EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES _)
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

House Bill Noo °96

Introduced by: Honorable Deogracias Victor ‘DV’ B. Savellano

AN ACT CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

A 2015 World Resources Institute study warned that the Philippines will likely experience a
"severe water shortage” in the year 2040. This is not surprising given the fact that in the World
Bank’s 2003 Philippine Environment Monitor, it was already reported that as of year 2000,
compared to other countries in Southeast Asia, the Philippines already ranked 2nd to the lowest
in terms on annual renewable water resources per capita.

Climate change hazards (rainfall variability, increasing temperatures, rising sea level and more
extreme weather) which pose major risks to water resources and a growing population will
further aggravate this situation. PAGASA’s downscaled climate projections have shown that the
country’s water resources will be one of the most adversely affected by climate hazards. This
highlights the urgent need to properly plan for and manage our finite water resources in order to
meet the increasing demand of a growing population, continuing cconomic development amidst
many competing users.

The outcome document of the Rio +20 Earth Summit, entitled “The Future that We Want”
emphasized just how important water is by stating that that “Water is at the Core of Sustainable
Development”. It is acknowledged that there can be no development without water; there can be
no life without water. Or to put it more succinctly, Water is Life!

‘Access to safe and potable drinking water as a basic right was recognized by the United Nations
as one of its Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). In July 28, 2010, 122 countries formally
acknowledged this "right to water" in a UN General Assembly. Barely two months later, the ITN
Human Rights Council adopted a binding resolution recognizing that the human right to water
and sanitation is part of the right to adequate standard of living.

Yet, in the Philippines, as of 2015, more than 12 million people still get water from unsafe
sources. More than four million people do not have access to sanitary toilets and thus, defecate
openly. An additional two million are limited to unimproved sanitation facilities


As pointed out by the Philippine Water Supply and Sanitation Master Plan (PWSSMP), it is
imperative that these present problems are addressed considering the adverse impacts that unsafe
water supply and polluted waters have on people’s health, and the economy.

Based on the 5-year data from the National Epidemiology Center of the Department of Health,
31% of illnesses was water related.' It has been estimated that the cconomic impacts of poor
sanitation to be in the order of US$ 1.4 billion, equivalent to about 1.5% of GDP in 2005 with
health impacts accounting for 72% at US$1B. Episodes of red tides and fish kills in different
parts of the country highlight the extent of the losses of livelihood of our fisher folks from
polluted waters. And the recent closure of Boracay due to severely polluted waters (mainly
coming from sewage) also highlights the adverse impacts of dirty waters on the tourism industry,
which is a major contributor to economic growth.

Unfortunately, the management of the country’s water resources remains fragmented and
uncoordinated with over 30 government units and agencies at national and local levels
implementing separate and disharmonized policies, plans and programs to develop and operate
water facilities and infrastructure for various uses, regulate water use and set tariffs, and monitor
water-related parameters. This continued overlapping and fragmented management and
regulation of water resources and services hinders the enactment and implementation of a
comprehensive, integrated and doable long-term solution to address keener competition,
imbalance resource utilization and conflict of interests among water users, especially in areas
already identified as water-stressed. It puts at risk the attainment of the SDG target of universal
‘access to safe water supply and improved sanitation by 2030.

‘There is an urgent need for an integrated and coordinated planning and implementation of
programs and projects that promote synchronized, sustainable and science-based management of
the country’s water resources that would address the imbalance in water resource utilization,
reduced water availability, declining water quality, recurrent flooding, and other water-related
issues in many parts of the country. This cannot be achieved without addressing the fundamental
governance and institutional issues of the sector.

Consistent with the various studics, plans, and initiatives conducted in the past two (2) decades
which have supported the need for the establishment of a strong apex body for the water
resources sector, the Philippine Development Plan (2017-2022) identified as a primary strategy
for the water supply, sewerage and sanitation sub-sector the creation of an apex body for water
resources management and the formulation of master plans to address the fragmented structure
and that foster coordinated efforts across the country. This actually holds true for the entire water
sector.

An apex body for the water sector is critically needed in order to have a single entity that will be
in charge of the overall planning, programming, policy formulation, and management for the
sector. It will serve as the sector's champion and ensure that subsector policies and plans are
aligned with the overall Sector Master Plan. It will coordinate, monitor and evaluate sector

excluding Timor Leste and Brunei who were not included in the study


performance and take appropriate action as needed. It will conduct extensive and regular
hydrological studies/analyses which are very vital for water planning and allocation purposes

It is thus proposed that a Department of Water Resources be created to ensure that Filipinos
benefit from this fundamental human right and that this finite resource will be sustained. The
immediate approval of this bill is carnestly sought.

DEOGRACIAS ‘OR ‘DV’ B. SAVELLANO


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES __)
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

House Bill No, 3558

Introduced by Hon. Deogracias Victor ‘DV’ B. Savellano

AN ACT CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

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

Chapter I: GENERAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the Department of Water Resources Act
(or the Act creating the Department of Water).

SECTION 2. Declaration of National Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
ensure the provision of safe, adequate, affordable and sustainable water supply and improved
sanitation services, while maintaining the protection, preservation and revival of the quality of
the country’s water resources and ecological balance.”

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. For purposes of this Act, the following terms are
hereby defined:

a) Department refers to the Department of Water Resources (or Department of Water),

b) Flood Control refers to methods, acts and protocols to be observed in order to prevent
and reduce the detrimental and catastrophic effects of flood waters which include
sediment-laden or turbid flows, hyper-concentrated flows or debris flows.

Flood Risk Management (FRM) refers to such acts of defining and determining the
appropriate methods, acts and protocols aimed at preventing and reducing the risk of
incurring loss of both life and property due to flood waters. Flood risk management
consists of a cycle of prevention, mitigation, adaptation, preparedness and early warning,
and, finally response and recovery. The elements of FRM include: integrating land-use
planning, coastal zone management into water management; adopting a holistic approach
so that FRM is part of wider risk or multi-hazard management (earthquake, landslides,
storm surge, etc); managing risk and uncertainty as a whole so it is not only hydrological

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uncertainties but also social, economic and political uncertainties in view of the human
behavior and cultural dimensions of FRM.

d)

Gender Equality refers to the principle asserting the equality of men and women and their
right to enjoy equal conditions realizing their full human potentials to contribute to and
benefit from the results of development, and with the State recognizing that all human
beings are free and equal in dignity and rights.

©) “Infrastructure and public works” as used in this Act should be read 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, power and duties of
the Department.

f) JWRM refers to the Integrated Water Resource Management or to a systematic,
collaborative and multi-stakeholder process, which promotes the coordinated
development and management of water, land and related resources within geophysical
boundaries in order to maximize the resultant economic and social welfare in an equitable
manner and without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems.

g) Levels of water supply service shall mean as follows:
Level I (point source) ~ a protected well or a developed spring with an outlet but without
any distribution system, generally adaptable for rural and upland areas where the houses
are thinly scattered. A Level | facility usually serves an average of 15 households.

Level II (communal faucet system or stand posts) ~ a system composed of a water source,
a reservoir, a piped distribution network, and communal faucets. Usually, one faucet
serves 4 to 6 households. Generally suitable for rural and urban fringe areas where houses
are clustered densely to justify a simple piped system.

Level III (waterworks system or individual house connections) — a system with a water
source, a reservoir, a piped distribution network and household taps. This is generally
suited for denscly populated urban arcas

h

LGU refers to Local Government Unit or to the territorial and political subdivisions of the
Philippines as defined under the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines, which includes
provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays.

i) NDRRMC refers to the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council

PDP refers to the country’s medium-term development called the Philippine
Development Plan

J

k) RBO refers to multi-stakeholder River Basin Organization or to organizations which plan,
coordinate and monitor activities within a river basin cluster.

1) Sanitation refers to sewage, sanitation and septage management.


m) Sediment management refers to control of sediment erosion and deposition in rivers,
reservoirs and coastal zones through non-structural and structural measures and control
works.

n) SDG refers to the United Nation’s sustainable development goals.

0)

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

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 run-off conveyed by a sewerage system for treatment or disposal. For
purpose of this Act, the definition of septage shall be included in the use of sewage.

P)

Sewerage refers to any system or network of sanitary pipelines, ditches, channels or
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,

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Sewers refer to pipes or such other works or structures which are built and constructed to
treat, carry, transport and dispose sewage.

8) Social inclusion refers to the process of improving the terms for disadvantaged
individuals and groups to take part in society.

t

Tariffs refer to such amounts which may be charged by licensees of water supply and/or
sanitation services for their services based on principles, standards and guidelines
established by the Department.

u)

Water Demand Management (WDM) refers to any method — whether technical,
economic, administrative, financial, or social — that will accomplish one (or more) of the
following things: (1) reduce the quantity or quality of water required to accomplish a
specific task (2) adjust the nature of the task or the way it is undertaken so that it can be
accomplished with less water or with lower quality water (3) reduce the loss in quantity
or quality of water as it flows from source through use to disposal (4) shift the timing of
use from peak to off-peak periods (5) increase the ability of the water system to continue
to serve society during times when water is in short supply.

v

Water Resources Regional Offices (WRROs) - refer to the field office of the Department
which are to be established in accordance with the identified water resources regions in
the country.


w) Water Service Providers (WSPs) refer to the water districts, any LGU-run water utility,
BWSA, RWSA, cooperatives and private sector who provides water supply services to
any given area.

x) Water supply service refers to any activity comprising Levels I, I and III water supply
including bulk suppliers, supplicrs to subdivisions and other water service providers.

Chapter I. ORGANIZATION

SECTION 4. The Department of Water Resources (or the Department of Water). — There is
hereby created and established the Department of Water Resources, hereinafter referred to as the
“Department,” which shall be organized within one hundred eighty (180) days after the
effectivity of this Act. The Department shall have the organizational structure, powers and
functions needed to perform its mandate as provided in this Chapter.

SECTION 5. Mandate of the Department. The Department shall be the primary agency
responsible for the comprehensive and integrated water resources development and management
for the Philippines. It shall exercise such powers and functions needed to review, revise,
harmonize and integrate policies and regulations for conservation of water resources and
effective management of water supply, sanitation, irrigation, hydropower, flood control, storm
water/ urban drainage. The Department shall be guided by the integrated water resources
management (IWRM) framework, take climate risks into account, and ensure sustainability of
natural ecosystem functions and services. In managing water resources, the Department shall aim
to improve water conservation and increase system efficiencies, and optimize the use of all
freshwater in the country including groundwater, surface water, rainwater, run-offs, floods, storm
water and urban drainage, and treated wastewater to meet various needs.

SECTION 6. Objectives of the Department. Consistent with its mandate, the Department shall
have the following objectives:

a) To prioritize and seek the immediate attainment of universal access to safe, adequate,
affordable and sustainable water supply and improved sanitation services for all Filipinos
in a manner consistent with the protection, preservation and revival of the quality of the
country’s water resources, and to adopt all needed measures to advance the right of the
people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of
nature,

b)

To strengthen and coordinate integrated water resources management planning and policy
making to ensure sustainable and fair allocation and efficient use of water resources
among competing uses and users, including but not limited to, domestic and municipal
use, agriculture (irrigation, farming & fisheries), power generation, commercial, and
industrial use;

c) To ensure that integrated water resources management is strongly coordinated with land
use/cover, coastal zone and multi-hazard planning and management.


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To ensure and oversee the implementation of the Water Code of the Philippines;

©)

To promote State participation in information sharing and education around best practices
in the international movement to achieve universal access to safe water and improved
sanitation and the integration of water, energy, food security and environment;

f) To ensure that gender equality, social inclusion, climate resiliency and disaster risk
reduction are integrated into any water resources management planning, policy making,
and the design and construction of water infrastructure;

g) To strengthen and coordinate policy making and planning for flood management,
integrated with storm water/urban drainage and appropriate retention or retarding basins
in order to plan against, prevent, and minimize the detrimental and catastrophic effects of
flooding;

hy

To encourage and enable private sector participation in the continued growth and
development of water sector,

i) To promote and adopt water demand management as a national policy to ensure that
water is optimized, that water efficiency and conservation become a way of life, that the
recycling and reuse of water and treated wastewater are widely practiced, that water is
properly priced to encourage efficient use and conservation and that rainwater, flood
waters, and run-ofis are captured/harvested, stored and treated for future use;

j) To ensure that the planning and design of water infrastructure considers the highest
efficiency and most appropriate quality, in accordance with national development
objectives; and

k) To ensure the effective implementation of all the provisions of RA 9275, known as the
Clean Water Act of the Philippines.

SECTION 7. Powers and Duties of the Department. — The Department shall have the following
powers and duties:

I. __ Policy-making and Planning:

a) Ensure that Integrated Water Resources Management is adopted as the strategic
framework for water management policy-making and planning in the country and
coordinate the implementation, promotion, revision and enhancement of IWRM plans;

b)

Provide policy direction, strategies, and targets in coordination with other relevant
entities to meet the goals and objectives for water supply and sanitation, water quality,
irrigation, hydropower, flood control, storm water, and urban drainage. Such policies
shall, among other things, integrate the issues of water and sanitation, food security,
energy, environment and flood control;


Secaorsaueune

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Formulate and develop policies to promote universal access to safe, adequate, affordable,
and sustainable water supply, and improved sanitation services for all Filipinos;

Formulate and promulgate rules and regulations for the development, and optimum
utilization of water resources and its administration and management, including coherent
water protocols and operation rules of all cxisting and future watcr infrastructure; and the
imposition on fees or charges as may be deemed necessary by the Department for water
resources development;

Develop, in consultation with other agencies and stakeholders, the National Water
Resources Management Master Plan following the IWRM framework and building on the
1998 Master Plan Study on Water Resources Management, the Philippine Water Supply
and Sanitation Master Plan and existing plans of other agencies;

Conduct continuing hydrologic surveys and studies of the country’s renewable water
‘supply, establish, operate and maintain observation station networks with a view towards
formulating long-term policies to balance the sustainability and optimal multiple use of
water resources, defining the hydrologic boundaries of basins of the existing water supply
sources and developing or updating and implementing countrywide comprehensive basin-
wide master plans;

Establish, operate, and maintain a centralized water resources data center necessary for
the scientific survey and appraisal of surface and ground water potentials of the country
and determine the annual renewable water available per water resources region;

Assist and provide the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)
secretariat with required data and input from and for the water scctor in the formulation
of the country’s short-term and long-term strategic development plans, and actions and
recommend the adoption of general policies and guidelines for water resources
development to the NEDA secretariat;

Review and approve water resources development plans and programs of any agency
within the context of the National Water Resource Management Master Plan and overall
national plans and program;

Regularly review regulations prescribed by any government agency pertaining to water
use, exploitation, development, conservation or protection of waters, water resources, and
watershed or basin areas;

Develop and implement in coordination with other relevant agencies, effective codes,
standards, benchmarks, and reasonable guidelines to ensure the safety of all public, and
private water structures in the country and assure efficiency and proper quality in the
construction of water, sanitation, irrigation, hydropower, flood control and drainage
infrastructure;


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1) Review existing guidelines appropriate for Private Sector Participation in the water sector
and make needed recommendations to the PPP Center, NEDA and other concerned
agencies to promote and enable more PPPs in the sector,

m) Effect inter-sectoral, inter-agency, and inter-departmental coordination on all aspects of
data gathering for watcr resources development planning and compel submissions of
statistics and data on water management with the aim of operationalizing the integrated
approach to water resources management;

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

Il. _ Resource Regulation

a) Manage, protect, and preserve the country’s 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 watershed, control of water pollution and environmental restoration,
without compromising the natural ecosystem functions and services;

b) Regulate and control the utilization, abstraction, diversion and development of water
resources, taking in consideration its equitable distribution among competing demands
and determine the standards of beneficial and priority uses of water in times of crisis and
national emergencies;

Determine, adjudicate, and grant water rights amending, for this purpose, Act No. 2152,
and other laws relating to the appropriation and utilization of surface and groundwater;

©

d)

Formulate and enforce rules and regulations for the development and optimum use of
water resources and its administration and management, and implement rules and
guidelines for the enforcement of water-related laws including coherent water protocols ,
operational rules of all existing and future water infrastructure and appropriate sanctions
to be imposed for non-compliance;

Il. Administration and Management:

a) Develop guidelines including rules of partnership among the Department, field offices of
national government agencies, LGUs and other stakeholders, and facilitate the
establishment of multi-stakeholder river basin organizations (RBOs) per river basin and
strengthen and support existing RBOs and monitor their activities;

b) Develop materials for capacity building and training on RBO development and conduct
training and workshops for prospective river basins;

©) 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;

d) Provide technical assistance to water users including but not limited to farmers,
communities, LGUs and other water service providers (WSP) whether directly or in
coordination with other agencies on all aspects of integrated watcr resources
management,

©)

Respond to consumer complaint/s, and ensure the adequate promotion of consumer
interests;

f) Deputize agents, whether from the public or private sector, to assist in the performance of
any of the powers and functions of the Department;

g) Appoint, hire and maintain adequate staff and personnel, advisers and/or consultants with
suitable qualifications and experience, as necessary;

IV. Coordination

a) Coordinate and integrate, on a sound and logical basis, water resources development
activities of the country within the context of national plans and policies for social and
‘economic development;

b) Coordinate with other government agencies, universities and private professional groups
for all aspects of data gathering, the conduct of special studies and research on all related
aspects of water resources management and development such as climate change,
environmental quality, desalination, and the development of operating strategies,
procedures, and protocols with accompanying computerized decision tools for major
water facilities;

c) Coordinate with the concemed and relevant agencies engaged in flood control, flood risk
management and drought risk management,

d) Proactively coordinate with Local Government Units to ensure the integration of water
resources development plans into their comprehensive land use plans (CLUPs),
Comprehensive Development Plans (CDPs) or Provincial Physical Framework and
Development Plan (PPFDP).

Vv. General or Others
a) Exercise such other powers and functions necessary or incidental to the effective
administration and management of the country’s water resources; and,

b) Carry out such other functions as the President may from time to time assign to the
Department consistent with the aims and provisions of this Act.

SECTION 8. Secretary of the Department of Water Resources (or Department of Water). —
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
Resources, hereinafter referred to as the Secretary, who 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;

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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;

e)

Supervise all attached agencies and corporations in accordance with law;

f)_ Represent the Department in contracts, awards, and the like;

As deemed appropriate by the Secretary, delegate authority for the performance of any
power or function, as defined herein to officials and employees under his direction, and

8)

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

No person shall be appointed Secretary unless he possesses extensive knowledge of public
administration and has a minimum of ten (10) years experience in the administration of water,
sanitation, irrigation, flood control and drainage programs preferably in a public agency.

SECTION 9. Office of the Secretary. ~ The Office of the Secretary shall be composed of the
Secretary and his immediate staff.

SECTION 10, Undersecretaries. ~ The Sccretary shall be assisted by not more than five (5)
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: Provided, that such responsibility shall be with
respect to the mandate and objectives of the Department; and Provided further, that no
Undersecretary shall be assigned primarily administrative responsibilities. Within 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 assigned units for which the Undersecretary
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.

One (1) of the Undersecretaries shall be the Undersecretary for Planning and Policy who should
be a Career Officer and shall have primary responsibility, in coordination with the Planning and
Policy Service, for advancing 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 and Policy shall also have the primary responsibility for knowledge
sharing and advancement of efforts around the integration of water, energy, environment and
food security.

No person shall be appointed Undersecretary unless he possesses a working knowledge of public
administration and has a minimum of seven (7) years experience in the administration of water,
sanitation, irrigation, flood control and storm water drainage, preferably in a public agency or
with legal, financial or financial knowledge of such programs; provided that only five (5) years
experience shall be required for the Undersecretary to be assigned for support services

SECTION 11. Assistant Secretaries. — The Secretary shall be assisted by six (6) Assistant
Secretaries appointed by the President of the Philippines upon the recommendation of the
Secretary: one to be responsible for Planning and Policy Service; one for Decision Support
System Service; one for the Regulatory Service; one for the Comptrollership and Financial
Management Service; one for the Legal and Legislative Service; and one for the Administrative
and Human Resources Management Service.

No person shall be appointed Assistant Secretary unless he possesses a working knowledge of
public administration and has a minimum of five (5) years experience in the administration of
water, sanitation, irrigation, flood control and storm water drainage or other water resources
management programs.

SECTION 12. Organizational Structure, — The Department shall be composed of the following
organizational units:

a) Department Proper consisting of the Office of the Sccretary, the Offices of the
Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries, the Internal Audit Office, the Public Affairs
Office, the Pollution Adjudication Board, the Planning and Policy Service, Decision
Support System Service, Administrative and Human Resources Service, Legal and
Legislative Service, Comptrollership and Financial Management Service and Resource
Regulation Service.

b) The Attached Agencies, namely:
i, The Local Water Utilities Administration, whose mandate, powers and functions are
defined in Presidential Decree No. 198, as amended and which will be transferred

from DPWH and attached to the Department. It shall continue to be primarily a
specialized lending institution for the promotion, development and financing of local

water utilities. In the implementation of its functions, the Administration shall (a)
prescribe minimum standards and regulations in order to assure acceptable standards

of construction materials and supplies, maintenance, operation, personnel training,


iii.

accounting and fiscal practices for local water utilities; (b) furnish technical
assistance and personnel training programs for local water utilities; (c) monitor and
evaluate local water standards; and (d) effect system integration, joint investment and
operation, district annexation and de-annexation whenever economically
warranted .(as amended by Sec. 22, PD 768)

The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), whose mandates,
powers and functions are defined by Republic Act No. 6324, as amended, and which
will be transferred from the DPWH and attached to the Department. It will continue
to facilitate the exercise by the concessionaires of its agency powers, carry out
accounting and notification functions, monitor, report, and administer loans and
perform related functions in connections with existing projects, manage and dispose
its retained assets and manage and operate the Umiray-Angat Transbasin Project.

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 and which will be transferred from the Office of the President and attached
to the Department. It will

- 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 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 or under its administration, such fees or administration charges as
may be necessary to cover the cost of operation, maintenance, and insurance and
recover the costs of construction within a reasonable period of time to the extent
consistent with government policy; and

- recover funds or portions thereof expended for the construction and/or
rehabilitation of communal irrigation systems (CIS) which shall accrue to a
special fund for irrigation development.

‘The Laguna Lake Development Authority, whose mandate, powers and functions are
laid out in Republic Act No. 4850, as amended which will be transferred from DENR
and attached to the Department. It will continue to serve as the lake management and
development authority similar to a multi-stakeholder river basin organization and will


ensure the implementation of the Laguna Lake Master Plan which will be updated by
the Department to ensure alignment with the National Master Plan for Water
Management. Its regulatory powers will however be taken over by the Department.

v. The Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission, which was created by Executive Order
No. 54, series of 1999, as amended which will be transferred from the Office of the
President and attached to the Department. It will update the existing master plan to
ensure consistency with the National Water Resources Management Master Plan,
regulate easement, integrate and coordinate development programs, abate industrial
wastewater and sewerage dumping and enforce environmental laws, relocate formal
and informal settlers, undertake civil works such as dredging, clearing of structures,
cleaning of the river and its tributaries/esteros, prepare regular Status Report to the
President, coordinate with other national and local government agencies/units and
formulate its own implementing rules and regulations

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

vii. Water Resources Regional Offices, based on the water resources regions of the
country, as deemed appropriate and necessary by the Secretary.

SECTION 13. Offices, functions and personnel 10 be completely subsumed by the
Department.

The following offices with their powers, functions, personnel, applicable funds and
appropriations, records, equipment and property are to be subsumed by the Department:

a) The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) with all its divisions and sections, whose
mandate, powers and functions are found in Presidential Decree No. 424, as amended;

b) The River Basin Control Office (RBCO) of the DENR whose mandate, powers and
functions are found in Executive Order No. 510 and Executive Order No. 816, as
amended;

c) The Manila Bay Coordinating Office (MBCO) of the DENR which was created by virtue
of DENR Special Order 2011-01 to coordinate the efforts of the 14 national agencies
covered by the Mandamus Order of the Supreme Court to rehabilitate Manila Bay;

4) The flood management planning and sediment management function of the Flood Control
Management Cluster of the DPWH; and

) The Water Quality Management Section of the EMB of the DENR.

SECTION 14. Functions to be transferred to the Department.


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a) The function of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the DENR to conduct
hydrological surveys;

b) The monitoring of stream flow and other water data collection function of the Bureau of
Design of the DPWH.

SECTION 15. Planning and Policy Service. ~ The Planning and Policy Service is hereby
created to provide the Department with the capability to undertake water infrastructure
development planning and programming. For this purpose, it shall have the following functions:

a)

Advise the Secretary on all matters relating to water resources planning;

b)

Assist the Undersecretary for Planning and Policy on all matters related to the specific
functions of the position;

¢)

Formulate strategies and priorities for water resources management and development
consistent with national development objectives and initiate or undertake relevant surveys
for development planning;

d

Develop and regularly update a comprehensive and integrated National Water Resources
Management Master Plan and ensure its integration into existing land use plans;

©

Coordinate river-basin planning following the integrated water resources management
framework and the river-basin approach;

f) Formulate or update existing River Basin Master (or comprehensive) Plans which
includes all aspects of water management and development such as water supply and
sanitation, irrigation, flood control and storm water/urban drainage, drought risk
management, water resource development systems and other public water works
projects, including phasing of implementation;

g) Based on the river basin master plan, identify priority packages for water infrastructure
development per river basin including water supply, sanitation, irrigation, flood control
and storm water/urban drainage, drought risk management, water resource development
systems and other public works projects; package project proposals for funding and
prioritize project implementation and the allocation of funds and other resources and
undertake or supervise and evaluate the conduct of feasibility studies and project
preparation thereof;

h) Evaluate and appraise all regional and inter-regional infrastructure water development
plans and programs as to their feasibility and consistency with approved strategies and
long and medium-term plans;

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

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


k) Provide technical assistance related to its functions to the other Services, Bureaus and the
Regional Offices as needed;

1) Conduct hydrologic and hydraulic surveys and assessments of surface waters;
m) Develop general criteria and standards on project investigation, formulation, planning;

n) Develop guidelines and standards on social inclusion in water resources management and
ensure policies, programs and plans are compliant with the gender and development
framework of the government;

0) Closely coordinate with PAGASA for rainfall and other climate data which should be
considered in the planning for water resources development and management and for
various water infrastructure; and

p) 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. Decision Support System Service. — The Decision Support System Service is
hereby created to provide the Department with water resource management tools and
computerized decision support system that incorporates data management system (acquisition
and database) and model base (physical, design, planning and decision models). Additionally, the
services include services related to networking, data management, and information and
knowledge/learning management systems for administrative and non-technical support for the
department. The Service is also responsible for providing the Secretary timely reports on the
status of various Department projects and activities. For this purpose, it shall have the following
functions:

a) Provide the Secretary needed data and processed information to aid in policy and
management decisions under the mandate of the Department,

'b) Publish available real-time raw water data (through internet) as well as verified or
validated water data (in print and/or electronic form through internet) in tabular and
graphical displays as time series and/or spatial data;

c) Conduct standard data analysis such as basic statistical analysis, trend analysis, analysis
of runs, cluster analysis, etc. and also publish in print and/or electronic form;

4) Develop and continuously update water resource management, computerized decision
support system (DSS) that incorporates data management system (acquisition and
database), model base (physical, design, planning and decision models), and user-friendly
interface (graphical and visualization tools). This DSS is composed but not limited to: a
measurement or data acquisition system; information or database management syste!
analytical and numerical models for design/planning and decision/evaluation purpos



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and, finally, a user-friendly interface which includes graphical interface or visualization
tools.

¢) The specific models to be developed and maintained should include but not limited to the
following: long-term climatologic and weather forecasting model; watershed models and
river-floodplain models; groundwater models and coupled to surface water models; flood
forecasting model for major rivers; optimization-simulation and/or management models
for watershed conservation, conjunctive surface and groundwater use, irrigation
scheduling, normal and emergency operations of multipurpose reservoirs; and, water
quality and ecological models.

f) Develop and manage the management information system and knowledge systems of
the Department including the retrieval and processing of monitoring information on all
projects and activities of concer to the Secretary and the web portal and conduct systems
and process engineering, software development, software configuration management;
develop and manage the Department’s corporate database, unified database for water
industry, data warehouse, other water information resources, library services and
document management and archiving services; develop and manage the Department’s
ICT infrastructure and provide ICT related-  servicestothe Department
including computer networking and voice communications services and data exchange;
manage the literacy and training services of the Department on various ICTs, KM tools
and applications including information and knowledge management.

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

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SECTION 17. Administrative and Human Resource Service. ~ The Administrative and Human
Resource Service is hereby created to provide 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 the following functions:

a) Advise the Sceretary on all matters relating to internal administration and human
resources management,

b) Prepare and implement an integrated personnel development plan that shall include
provisions for 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;

qd)

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:


G

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;

f) Coordinate with the appropriate government agencies for a more efficient conduct of
administrative processes;

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

bh

Provide assistance in its area of specialization to the Department Proper, Bureaus and
Regional and District Offices and, when requested, the government agencies 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 18. Legal and Legislative Service. — The Legal and Legislative Service is hereby
created to provide 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 and legislative 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;

©

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;

Provide legal assistance to the Department Proper, the Bureaus and Regional Offices and
when requested, the attached corporations;

f) Develop and prepare the Department’s Legislative Agenda, recommend presidential
certification of the urgency of priority water bills, and other water-related legislations;

g) Coordinate and maintain linkages among the various offices, bureaus, regional offices
and attached agencies to the DWR along with other government agencies on policy
matters affecting the Department’s mandate in relation to legislation;

h

Maintain effective liaison with the Congress and the Senate regarding legislative
inquiries and enactment of water bills or other laws that will affect water into law;


i) Monitor the progress of the Department's priority/certified bills to ensure their passage;
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 19. Comptrollership and Financial Management Service. — The Comptrollership
and Financial Management Service is hereby created to provide 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

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;

»d)

Prepare budget proposals and pursue formal budget authorizations, undertake budget
execution, and prepare and submit all appropriate reports to the proper offices;

G

Develop and maintain accounting, financial and assets management systems, procedures
and practices in the Department Proper, Bureaus and Regional Offices;

d

Review and appraise systems and procedures, organizational structure, assets
management practices, accounting, and other records, reports, ad performance standards
such as budgets and standard costs of the Department, bureaus, and regional offices;

fc)

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

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 20. - Resource Regulation Service. The Resource Regulatory Service is hereby
created to provide the Department with services on resource regulation of all water-related
services and activities. For such purposes, it shall have the following functions:

Advise the Secretary on all matters relating to resource regulations;

b) Determine, grant and regulate water rights for the appropriate, optimal and sustainable
use of surface and ground water,

©)

Determine, evaluate and grant waterworks and sewerage franchises;

dq)

Investigate violations of the water rights and the Water Code and impose the appropriate
sanctions in accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations as well as future rules
and regulations which the Department will promulgate;


) Adjudicate water use conflicts; and,

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

SECTION 21. Internal Audit Office. — The Internal Audit Office is hereby created for the
Purpose of conducting comprehensive audit of various Department activities and will report
directly to the Secretary. Specifically, it shall have the following functions:

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 the degree of compliance with established objectives, policies,
standards, methods and procedures, government regulations and contractual obligations
of the Department,

c) Review and appraise systems and procedures, organizational structure, assets
management practices, accounting and other records, and performance standards (such as
budgets and standard costs) of the Department Proper, Bureaus and Regional Offices;

4) Analyze and evaluate management deficiencies and assist top management to solve
problems by recommending realistic courses of action; 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 22. Public Affairs Office. - The Public Affairs Office is hereby created for the
purpose of enhancing government relations with all stakeholders including the media. It shall
ensure that women, men, older people and people with disabilities will be consulted, organized
and can take active part in all aspects of water resources development and management
activities. The office will also lead the planning and organizing of the special events of the
Department. For such purposes, it shall have the following functions:

A. Public Awareness
a) Advise the Secretary on matters pertaining to public affairs services;

b) 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 communication materials in line with the
priorities of the Department and the national government public information programs:

©)

d) Conduct public opinion and attitude surveys to identify the interests and concerns of key

groups served by the Department;


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b)

©

d)

co
a)
b)

°)

Establish editorial policies on print and broadcast media;

Establish and maintain linkages with the tri-media and presence in social media;
Coordinate the conduct of interviews and news conferences;

Act as spokesperson for the Department;

Coordinate with various Department units, concerned government agencies, tri-media
and other stakeholders on matters related to the above-enumerated functions;

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

Promoting Participation.
Conduct public consultations and discussions;

Develop and disseminate relevant and appropriate materials and programs for public
information and education, as well as advocacy campaign;

Conduct seminars and workshops involving the LGUs and the general public on current
water issues and problems;

Conduct capability building seminars of various stakeholders to promote meaningful
participation in the Department’s policy making, planning, development and
implementation of various programs and projects.

Special Events

Coordinate the organization and promotion of special events and water exhibits;

Act as the focal point for all water related events.

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

SECTION 23. Pollution Adjudication Board. — There is hereby created a Pollution
Adjudication Board under the Office of the Secretary. The Board shall be composed of the
Secretary as Chairman, two (2) Undersecretaries as may be designated by the Secretary, the
Director of Water Quality Management Bureau and three (3) other representatives from other
stakeholders to be designated by the Secretary as members. The Board shall assume the powers
and functions of the Commission/Commissioners of the National Pollution Control Commission
with respect to the adjudication of water pollution cases under Republic Act No. 3931,
Presidential Decree 984, particularly with respect to Section 6 letters e, f,g, j, k and p of the P-D.
984 and RA 9275. The Bureau of Water Quality Management shall serve as the Secretariat of the


Board.

These powers and functions may be delegated to the field officers of the Department in

accordance with rules and regulations to be promulgated by the Board.

SECTION 24. Bureaus. ~ Each Bureau shall be headed by a Bureau Director who shall be
responsible for efficiently and effectively carrying out the functions of the Bureau concerned.
The Bureau Director shall be assisted by one (1) Assistant Director.

SECTION 25. Bureau of Flood Control and Drainage. — The Bureau of Flood Control and
Drainage is hereby created to plan and design flood control and drainage structures and facilities
in accordance with technical standards, guidelines and manuals. For this purpose, it shall have
the following duties and responsibilities:

a)

b)

°)

d)

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Formulate policy, strategies and programs on flood risk management in the context of
integrated flood management (IFM) which integrates water, land, coastal zone and multi-
hazard management. In integrating land-use planning and water management, the
Department should harmonize and synthesize plans to enable the sharing of information
between land-use planning and water management authorities. In integrating hazard
management, a holistic approach should be adopted so that IFM should be part of a wider
risk or multi-hazard management system (e.g., earthquake, landslides, fire, tsunami, etc.);

Integrate climate change and disaster risk reduction and management in policies and
plans;

Prepare master plans of flood management and drainage in river basins in coordination
with the concerned water resources region and river basin organizations;

Prepare master plans of urban drainage in cities/municipalities;
Prepare feasibility studies of recommended measures in the master plans;

Plan and design structural measures for flood control and drainage;

Implement and/or collaborate with concemed agencies on the non-structural measures;
Patrol and investigate rivers including the monitoring of stream flows;

Conduct post-disaster investigation and evaluation and damage assessment of flood
infrastructures after extreme events;

Conduct research and development on water and sediment-related disasters;

Develop design guidelines, criteria and standards on flood control and drainage
structures,

Provide technical assistance to other agencies, LGUs and other stakeholders;


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m) Advise the Secretary on declaring flood control areas and recommend gui

n)

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flood plain management plans in these areas; 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 26. Bureau of Water Quality Management. — The Bureau of Water Quality
Management is hereby created to supervise and control over all aspects of water quality
management to ensure the sustainability of the country’s water resources and the protection of
the environment. It should take into account proper and integrated treatment of freshwater and
wastewater within the whole process. For this purpose, it shall have the following duties and

responsibil

a)

b)

°)

4)

e)

g

h)

k

ies:

Establish water quality guidelines for freshwater and coastal/marine waters as basis for
classifying water bodies in the country. Specifically, develop water quality indeces or
composite metrics to measure of the quality status and health of natural water bodies in
relation to ecological integrity and function

Establish effluent standards for point sources of pollution;

Establish intemationally accepted procedures for sampling and analysis;

Prepare an integrated water quality management framework;

Prepare 10-year water quality management plans for each water quality management area
as part of the River Basin Master Plans and in support of the National Water Resources
Management Master Plan;

Classify groundwater sources and prepare a national groundwater vulnerability map;

Classify or reclassify all water bodies according to their beneficial usages using the
established water quality guidclincs established;

Issue permits, clearances and similar instruments pursuant to the Clean Water Act of
2004;

Collect the wastewater discharge (EUF) fees for all those permitted;

Monitor the compliance of water discharge for all those permitted with the effluent
standards;

Regularly monitor the water quality of major water bodies in the country and analyze the
data to identify possible sources of pollution;

Issue notices of violations and/or cease and desist orders for those found in violation;


m) File the needed cases against violators with the Pollution Adjudication Board;
n) Serve as secretariat of the PAB; and

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

SECTION 27. Water Resources Regional Offices. - The Water Resources Regional Offices,
organized per water resources region shall be responsible for implementing the mandates,
powers and duties of the Department at the field level, except for policymaking which will be
vested solely with the Central Office. The master planning for the nearby river basins (e.g. Pasig-
Marikina-Laguna Lake-Cavite) will likewise be the responsibility of the Central Office. For this
purpose, the duties and responsibilities of the WRRO shall be as follows

a) Formulate or update and coordinate the river basin master plans for river basins within its
jurisdictions ensuring consistency with the National Water Resources Management
Master Plan;

b) Advocate and strongly support the creation and functioning of multi-stakeholder River
Basin Organizations (RBOs) and serve as the secretariat of the said RBOs;

©) Undertake and evaluate the planning, design, and work supervision functions of the
Department for the water infrastructures within the region;

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

e) Provide technical assistance related to the water-related functions of other agencies
within the region especially the local government;

f) Coordinate with other departments, agencies, institutions and organizations, especially
local government units within the region in the planning and implementation of the river
basin master plans;

Conduct continuing consultations with the local communities, take appropriate measures
to make the services of the Department responsive to the Central Office and recommend
such appropriate actions as may be necessary; and

8)

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

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 Water Resources Regional
Office Director, unless otherwise determined by the Secretary for reasons of supra-regional
scope, magnitude and multi-functional coverage.


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SECTION 28. Water Resources Regional Director. ~ The Water Resources Regional Offices
shall be headed by a Water Resources Regional Director who shall be responsible for efficiently
and effectively carrying out the duties and responsibilities of the Office. Towards this end, the
Water Resources Regional Director shall, within his/her defined powers exercise functional and
administrative supervision over all units within the region including the authority to commit their
Tesources and personnel to integrated regional water resources management, water supply and
sanitation management, and flood control and flood risk management initiatives. The Water
Resources 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 Water Resources Regional Director shall be assisted by two (2) Assistant Water Resources
Regional Office Directors who shall exercise supervision respectively over (1) the planning,
project design and evaluation function and (2) technical assistance to River Basin Organizations
within the water resources region.

CHAPTER 3 - TRANSITORY PROVISIONS
SECTION 29. Interface with Other Agencies.

a) The Department of Health (DOH) shall continue to have primary authority and
responsibility for setting and enforcing drinking water quality standards, The Department
shall coordinate with the DOH in this regard and shall ensure consistency of standards
and targets which it will set for compliance of those permitted with the DOH’s mandated
standards;

b)

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) shall continue to have
primary authority and responsibility for protecting the environment and managing the
country’s watersheds;

c) The Department of Energy and the National Power Corporation (NPC) shall continue to
have primary authority and responsibility for setting up and running hydropower plants
but will ensure that any hydropower plant development plans are consistent with the
National Water Development and Management Plan;

d) The Department shall coordinate with the Department of Agriculture to ensure
agricultural development that reduces sources of long-term pollution for surface water
and groundwater, and agricultural and industrial economic development that employs
water efficiency, water recycling/reuse and the appropriate treatment of wastewater;

¢) The Department shall coordinate with the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management
Council (NDRRMC) to ensure that its plans and designs for flood control, flood risk
management and drought risk management are aligned with the objectives and plans of
the said Department; and

f) The Department shall coordinate with relevant government agencies, including Local
Government Units (LGUs) for development projects and to ensure cross-cutting
collaboration between and among all water subsectors and facilitate inter-agency


SeocordsM4vavun—

subsector coordination, strategic development, planning, monitoring and provision of
technical, institutional and financial capacity building support to their different
stakeholders at the water subsector level.

SECTION 30. Transfer of Rights and Obligations

The Department shall, by virtue of this Act, be surrogated to all the rights and assume all the
obligations of the government agencies and units whose powers and functions have been
absorbed, transferred or attached to the Department provided these are in accordance with the
rules and regulations of the Commission on Audit. The transfer of powers and functions as
herein provided shall take effect within 6 months of the effectivity of this Act. As such, all
affected agencies/offices/units shall continue to function under their present mandates until the
transition is fully in effect.

SECTION 31: Funding.

The sum of Two Billion pesos (P2,000,000,000.00) shall be set aside from 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, the Department shall submit its annual
budget to fully carry out its powers and functions and achieve its objectives to the Office of the
President, for approval, provided it shall not be less than the amount provided for in its initial
implementation.

SECTION 32. Repealing Clause. - All laws, orders, rules and regulations, or
portions thereof, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

SECTION 33. Separability Clause. - If any provisions of this Act or the
application of such provision to any person or circumstances be declared
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or the application of such provision to
other person or circumstances shall not be affected by such declaration.

SECTION 34. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from the
date of its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,