Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

Seventeenth Congress
Third Regular Session

House Bill N 2%

Introduced by Representative Dakila Carlo E. Cua

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

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This Bill seeks to establish a new the Department of Water, Irrigation, Sewage, Flood
Control, and Sanitation Resource Management that will ensure the country’s sustainable water
supply, watershed protection and management, irrigation, flood management, sewage, and
sanitation resource management.

Not so long ago, there have been several incidents concerning sustainable water supply,
watershed protection and management, sanitation, flood control, and sewage. The recent
cleanups of Boracay, Manila Bay, and other major natural bodies of water calls for the need to
improve the country’s proper sewage and disposal, as well as maintaining quality and standard
sanitation procedures. The same may be observed in the recent water shortage in Metro Manila
with regard to ensuring sustainable water supply, and the management and protection of
watersheds.

Particularly, this Bill aims to improve our waters by ensuring and improving the
Country’s sustainable community-based water sources,’ protection of watersheds and water
sources, lending program to Local Water Districts, sewage and sanitation resource management,
as well as flood control and flood risk management.

By rationalizing our water, sewage, and sanitation resource management into one
Department, we will be able to better manage the entire cycle of our water — from sourcing to
water treatment and sewage. Likewise, we will be able to achieve more sustainable water supply,
and better overall management of our irrigation, sanitation, flood management, and sewage.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this Bill is earnestly sought.

DAI ‘CARLO E. CUA


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

Seventeenth Congress
Third Regular Session
9176

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative Dakila Carlo E. Cua

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

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

CHAPTERI
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Department of Water, Irrigation,
‘Sewage, Flood Control, and Sanitation Resource Management Act of 2019.”

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

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

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

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


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

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

db)

Sanitation refers to sewage, sanitation, and septage management.

©

Sewerage refers to any system or network of sanitary pipelines, ditches, channels, or
conduits including pumping stations, lift stations, and force mains, service connections
including other constructions, devices, or appliances appurtenant thereof, which includes
the collection, sanitary piping transport, pumping, and treatment of water-borne human or
animal waste removed from residences, buildings, institutions, and industrial and
commercial establishments to point of sewage treatment plant disposal.

d) Sewage refers to water-carried waste in solution or suspension, including sanitary waste
(waste products of normal living), commercial waste, industrial waste, agricultural waste,
and surface runoff, conveyed by a sewerage system for treatment or disposal. For
purposes of this Act, the definition of septage shalll be included in the use of sewage.

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

f) The terms “infrastructure” and “public works” as used in this Act should be ready to
apply only to wholly or primarily water-related projects and shall not be read to
incorporate projects which would not otherwise fall within the purview of the objectives,
powers, and duties of the department.

CHAPTER IL
ORGANIZATION

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

a) Implementing necessary policy and resource reforms with respect to the management of
water, irrigation, sewage, and sanitation;

b) Monitoring and evaluating compliance with the national goals relating to water,
irrigation, sewage, and sanitation;


c) Formulating a national updated road map to address the water, sewage, and sanitation
requirements of the State; and
d) Improving conservation of water and increasing system efficiencies.

Sec. 5. Power s and Duties of the Department. — The Department shall have the following
powers and duties, among others:

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

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

°)

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 and management 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;

£) Formulate and enforce rules and regulations in the administration and management of the
country’s water resources and implement rules and guidelines for the enforcement of
water-related laws;

Conduct continuing surveys and studies of the country’s renewable water supply with a
view towards 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 resources, and creating and implementing countrywide master plans for water
resources management and development;

g

bh

Coordinate with and assist other government agencies in all aspects of data gathering,
conduct studies and research, and classify and establish water quality standards for
surface and ground water, including national standards for drinking water and wastewater
effluence in coordination with relevant agencies;


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

j) Effect and compel inter-sectoral, inter-agency, and inter-departmental coordination on
water, irrigation, energy, environmental, sewage, and sanitation resources development
planning with the aim of operationalizing the integrated approach water resources
management;

k

Regulate and control the utilization, exploitation, abstraction, diversion, and development
of water resources, taking into its equitable distribution, and determine the standards of
beneficial and priority uses of water in times of crisis and national emergencies;

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;

0)

Periodically review regulations prescribed by any government agency pertaining to water
use, exploitation, development, conservation, or protection of waters, water resources,
and watershed or basin areas;

Authorize its representatives or any deputized agent to enter any property of public
dominion or any private land, building, or enclave, whether inhabited or not, for the
purpose of conducting hydrologic surveys and investigation, including assessing and
evaluating the conditions of water facilities installed and determining compliance with
water laws and standards;

P)

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

q


after submitting to the department a written notice of compliance with its provision,
proceed with the implementation of its zoning and land use plan without prejudice to later
integration of the water resource and management plan for the locality;

1) 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;

8)

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

t) Operate, maintain, and administer all National Irrigation Systems (NIS);

u)

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

y)

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

w) 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;

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

y) 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;

2

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;

aa) In coordination with other relevant agencies, ascertain that all plans and project
implementation designs are consistent with current standards and guidelines;

bb) 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;


cc) Assist other government agencies, including LGUs, in determining the most suitable
entity to undertake the actual construction of water, irrigation, sewage, and sanitation
projects;

dd) 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;

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

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

ge) 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;

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

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

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

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

Il) 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;

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

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

Sec. 6. Secretary of the Department of Water, Sewage, and Sanitation. — The authority and
responsibility for the exercise of the mandate of the Department and for the discharge of its
powers and functions shall be vested in the Secretary of the Department of Water, Sewage and


Sanitation, hereinafter referred to as the Secretary, who shall have supervision and control over
the Department and shall be appointed by the President. For such purposes, the Secretary shall:

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;

a)

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

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

ic

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

€

Supervise all attached agencies and corporations in accordance with law;

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

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

Sec. 7. Office of the Secretary. — The office of the Secretary shall be composed of the Secretary
and his immediate staff.

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

1) One for the Finance Service;
2) One for the Administrative Service;

3) One for the Planning and Engineering Services;

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

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

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

b) Supervise all the operational activities of the units assigned to him/her, for which he/she
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.

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

Sec. 10. Organizational Structure. — The Department shall be composed of the following
organization units:

a) Department proper consisting of the Office of the Secretary, the Offices of the
Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries, the Internal Audit, Finance Service,
‘Administrative Service, Planning and Engineering Services, Regulatory and Financial
Assistance Services; and Operations; and

b) Regional Offices, as deemed appropriate and necessary by the Secretary.
Sec. 11. Internal Audit. — The Internal Audit is hereby created for the purpose of conducting
comprehensive audit of various Department activities and shall have the following specific
functions:
a) Advise the Secretary on all matters relating to management control and operations audit;
b) Conduct management and operations performance audit of Department activities and
units and determine as to compliance with established objectives, policies, methods, and
procedures, government regulations, and contractual obligations of the Department;

©)

Review and appraise systems and procedures, organizational structure, assets
management practices, accounting, and other records, reports, and performance standards
of the Department of Proper and Regional Offices;

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

©)

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

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


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

b)

Prepare budget proposals and pursue formal budget authorizations, undertake budget
execution, and prepare and submit all appropriate reports to the proper offices;

©

Develop and maintain accounting, financial and assets management systems, procedures,
and practices in the department proper and regional offices in accordance with the
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;

c

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

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

a) Advise the Secretary on all matters relating to internal administration and human resource
management;

b)

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

3

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

d) Prepare and/or implement department GAD plans and budgets and GAD accomplishment
reports;

°)

Develop, establish, and maintain an efficient and cost-effective property procurement
system and facilities and coordinate or otherwise interface with relevant agencies,
whether government or private, for the purpose of developing or upgrading the system;

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


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

h

Develop, establish and maintain an efficient record system;

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

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

Sec. 14, Planning and Engineering Services. - The Planning and Engineering Services is
hereby created to provide the Department with the capability to undertake infrastructure
development planning, programming and implementation. For this purpose, it shall have the
following functions:

a)

Advise the Secretary on all matters relating to infrastructure planning and
implementation;

b)

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

©)

Formulate and implement long-range, medium-term, and annual development plans and
programs for infrastructure, including flood control, water resource development systems,
and other public works projects, including phasing of implementation and review and
integrate land use plans with such water development plans;

d

Identify and implement priority packages for infrastructure development, including flood
control, water resource development systems, and other public works projects, and
undertake or supervise and evaluate the conduct of feasibility studies and project
preparation and implementation thereof,

¢

Prioritize project implementation and the allocation of funds and other resources and
package project proposals for funding and implementation;

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

b)

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

©

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

d

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

5

Exercise functional jurisdiction over the legal staff or Regional Offices;

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

g) Review all water rates or charges;

bh

Manage the financial assistance available and granted to LWDs, RWSAs, and other
qualified water utilities.

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


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

a)

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;

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

c

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

G

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 comm -s, 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

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

8

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

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

CHAPTER II
TRANSITORY PROVISIONS

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

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


of water resources, protection from sewage and septage waste, and restoration from
environment damage.

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

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

4) 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.

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

The transfer of powers and functions in Section 18 above, as applicable, and agencies attached
thereto, as herein provided for, shall take effect within One Hundred Eighty (180) days after the
effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 20. Transfer of Agencies and Personnel. — All funds, appropriations, records, equipment,
and property pertaining to all agencies covered by the previous Section shall be transferred to the
Department within the same period. The laws, procedures, and rules on government
reorganization under Republic Act No. 6656, otherwise known as the Reorganization Law, shall
govern the reorganization process. All offices shall continue to function under their present
mandates until transition is effected as provided under this Act.

Sec. 21. Separation from Service. - Employees separated from government service as a result
of this Act shall be entitled to the benefits that they may receive under existing laws, rules, and
regulations

Sec. 22. Automatic Appropriations. — The amount of not less than Fifty Billion Pesos
(P175,000,000,000.00) shall automatically be appropriated in favor of the Department annually
to fund the following:


(1) At least Twenty (20) Billion Pesos for the development of sustainable community-based
water sources;

(2) At least Ten (10) Billion Pesos for the management and protection of watersheds and
water sources,

(3) At least Ten (10) Billion Pesos for the lending program to Local Water Districts;

(4) At least Ten (10) Billion Pesos for sewage and sanitation resource management,

(5) At least One Hundred Twenty-Five (125) Billion for flood control and flood risk
management annually.

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

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

Sec. 23. Separability Clause. — If any provisions or part of this Act is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain
valid and subsisting.

Sec. 24. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order, letter of
instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions
of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.

Sec. 25. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Secretary shall promulgate the
Implementing Rules and Regulations within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act.

Sec. 26. Effectivity clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at
least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,