Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
. 4251

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by HON. JOY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING

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

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to ensure sustainable, fair and efficient use and allocation of water irrigation,
sewage and sanitation resources through the creation of the Department of Water Irrigation,
‘Sewage and Sanitation Resource Management.

The Philippines, as an archipelagic country, is surrounded by numerous bodies of water. It is
considerably abundant in water resources “having been endowed with 59 lakes and 421 river
basins with drainage area ranging from 40 to 25,649 sq. kms.*” Considering this, the country
should have adequate supply for domestic, agricultural, and industrial purposes. However,
with the water shortage brought about by the worsening effects of climate change and
subsequent worsening of the El Nifio season, it is the duty of the state to account for the
country’s water resources and address the growing problem of the country’s water supply.

Presently, the management of our water resources involves numerous government agencies,
namely:

a) National Water Resources Board (NWRB), a government agency responsible for the
enforcement of the Water Code of the Philippines which is under the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR);

b)

Loca Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), a government-owned and controlled
(GOCC) attached to the Department of Public Works and Highways
(DPW) and has regulatory powers over:

1) all local water districts (LWDs); and
2) rural waterworks and sanitation associations (RWSAs) nationwide;

o)

Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), a GOCC also attached to the
DPWH, which is responsible for the water supply and sanitation in Metropolitan Manila
and such contiguous areas as may be added to its area of jurisdictior., and;

* Lapong, E. & Fujihara M. 2008, Water Resources in the Philippines: An Overview of its Uses, Management, Problems, and
Prospects. Journal of Rainwater Catchment Systems.


@) ‘National Irrigation Administration (NIA), a government agency under the Office of the
President primarily responsible for irrigation development and management.

Pursuant to the policy of the state to recognize, protect, realize, and enhance the right of all
Filipinos to safe, clean, affordable, and accessible drinking water, sanitation and irrigation, it
is imperative that the government streamlines the management of these resources. ‘The
Creation of the Department of Water Irrigation, Sewage and Sanitation Resource Management
shall address the challenges arising from the fragmented, overlapping and uncoordinated
management of these resources which are Presently lodged with various agencies.

The water crisis which hit Metro Manila in early 2019 was a wake-up call for all of us. It
showed us how inconvenient life can be without a stable supply of water. People were waiting
jn lines Just to get a bucket of this basic necessity. Without water, many of our constituent.
had difficuty continuing with their daily routine. It became difficut for mary to work ana

1 acknowledge House Bill No. 8068 filed by Hon. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during the 17”
Congress from which this proposed measure was based upon. I thank Speaker Arroyo for all
the good she had done for our Country. I hope my inputs in this measure do justice to the
version initially filed by our former Speaker and former President.

On behalf of the people of Parafiaque City’s Second District, and for the common good of the
Filipino people, the approval of this measure is earnestly sought.

|. JY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING
2nd District, Paraflaque City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
4251

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by HON. JOY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING

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

Be it enacted by the Senate and House 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, Irrigation,
‘Sewage, and Sanitation Resource Management Act of 2019".

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

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

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

5) 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,

SECTION 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, and Sanitation
Resource Management.

b) _ Sanitation refers to sewage, sanitation, and septage management.

©) Sewerage refers to any system or network of sanitary pipelines, ditches, channels,
OF 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 shall be included in
the use of sewage.

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

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 II
ORGANIZATION

SECTION 4, The Department of Water, Irrigation, Sewage, and Sanitation
Resource Management - There is hereby created and established the Department of Water,
Irrigation, Sewage, 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
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;

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

©) Ensuring a stable and constant water supply across the Philippines;

d) Formulating and implementing a national updated road map to address the water,
sewage, and sanitation requirements of the Philippines; and

) Improving conservation of water and increasing system efficiencies.

SECTION 5. Powers and Duties of the Department. - The Department shall have
the following powers and duties, among others:

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

5) Coordinate with relevant government agencies or entities to provide policy directions,
Strategies, and targets to meet the goals and objectives for water supply, irrigation,
Sewage, and sanitation. Such policies shall, among other things, integrate the issues
of water, irrigation, 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 of watersheds, control of water pollution, and cnvironmental
restoration, without compromising the natural ecosystem functions and services;


9)

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k)

m)

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Manage the ownership, appropriation, utilization, exploitation, development,
conservation, and protection of water resources and rights to land related thereto
and their competing demands;
Undertake and coordinate with other agencies and government entities in data
gathering, scientific research, and studies on water resources management and
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
@ view towards formulation long-term policies to balance the sustainability and
optimal use of water resources, defining the hydrologic boundaries of basins of the
existing water supply sources, and creating and implementing countrywide master
plans for water resources management and development;
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;
Coordinate with other relevant agencies to engage in flood control and flood risk
management, formulate integrated water resources management (IWRM) policies
and plans, and coordinate the implementation, promotion, revision, and
enhancement of IWRM plans;
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;
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;
Coordinate with other relevant government agencies and develop policies and plans
in respect of water resources for farming, including sustainable mechanisms for
irrigation;
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;
Review from time to time regulations prescribed by any government agency or
instrumentality 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 investigations, including assessing and
evaluating the conditions of water facilities installed and determining compliance
with water laws and standards;


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aa)

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dd)

Require Local Government Units (LGUs) and national agencies to submit Zoning and
land use management plans to ensure the integration of water resource
management plans; Provided, That no zoning and land use plan shall become
effective and enforceable unless and until a certification of integration of water,
sewage, and sanitation resource management plan has been issued by the
Department. Should the Department have serious concerns affecting conservation
and sustainability of water supply, such concerns must first be resolved by the
Department and the concerned LGU and/or national agency. However, in the
absence of such concerns, the concerned LGU and/or government agency may,
ninety (90) days from the submission of its zoning and land use plan and after
submitting to the Department a written notice of compliance with this provision,
proceed with the implementation of its zoning and land use plan without Prejudice
to later integration of the water resource management plan for the locality;

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;

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 construc.ed, improved,
and/or repaired wholly or partially with government funds;

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 under its administration;

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;

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;

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

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


Maintain and cause to be maintained all flood control, water resource development

systems, irrigation systems, and other public works throughout the country except

those that are the responsibility of other agencies as directed by the President of the

Philippines or as provided by law;

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

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

hh) Determine and require the monitoring and submission of such data, statistics, and
other information as may be necessary for the effective and efficient exercise of its
duties, functions, powers and responsibilities;

ii) _ Respond to consumer complaints and ensure the adequate Promotion of consumer
interests;

Ji) Deputize agents, whether from the public or Private sector, to assist in the
Performance of any of the powers and functions of the Department;

kk) Appoint, hire, and maintain adequate staff and Personnel, advisers, and/or
consultants, with suitable qualifications and experience, as Necessary;

ll) 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;

mm) Exercise such other powers and functions necessary or incidental to the effective
administration and management of the country's water, irrigation, sewage, and
sanitation resources;

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

00) 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.

ee)

SECTION 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:

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;

©) 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

©) 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

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

SECTION 7. Office of the Secretary -The Office of the Secretary shall be composed
of the Secretary and his immediate staff.


SECTION 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:

. One for the Finance Service;

One for the Administrative Service;

One for the Planning and Engineering Services;

. One for the Regulatory and Financial Assistance Services; and
. One for the Operations.

Vawne

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

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

b) Supervise all the operational activities of the units assigned to her/him, for which
she/he is responsible to the Secretary; and

©) 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.

SECTION 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 two (2) Assistant Secretaries each likewise appointed by the President of the
Philippine upon the recommendation of the Secretary.

SECTION 10. Qualifications. - No person shall be appointed Secretary, Undersecretary, or
Assistant Secretary of the Department unless he or she is a citizen of the Philippines, a
resident of the Philippines at least 6 months prior to his/her appointment, of good moral
character, of proven integrity, and with at least two (2) years of experience or exposure or
study in any of the following fields:

a) Water Resource Management;
b) Water Sanitation;

c) Water Irrigation;

d) Water Distribution;

e) Sewage Construction/Maintenance;
f) Public Works;

g) Flood Control

h) Finance;

i) Management;

J) Audit;

k) Accounting;

1) Engineering;

™) Operations;

n) Law;

0) Government Service;

p) Business;

q) Economics;

r) Chemistry

s) Marine Science; or

t) Natural Resource Management


SECTION 11. Organizational Structure. -The Department shall be ccmposed 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.

SECTION 12. 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 action; and

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

SECTION 13. 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 existing government accounting and auditing rules and
regulations;

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

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

SECTION 14. 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)
b)

2)

4)

e)

9)

h)
i)

Advise the Secretary on all matters relating to internal administration and human
resources management;

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;

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

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;

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;

Develop, establish and maintain an efficient records system;

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

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

SECTION 15. 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)

b)

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dq)

e)

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

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;

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;

Evaluate and appraise alll reginal interregional infrastructure development plans and
Programs as to their feasibility and consistency with approved strategies and long
and medium-term plans;


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p)

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

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

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.

SECTION 16. Regulatory and Financial Assistance Services. -The Regulatory and
Financial Assistance Services is hereby created to provide the Department with services on all
legal affairs, compliance of attached government corporations, LWDs, RWSAs, cooperatives,
and other associations, including private entities under contractual or concession arrangement
with them, and other private water service Providers on the established standards, rules and
regulations relating to: water quality; infrastructure and facilities design and construction;
equipment, materials and supplies; Operations and maintenance; personne! 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)

b)
co)

qd)

9)
h)

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;

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;

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;

Exercise functional jurisdiction over the legal staffs of Regional Offices;

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;

Review all water rates or charges;

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

SECTION 17. Operations. - The Operations is hereby created to provide the Department
through Regional Offices with the capability to plan, design, and implement projects for water
reomnce development systems, irrigation, flood control, and other public works in different
regions of the country. For this purpose, it shall have the following functions:

b)

to)

government financial assistance as the Secretary may determine;

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


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

€) 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 communicates, 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

9) 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. 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. She/he 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 IIT
TRANSITORY PROVISIONS

SECTION 19. 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

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

¢) The Department shall subsume responsibility from the Department of Public Works
ighways (DPWH) for wholly or primarily water-related Public werks projects
including flood control, water resources development, sewerage, sanitation, and the

4) The Department shall absorb the responsiblity from the Department of Interior and.
Local Government (DILG) on the management and operation of water supply
systems of local government units,