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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTAT!
Quezon City

18TH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No.2988

Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) is an agency of the Government
of the Philippines working on water resources and potable water. It he
making, regulatory and quasi-judicial functions.

s policy

The NWRB is responsible for ensuring the exploitation, utili
conservation and protection of the country's water resourc
principles of "Integrated Water Resource Management”

tion, development,

, consistent with the

It is now high time for the government to prioritize water works and services in
the national program, and consider water as an integral factor in nation building

This House Bill seeks to create the Department of Water Resources and Services,
the government entity that shall lead the implementation of polici

promotion and developmgnt of water works and water servi
country. 4

yaa

MICHAEL L. ROMERO Ph.D.
7

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

18TH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2586

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero

AN ACT

CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF WATER
RESOURCES AND SERVICES, APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1: SHORT TITLE - This Ac shall be known as the “Department
of Water Resources and Services Act of 2019.

SECTION 2: DECLARATION OF POLICY - It is the policy of the State to
ensure the utilization, development, conservation and protection of the
country's water resources, consistent with the principles of "Integrated

Water Resource Management

The State recognizes the importance of water resources and services

to foster social progress, and promote total human development

The State recognizes the need to promote water resources and

services for the welfare of all Filipinos and the entire country


Toward this end, it is imperative to establish a single, integrated and
unified department for the promotion and development of our national

water resources and services.

SECTION 3: CREATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF WATER
RESOURCES AND SERVICES - There shall hereby be created the

Department of Water Resources and Services, hereinafter referred to as the
Department

SECTION 4: MANDATE - The Department shall be the primary policy,
planning, coordinating, implementing, and administrative entity of the
Executive Branch of the government that will plan, develop, and promote

the national water resources and services development program

SECTION 5: POWERS AND FUNCTIONS - The Department shall exercise

the following powers and functions:

I. Policy and Planning

(a) Formulate, recommend and implement national polici
plans, programs and guidelines that will promote the
development and harness the potential of our water resources
and services with due consideration for the country’s welfare
and success:

(b) Formulate policies and initiatives, in regards with the
Integrated Water Resource Management Program, in
collaboration with the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources;

(0) Provide an integrated framework and programs in order to
optimize the potential of our water resources and servic

(d) Prescribe rules and regulations for the establishment,
operation and maintenance of Philippine water resources and
services Infrastructures; and

(c) Establish water resources, services and facilities that will
be accessible to the general public;

Il. Resource-Sharing and Capacity-Building


() Harmonize and coordinate all water works programs, plans
and initiatives to ensure opportunities and maximum
development of our water resources and servic

(g) Assist and provide technical expertise to government
agencies in the development of guidelines in the enforcement
and administration of laws, standards, rules, and regulations
governing the Department;

(h) Assess, review and support water works related research
and development programs of the government in coordination
with the appropriate government agencies and other
institutions concerned;

(i) Prescribe the personnel qualifications and other
qualification standards essential to the effective development
and operation of Department;

()) Develop programs that would enhance the career
advancement opportunities of Department and other water
works personnel in government;

(k) Assist in the dissemination of vital information essential to
disaster risk reduction and preparedness through its
activities;

(k) Represent and negotiate for Philippine interest on matters
pertaining to water works in international bodies, in
coordination with the appropriate government agencies and
other institutions concerned;

(I) Establish guidelines for public-private partnerships in the
implementation of water resources projects for development;
and

(m) Promote strategic partnerships and alliances between and
among local and international water resources body and/or
competitor, for the research and development, educational
and training institutions, to enhance competitiveness of all
personnel and workers.

SECTION 6: COMPOSITION - The Department shall be headed by the
Secretary.

The Department proper shall be composed of the Office of the Secretary,
the Offices of the Undersecretary and the Assistant Secretaries.


SECTION 7: SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT - The Secretary shall
be appointed by the President, subject to confirmation by the Commission
on Appointments.

The Secretary shall have the following functions:

(a) Provide executive direction and supervision over the entire
operations of the Department and its attached agencies,

(b) Establish policies and standards for the effective, efficient and
economical operation of the Department, in accordance with
the programs of government;

(c) Review and approve requests for financial and manpower
resources of all operating offices of the Department:

(d) Designate and appoint officers and employees of the
Department, excluding the undersecretaries, assistant
secretaries, and regional and assistant regional directors, in
accordance with the civil service laws, rules, and regulations;

(c) Exercise disciplinary powers over officers and employees of
the Department in accordance with law, including their
investigation and the designation of a committee or officer to
conduct such investigations:

() Coordinate with other agencies and public and private interest
groups, including nongovernment organizations (NGOs) and
people’s organizations on Department policies and initiatives;

(g) Prepare and submit to the President through the Department
of Budget and Management (DBM) an estimate of the
necessary expenditures of the Department during the next
fiscal year, on the basis of the reports submitted by bureaus
and offices under him/her;

(h) Serve as a member of the Government Procurement Policy
Board (GPPB) as established by Republic Act No. 9184;

(i) Advise the President on the promulgation of executive and
administrative orders and formulation of regulatory and
legislative proposals on matters pertaining to water resources
and services development;

(j) Formulate such rules and regulations and exercise such other
powers as may be required to implement the objectives of this
Act: and

(k) Perform such other tasks as may be provided by law of
assigned by the President.



SECTION 8: UNDERSECRETARIES - The Secretary shall be assisted by
three (3) undersecretaries, who shall be appointed by the President upon

the recommendation of the Secretary:
Provided, that two (2) of the Undersecretaries shall be career officers.

SECTION 9: ASSISTANT SECRETARIES - the Secretary shall be assisted
by four (4) assistant secretaries who shall be appointed by the President

upon the recommendation of the Secretary of the Department:
Provided, that two (2) of the Assistant Secretaries shall be career officers:

Provided, further, that at least one (1) of the Assistant Secretaries shall be

a person publicly recognized in the field of Water Resources

SECTION 10: QUALIFICATIONS - No person shall be appointed
Secretary, Undersecretary, or Assistant Secretary of the Department
unless he or she is a citizen and resident of the Philippines, of good moral
character, of proven integrity and with at least seven (7) years of
competence and expertise in the field of Water Works and at least thirty
(30) years of age.

SECTION 11: REGIONAL OFFICES - The department may establish,
operate, and maintain a regional office in the different administrative

regions of the country as the need arises.

Each regional office shall be headed by a Regional Director who may be

assisted by one (1) Assistant Regional Director.

The Regional Director and Assistant Regional Director shall be appointed
by the President.

The regional offices shall have, within their respective administrative

regions, the following functions:


(a) Implement laws, policies, plans, programs, projects, rule:
regulations of the Department:

(b) Provide efficient and effective service to the people

(c) Coordinate with regional offices of other departments, offices,
and agencies;

(d) Coordinate with the LGUs; and

(e) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or
assigned by Secretary.

and

SECTION 12: SECTORAL AND INDUSTRY TASK FORCES — The

Department may create sectoral and industry, task forces, technical

working groups, advisory bodies or committees for the furtherance of its

objectives.

Additional private sector representatives, such as from the academe, civil

society organizations (CSOs), and federation of private industries directly

involved in water works, as well as representatives of other National

Government Agencies (NGAs).

Local Government Units (LGUs) and Government Owned and Controlled

Corporations (GOCCs) may be appointed to these working groups

Government sports professionals may also be tapped to partake work in
the Department through, these working groups.

SECTION 13: TRANSFER OF AGENCIES AND PERSONNEL — The
National Water Resources Board (NWRB) is hereby abolished, and its
powers and functions, applicable funds and appropriations, records,

equipment, property, and personnel transferred to the Department

SECTION 14: SEPARATION AND RETIREMENT OF SERVICE -
Employees who are separated from service within six (6) months from the
effectivity of this Act as a result of the consolidation and/or reorganization
under the provisions of this Act shall receive separation benefits to which

they may be entitled under Executive Order No. 366, s. 2004


Provided, that those who are qualified to retire under existing requirement
laws shall be allowed to retire and receive retirement benefits to which they

may be entitled under applicable laws and issuances.

SECTION 15: STRUCTURE AND STAFFING PATTERN - Subject to the
approval of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the
Department shall determine its organizational structure and create new
divisions or units as it may deem necessary, and shall appoint officers and
employees of the Department in accordance with the civil service law,
rules, and regulations.

SECTION 16: TRANSITION PERIOD - The transfer of functions, assets.
funds, equipment, properties, transactions, and personnel of the affected
agencies, and the formulation of the internal organic structure, staffing
pattern, operating system, and revised budget of the Department, shall be
completed within six (6) months from the effectivity of the Act, during
which time, the existing personnel shall continue to assume their posts in

holdover capacities until new positions and appointments are issued

Provided, that after the abolition of tie agencies as specified in section 14
of this Act, the Department, in coordination with the DBM, shall determine
and create new positions, the funding requirements of which shall not

exceed the equivalent cost of positions abolished.

SECTION 17: APPROPRIATION - The amount needed for the initial
implementation of this Act shall be One Billion Pesos (1,000,000,000.00)
taken from the National Treasury.

Thereafter, the amount needed for the operation and maintenance of the
Department shall be included in the General Appropriations Act (GAA), the

year after the enactment of this act, and thereafter.

SECTION 18: IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS. - The

Department shall issue within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this


Act the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of
this Act.

SECTION 19: SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. — If any provision or part hereof
is declared unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not

affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 20: REPEALING CLAUSE. - All laws, presidential decrees,
executive orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with

the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified

accordingly.

SECTION 21: EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE. - This Act shall take effect fifteen
(15) days after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general

circulation.