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

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No. 5274

Introduced by HON. LINABELLE RUTH R. VILLARICA
4" District, Bulacan

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The State must ensure that when failures and breakdowns occur in existing modern
systems in various domains of our national life, effective processes are in place so as to mitigate
the impact of damage on life and property, ‘There must be a regular review of these systems and
implement fine-tuning procedures when needed or in certain cases, adopt practical changes.

Presently, however, there is no government entity distinctly tasked to manage and operate
dams already fully operational in strategic locations in the Philippines. It is deemed that an
entity streamlined to address dam-related issues will redound to the benefit of the general public,
both in its day-to-day operations and during emergency situations,

This bill seeks to designate the Joint Operation and Management Committee for Dam
Operations of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) as the existing
government agency to address these concerns. Clothed with ample powers and functions, the
Committee possesses differentiated institutional systems and reliable professional capability that
bears upon dam operations, maintenance and protocols. The Committee is insulated from the
vicissitudes of power politics and is therefore in the best position to focus on its mandated
functions.

Support for the enactment of this measure is earnestly requested.

AO lanier’

REP. LINABELLE RUTH R. VILLARICA


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

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

9
House Bill No. 5274

Introduced by HON. LINABELLE RUTH R. VILLARICA
4" District, Bulacan

AN ACT DESIGNATING THE JOINT OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT
COMMITTEE FOR DAM OPERATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
AND HIGHWAYS AS THE AGENCY TO MANAGE, OPERATE AND MAINTAIN
DAMS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR,

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

SECTION 1, Short Title. ~ This Act shall be known as the DPWH Joint Operation
and Management Committee for Dam Operations Act.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ It shall be the policy of the State that in the
maintenance of peace and order, protection of life and property, as well as ensure a safety and
emergency program it shall designate existing governmental structures with tried and tested
systems and procedures.

SEC. 3. The Joint Operation and Management Committee for Dam Operations of the
Department of Public Works and Highways; Composition. - Presently, within the
bureaucratic system of the Department of Public Works and Highways, this office is charged
with the operation, management and maintenance protocols of dams.

The Joint Operation and Management Committee for Dam Operations of the DPWH
is hereby instituted to perform as such with additional powers and functions as provided for
under Section 5 of this Act.

The Committee shall be composed of the following:

(a) The Secretary of the DPWH ~ Ex-officio Chairman

(b) Director of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical Astronomical
Services Administration (PAGASA) — Ex-officio Member

(©) President, National Power Corporation (NPC) ~ Ex-officio Member


(d) Administrator, National Irrigation Administration — Ex-officio Member

(e) Secretary, Department of the Interior and Local Government ~ Ex-officio Member

() Administrator, Office of Civil Defense ~ Ex-officio Member

(g) Administrator, Philippine Atmospheric, Geographical and Astronomical Services
Administration (PAGASA) ~ Ex-officio Member

(h) Administrator, National Electrification Administration ~ Ex-officio Member

SEC. 4. Secretariat. - The DPWH shall serve as the secretariat of the Committee. The
Committee shall have a technical and administrative staff as may be necessary to assist it in
fulfilling its powers and functions as provided for under Section 5 of this Act.

SEC. 5. Powers and Functions of the Joint Operation and Management Committee
for Dam Operations. ~

(a) Formulate dam management policies based on the industrial, agricultural commercial,
environmental and structural needs of the community;

(b) Coordinate with the appropriate government agencies in the exercise of its operational
and administrative functions of all existing dams located in the various areas of the
Philippine archipelago. Provided, that, during emergencies the Committee shall have
direct supervision and control of the dams;

(©) Formulate and adopt a simplified national dam safety and emergency program;

(d) The Committee shall exercise such powers and functions as may be deemed necessary
to address both local and national emergencies by calling on the appropriate
government agencies;

(e) Conduct periodic maintenance and rehabilitation of all dams, Provided, that, it shall
submit a report on the structural integrity of the dams to the Secretary of the
Department of Public Works and Highways and the Congress of the Republic
Philippines which shall be available to the general public;

(f) Whenever necessary, approve the construction and establish additional dams in
strategic areas, based on international engineering standards;

SEC. 5. Executive Director. - The Committee shall appoint an Executive Director
who shall:

(a) Implement the policies, rules and directives promulgated by the Committee;

(b) Coordinate and supervise activities of the secretariat as well as those operating
units that may be created by the Committee: and


(c) Perform such other functions as may be assigned by the Committee and/or its
Members.

SEC. 7. Appropriations. ~ The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this
Act shall be charged against the existing appropriation of the DPWH and its other operating
agencies. Thereafter, the amounts needed for the full implementation of this Act shall be
included in the budget of the DPWH in the succeeding General Appropriations Act.

. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ The Committee, in coordination with
the appropriate government agencies shall formulate the implementing rules and regulations
within the period of ninety (90) days after the approval of this Act.

SEC. 9. Separability Clause. ~ If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other provisions
hereof.

SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, issuances, rules and
regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed
or modified accordingly.

SEC. 11. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days from the date
of its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general

circulation.

Approved,