Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTA’
Quezon City, Metro Manila
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

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HOUSE BILL NO. 581

INTRODUCED BY REP. PEDRO P. ROMUALDO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘This law has been reviewed several times to meet the present and future challenges of the water
sector particularly the water districts as well as strengthen the Local Water Utilities
‘Administration. It is with due respect that we recognize the contributions of General Managers of
Water District to spearhead the day to day operations and management of their respective water
districts, The passage of Republic Act No. 9286 entitled “An Act Further Amending Presidential
198, otherwise known as “The Provincial Water Utilities of 1973”, as amended paved the way to
improve the compensation given to the Board of Directors of Water Districts as well as provide
security of tenure to General Managers.

This proposed measure focuses on small water districts with a very small geographical service
area covering a few barangays or a Municipality. It is more prudent that the appointing authority
be vested in the Local Chief Executive upon the favorable recommendation of the Sanggunian
Bayan. The rationale for this is to ensure that the person appointed to such post possesses the

management of the Water District. This would also discourage collusion on major decisions and
prevent loyalty ties to the Board. The General Manager is the workhorse of the Water District
and closely coordinates with the local government units and its water consumers. He must work
for the improvement of its service and strengthen the implementation of existing policies to
accelerate the growth of its water district.

It is proposed that the Sangguniang Bayan shall determine the qualifications and fitness of a
prospective appointee and shall go through a selection process to support its favorable
recommendation to the Local Chief Executive, as the sole appointing power for the position of
General Manager of Small Water Districts. The General Manager should be co-terminous with
the appointing authority and can only be removed in accordance with existing civil service laws,
rules and regulations. This is also to protect the General Manager and thus, will not be totally
under the whims and caprices of the appointing authority.

May this proposal merit your kind and favorable support.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 581

INTRODUCED BY REP. PEDRO P. ROMUALDO

AN ACT
FURTHER AMENDING SECTION 23 OF PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 198,
AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “THE PROVINCIAL WATER
UTILITIES ACT OF 1973” AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Section 23 of Presidential Decree No. 198, as amended, is hereby further amended
to read as follows:

“Sec. 23. The General Manager. ~ At the first meeting of the Board, or as soon thereafter
as practicable, the Board shall appoint, by a majority vote, a general manger and shall define his
duties and fix his compensation. Said officer shall not be removed from office, except for cause
and after due process.”

PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT FOR SMALL WATER DISTRICTS WITH AN
OPERATIONAL JURISDICTION OF SEVERAL BARANGAYS OR A MUNICIPALITY
THE APPOINTING AUTHORITY SHALL BE THE LOCAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE
UPON THE ENDORSEMENT OF THE SANGGUNIAN BAYAN”. THE GENERAL
MANAGER REFERRED HERETO CAN ONLY BE REMOVED BY THE APPOINTING
AUTHORITY IN ACCORDANCE WITH EXISTING CIVL SERVICE LAWS, RULES
AND REGULATIONS.

Sec. 2. Separability Clause. — If any section or provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional
or invalid, the other sections or provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in force and
effect.

Sec. 3. Repealing Clause. — All acts, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, part or
parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

Sec. 4, Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved,