suited for densely populated urban areas.

h) LGU refers to Local Government Unit or to the territorial and political subdivisions
of the Philippines as defined under the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines, which
includes provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays.

NDRRMC refers to the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council.

j) PDP refers to the country’s medium-term development called the Philippine
Development Plan.

k) RBO refers to multi-stakeholder River Basin Organization or to organizations
which plan, coordinate and monitor activities within a river basin cluster.

1) Sanitation refers to sewage, sanitation and septage management.
m) Sediment management refers to control of sediment erosion and deposition in rivers,

reservoirs, and coastal zones through non-structural and structural measures and
control works.


n) SDG refers to the United Nation’s sustainable development goals.

0) Septage refers to sludge produced on individual onsite wastewater disposal
systems, principally septic tanks and cesspools.

p) 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.

q) 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.

1) Sewers refer to pipes or such other works or structures which are built and
constructed to treat, carry, transport and dispose sewage.

) Social inclusion refers to the process of improving the terms for disadvantaged
individuals and groups to take part in society.

) Tariffs refer to such amounts which may be charged by licensees of water supply
and/or sanitation services for their services based on principles, standards, and
guidelines established by the Department.

u) Water Demand Management (WDM) refers to any method - whether technical,
economic, administrative, financial, or social - that will accomplish one (or more)
of the following things: (1) reduce the quantity or quality of water required to
accomplish a specific task (2) adjust the nature of the task or the way it is
undertaken so that it can be accomplished with less water or with lower quality
water (3) reduce the loss in quantity or quality of water as it flows from source
through use to disposal (4) shift the timing of use from peak to off-peak periods
(©) increase the ability of the water system to continue to serve society during times
when water is in short supply.

v) Water Resources Regional Offices (WRROs) - refer to the field office of the
Department which are to be established in accordance with the identified water
resources regions in the country.

w) Water Service Providers (WSPs) refer to the water districts, any LGU-run water
utility, BWSA, RWSA, cooperatives and private sector who provides water supply
services to any given area.

x) Water supply service refers to any activity comprising Levels I, It and III water
supply including bulk suppliers, suppliers to subdivisions and other water service
providers.


CHAPTER 2- ORGANIZATION

SECTION 4. The Department of Water Resources (or the Department of Water). - There
is hereby created and established the Department of Water Resources, hereinafter
referred to as the “Department,” which shall be organized within one hundred eighty
(180) days after the effectivity of this Act. The Department shall have the organizational
structure, powers and functions needed to perform its mandate as provided in this
Chapter.

SECTION 5. Mandate of the Department. The Department shall be the primary agency
responsible for the comprehensive and integrated water resources development and
management for the Philippines. It shall exercise such powers and functions needed to
review, revise, harmonize and integrate policies and regulations for conservation of
water resources and effective management of water supply, sanitation, irrigation,
hydropower, flood control, stormwater/ urban drainage. The Department shall be
guided by the integrated water resources management (IWRM) framework, take climate
risks into account, and ensure sustainability of natural ecosystem functions and services.
In managing water resources, the Department shall aim to improve water conservation
and increase system efficiencies, and optimize the use of all freshwater in the country
including groundwater, surface water, rainwater, run-offs, floods, stormwater and urban
drainage, and treated wastewater to meet various needs.

SECTION 6. Objectives of the Department. Consistent with its mandate, the Department
shall have the following objectives:

a) To prioritize and seek the immediate attainment of universal access to safe,
adequate, affordable and sustainable water supply and improved sanitation
services for all Filipinos in a manner consistent with the protection, preservation
and revival of the quality of the country’s water resources, and to adopt all needed
measures to advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in
accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature;

b) To strengthen and coordinate integrated water resources management planning
and policy making to ensure sustainable and fair allocation and efficient use of
water resources among competing uses and users, including but not limited to,
domestic and municipal use, agriculture (irrigation, farming, and fisheries), power
generation, commercial, and industrial use;

c) To ensure that integrated water resources management is strongly coordinated
with land use or cover, coastal zone and multi-hazard planning and management.

d) To ensure and oversee the implementation of the Water Code of the Philippines;

e) To promote State participation in information sharing and education around best
practices in the international movement to achieve universal access to safe water
and improved sanitation and the integration of water, energy, food security and
environment;

f) Toensure that gender equality, social inclusion, climate resiliency and disaster risk
reduction are integrated into any water resources management planning, policy
making, and the design and construction of water infrastructure;

g) To strengthen and coordinate policy making and planning for flood management,
integrated with stormwater/urban drainage and appropriate retention or
retarding basins in order to plan against, prevent, and minimize the detrimental
and catastrophic effects of flooding;

h) To encourage and enable private sector participation in the continued growth and
development of water sector;


i) To promote and adopt water demand management as a national policy to ensure
that water is optimized, that water efficiency and conservation become a way of
life, that the recycling and reuse of water and treated wastewater are widely
practiced, that water is properly priced to encourage efficient use and conservation
and that rainwater, flood waters, and run-offs are captured / harvested, stored and
treated for future use;

j) To ensure that the planning and design of water infrastructure considers the
highest efficiency and most appropriate quality, in accordance with national
development objectives; and

k) To ensure the effective implementation of all the provisions of RA 9275, known as
the Clean Water Act of the Philippines.

SECTION 7. Powers and Duties of the Department. - The Department shall have the
following powers and duties:

I. Policy-making and Planning:

a) Ensure that Integrated Water Resources Management is adopted as the strategic

framework for water management policy-making and planning in the country and

coordinate the implementation, promotion, revision and enhancement of IWRM
plans;

Provide policy direction, strategies, and targets in coordination with other relevant

entities to meet the goals and objectives for water supply and sanitation, water

quality, irrigation, hydropower, flood control, stormwater, and urban drainage.

Such policies shall, among other things, integrate the issues of water and

sanitation, food security, energy, environment, and flood control;

Formulate and develop policies to promote universal access to safe, adequate,

affordable, and sustainable water supply, and improved sanitation services for all

Filipinos;

d) Formulate and promulgate rules and regulations for the development, and

optimum utilization of water resources and its administration and management,

including coherent water protocols and operation rules of all existing and future
water infrastructure; and the imposition on fees or charges as may be deemed
necessary by the Department for water resources development;

Develop, in consultation with other agencies and stakeholders, the National Water

Resources Management Master Plan following the IWRM framework and

building on the 1998 Master Plan Study on Water Resources Management, the

Philippine Water Supply and Sanitation Master Plan and existing plans of other

agencies;

f) Conduct continuing hydrologic surveys and studies of the country’s renewable
water supply, establish, operate and maintain observation station networks with
a view towards formulating long-term policies to balance the sustainability and
optimal multiple use of water resources, defining the hydrologic boundaries of
basins of the existing water supply sources and developing or updating and
implementing countrywide comprehensive basin-wide master plans;

g) Establish, operate, and maintain a centralized water resources data center
necessary for the scientific survey and appraisal of surface and ground water
potentials of the country and determine the annual renewable water available per
water resources region;

h) Assist and provide the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)
secretariat with required data and input from and for the water sector in the
formulation of the country’s short-term and long-term strategic development

b)

°)

°)


1 plans, and actions and recommend the adoption of general policies and guidelines
2 for water resources development to the NEDA secretariat;

3 i) Review and approve water resources development plans and programs of any
4 agency within the context of the National Water Resource Management Master
5 Plan and overall national plans and program;

6 j) Regularly review regulations prescribed by any government agency pertaining to
7 water use, exploitation, development, conservation or protection of waters, water
8 resources, and watershed or basin areas;

9 k) Develop and implement in coordination with other relevant agencies, effective

10 codes, standards, benchmarks, and reasonable guidelines to ensure the safety of
u all public, and private water structures in the country and assure efficiency and
2 proper quality in the construction of water, sanitation, irrigation, hydropower,
B flood control and drainage infrastructure;

4 1) Review existing guidelines appropriate for Private Sector Participation in the
15 water sector and make needed recommendations to the Public-private Partnership
16 (PPP) Center, NEDA, and other concerned agencies to promote and enable more
7 PPPs in the sector;

18 m) Implement inter-sectoral, inter-agency, and inter-departmental coordination on all
19 aspects of data gathering for water resources development planning and compel
20 submissions of statistics and data on water management with the aim of putting
21 into operation the integrated approach to water resources management;

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

25 IL. Resource Regulation

26 a) Manage, protect, and preserve the country’s water resources to ensure the optimal
21 use thereof for domestic water supply, sanitation, irrigation, hydropower,
28 navigation, flood control, and recreation, including the enhancement and
29 maintenance of water quality, conservation of watershed, control of water
30 pollution and environmental restoration, without compromising the natural
31 ecosystem functions and services;

32 b) Regulate and control the utilization, abstraction, diversion and development of
3 water resources, taking in consideration its equitable distribution among
34 competing demands and determine the standards of beneficial and priority uses
35 of water in times of crisis and national emergencies;

36 ) Determine, adjudicate, and grant water rights amending, for this purpose, Act No.
37 2152, and other laws relating to the appropriation and utilization of surface and
38 groundwater;

39 d) Formulate and enforce rules and regulations for the development and optimum
40 use of water resources and its administration and management, and implement
41 rules and guidelines for the enforcement of water-related laws including coherent
2 water protocols, operational rules of all existing and future water infrastructure
B and appropriate sanctions to be imposed for non-compliance;

“4

45. IIL Administration and Management:
46 a) Develop guidelines including rules of partnership among the Department, field

a offices of national government agencies, LGUs and other stakeholders, and
48 facilitate the establishment of multi-stakeholder river basin organizations (RBOs)
49 per river basin, and strengthen and support the existing RBOs and monitor their
50 activities;

31 b) Develop materials for capacity building and training on RBO development and

32 conduct training and workshops for prospective river basin organizations;


©) 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;

d) Provide technical assistance to water users including, but not limited to farmers,
communities, LGUs and other water service providers (WSP) whether directly or
in coordination with other agencies on all aspects of integrated water resources
management;

e) Respond to consumer complaint/s, and ensure the adequate promotion of
consumer interests;

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

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

IV. Coordination

a) Coordinate and integrate, on a sound and logical basis, water resources
development activities of the country within the context of national plans and
policies for social and economic development;

b) Coordinate with other government agencies, universities and private professional
groups for all aspects of data gathering, the conduct of special studies and research
on all related aspects of water resources management and development such as
climate change, environmental quality, desalination, and the development of
operating strategies, procedures, and protocols with accompanying computerized
decision tools for major water facilities;

Coordinate with the concerned and relevant agencies engaged in flood control,

flood risk management and drought-risk management;

d) Proactively coordinate with Local Government Units to ensure the integration of
water resources development plans into their comprehensive land use plans
(CLUPs), Comprehensive Development Plans (CDPs) or Provincial Physical
Framework and Development Plan (PPFDP).

D

V. General or Others

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

b) 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.

SECTION 8. Secretary of the Department of Water Resources. -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, hereinafter referred to as the Secretary, who 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) Represent the Department in contracts, awards, and the like;

g) As deemed appropriate by the Secretary, delegate authority for the performance
of any power or function, as defined herein to officials and employees under his
direction; and

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

No person shall be appointed Secretary unless he possesses extensive knowledge of
public administration and has a minimum of ten (10) years experience in the
administration of water, sanitation, irrigation, flood control, and drainage programs
preferably in a public agency.

SECTION 9. Office of the Secretary. - The Office of the Secretary shall be composed of
the Secretary and his immediate staff.

SECTION 10. 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. The Secretary is hereby authorized to delineate and assign the respective
functional areas of responsibility of the Undersecretaries: Provided, that such
responsibility shall be with respect to the mandate and objectives of the Department; and
Provided further, that no Undersecretary shall be assigned primarily administrative
responsibilities, Within 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 assigned units for which the
Undersecretary is responsible to the Secretary; and

©) 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.

One (1) of the Undersecretaries shall be the Undersecretary for Planning and Policy who
should be a Career Officer and shall have primary responsibility, in coordination with
the Planning and Policy Service, for advancing efforts in the pursuit of the ultimate goal
of universal access to water supply and sanitation systems and sustainable management
of water resources. The Undersecretary for Planning and Policy shall also have the
primary responsibility for knowledge sharing and advancement of efforts around the
integration of water, energy, environment, and food security.

No person shall be appointed Undersecretary unless he possesses a working knowledge
of public administration and has a minimum of seven (7) years experience in the
administration of water, sanitation, irrigation, flood control and stormwater drainage,
preferably in a public agency or with legal, financial or financial knowledge of such
programs; provided that only five (5) years experience shall be required for the
Undersecretary to be assigned for support services.



SECTION 11. Assistant Secretaries. - The Secretary shall be assisted by six (6) Assistant
Secretaries appointed by the President of the Philippines upon the recommendation of
the Secretary: one to be responsible for Planning and Policy Service; one for Decision
Support System Service; one for the Regulatory Service; one for the Comptrollership and
Financial Management Service; one for the Legal and Legislative Service; and one for the
Administrative and Human Resources Management Service.

No person shall be appointed Assistant Secretary unless he possesses a working
knowledge of public administration and has a minimum of five (5) years experience in
the administration of water, sanitation, irrigation, flood control and stormwater drainage
or other water resources management programs.

SECTION 12. Organizational Structure. - The Department shall be composed of the
following organizational units:

a) Department Proper consisting of the Office of the Secretary, the Offices of the
Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries, the Internal Audit Office, the Public
Affairs Office, the Pollution Adjudication Board, the Planning and Policy Service,
Decision Support System Service, Administrative and Human Resources Service,
Legal and Legislative Service, Comptrollership and Financial Management Service
and Resource Regulation Service.

b) The Agstal Agencies, namely:
The Local Water Utilities Administration, whose mandate, powers and
functions are defined in Presidential Decree No. 198, as amended and
which will be transferred from DPWH and attached to the Department.
Itshall continue to be primarily a specialized lending institution for the
promotion, development and financing of local water utilities. In the
implementation of its functions, the Administration shall (a) prescribe
minimum standards and regulations in order to assure acceptable
standards of construction materials and supplies, maintenance,
operation, personnel training, accounting and fiscal practices for local
water utilities; (b) furnish technical assistance and personnel training
programs for local water utilities; (c) monitor and evaluate local water
standards; and (d) effect system integration, joint investment and
operation, district annexation and de-annexation whenever
economically warranted (as amended by Sec. 22, PD 768);

The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), whose
mandates, powers and functions are defined by Republic Act No. 6324,
as amended, and which will be transferred from the DPWH and
attached to the Department. It will continue to facilitate the exercise by
the concessionaires of its agency powers, carry out accounting and
notification functions, monitor, report, and administer loans and
perform related functions in connections with existing projects, manage
and dispose its retained assets and manage and operate the Umiray-
Angat Transbasin Project;

iii, The National Irrigation Administration, whose mandate, power and
functions are stated in Republic Act No. 3601, as amended and

u


Presidential Decree No. 552, as amended and which will be transferred
from the Office of the President and attached to the Department. It will:

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

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

= supervise the operation, maintenance, and repair, or otherwise,
administer;

= temporarily all communal and pump irrigation systems constructed,
improved, and/or repaired wholly or partially with government
funds;

- delegate the partial or full management of NIS to duly organized
cooperatives or associations;

- construct 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;

- charge and collect from the beneficiaries of the water from all
irrigation systems constructed by or under its administration, such
fees or administration charges as may be necessary to cover the cost
of operation, maintenance, and insurance and recover the costs of
construction within a reasonable period of time to the extent
consistent with government policy; and

- recover funds or portions thereof expended for the construction
and/or rehabilitation of communal irrigation systems (CIS) which
shall accrue to a special fund for irrigation development;

.. The Laguna Lake Development Authority, whose mandate, powers and

functions are laid out in Republic Act No. 4850, as amended which will
be transferred from DENR and attached to the Department. It will
continue to serve as the lake management and development authority
similar to a multi-stakeholder river basin organization and will ensure
the implementation of the Laguna Lake Master Plan which will be
updated by the Department to ensure alignment with the National
Master Plan for Water Management. Its regulatory powers will
however be taken over by the Department;

. The Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission, which was created by

Executive Order No. 54, series of 1999, as amended which will be
transferred from the Office of the President and attached to the
Department. It will update the existing master plan to ensure
consistency with the National Water Resources Management Master
Plan, regulate easement, integrate and coordinate development
programs, abate industrial wastewater and sewerage dumping and
enforce environmental laws, relocate formal and informal settlers,
undertake civil works such as dredging, clearing of structures, cleaning
of the river and its tributaries/esteros, prepare regular Status Report to
the President, coordinate with other national and local government


agencies/units and formulate its own implementing rules and
regulations;

vi. Any other agency exercising water resources management,
conservation and protection functions which the President may order to
be transferred to the Department; and

vii. Water Resources Regional Offices, based on the water resources regions
of the country, as deemed appropriate and necessary by the Secretary.

SECTION 13. Offices, functions and personnel to be completely subsumed by the
Department. -

The following offices with their powers, functions, personnel, applicable funds and
appropriations, records, equipment and property are to be subsumed by the Department:

a) The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) with all its divisions and sections,
whose mandate, powers and functions are found in Presidential Decree No. 424,
as amended;

b) The River Basin Control Office (RBCO) of the DENR whose mandate, powers and
functions are found in Executive Order No. 510 and Executive Order No. 816, as
amended;

©) The Manila Bay Coordinating Office (MBCO) of the DENR which was created by
virtue of DENR Special Order 2011-01 to coordinate the efforts of the 14 national
agencies covered by the Mandamus Order of the Supreme Court to rehabilitate
Manila Bay;

d) The flood management planning and sediment management function of the Flood
Control Management Cluster of the DPWH; and

) The Water Quality Management Section of the EMB of the DENR.

SECTION 14. Functions to be transferred to the Department.

a) The function of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the DENR to conduct
hydrological surveys; and,

b) The monitoring of stream flow and other water data collection function of the
Bureau of Design of the DPWH.

SECTION 15. Planning and Policy Service. - The Planning and Policy Service is hereby
created to provide the Department with the capability to undertake water infrastructure
development planning and programming. For this purpose, it shall have the following
functions:

a) Advise the Secretary on all matters relating to water resources planning;
b) Assist the Undersecretary for Planning and Policy on all matters related to the
specific functions of the position;


c) Formulate strategies and priorities for water resources management and
development consistent with national development objectives and initiate or
undertake relevant surveys for development planning;

d) Develop and regularly update a comprehensive and integrated National Water

Resources Management Master Plan and ensure its integration into existing land

use plans;

Coordinate river-basin planning following the integrated water resources

management framework and the river-basin approach;

f) Formulate or update existing River Basin Master (or comprehensive) Plans which
includes all aspects of water management and development such as water supply
and sanitation, irrigation, flood control and stormwater/urban drainage, drought
risk management, water resource development systems and other public water
works projects, including phasing of implementation;

g) Based on the river basin master plan, identify priority packages for water
structure development per river basin including water supply, sanitation,
irrigation, flood control and stormwater or urban drainage, drought risk
management, water resource development systems and other public works
projects; package project proposals for funding and prioritize project
implementation and the allocation of funds and other resources and undertake or
supervise and evaluate the conduct of feasibility studies and project preparation
thereof;

Evaluate and appraise all regional and inter-regional infrastructure water

development plans and programs as to their feasibility and consistency with

approved strategies and long- and medium-term plans;

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

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

k) Provide technical assistance related to its functions to the other Services, Bureaus
and the Regional Offices as needed;

1) Conduct hydrologic and hydraulic surveys and assessments of surface waters;

m) Develop general criteria and standards on project investigation, formulation,
planning;

n) Develop guidelines and standards on social inclusion in water resources
management and ensure policies, programs and plans are compliant with the
gender and development framework of the government;

©) Closely coordinate with PAGASA for rainfall and other climate data which should
be considered in the planning for water resources development and management
and for various water infrastructure; and

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

°)

1)

SECTION 16. Decision Support System Service. - The Decision Support System Service
is hereby created to provide the Department with water resource management tools and
computerized decision support system that incorporates data management system
(acquisition and database) and model base (physical, design, planning and decision
models). Additionally, the services include services related to networking, data
management, and information and knowledge/learning management systems for
administrative and non-technical support for the department. The Service is also
responsible for providing the Secretary timely reports on the status of various
Department projects and activities. For this purpose, it shall have the following functions:


a) Provide the Secretary needed data and processed information to aid in policy and
management decisions under the mandate of the Department;

Publish available real-time raw water data (through internet) as well as verified or
validated water data (in print or electronic form through internet) in tabular and
graphical displays as time series or spatial data;

Conduct standard data analysis such as basic statistical analysis, trend analysis,
analysis of runs, cluster analysis, etc. and also publish in print or electronic form;
4) Develop and continuously update water resource management, computerized

b)

iC)

(acquisition and database), model base (physical, design, planning and decision
models), and user-friendly interface (graphical and visualization tools). This DSS
is composed but not limited to: a measurement or data acquisition system;
information or database management system; analytical and numerical models for
design/ planning and decision/evaluation purposes: and, finally, a user-friendly
interface which includes graphical interface or visualization tools;

e) The specific models to be developed and maintained should include but not
limited to the following: long-term climatologic and weather forecasting model;
watershed models and river-floodplain models; groundwater models and those
coupled to surface water models; flood forecasting model for major rivers;
optimization-simulation or management models for watershed conservation,
conjunctive surface and groundwater use, irrigation scheduling, normal and
emergency operations of multipurpose reservoirs; and, water quality and
ecological models;

f) Develop and manage the management information system and knowledge
systems of the Department including the retrieval and processing of monitoring
information on alll projects and activities of concern to the Secretary and the web
portal and conduct systems and process engineering, software development,
software configuration management; develop and manage the Department's
corporate database, unified database for water industry, data warehouse, other
water information resources, library services and document management and
archiving services; develop and manage the Department's ICT infrastructure and
provide ICT related-services to the Department including computer networking,
and voice communications services and data exchange; manage the literacy and
training services of the Department on various ICTs, KM tools and applications
including information and knowledge management; 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. Administrative and Human Resource Service. - The Administrative and
Human Resource Service is hereby created to provide the Department with services
relating to human resources development, personnel, records, facilities maintenance,
medical and dental, security and 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 development plan that shall
include provisions for merit promotions, performance evaluation, job rotation,
suggestions and incentive awards systems, and health and welfare services;

©) Provide services related to human resources training, education and development
including manpower, career planning and forecasting, and development of
indigenous training materials;


d) 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;

e) 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;

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

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

h) Provide assistance in its area of specialization to the Department Proper, Bureaus
and Regional and District Offices and, when requested, the government agencies
and corporations attached to the Department; and

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

SECTION 18. Legal and Legislative Service. - The Legal and Legislative Service is hereby
created to provide the Department with services on such legal affairs as contract letting
and litigation, legal and legislative research, complaints and investigation, legal
counselling and other matters of law. For such purposes, it shall have the following
functions:

a) Advise the Secretary on all matters relating to legal and legislative affairs;

b) Prepare Department contracts and legal instruments, review and interpret all

contracts and agreements entered into by the Department and evaluate all legal

proposals;

Conduct administrative investigation as well as the review of administrative

charges against officers and employees of the Department;

d) Exercise functional jurisdiction over the legal staffs of Regional Offices;

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

f) Develop and prepare the Department's Legislative Agenda, recommend
presidential certification of the urgency of priority water bills, and other water-
related legislations;

g) Coordinate and maintain linkages among the various offices, bureaus, regional
offices and attached agencies to the DWR along with other government agencies
on policy matters affecting the Department's mandate in relation to legislation;

h) Maintain effective liaison with the Congress and the Senate regarding legislative
inquiries and enactment of water bills or other laws that may affect water
resources management;

i) Monitor the progress of the Department's priority or certified bills to ensure their
passage; 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.

°C

SECTION 19. Comptrollership and Financial Management Service. - The
Comptrollership and Financial Management Service is hereby created to provide the
Department with coordinated services relating to financial systems and procedures,
budget, cash, accounting and all financial housekeeping matters. For such purposes, it
shall have the following functions:


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

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

budget execution, and prepare and submit all appropriate reports to the proper

offices;

Develop and maintain accounting, financial and assets management systems,

procedures and practices in the Department Proper, Bureaus and Regional Offices;

d) Review and appraise systems and procedures, organizational structure, assets
management practices, accounting, and other records, reports, and performance
standards such as budgets and standard costs of the Department, bureaus, and
regional offices;

€) Provide assistance in its area of specialization to any unit of the Department and,
when requested, to government corporations and councils attached to the
Department; and

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

4)

SECTION 20. ~ Resource Regulation Service. The Resource Regulatory Service is hereby
created to provide the Department with services on resource regulation of all water-
related services and activities. For such purposes, it shall have the following functions:

a) Advise the Secretary on all matters relating to resource regulations;

b) Determine, grant and regulate water rights for the appropriate, optimal and
sustainable use of surface and ground water;

©) Determine, evaluate and grant waterworks and sewerage franchises;

d) Investigate violations of the water rights and the Water Code and impose the
appropriate sanctions in accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations as
well as future rules and regulations which the Department will promulgate;

e) Adjudicate water use conflicts; and,

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

SECTION 21. Internal Audit Office. - The Internal Audit Office is hereby created for the
purpose of conducting comprehensive audit of various Department activities and will
report directly to the Secretary. Specifically, it shall have the following 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 the degree of compliance with established
objectives, policies, standards, methods and procedures, government regulations
and contractual obligations of the Department;

©) Review and appraise systems and procedures, organizational structure, assets
management practices, accounting and other records, and performance standards
(such as budgets and standard costs) of the Department Proper, Bureaus and
Regional Offices;

d) Analyze and evaluate management deficiencies and assist top management to
solve problems by recommending realistic courses of action; 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 22. Public Affairs Office. - The Public Affairs Office is hereby created for the
purpose of enhancing government relations with all stakeholders including the media. It
shall ensure that women, men, older people and people with disabilities will be
consulted, organized and can take active part in all aspects of water resources
development and management activities. The office will also lead the planning and
organizing of the special events of the Department. For such purposes, it shall have the
following functions:

A. Public Awareness

a) Advise the Secretary on matters pertaining to public affairs services;

b) Develop and supervise the implementation of communications programs to have
relevant policies, programs and plans of the Department understood by the public;

©) Produce and supervise the dissemination of communication materials in line with
the priorities of the Department and the national government public information
programs;

d) Conduct public opinion and attitude surveys to identify the interests and concerns
of key groups served by the Department;

©) Establish editorial policies on print and broadcast media;

f) Establish and maintain linkages with the tri-media and presence in social media;

g) Coordinate the conduct of interviews and news conferences;

h) Actas spokesperson for the Department;

i) Coordinate with various Department units, concerned government agencies, tri-
media and other stakeholders on matters related to the above-enumerated
functions; and,

j) Coordinate with the appropriate national government agencies tasked with public
information affairs;

B. Promoting Participation.

a) Conduct public consultations and discussions;

b) Develop and disseminate relevant and appropriate materials and programs for
public information and education, as well as advocacy campaign;

©) Conduct seminars and workshops involving the LGUs and the general public on
current water issues and problems; and,

d) Conduct capability-building seminars of various stakeholders to promote
meaningful participation in the Department's policy making, planning,
development and implementation of various programs and projects.

C. Special Events

a) Coordinate the organization and promotion of special events and water exhibits;

b) Actas the focal point for all water related events; 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 23. Pollution Adjudication Board. - There is hereby created a Pollution
Adjudication Board under the Office of the Secretary. The Board shall be composed of
the Secretary as Chairman, two (2) Undersecretaries as may be designated by the
Secretary, the Director of Water Quality Management Bureau and three (3) other
representatives from other stakeholders to be designated by the Secretary as members.
The Board shall assume the powers and functions of the National Pollution Control
Commission with respect to the adjudication of water pollution cases under Republic Act
No. 3931, Presidential Decree 984, particularly with respect to Section 6 letters ef, g, j, k
and p of the P.D. 984 and RA 9275. The Bureau of Water Quality Management shall serve
as the Secretariat of the Board. These powers and functions may be delegated to the field
officers of the Department, in accordance with rules and regulations to be promulgated
by the Board.

SECTION 24. Bureaus. - Each Bureau shall be headed by a Bureau Director who shalll be
responsible for efficiently and effectively carrying out the functions of the Bureau
concerned. The Bureau Director shall be assisted by one (1) Assistant Director.

SECTION 25. Bureau of Flood Control and Drainage. - The Bureau of Flood Control and
Drainage is hereby created to plan and design flood control and drainage structures and
facilities in accordance with technical standards, guidelines and manuals. For this
purpose, it shalll have the following duties and responsibilities:

a) Formulate policy, strategies and programs on flood-risk management in the
context of integrated flood management (IFM) which integrates water, land,
coastal zone, and multi-hazard management. In integrating land-use planning
and water management, the Department should harmonize and synthesize plans
to enable the sharing of information between land-use planning and water
management authorities. In integrating hazard management, a holistic approach
should be adopted so that IFM should be part of a wider risk or multi-hazard
management system (e.g., earthquake, landslides, fire, tsunami, etc.);

b) Integrate climate change and disaster risk reduction and management in policies
and plans;

©) Prepare master plans of flood management and drainage in river basins in
coordination with the concerned water resources region and river basin
organizations;

) Prepare master plans of urban drainage in cities and municipalities;

e) Prepare feasibility studies of recommended measures in the master plans;

f) Plan and design structural measures for flood control and drainage;

g) Implement and collaborate with concerned agencies on the non-structural
measures;

h) Patrol and investigate rivers including the monitoring of stream flows;

i) Conduct post-disaster investigation and evaluation and damage assessment of
flood infrastructures after extreme events;

j) Conduct research and development on water and sediment-related disasters;

k) Develop design guidelines, criteria and standards on flood control and drainage
structures;

}) Provide technical assistance to other agencies, LGUs and other stakeholders;

m) Advise the Secretary on declaring flood control areas and recommend guidelines
for flood plain management plans in these areas; and,

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

19


SECTION 26. Bureau of Water Quality Management. - The Bureau of Water Quality
Management is hereby created to supervise and control over all aspects of water quality
management to ensure the sustainability of the country’s water resources and the
protection of the environment. It should take into account proper and integrated
treatment of freshwater and wastewater within the whole process. For this purpose, it
shall have the following duties and responsibilities:

a) Establish water quality guidelines for freshwater and coastal/marine waters as
basis for classifying water bodies in the country. Specifically, develop water
quality indices or composite metrics to measure of the quality status and health of
natural water bodies in relation to ecological integrity and function;

b) Establish effluent standards for point sources of pollution;

c) Establish internationally-accepted procedures for sampling and analysis;

d) Prepare an integrated water quality management framework;

) Prepare 10-year water quality management plans for each water quality
management area as part of the River Basin Master Plans, and in support of the
National Water Resources Management Master Plan;

f) Classify groundwater sources and prepare a national groundwater vulnerability
map;

g) Classify or reclassify all water bodies according to their beneficial usages using the
established water quality guidelines established;

h) Issue permits, clearances and similar instruments pursuant to the Clean Water Act
of 2004;

i) Collect the wastewater discharge (EUF) fees for all permittees;

j) Monitor the compliance of water discharge permittees with the effluent standards;

k) Regularly monitor the water quality of major water bodies in the country and
analyze the data to identify possible sources of pollution;

1) Issue notices of violations and/or cease and desist orders for those found in
violation;

m) File the needed cases against violators with the Pollution Adjudication Board;

n) Serve as secretariat of the PAB; and,

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

SECTION 27. Water Resources Regional Offices. - The Water Resources Regional Offices,
organized per water resources region shall be responsible for implementing the
mandates, powers and duties of the Department at the field level, except for
policymaking which will be vested solely with the Central Office. The master planning
for the nearby river basins (e.g. Pasig-Marikina-Laguna Lake-Cavite) will likewise be the
responsibility of the Central Office. For this purpose, the duties and responsibilities of the
WRRO shall be as follows:

a) Formulate or update and coordinate the river basin master plans for river basins
within its jurisdictions ensuring consistency with the National Water Resources
Management Master Plan;

b) Advocate and strongly support the creation and functioning of multi-stakeholder
River Basin Organizations (RBOs) and serve as the secretariat of the said RBOs;

©) Undertake and evaluate the planning, design, and work-supervision functions of
the Department for the water infrastructures within the region;

20


d) Ensure the implementation of laws, policies, programs, rules and regulations
regarding the above-mentioned infrastructure as well as public and private
physical structures;

©) Provide technical assistance related to the water-related functions of other
agencies within the region especially the local government;

) Coordinate with other departments, agencies, institutions and organizations,
especially local government units within the region in the planning and
implementation of the river basin master plans;

g) Conduct continuing consultations with the local communities, take appropriate
measures to make the services of the Department responsive to the Central Office
and recommend such appropriate actions as may be necessary; and,

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

The Department shall retain and have such Project Management Offices as may be
required, which shall be under the supervision and control of the appropriate Water
Resources Regional Office Director, unless otherwise determined by the Secretary for
reasons of supra-regional scope, magnitude and multi-functional coverage.

SECTION 28. Water Resources Regional Director. ~ The Water Resources Regional
Offices shall be headed by a Water Resources Regional Director who shall be responsible
for efficiently and effectively carrying out the duties and responsibilities of the Office.
‘Towards this end, the Water Resources Regional Director shall, within exercise functional
and administrative supervision over all units within the region including the authority
to commit their resources and personnel to integrated regional water resources
management, water supply and sanitation management, and flood-control and flood-risk
management initiatives. The Water Resources Regional Director 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 Water Resources Regional Director shall be assisted
by two (2) Assistant Water Resources Regional Office Directors who shall exercise
supervision respectively over (1) the planning, project design and evaluation function
and (2) technical assistance to River Basin Organizations within the water resources
region.

CHAPTER 3 - TRANSITORY PROVISIONS
SECTION 29. Interface with Other Agencies.

a) The Department of Health (DOH) shall continue to have primary authority and
responsibility for setting and enforcing drinking water quality standards. The
Department shall coordinate with the DOH in this regard and shall ensure
consistency of standards and targets which it will set for compliance of permittees
with the DOH’s mandated standards;

b) The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) shall continue to
have primary authority and responsibility for protecting the environment and
managing the country’s watersheds;

©) The Department of Energy (DOE) shall continue to have primary regulatory
authority and the National Power Corporation (NPC) shall continue to have
responsibility for running its hydropower plants and will both ensure that any

2


hydropower plant development plans are consistent with the National Water
Development and Management Plan;

d) The Department shall coordinate with the Department of Agriculture to ensure
agricultural development that reduces sources of long-term pollution for surface
water and groundwater, and agricultural and industrial economic development
that employs water efficiency, water recycling/reuse and the appropriate
treatment of wastewater;

e) The Department shall coordinate with the National Disaster Risk Reduction
Management Council (NDRRMC) to ensure that its plans and designs for flood
control, flood risk management and drought risk management are aligned with
the objectives and plans of the said Department; and

f) The Department shall coordinate with relevant government agencies, including
Local Government Units (LGUs) for development projects and to ensure
collaboration between and among all water subsectors and facilitate inter-agency
subsector coordination, strategic development, planning, monitoring and
provision of technical, institutional and financial capacity building support to their
different stakeholders at the water subsector level.

SECTION 30. Transfer of Rights and Obligations

The Department shall, by virtue of this Act, be surrogated to all the rights and assume all
the obligations of the government agencies and units whose powers and functions have
been absorbed, transferred or attached to the Department provided these are in
accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission on Audit. The transfer of
powers and functions as herein provided shall take effect within 6 months of the
effectivity of this Act. As such, all affected agencies/offices/units shall continue to
function under their present mandates until the transition is fully in effect.

SECTION 31: Funding. The sum of Two Billion pesos (P2,000,000,000.00) shall be set aside
from 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, the Department shall submit its annual budget to fully carry out its powers
and functions and achieve its objectives to the Office of the President, for approval,
provided it shall not be less than the amount provided for in its initial implementation.

SECTION 32. Repealing Clause. - All laws, orders, rules and regulations, or portions
thereof, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 33. Separability Clause. - If any provisions of this Act or the application of
such provision to any person or circumstances be declared unconstitutional, the
remainder of this Act or the application of such provision to other person or
circumstances shall not be affected by such declaration.

SECTION 34. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from the date of its
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

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