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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3512

House Bill

Introduced by Representative Sol Aragones

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippines is a country abundant with bodies of water like rivers, lakes, and
groundwater reservoirs which theoretically assure an adequate supply for domestic,
agricultural, and industrial purposes. However, at present, management of the said water
sources is lodged with different units or agencies of the government thereby resulting to poorly
coordinated or even conflicts in the implementation of the national policies and plans on water,
sewage, sanitation, and irrigation resulting to inefficiencies in the provision of water supply
and sanitation services to the public.

It is the State's duty to provide safe, clean, accessible and affordable drinking water,
sanitation, and irrigation service to the public. It is of utmost importance that this is achieved
through a well-coordinated, effective, efficient and sustainable management of its water and
sanitation resources.

Hence, there is an immediate need to create the Department of Water Resources and
Services. This bill seeks to rationalize the water, irrigation, sewage, and sanitation resource
management, including water rights, through the creation of the Department of Water
Resources and Services.

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

SOL nha

38° District, Laguna


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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3512

House Bill No."

Introduced by Representative Sol Aragones

AN ACT
CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES AND SERVICES AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

CHAPTER I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Water Resources

Management and Rationalization Act."

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — The State shall promote and protect the right
of the people to safer clean and affordable water as a basic human right. Further, the State
recognizes that safe, clean and affordable drinking water and proper sanitation are essential to
the full enjoyment by the people of life and the protection and sustainability of the environment.
‘Towards this end, the State shall ensure that people have access to safe, clean, and affordable

drinking water and proper sanitation services and facilities.
In pursuit of this policy, the objectives of this Act are as follows:

a) Establish the basic principles and framework relating to the appropriation,
control and conservation of water resources to achieve their optimum development and national

utilization;


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b) _ Implement programs for the attainment of universal access to safe, adequate,
affordable, and sustainable water supply and sanitation services for all Filipinos, and adopt all
necessary measures directed towards this end;

©) Promote international participation in the education and sharing of information

to achieve universal access to water and sanitation, and the integration of water, energy,
environment, and food security;

d) 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 domestic and municipal use, irrigation, power generation, farming,
fisheries, commercial and industrial use;

) Strengthen and coordinate policy and planning in relation to flood control and
flood risk management in order to plan, prevent, end reduce the detrimental and catastrophic
effects of flood waters;

ny) Secure and regulate all public works in order to obtain the highest efficiency
and the most appropriate quality in construction and to plan, design, construct and maintain
infrastructure facilities in accordance with national development objectives; and

2) Ensure the effective implementation of Republic Act No. 9275 otherwise
known as the "Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004.”

CHAPTER IL
ORGANIZATION

SECTION 3. Department of Water Resources and Services. — There is hereby
established a Department of Water Resources and Services, hereinafter referred to as the
Department, to manage, control, and protect water resources for domestic purposes, sanitation,
irrigation, hydropower, fisheries, aquaculture, flood control, recreation, and for the

enhancement and maintenance of water quality.


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The following agencies or corporate entities are hereby transferred to the Department

from the authority of their current mother agencies or offices:

a) The National Water Resources Board (NWRB), which is currently under the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR);
b) The Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), which is currently under

the Office of the President; and

°) ‘The National Irrigation Administration (NIA), which is currently under the
Office of the President;

d) Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA), which is currently under the
DENR; and

e) The Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC), which is currently under
the Office of the President.

Likewise, the Department shall be responsible for the enforcement functions of Republic
Act No, 9275, otherwise known as the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004, as well as all the

other water management functions of the Environmental Management Bureau of the DENR.

‘The Department shall be organized within one hundred eighty (180) days after the

approval of this Act.

SECTION 4. Powers and Duties of the Department. — The Department Shall exercise

the following powers and duties:

a) Formulate and develop policies to promote universal access to safe, adequate,
affordable and sustainable water supply, and sanitation services;

b) Manage, protect and preserve the water resources to ensure the optimal use
thereof for domestic water supply, sanitation, irrigation, hydropower, navigation, flood control

and recreation, including the enhancement, and maintenance of water quality, conservation of


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watersheds, control of water pollution and environmental restoration, without compromising
the natural ecosystem functions and services;

©) Manage the ownership, appropriation utilization, exploitation, development,
conservation and protection of water resources;

d) Formulate and enforce rules and regulations in the administration and
management of the water resources and implement rules and guidelines for the enforcement of
the laws on water;

e) Coordinate with relevant entities to provide policy directions, strategies and
targets to meet the goals and objectives of water supply, and sanitation management by
integrating the issues of safe water and sanitation;

0 Conduct continuing surveys and studies of 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 sources,
and creating and implementing countrywide masterplans for water resources management and
development;

2) 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
region;

h) Classify water quality standards for surface and ground water, including
establishing national standards for drinking water and wastewater;

i)Effect inter-sectoral, inter-agency, and inter-departmental planning, data gathering,
research and developmental studies on safe water and sanitation and compel submissions of
statistic and data on water management with the aim of operationalizing the integrated

approach to water resources management;


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

k) 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 short-term
and long-term strategic development plans and actions;

1)Coordinate with other relevant agencies and develop policies and plans in respect of
water resources used for farming, including sustainable mechanisms for irrigation;

m) __ Study all plans, programs, or development projects, that affect water resources,
its diversion or abstraction, and the construction of hydraulic facilities, including 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;

n) Review from time to time regulations prescribed by any government agency
pertaining to water use, exploitation, development, conservation, or protection of waters, water
resources and watershed or basin areas;

0) 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;

p) Require local government units (LGUs) and national agencies to submit zoning
and land use plan shall become effective and enforceable unless and until a certification of

integration of water, and sanitation resource management plan has been issued by the

Department;


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® Provide technical assistance to water, sewer and sanitation users, including
farmers and LGLJs, whether directly or in coordination with other agencies, to assist them in
applying for water permits and providing data on water and sanitation resource usage;

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

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

t)Appoint, hire and maintain adequate staff and personnel, advisers or consultants with
suitable qualifications and experience, as may be necessary; and

u) Exercise such other powers and functions necessary or incidental or that which
the President may, from time to time, assign to the Department to carry out the objectives of
this Act and for the effective administration and management of water and sanitation.

SECTION 5. Department Secretary; Powers and Functions. — 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, hereinafter referred

to as the Secretary, who shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines.
‘The Secretary shall exercise the following powers and functions:

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; and

° Promulgate rules and regulations necessary to carry out the objectives, policies

and functions of the Department.


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No person shall be appointed Secretary unless the appointee possesses extensive
knowledge of public administration and has a minimum seven (7) years of experience in the

administration of water resources or sanitation programs, preferably in a public agency.

SECTION 6. Office of the Secretary. — The Office of the Secretary shall be composed

of the Secretary and immediate staff.

SECTION 7. Undersecretaries. — The Secretary shall be assisted by not more than
three (3) Undersecretaries, who shall be appointed by the President upon the recommendation
of the Secretary. The Secretary is hereby authorized to delineate and assign the respective
functional areas of responsibility of the Undersecretaries with respect to the mandate and

objectives of the Department.

Within the 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 assigned units for which the
Undersecretary is responsible to the Secretary; and
c) 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 this Act or other laws.
One (1) of the Undersecretaries Shall be the Undersecretary for Planning who shall have
primary responsibility, in coordination with the Planning Service, for advancing domestic
efforts in the pursuit of the ultimate goal of universal access to water supply and sanitation

systems, and sustainable management of water resources. The Undersecretary for Planning


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shall also have primary responsibility for knowledge sharing and advancement of efforts

around the integration of water, energy, environment and food security.

‘The Undersecretaries must possess a working knowledge of public administration and

must have a minimum of five (5) years of experience in the administration of water or sanitation

programs, preferably in a public agency or with legal or financial knowledge of such programs.

‘The Undersecretaries shall exercise the powers and functions as provided under Section

10, Chapter 2, Book IV of the Administrative Code of 1987.

SECTION 8. Assistant Secretaries. — The Secretary Shall also be assisted by five (5)
Assistant Secretaries appointed by the President of the Philippines upon the recommendation
of the Secretary one (1) for the Monitoring and Information Service; one (1) for the Planning
Service; one (1) for the Comptrollership and Financial Management Service; and one (1) for

the Administrative and Human Resource Management Service.

‘The Assistant Secretaries must possess a working knowledge of public administration

and must have a minimum of three (3) years of experience in the administration of water or

sanitation programs, or other public works programs.

‘The Assistant Secretaries shall perform such duties and functions as may be assigned

by the Secretary or provided for by law.

SECTION 9. Organizational Structure. — The Department shall be composed of 32

the following organizational units:

a) Department proper consisting of the Office of the Secretary, the Offices of the
Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries, the Administrative and Human Resource
Management, Monitoring and Information Service, Planning Service, and Comptrollership and

Financial Management;


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b) ‘The National Water Resources Board, whose mandate, powers and functions
are found in Presidential Decree No. 424, as amended;

°) The Local Water Utilities Administration, whose mandate, powers and 40
functions are defined in Presidential Decree No. 198, as amended;

d) ‘The National Irrigation Administration, whose mandate, power and functions
are stated in Republic Act No. 3601 as amended and Presidential Decree No. 552, as amended;

2 The Laguna Lake Development Authority, whose mandate, powers and
functions are laid out in Republic Act No- 4850, as amended;

) ‘The Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission, which was created by Executive
Order No. 54, Series of 19gg, as amended;

2) The Water Management Bureau, Which is tasked to enforce and implement
Republic Act No. 9275 and all environmental laws related to water management and
conservation;

h) Any other agency exercising water resources management, conservation and
protection functions which the President may order to be transferred to the Department; and

i)Regional offices, as deemed appropriate and necessary by the 10 Secretary.

SECTION 10. Administrative and Manpower Management Service. — The
Administrative and Manpower Management Service of the Department is responsible for
providing the Department with services relating to human resources development, personnel,
records, facilities maintenance, medical and dental, security, and property and procurement

services. For such purposes, it shall have 16 the following functions:

a) Advise the Secretary on all matters relating to internal administration and

human resources management;


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b) Prepare and implement an integrated personnel plan that includes provisions on
merit promotions, performance evaluation, job rotation, suggestions and incentive awards
systems, and health and welfare services;

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

d) Develop, establish, and maintain an efficient and cost-effective 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;

e) 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;

2) Develop, establish, and maintain an efficient records system;

h) Provide assistance in its area of specialization to the Department bureaus, and
regional offices and, when requested, the government and corporations attached to the
Department; and

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

SECTION 11. Monitoring and Information Service. — The Monitoring and
Information Service is responsible for providing the Secretary timely reports on the status of
various Department projects and activities and develop and implement information programs

for mass dissemination in coordination with the appropriate government agencies.


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‘The Monitoring and Information Service shall have the following functions:

a) Advise the Secretary on all matters relating to monitoring and public
information;
b) Develop and maintain a system for retrieving and processing monitoring

information on all projects and activities of concern to the Secretary;

° Provide accurate and timely status and exception reports to the Secretary;

4) _ Generate monitoring reports for the President, the Cabinet, or for any other
purpose as required by the Secretary;

°) Develop and supervise the implementation of communications programs to

have relevant policies, programs, and plans of the Department understood by the public;

Produce and supervise the dissemination of media materials in line with national
government public information programs;

2) Coordinate with the appropriate national government agencies tasked with
public information affairs; and

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

SECTION 12. Planning Service. — The Planning Service is responsible for providing

the Department with the capability to undertake infrastructure development planning and

programming. For this purpose, it shall have the following functions:

a) ‘Advise the Secretary on all matters relating to infrastructure planning

b) _ Assist the Undersecretary for Planning on all matters related to the specific
functions of the position;

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

development planning;


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d) Formulate 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 these water development plans;

°) Identify 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 thereof;

f) Prioritize project implementation and the allocation of funds and other resources
and package project proposals for funding and implementation,

2) Evaluate and appraise all regional interregional infrastructure development
plans and programs to their feasibility and consistency with approved strategies and long and
medium-term plans;

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

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

j)Provide technical assistance related to its functions to the other services, bureaus, and
the regional offices as needed; and

k) 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. Comptrollership and Financial Management Service. — The
Comptrollership and Financial Management Service is responsible for providing the
Department with coordinated services relating to financial systems and procedures, budget,
cash, accounting, and all financial housekeeping matters. For such purposes, it shall have the

following functions:


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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 repots to the proper offices;

©) Develop and maintain accounting, financial, and assets management systems,
procedures, and practices in the Department proper, bureaus, and regional offices;

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

e) _ Review and appraise systems and procedures. Organizational structure, assets
management practices, accounting, and other records, reports, and performance standards such
as budgets and standard costs of the Department proper, bureaus, and regional offices;

p Perform such other related duties and responsibilities as may be 25 assigned or
delegated by the Secretary or as may be required by law.

SECTION 14. Legal Service. — The Legal Service is responsible for providing the
Department with services on such legal affairs as contract letting and litigation, legal and
legislative research, complaints and investigation, legal counseling, and other matters of law.

For such purposes, it shall have the following functions:

a) ‘Advise the Secretary on all matters relating to legal affairs;

b) Prepare Department contracts and legal instruments, review and interpret all
contracts and agreements entered into by the Department, and evaluate all legal proposals;

c) Conduct administrative investigation as well as the review of administrative
charges against officers and employees of the Department;

d) Exercise functional jurisdiction over the legal staffs of regional offices;


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°) Provide legal assistance to the Department proper, the bureaus, and regional
offices and, when requested, the attached corporation; and
f) 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. Regional Office. — Regional offices shall be responsible for flood

control, water resource development systems, and other public works within their regional

jurisdiction. For this purpose, their duties and responsibilities shall be as follows:

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

b) Undertake the maintenance of the 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 the infrastructure as well as all public and private physical structures;

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

e) Coordinate with other departments, agencies, institutions, and organizations,
especially local government units within the region, in the planning and implementation of
infrastructure projects;

) Conduct continuing consultations with the local communities, 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

8) Perform such other related duties and responsibilities as may be 19 assigned or

delegated by the Secretary or as may be required by law.

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‘The Department shall retain and have such project management offices as may be
required, which shall be under the supervision and control of the appropriate regional director,
unless otherwise determined by the Secretary for reasons of supra-regional scope, magnitude,

and multi-functional coverage.

SECTION 16. Regional Director. — The 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 offlce. Towards this end, the regional director shall, within the
defined powers, exercise functional and administrative supervision over district offices within
the region including the authority to commit their resources and personnel to integrated
regional water management and flood control and flood risk management initiatives. The
regional director 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 one (1) assistant regional director who Shall
exercise supervision the planning, project design, evaluation, and technical assistance functions

of the regional office.

CHAPTER III
TRANSITORY PROVISIONS

SECTION 17. Interface with Other Sector Regulators. —

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

with the DENR with respect to the conservation of water resources.


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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 5 approach for

sanitation, including collection, treatment, and evaluation of wastewater.

c) The Department shall share responsibility with the Department of Public Works
and Highways 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.

d) The Department shall coordinate with the Department of Agriculture to ensure
availability of water for agricultural development, reduce sources of long term pollution for
surface water and groundwater, and agricultural and industrial economic development through
irrigation, water recycling and treating wastewater.

SECTION 18. 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 functions have been transferred to the

Department.

‘The transfer of powers and functions as indicated in the preceding paragraph, 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. The foregoing transfer of powers
and functions shall include all applicable funds, personnel, records, property, and equipment,
as may be necessary. All offices shall continue to function under their present mandates until

transition is effected as provided for under this Act.


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All rights and obligations of said government agencies are hereby transferred to and
assumed by the Department and shall be acted upon in accordance with the rules and

regulations of the Commission on Audit and other pertinent laws, rules, and regulations.

SECTION 19. Separation from Service. — Employees separated from government
service as a result of this Act shall, within six (6) months from their separation from the service,

receive the benefits to which they may be entitled under existing laws, rules, and regulations.

SECTION 20. Funding. — The sum of One hundred million pesos (P100,000,000.00)
shall be set aside from any available funds of the National Treasury, and is hereby appropriated

and authorized to be released, for the organization of the Department and its initial operations.

‘Thereafter, funds sufficient to fully carry out the objectives, powers, and functions of

the Department shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

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

of the President for approval,

SECTION 21. Periodic Performance Evaluation. — The Department is hereby
required to formulate and enforce a system of measuring and evaluating periodically and

objectively the performance of the Department and submit the same annually to the President.

SECTION 22. Prohibition Against Organizational Change. — No change in the
organizational structure herein prescribed shall be valid except upon prior approval of the
President for the purpose of promoting efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of public

services.


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SECTION 23. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full

force and effect.

SECTION 24. Repealing Clause. — The provisions on the charter creating the
following agencies Which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby amended or modified
accordingly, to wit;

a) National Water Resources Board under Presidential Decree No, 424 as
amended;

b) The Local Water Utilities Administration created by Presidential Decree 18 No.
198 as amended;

°) The National Irrigation Administration Republic Act No. 3601 as amended;

Furthermore, sub-sections 4(i) and 4(ee) of Republic Act No, 9275, entitled "Philippine
Clean Water Act Of 2004," Section 1 of Executive Order No. 360, entitled "Redefining, the
Composition and Powers of the National Water Resources Board," Series of 2010, Section 49
of Presidential Decree No. 198, entitled "Declaring a 24 National Policy Favoring Local
Operation and Control of Water Systems; Authorizing the Formation of Local Water Districts
and Providing for the Government and Administration of such Districts; Chartering a National
Administration to Facilitate Improvement of Local Water Utilities; Granting said
Administration such Powers as are Necessary to Optimize Public Service from Water utility
Operations, and For 29 Other Purposes," as amended, Executive Order No. 165, entitled
"Transferring the National Food Authority, National Irrigation Administration, Philippine
Authority, and Fertilizer and Pesticides Authority to the Office of the President," Series of
2014. Section 3.3(b) of Executive Order No. 149b entitled "Streamlining of the Office of the

President," Series of 1993, and Section 3(h) of Executive Order No, 54, entitled "Creating the


Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission," Series of 1999, are hereby amended or modified

accordingly to be consistent with this Act.

Accordingly, all laws, presidential decrees, letters of instructions, executive orders,
rules, regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof which are contrary to or inconsistent
with the provisions of this Act are likewise, revoked, repealed, 39 amended or modified
accordingly.

SECTION 25. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved.