Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH (19th) CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO._______ 
_____________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by REP. JOSEPH STEPHEN S. PADUANO 
_____________________________________________________________________ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
With the on-going pandemic, water and sanitation become one of the most essential resource 
and facility to fight Covid-19.  Hand washing and household sanitation in general are among the top 
policies that the government advice to the people in order to prevent the spread of the virus, and 
eventually end the pandemic. 
 However, according to the global organization Water.Org, there are “more than 3 million 
people in the Philippines that rely on unsafe and unsustainable water sources and 7 million lack 
accesses to improved sanitation”1. 
It is undeniable that the current national policies on water and sanitation management (WSM) 
sectors, and the implemented systems from these policies primarily affects how much access do 
Filipinos have in terms of this matter. 
Currently, we have the National Water Code of the Philippines or Presidential Decree (PD) 
1067, the Local Water Utilities Act of 1973 or PD 198, and the Integrated Water Resources 
Management (IWRM) Framework that serves as a guiding framework for governing the water 
services in the Philippines.   
Despite of these policies and institutions, the water service sector is still confronted with 
various challenges in governance, seemingly overlapping responsibilities and intersections in policy 
implementation that affects the quality of service delivery for citizens. 
As stated in the previous discussions among WSM sectors, in the parliament, and advocates, 
there is an urgent need for a system that will implement integrated and coordinated governance for 
1 “Philippines’ Water and Sanitation Crisis”, https://water.org/our-impact/where-we-work/philippines/, 
accessed: July 2022 
August 5, 2022
1:44 pm
3237


all water-related policies and institutions, thus, the push for the creation of an agency that will be 
solely dedicated for the water and sanitation sectors. 
Given these predicates, this Representation seeks to continue the pursuit for the creation of 
the Department of Water Resources and the Water Regulatory Commission for the improvement of 
water services delivery for our constituents in the rural communities and for the whole country in 
general. 
The bill entitled “An Act Establishing the National Framework for Water Resource 
Management and Creating the Department of Water Resources and the Water Regulatory 
Commission, Defining their Mandates, Powers and Functions, and Appropriating Funds Therefor” 
or House Bill No. 9948, with this Representation included as principal author of the Third Reading 
Copy, with the main proponents of similar bills that was substituted by the aforementioned measure. 
It was approved on third and final reading by the members of the 18th Congress after it was deliberated 
and submitted to the Plenary by the Committees on Government Reorganization, Public Works and 
Highways, Ways and Means, and Appropriations.  Afterwards it was transmitted to the Senate, 
however, due to various factors; it was not enacted into law.  Also, there were similar bills that were 
filed in the 16th and 17th Congress that contributes to the length and depth of processes for this 
proposed measure.  
Hence, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
JOSEPH STEPHEN S. PADUANO 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH (19th) CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO._______ 
_____________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by REP. JOSEPH STEPHEN S. PADUANO 
_____________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING THE NATIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR WATER RESOURCE 
MANAGEMENT AND CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES 
AND THE WATER REGULATORY COMMISSION, DEFINING THEIR MANDATES, 
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, AND APPROPRIATINGS FUNDS THEREFOR 
 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
CHAPTER I 
1 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
2 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “National Water Act”. 
3 
4 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – Access to water is a basic human right. All water 
5 
belongs to the State which shall govern its development and utilization for the people. 
6 
7 
 It is hereby declared the policy of the State to ensure the provision of safe, adequate, 
8 
affordable, and sustainable water supply and improved sanitation services, while maintaining 
9 
the protection, preservation, and revival of the quality of the country’s water resources and 
10 
ecological balance. 
11 
12 
In pursuit of this policy, this Act shall have the principal objective of ensuring and 
13 
accelerating universal access to water supply and sanitation services, in a regulatory regime that 
14 
3237


encourages responsible private sector participation, and shall foster and prioritize the 
1 
establishment of infrastructure and public works that adopt innovative solutions and 
2 
international best practices to address the challenges of climate change. Further, all water and 
3 
water treatment infrastructure projects are hereby declared as projects imbued with national 
4 
interest. 
5 
6 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act: 
7 
(a)
Bulk water supplier refers to any entity, natural or juridical, whether public or
8 
private, supplying or intending to supply large quantities of raw or treated water
9 
to buyers who will use these for their own consumption, such as industrial
10 
companies, or for retail distribution to consumers such as water service providers
11 
or real estate developers managing their own distribution network.
12 
13 
(b)
Environmental services refer to qualitative functions of natural non-produced
14 
assets of land, water, and air, including related ecosystems, and their biota, and
15 
which may be categorized into three basic types: (a) disposal services which
16 
reflect the functions of the natural environment as an absorptive sink for
17 
residuals; (b) productive services which reflect the economic functions of
18 
providing natural resource inputs and space for production and consumption, and
19 
(c) consumer or consumption services which provide for physiological as well
20 
as recreational and related needs of human beings. 
21 
22 
(c)
Flood Control refers to methods, acts, and protocols to be observed in order to
23 
prevent and reduce the detrimental and catastrophic effects of flood waters which
24 
include sediment-laden or turbid flows, and hyper-concentrated flows or debris
25 
flows.
26 
27 
(d)
Flood Risk Management (FRM) refers to such acts of defining and determining
28 
the appropriate methods, acts, and protocols aimed at preventing and reducing
29 
the risk of incurring loss of both life and property due to flood waters. Flood risk
30 
management consists of a cycle of prevention, mitigation, adaptation,
31 
preparedness and early warning, and response and recovery. The elements of
32 
FRM include: integrating land-use planning and coastal zone management into
33 
water management; adopting a holistic approach so that FRM is part of wider
34 


risk or multi-hazard management of earthquakes, landslides, and storm surges; 
1 
managing risk and uncertainty as a whole so it not only mitigates hydrological 
2 
uncertainties but also social, economic and political uncertainties on account of 
3 
human behavior and the cultural dimensions of FRM.  
4 
 
5 
(e) 
Gender Equality refers to the principle asserting the equality of men and women 
6 
and their right to enjoy equal conditions realizing their full human potentials to 
7 
contribute to and benefit from the results of development, and with the State 
8 
recognizing that all human beings are free and equal in dignity and rights.  
9 
 
10 
(f) 
Infrastructure and public works refer only to wholly or primarily water-related 
11 
projects and does not include projects that do not fall within the purview of the 
12 
objectives, power and duties of the Department of Water Resources created 
13 
under this Act.  
14 
 
15 
(g) 
Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) refers to a systematic, 
16 
collaborative, and multi-stakeholder process which promotes the coordinated 
17 
development and management of water, land, and related resources within 
18 
geophysical boundaries in order to maximize the resultant economic and social 
19 
welfare in an equitable manner, and without compromising the sustainability of 
20 
vital ecosystems.  
21 
 
22 
(h) 
Levels of water supply refer to communal sources of water described according 
23 
to location and size of the recipient human settlement as follows: 
24 
 
25 
1) Level I or the point source is a protected well or a developed spring with an 
26 
outlet but without any distribution system, generally adaptable to rural and 
27 
upland areas where houses are thinly scattered, and is a facility which usually 
28 
serves an average of 15 households. 
29 
2) Level II or the communal faucet system or stand posts is a system composed 
30 
of a water source, a reservoir, a piped distribution network, and communal 
31 
faucets where one faucet serves 4 to 6 households and is generally suitable for 
32 
rural and urban fringe areas where houses are clustered densely to justify a 
33 
simple piped system.  
34 


3) Level III or the waterworks system or individual house connections is a system 
1 
with a water source, a reservoir, a piped distribution network and household 
2 
taps, suitable for densely populated urban areas. 
3 
 
4 
(i) 
License refers to the Water Supply and/or Sanitation Services Operating License 
5 
that the Water Regulatory Commission is authorized to grant and issue to service 
6 
providers.  
7 
 
8 
(j) 
Licensee refers to a service provider to whom a license is granted or issued by 
9 
the Water Regulatory Commission. 
10 
 
11 
(k) 
Missionary Water Services refer to water supply or services to areas that have no 
12 
existing safe water supply and services due to geographic limitation or absence 
13 
of economic and market viability. 
14 
 
15 
(l) 
National Water Resources Management Plan (NWRMP) refers to a policy 
16 
document that contains a framework to guide the development and management 
17 
of all the water resources in the Philippines, the general strategies and work to 
18 
be pursued to ensure the sustainability of the resource towards water security, 
19 
and top-level direction on the utilization of existing water resources in line with 
20 
national development plans, policies, and programs in accordance with the 
21 
IWRM framework. The NWRMP shall also include a water infrastructure 
22 
development program or all waters of the country as well as provide general 
23 
guidance on how this shall be supported within an integrated financing 
24 
framework that can draw from public, private, and international development 
25 
funding sources.   
26 
 
27 
(m) 
Net Waste Load refers to the difference of the initial waste load of the abstracted 
28 
water and the waste load of the final effluent discharge of an industry 
29 
 
30 
(n) 
Regulatory Units refer to the offices established under Section 20 of this Act 
31 
which issue licenses authorizing the operation of Water Supply and Sanitation 
32 
Services, and provide, review, determine, fix, and approve water and sewerage 
33 
tariffs, rates, and charges that licensees may impose.  
34 


(o)
River basin refers to an area of land drained by a stream or body of fixed water 
1 
and its tributaries which have a common outlet for surface run-off. 
2 
3 
(p)
River Basin Organization (RBO) refers to multi-stakeholder organizations which
4 
plan, coordinate, and monitor activities within a river basin cluster.
5 
6 
(q)
Sanitation refers to the provision of facilities and services for the safe
7 
management of human excreta, from toilet to containment, and storage and
8 
treatment onsite or conveyance, treatment and eventual safe end use or disposal,
9 
and includes the safe management of solid waste and animal waste.
10 
11 
(r)
Sediment management refers to control of sediment erosion and deposition in
12 
rivers, reservoirs, and coastal zones through non-structural and structural
13 
measures and control works.
14 
15 
(s)
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) also known as the 17 Global Goals refer
16 
to the universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that
17 
all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030 adopted by all United Nations
18 
Member States in 2015.
19 
20 
(t)
Septage is the liquid and solid material pumped from a septic tank, cesspool, or
21 
other primary treatment source.
22 
23 
(u)
Septage Management refers to the provision of proper collection, treatment, and
24 
disposal of septage.
25 
26 
(v)
Service Area refers to the area covered by the water distribution system,
27 
sewerage, and /or septage management services.
28 
29 
(w)
Service Provider refers to any entity, natural or juridical, whether private or
30 
public, providing or intending to provide levels II & III water supply, including
31 
bulk water suppliers, sewerage, septage treatment, and disposal services for
32 
domestic, residential, industrial, or commercial use.
33 
34 


(x) 
Sewage refers to water borne human or animal wastes, excluding oil or oil waste, 
1 
removed from residences, buildings, institutions, and industrial and commercial 
2 
establishments together with such groundwater, surface water and storm waters 
3 
as may be present including such waste from vessels, offshore structures, other 
4 
receptacles intended to receive or retain waste or other places or the combination 
5 
thereof. 
6 
 
7 
(y) 
Sewerage refers to any system or network of pipelines, ditches, channels or 
8 
conduits including pumping stations, lift stations and force mains, service 
9 
connections including other infrastructure, devices, or appliances appurtenant 
10 
thereto, which include the collection, transport, pumping and treatment of 
11 
sewage to a point of disposal.  
12 
 
13 
(z) 
Sewers refer to pipes or such other works or structures which are built and 
14 
constructed to carry, transport, and dispose sewage.  
15 
 
16 
(aa) 
Social inclusion refers to the process of improving the terms for disadvantaged 
17 
individuals and groups to take part in society. 
18 
 
19 
(bb) 
Tariffs refer to such amounts which may be charged by licensees for their water 
20 
supply and sanitation services based on principles, standards, and guidelines 
21 
established by the Department of Water Resources.  
22 
 
23 
(cc) 
Water Demand Management (WDM) refers to any method, whether technical, 
24 
economic, administrative, financial, or social that will accomplish one or more 
25 
of the following:   
26 
(1) Reduce the quantity or quality of water required to accomplish a specific task; 
27 
(2) adjust the nature of the task or the way it is undertaken so that it can be 
28 
accomplished with less water or with lower quality water; 
29 
(3) Reduce the loss in quantity or quality of water as it flows from source, through 
30 
use, to disposal; 
31 
(4) Shift the timing of use from peak to off-peak periods; and 
32 
(5) Increase the ability of the water system to continue to serve society during times 
33 
when water is in short supply. 
34 


(dd) 
Water Districts refer to government-owned and controlled corporations 
1 
organized under Presidential Decree No. 198, as amended, created primarily to 
2 
acquire, install, operate, maintain, and improve water supply and distribution 
3 
systems for domestic, industrial and municipal uses of residents and to provide, 
4 
maintain and operate waste water collection, treatment and disposal facilities 
5 
within the boundaries of the district. 
6 
 
7 
(ee) 
Water pollution refers to any alteration of the physical, chemical, biological, or 
8 
radiological properties of a body of water resulting in the impairment of its purity 
9 
or quality. 
10 
 
11 
(ff) 
Water Resource refers to water under the ground or groundwater, water above 
12 
the ground such as surface water, run-offs, floods, stormwater and urban 
13 
drainage, treated wastewater, water in the atmosphere or rain water, and the 
14 
waters of the sea within the territorial jurisdiction of the Philippines. 
15 
 
16 
(gg) 
Water Resources Regions refer to the contiguous clusters of river basins which 
17 
are grouped together according to the hydrological boundaries, physiographic 
18 
features, and homogeneity in climate, whether or not they straddle different local 
19 
government units, for administrative purposes under the Department of Water 
20 
Resources. 
21 
 
22 
(hh) 
Water Service Provider (WSP) refers to the water district, any Local 
23 
Government Unit (LGU)-run water utility, Barangay Waterworks and Sanitation 
24 
Association (BWSA), Rural Waterworks Sanitation Association (RWSA), 
25 
cooperative and private sector entity that provides water supply services to any 
26 
given area.  
27 
 
28 
(ii) 
Water supply service refers to any activity comprising Levels I, II and III water 
29 
supply including bulk suppliers, suppliers to subdivisions, and other water 
30 
service providers. 
31 
 
32 
 
33 
 
34 


CHAPTER II 
1 
THE DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES 
2 
 
3 
SEC. 4. The Department of Water Resources. – There is hereby created and established 
4 
the Department of Water Resources, hereinafter referred to as the Department. 
5 
 
6 
SEC. 5. Mandate of the Department. –The Department shall be the primary agency 
7 
responsible for the comprehensive and integrated identification and mapping of all water 
8 
resources, planning, policy formulation, and management of the ownership, appropriation, 
9 
utilization, exploitation, development, and protection of water resources in the Philippines to 
10 
ensure the optimal use thereof for domestic and municipal water supply, sanitation, irrigation, 
11 
hydropower, industry, navigation, flood management, and recreation except fisheries or 
12 
aquaculture.  
13 
The Department shall also be the primary agency responsible for the planning and policy 
14 
formulation towards the attainment of universal access to safe, adequate, affordable, and 
15 
sustainable water supply, and improved sanitation services for all Filipinos. The Department 
16 
shall be the primary national agency to enforce Presidential Decree No. 1067 otherwise known 
17 
as The Water Code of the Philippines and Republic Act No. 9275, otherwise known as the 
18 
Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004. 
19 
The Department shall exercise the powers and functions of the defunct Pasig River 
20 
Rehabilitation Commission created under Executive Order No. 54 Series of 1999 and abolished 
21 
under Executive Order No. 93 Series of 2019, specifically the following roles that were 
22 
transferred to the Manila Bay Task Force and DENR through the latter EO: 
23 
(a) Update and take the lead in the overall implementation of the Pasig River 
24 
Rehabilitation Master Plan, which shall harness the Pasig River’s potential for 
25 
transportation, recreation and tourism purposes while undertaking the rehabilitation 
26 
and restoration of its maritime life; and  
27 
(b) Ensure that the easements provided for in the Civil Code and other relevant laws are 
28 
enforced, especially in all the esteros and waterways that drain into the Pasig River 
29 
as well as abate the dumping of untreated industrial wastewater and sewerage into 
30 
the river, including all acts and omissions in violation of Presidential Decree (PD) 
31 
No. 984, s. 1976, as amended entitled, Providing For The Revision Of Republic Act 
32 
No. 3931, Commonly Known As The Pollution Control Law, And For Other 
33 
Purposes, PD No. 274, s. 1973 entitled, Pertaining To The Preservation, 
34 


Beautification, Improvement And Gainful Utilization Of The Pasig River, Providing 
1 
For The Regulation And Control Of Pollution Of The River And Its Banks In Order 
2 
To Enhance Its Development, Thereby Maximizing Its Utilization For Socio-
3 
Economic Purposes, and other related laws. 
4 
 
5 
SEC. 6. Guiding Principles. –In the pursuit of its mandate, the Department shall be 
6 
guided by the following key principles: 
7 
 
8 
(a) The concept of good water governance for water security and sufficiency shall be 
9 
adopted across all levels of governance by stakeholders such as the national 
10 
government, 
local 
government, 
non-government 
organizations, 
private 
11 
organizations, individuals, even global societal actors, and in various sectors such 
12 
as water supply, irrigation, fisheries, hydropower, navigation, ecosystem services, 
13 
flood management, climate change, and recreation. It shall entail publicly 
14 
transparent, socially accountable, and multi-stakeholder participatory water policy 
15 
planning, management, and decision-making processes. 
16 
 
17 
(b) Access to safe water supply and improved sanitation is a human right that needs to 
18 
be fulfilled and protected.  
19 
 
20 
(c) Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) shall be adopted as the basic 
21 
framework which is the coordinated development and management of water, land, 
22 
and related resources within hydrological boundaries to optimize economic and 
23 
social welfare without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems. The 
24 
IWRM Framework shall include an enabling environment that utilizes proper 
25 
policies, legal instruments, and institutional frameworks for effective 
26 
implementation, participatory and collaborative water policy and management 
27 
decisions, and management instruments for efficient use of updated and accurate 
28 
data, science-based decision support systems, proper information, education, 
29 
communication (IEC) programs, assessment and allocation tools, or regulatory 
30 
functions. It shall observe the mutual accountability mechanism among 
31 
stakeholders at the national, regional, and global levels reinforcing multi-
32 
stakeholder decision-making following a framework with specific, measurable, 
33 
attainable, relevant, and timely actions. 
34 


(d) Each river basin has its unique characteristics relating to the physical, sociocultural, 
1 
and other aspects, and water management shall be performed at river-basin level, 
2 
involving all the stakeholders at that particular river basin. 
3 
 
4 
(e) Integrated and accurate data collection and analysis and the use of scientific 
5 
decision support systems shall be undertaken in water resources management 
6 
including flood modeling and warning systems that are essential for an effective, 
7 
efficient and sustainable water resources management system. 
8 
 
9 
(f) The development of water resources shall include strategies for the mitigation of 
10 
water-related hazards and climate change adaptation.  
11 
 
12 
(g) Water resources and services should be provided where they are intended and most 
13 
needed so that water is fairly and sustainably managed. 
14 
 
15 
(h) The proper operation and maintenance of waterworks systems resulting in the 
16 
uninterrupted and adequate supply and distribution of potable water for domestic 
17 
and other purposes, and the proper operation and maintenance of sewerage systems 
18 
which are essential services to public health and safety, are to be ensured at all 
19 
times. The State shall therefore supervise and control the establishment, operation, 
20 
and maintenance of such systems. 
21 
 
22 
SEC 7. Objectives of the Department. – The Department shall:  
23 
 
24 
(a) Promote and adopt water demand management as a national policy to ensure that 
25 
water is optimized, that water efficiency and conservation become a way of life, 
26 
that the recycling and reuse of water and treated wastewater are widely practiced, 
27 
that water is properly priced to encourage efficient use and conservation and that 
28 
rainwater, flood waters, and run-offs are captured or harvested, stored and treated 
29 
for future use;  
30 
 
31 
(b) Prioritize and seek the immediate attainment of universal access to safe, adequate, 
32 
affordable and sustainable water supply and improved sanitation services for all 
33 
Filipinos in a manner consistent with the protection, preservation, and revival of the 
34 


quality of the country’s water resources, and to adopt all needed measures to 
1 
advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with 
2 
the rhythm and harmony of nature. 
3 
 
4 
(c) Strengthen and coordinate integrated water resources management planning and 
5 
policy making to ensure sustainable and fair allocation and efficient use of water 
6 
resources among competing uses and users; 
7 
 
8 
(d) Ensure that integrated water resources management is strongly coordinated with 
9 
land use and coastal and multi-hazard planning and management; 
10 
 
11 
(e) Develop sustainably, and manage water sources and water resources toward water 
12 
security, taking into consideration water, land, and related resources aimed at 
13 
increasing water dependability for different uses, optimizing economic benefits and 
14 
social welfare without compromising the sustainability of vital environmental 
15 
systems; 
16 
 
17 
(f) Strengthen and coordinate policy making and planning towards ensuring the 
18 
availability of water for food security and energy security, as well as towards the 
19 
protection of communities and environments against flood and other water induced 
20 
hazards including sediment hazards; 
21 
 
22 
(g) Ensure that the strategy for water resources development and conservation is 
23 
participatory, and that planners, policymakers and users including community 
24 
members are involved at all levels; 
25 
 
26 
(h) Develop a standardized pricing framework for water use that accounts for 
27 
environmental externalities; and 
28 
 
29 
(i) Ensure that all sources of water, including surface water, groundwater, rainwater 
30 
and floodwater are identified, mapped, monitored, conserved and managed for 
31 
productive use and the resulting wastewater is managed properly, reused, and 
32 
responsibly disposed of following approved environmental standards. 
33 
 
34 


SEC.8. Powers and Functions of the Department. – The Department shall have the 
1 
following powers and functions: 
2 
 
3 
I. Policymaking and Planning 
4 
 
5 
(a) Ensure that Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) is adopted as 
6 
the strategic framework for water management policymaking and planning in 
7 
the country and coordinate the implementation, promotion, revision and 
8 
enhancement of IWRM plans; 
9 
 
10 
(b) Formulate policies, strategies, and targets in coordination with other relevant 
11 
entities to meet the goals and objectives for water supply and sanitation, water 
12 
quality, irrigation, hydropower, flood control, stormwater utilization, and urban 
13 
drainage. Such policies shall, among other guidelines, integrate the issues of 
14 
water and sanitation, food security, energy, environment and flood control, and 
15 
climate change; 
16 
 
17 
(c) Formulate and develop policies to promote universal access to safe, adequate, 
18 
affordable, and sustainable water supply, and improved sanitation services for 
19 
all Filipinos; 
20 
 
21 
(d) Regularly update, every five years or as deemed necessary by the Department, 
22 
and in consultation with other agencies and stakeholders, the NWRMP 
23 
following the IWRM framework and integrate therein a national land use plan; 
24 
 
25 
(e) Undertake river basin survey, inventory and appraisal of water and related 
26 
resources, and develop comprehensive basin-wide plans of storage, retardation, 
27 
and control to maximize conservation and multipurpose use of water in the 
28 
basin; 
29 
 
30 
(f) Conduct continuing hydrological and hydrometeorological surveys and studies 
31 
of the country’s renewable water supply, and establish, operate, and maintain 
32 
observation station networks with a view towards formulating long-term 
33 
policies to balance the sustainability and optimal multiple use of water 
34 


resources, defining the hydrologic boundaries of basins of the existing water 
1 
supply sources and developing or updating and implementing countrywide 
2 
comprehensive basin-wide master plans; 
3 
 
4 
(g) Strengthen and coordinate policy making and planning for flood management, 
5 
integrated with stormwater or urban drainage and appropriate retention or 
6 
retarding basins in order to harvest and reuse water, and to plan against, 
7 
prevent, and minimize the detrimental and catastrophic effects of flooding; 
8 
 
9 
(h) Assist and provide the National Economic and Development Authority 
10 
(NEDA) with the required data and input from the water sector in the 
11 
formulation of the country’s short-term and long-term strategic development 
12 
plans and actions, and recommend to the NEDA Board the adoption of general 
13 
policies and guidelines for water resources development;  
14 
 
15 
(i) Review, approve, and provide oversight over all water-related development 
16 
plans and programs of any agency within the context of the NWRMP, and 
17 
overall national plans and programs; 
18 
 
19 
(j) Develop and implement, in coordination with other relevant agencies, effective 
20 
codes, standards, benchmarks, and reasonable guidelines to ensure the safety 
21 
of all public and private water structures in the country, and assure efficiency 
22 
and proper quality in the construction of water, sanitation, irrigation, 
23 
hydropower, flood control and drainage infrastructure; 
24 
 
25 
(k) Ensure that gender equality, social inclusion, environmental protection, climate 
26 
resiliency, and disaster risk reduction are integrated into any water resource 
27 
management planning, policy making, and the design and construction of water 
28 
infrastructure; 
29 
 
30 
(l) Ensure that the planning and design of water infrastructure considers the 
31 
highest efficiency and most appropriate technology and quality, in accordance 
32 
with national development objectives; 
33 
 
34 


(m) Review existing guidelines appropriate for private sector participation in the 
1 
water sector and submit recommendations to the Public-Private Partnership 
2 
(PPP) Center of NEDA and other concerned agencies to promote and enable 
3 
more PPPs in the sector; 
4 
 
5 
(n) Build a central repository of water data and effect inter-sectoral, inter-agency, 
6 
and inter-departmental coordination on all aspects of data gathering and 
7 
management for water resources development planning and compel the 
8 
submission of statistics and data on water utilization with the aim of 
9 
operationalizing the integrated approach to water resources management; 
10 
 
11 
(o) Ensure the effective implementation of all the provisions of Republic Act No. 
12 
9275, Presidential Decree No. 1067, and Sections 9, 10, 11, 12 & 13, Chapter 
13 
II of Presidential Decree No. 856, otherwise known as the Code on Sanitation 
14 
of the Philippines; 
15 
 
16 
(p) Promote Philippine participation in information sharing and education on best 
17 
practices in support of international efforts to achieve universal access to safe 
18 
water and improved sanitation; and the integration of water, energy, 
19 
environment and food security; and 
20 
 
21 
(q) Issue and promulgate rules, regulations and guidelines as may be necessary to 
22 
implement and enforce its powers and functions under this Act. 
23 
 
24 
II. Resource Regulation 
25 
 
26 
(a) Manage and conserve the country’s water resources to ensure the optimal use 
27 
thereof for domestic water supply, sanitation, irrigation, hydropower, 
28 
navigation, flood control, and recreation purposes, and enhance and maintain 
29 
water quality, conserve watersheds, control water pollution, and restore the 
30 
environment, without compromising the natural ecosystem functions and 
31 
services; 
32 
 
33 
 
34 


(b) Regulate and control the utilization, abstraction, diversion and development of 
1 
water resources, taking in consideration their equitable distribution among 
2 
competing demands and determine the standards of beneficial and priority uses 
3 
of water in times of crisis and national emergencies; 
4 
 
5 
(c) Formulate, promulgate, and enforce rules and regulations for the development 
6 
and optimum use of water resources and its administration and management, 
7 
including coherent water protocols, operating rules of all existing and future 
8 
water infrastructure; general criteria, methods and standards for basic data 
9 
collection and project identification, formulation and planning, and appropriate 
10 
sanctions to be imposed for non-compliance; 
11 
 
12 
(d) Regularly review regulations prescribed by any government agency pertaining 
13 
to water use, exploitation, development, and conservation or protection of 
14 
waters, water resources, and watershed or basin areas with respect to this Act; 
15 
 
16 
(e) Impose fees or charges, as may be deemed necessary for water resources 
17 
conservation and protection, such as: 
18 
 
19 
(1) Polluter’s Fee, which shall be based on the net waste load depending on 
20 
the wastewater charge formula pursuant to Republic Act No. 9275; 
21 
(2) Raw water price, which shall take into account, among others, the scarcity 
22 
of water; and 
23 
(3) Appropriate payment structures for environmental services: 
24 
 
25 
(f) Deputize LGUs to collect the national fees or charges for resource regulation 
26 
within their respective jurisdictions; 
27 
 
28 
(g) Collect, regularly update, monitor, and analyze water resources data including 
29 
climatology, hydrological and other water-related data and ensure that such 
30 
data is easily accessible by relevant and authorized users; 
31 
 
32 
(h) Establish, operate, and maintain observation station networks and a centralized 
33 
water resources data center for the scientific survey and appraisal of surface 
34 


and groundwater potentials of the country, and determine the annual renewable 
1 
water available per water resources region; 
2 
 
3 
(i) Maintain a database that will contain updated relevant information on water 
4 
data which will be accessible by relevant and authorized users; Develop and 
5 
continuously update a computerized decision support system that incorporates 
6 
data management systems relating to acquisition and database, model base in 
7 
terms of physical design, planning and decision models, and user-friendly 
8 
interface concerning graphical and visualization tools; Conduct and promote 
9 
special studies and research on water economics and other water resources 
10 
development and management issues and concerns such as climate change, 
11 
weather modification, flood monitoring and modeling, environmental quality, 
12 
and desalination; and 
13 
 
14 
(j) Raise public awareness through information, education and communications 
15 
programs, and build capacities for informed participation in water resources 
16 
management at the national and river-basin level. 
17 
 
18 
III. Institutional Arrangement with Public Water Organizations 
19 
 
20 
(a) Develop guidelines including rules of partnership, between and among the 
21 
Department, field offices of national government agencies, LGUs and other 
22 
stakeholders in water resource management, and facilitate the establishment of 
23 
multi-stakeholder river basin organizations (RBOs) per river basin, and 
24 
strengthen and support existing RBOs and monitor their activities; 
25 
 
26 
(b) Develop materials for capacity building and training of prospective RBOs; 
27 
 
28 
(c) Authorize its representatives or any deputized agent to enter any property of 
29 
public dominion with or without prior notice and consent, any private land, 
30 
building or enclave, whether inhabited or not, for the purpose of conducting 
31 
hydrologic surveys and investigations, including assessing and evaluating the 
32 
conditions of water facilities installed, and determining compliance with water 
33 
laws and standards;  
34 


(d) Provide technical assistance to water users including farmers, communities, 
1 
and LGUs and other water service providers (WSP) whether directly or in 
2 
coordination with other agencies on all aspects of integrated water resources 
3 
management; 
4 
 
5 
(e) Respond to consumer complaints, and ensure the adequate promotion of 
6 
consumer interests; 
7 
 
8 
(f) Deputize agents, whether from the public or private sector, to assist in the 
9 
performance of any of the powers and functions of the Department; 
10 
 
11 
(g) Appoint, hire, and maintain adequate staff and personnel, advisers or 
12 
consultants with suitable qualifications and experience, as necessary, subject to 
13 
existing rules and regulations. 
14 
 
15 
IV. Coordination 
16 
 
17 
(a) Coordinate and integrate water resources development activities of the country 
18 
within the context of national plans and policies for social and economic 
19 
development; 
20 
 
21 
(b) Coordinate with other government agencies, universities, academe and private 
22 
professional groups in all aspects of data gathering, the conduct of special 
23 
studies and research on all related aspects of water resources management and 
24 
development such as climate change, environmental quality, desalination, and 
25 
the development of operating strategies, procedures, and protocols and 
26 
accompanying computerized decision tools for major water facilities; 
27 
 
28 
(c) Coordinate with the concerned and relevant agencies engaged in flood control, 
29 
flood risk management, and drought risk management; and 
30 
 
31 
(d) Coordinate proactively with LGUs to ensure the integration of water resources 
32 
development plans into their comprehensive land use plans (CLUPs), 
33 
Comprehensive Development Plans (CDPs) or Provincial Physical Framework 
34 
and Development Plan (PPFDP). 
35 


V. Other Functions 
1 
 
2 
(a) Create when necessary, water resource subsidiaries, instrumentalities, and 
3 
entities to engage in water transmission, water distribution, waste water 
4 
treatment and management, and sanitation in accordance with existing relevant 
5 
laws. 
6 
 
7 
(b) Enter into contracts, joint venture agreements or understanding, public-private 
8 
partnerships, and memorandum of agreements or understanding, either 
9 
domestic or foreign, relating to investment and financing water-related 
10 
projects, under such terms and conditions as the Department may deem proper 
11 
and reasonable subject to existing laws. 
12 
 
13 
(c) Exercise such other powers and functions necessary or incidental to the 
14 
effective administration and management of the country’s water resources. 
15 
 
16 
SEC. 9. Secretary of the Department of Water Resources. – The authority and 
17 
responsibility for the exercise of the mandate of the Department and for the discharge of its 
18 
powers and functions shall be vested in the Secretary of the Department, hereinafter referred to 
19 
as the Secretary, who shall: 
20 
(a) Advise the President on the promulgation of executive or administrative orders, 
21 
regulations, proclamations and other issuances relative to matters under the 
22 
jurisdiction of the Department; 
23 
(b) Establish the policies and standards for the operation of the Department pursuant to 
24 
the President’s guidelines; 
25 
 
26 
(c) Promulgate rules and regulations necessary to carry out the objectives, policies, and 
27 
functions of the Department; 
28 
 
29 
(d) Exercise supervision and control over all bureaus and offices under the Department; 
30 
 
31 
(e) Supervise all attached agencies and corporations in accordance with law; 
32 
 
33 
(f) Represent the Department in contracts, awards, and other similar agreements; 
34 


(g) Delegate authority for the performance of any power or function, as defined herein 
1 
to officials and employees under his direction as deemed appropriate; 
2 
 
3 
(h) Act as the Chairperson of the governing board of the attached agencies of the 
4 
Department; 
5 
 
6 
(i) Designate and appoint officers and employees of the Department, excluding the 
7 
Undersecretaries, Assistant Secretaries, and Regional and Assistant Regional 
8 
Directors, in accordance with the civil service laws, rules and regulations; and 
9 
 
10 
(j) Perform such other duties and responsibilities as may be provided by law. 
11 
 
12 
SEC. 10. Office of the Secretary. – The Office of the Secretary shall be composed of the 
13 
Secretary, Undersecretary, Assistant Secretary and the Secretary’s immediate staff. 
14 
 
15 
SEC. 11. Undersecretaries. – The Secretary shall be assisted by not more than five (5) 
16 
Undersecretaries, who shall be appointed by the President upon the recommendation of the 
17 
Secretary namely: Undersecretary for Resource Regulation and Governance, Undersecretary 
18 
for Inland Waters and Water for Agriculture, Undersecretary for Resource Development, 
19 
Undersecretary for Planning and Policy and Undersecretary for Missionary Water, Indigenous 
20 
People, and Special Concerns.  
21 
 
22 
The Secretary is hereby authorized to delineate and assign the respective functional areas 
23 
of responsibility of the Undersecretaries in accordance with the mandate and objectives of the 
24 
Department: Provided, That no Undersecretary shall be assigned purely to administrative 
25 
responsibilities. Within their respective functional areas of responsibility, the Undersecretaries 
26 
shall: 
27 
 
28 
(a) Advise and assist the Secretary in the formulation and implementation of the 
29 
policies, plans, programs and projects of the Department; 
30 
 
31 
(b) Supervise all the operational activities of the assigned units for which the 
32 
Undersecretary is responsible to the Secretary; and 
33 
 
34 


(c) Perform such other functions deemed necessary as may be assigned or delegated by 
1 
the Secretary to promote efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of public 
2 
services or as may be required by law: Provided, That the Undersecretary for 
3 
Planning and Policy shall, in coordination with the Planning and Policy Service, be 
4 
primarily responsible for advancing current efforts in attaining the ultimate goal of 
5 
universal access to water supply and sanitation systems, and sustainable 
6 
management of water resources under the SDGs, and the integration of water, 
7 
energy, environment and food security. 
8 
 
9 
  
SEC. 12. Assistant Secretaries. – The Secretary shall be assisted by six (6) Assistant 
10 
Secretaries to be appointed by the President of the Philippines upon the recommendation of the 
11 
Secretary: one each for Planning and Policy Service, Decision Support System Service, 
12 
Resource Regulatory Service, Comptrollership and Financial Management Service, Legal and 
13 
Legislative Service, and Administrative and Human Resources Management Service. No 
14 
person shall be appointed Secretary, Undersecretary and Assistant Secretary of the Department 
15 
unless the person is a citizen and resident of the Philippines, of good moral character, of proven 
16 
integrity, competence and expertise in water resource management: Provided, That at least one 
17 
(1) of the Undersecretaries and at least two (2) of the Assistant Secretaries shall be career 
18 
officers.  
19 
 
20 
SEC. 13. Organizational Structure. – The Department shall be composed of the 
21 
following organizational units: 
22 
(a) Department Proper. – The Department shall consist of the Office of the Secretary, 
23 
the Offices of the Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries, the Internal Audit 
24 
Office, the Public Affairs Office, the Water Pollution Adjudication Board, the 
25 
Planning and Policy Service, Decision Support System Service, Administrative and 
26 
Human Resources Service, Legal and Legislative Service, Comptrollership and 
27 
Financial Management Service, Resource Regulation Service, and the Water 
28 
Resources Regional Offices. 
29 
 
30 
(b) Attached agencies. – The Department shall exercise administrative supervision over 
31 
the following agencies for purposes of policy and program coordination, 
32 
monitoring, and evaluation:  
33 
 
34 


(1) The Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), whose mandate, powers, 
1 
and functions are defined in Presidential Decree No. 198, otherwise known as 
2 
the Public Water Utilities Act of 1973, as amended, shall be transferred from 
3 
the Department of Public Works and Highways and attached to the 
4 
Department. It shall continue to primarily function as a specialized lending 
5 
institution for the promotion, development, and financing of local water 
6 
utilities. In the implementation of its functions, the LWUA shall:  
7 
 
8 
(i) 
prescribe minimum standards and regulations in order to assure acceptable 
9 
standards of construction materials and supplies, maintenance, operation, 
10 
personnel training, accounting and fiscal practices for local water utilities; 
11 
(ii) 
furnish technical assistance and personnel training programs for local 
12 
water utilities; 
13 
(iii) 
monitor and evaluate local water standards; and 
14 
(iv) 
effect system integration, joint investment and operation, district 
15 
annexation and de-annexation whenever economically warranted as 
16 
amended by Sec. 22, Presidential Decree No. 768. 
17 
 
18 
(2) The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), whose 
19 
mandate, powers, and functions are defined under Republic Act No. 6234, as 
20 
amended entitled, An Act Creating The Metropolitan Waterworks And 
21 
Sewerage System And Dissolving The National Waterworks And Sewerage 
22 
Authority; And For And For Other Purposes, shall be transferred from the 
23 
DPWH and attached to the Department: Provided, That the MWSS shall 
24 
continue to facilitate the exercise by the concessionaires of their responsibility; 
25 
carry out accounting and notification functions; monitor, report, and administer 
26 
loans; perform related functions in connection with existing projects; manage 
27 
and dispose its retained assets; and manage and operate the Umiray-Angat 
28 
Transbasin Project. 
29 
 
30 
(3) The National Irrigation Administration (NIA), whose mandate, powers, and 
31 
functions are defined under Republic Act No. 3601 as amended by Presidential 
32 
Decree No. 552 and Presidential Decree No. 1702;  
33 
 
34 


(4) The Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA), whose mandate, powers 
1 
and functions are defined under Republic Act No. 4850, as amended entitled, 
2 
An Act Creating the Laguna Lake Development Authority, Prescribing Its 
3 
Powers, Functions and Duties, Providing Funds Therefor, And for Other 
4 
Purposes shall be transferred from the DENR and attached to the Department. 
5 
 
6 
The LLDA shall continue to serve as the lake management and development 
7 
authority similar to a multi-stakeholder river basin organization and shall 
8 
ensure the implementation of the Laguna Lake Master Plan which shall be 
9 
updated by the Department to ensure alignment with the NWRMP. 
10 
 
11 
Any other agency performing water resources management, conservation and protection 
12 
functions may be transferred to the Department as the President deems necessary. 
13 
 
14 
(c) Offices, Functions and Personnel to be Completely Subsumed under the 
15 
Department. – The following offices with their powers, functions, personnel, 
16 
applicable funds and appropriations, records, equipment and property shall be 
17 
subsumed under the Department:  
18 
 
19 
(1) The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) with all its divisions and 
20 
sections, whose mandate, powers and functions are provided in Presidential 
21 
Decree No. 424, as amended;  
22 
(2) The River Basin Control Office (RBCO) of the DENR whose mandate, powers 
23 
and functions are provided in Executive Order No. 510 and Executive Order 
24 
No. 816, as amended; 
25 
 
26 
(3) The Manila Bay Coordinating Office (MBCO) of the DENR which was 
27 
strengthened by virtue of DENR Administrative Order (DAO) 2011-01 to 
28 
coordinate the efforts of the fourteen (14) national agencies covered by the 
29 
Mandamus Order of the Supreme Court to rehabilitate Manila Bay; 
30 
 
31 
(4) The Water Resources Management Division of the Bureau of Soils and Water 
32 
Management of the Department of Agriculture (DA); 
33 
 
34 


(5) The Water Supply and Sanitation Unit of the Department of the Interior and 
1 
Local Government (DILG); and 
2 
 
3 
(6) The Water Quality Management Section of the Environmental Management 
4 
Bureau (EMB) of the DENR. 
5 
 
6 
(d) Functions to be transferred to the Department. – The following functions of the 
7 
respective agencies, bureaus, and units shall be transferred to the Department: 
8 
 
9 
(1) The hydrological surveys and groundwater mapping function of the Mines and 
10 
Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the DENR; 
11 
 
12 
(2) The hydrological surveys monitoring of stream flow and water data collection 
13 
function of the Bureau of Design and Bureau of Research and Standards of the 
14 
DPWH; 
15 
 
16 
(3) The protection and conservation of natural wetlands such as lakes, marshes, 
17 
swamps of the Biodiversity Management Bureau of the DENR; and 
18 
 
19 
(4) The planning, programming, administration, monitoring, management of the 
20 
National Sewerage and Septage Management Program (NSSMP) by the 
21 
DPWH. 
22 
(5) The flood management planning and sediment management function of the 
23 
Flood Control Management Cluster of the DPWH;  
24 
 
25 
(6) The Water Resource Management Division and the water research functions of 
26 
the Soils and Water Research Division of the Bureau of Soils and Water 
27 
Management under the DA. All soil-related functions shall be retained under 
28 
the Bureau which shall be renamed as the Bureau of Soils. 
29 
 
30 
(e) Support Services - The Department shall create the following support services: 
31 
(1) The Planning and Policy Service shall provide the Department with the 
32 
capability to undertake water infrastructure development planning and 
33 
programming, and shall exercise the following functions:  
34 


(i) 
Advise the Secretary on all matters relating to water resources planning; 
1 
(ii) 
Assist the Undersecretary for Planning and Policy on all matters related 
2 
to the specific functions of the position; 
3 
(iii) 
Formulate strategies   and   priorities   for   water   resources   
4 
management   and development consistent with national development 
5 
objectives, and initiate or undertake relevant surveys for development 
6 
planning; 
7 
(iv) 
Develop and regularly update a comprehensive and integrated National 
8 
Water Resources Management Plan and ensure its integration into 
9 
existing land use plans; 
10 
(v) 
Coordinate river-basin   planning   following   the   integrated   water   
11 
resources management framework and the river-basin approach; 
12 
(vi) 
Formulate or update existing River Basin Master or Comprehensive 
13 
Plans which includes all aspects of water management and development 
14 
such as water supply and sanitation, irrigation, flood control and 
15 
stormwater or urban drainage, drought risk management, water resource 
16 
development systems and other public water works projects, including 
17 
phasing of implementation; 
18 
(vii) 
Identify, based on the river basin master plan, priority packages for 
19 
water infrastructure development per river basin, including water 
20 
supply, sanitation, irrigation, flood control and stormwater or urban 
21 
drainage, drought risk management, water resource development 
22 
systems and other public works projects, package project proposals for 
23 
funding and prioritize project implementation and the allocation of 
24 
funds and other resources and undertake or supervise and evaluate the 
25 
conduct of feasibility studies and project preparation thereof; 
26 
(viii) 
Evaluate and appraise all regional and inter-regional infrastructure 
27 
water development plans and programs as to their feasibility and 
28 
consistency with approved strategies and medium and long -term plans; 
29 
(ix) 
Gather, analyze, and organize needed statistical data and information; 
30 
(x) 
Provide technical assistance related to its functions to the other services, 
31 
bureaus and the regional offices as needed; 
32 
(xi) 
Conduct hydrological and hydraulic surveys and assessments of surface 
33 
waters; 
34 


(xii) 
Develop general criteria and standards on project investigation, 
1 
formulation, planning; 
2 
(xiii) 
Develop guidelines and standards on social inclusion in water resources 
3 
management and ensure policies, programs and plans are compliant 
4 
with the gender and development framework of the government; 
5 
(xiv) 
Coordinate closely with PAGASA for rainfall and other climate data 
6 
which shall be considered in the planning for water resources 
7 
development and management and for various water infrastructure; and 
8 
(xv) 
Perform such functions and activities, as may be mandated by law, 
9 
which are necessary for the effective attainment of the abovementioned 
10 
objectives. 
11 
 
12 
(2) The Decision Support System Service shall provide the Department with water 
13 
resource management tools and computerized decision support system that 
14 
incorporates a data management system relating to acquisition and database 
15 
and model base in terms of physical design, planning and decision models 
16 
including services related to networking, data management, and information 
17 
and knowledge or learning management systems for administrative and non-
18 
technical support It shall provide the Secretary timely reports on the status of 
19 
various Department projects and activities. For this purpose, it shall exercise 
20 
the following functions: 
21 
 
22 
(i) 
Provide the Secretary the necessary data and processed information to 
23 
aid in policy and management decisions under the mandate of the 
24 
Department; 
25 
 
26 
(ii) 
Publish available real-time raw water data as well as verified or 
27 
validated water data in print or electronic form using latest internet 
28 
technology;  
29 
 
30 
(iii) 
Conduct and publish in print and/or electronic form, standard data 
31 
analysis such as basic statistical analysis, trend analysis, analysis of 
32 
runs, and cluster analysis; 
33 
 
34 


(iv) 
Develop and continuously update water resource management, 
1 
computerized decision support systems (DSS) that incorporate data 
2 
management systems relating to acquisition and database, model base 
3 
in terms of physical, design, planning and decision models, and user-
4 
friendly interface such as graphical and visualization tools. The DSS is 
5 
composed of: 1) a measurement or data acquisition system; 2) 
6 
information or database management system; 3) analytical and 
7 
numerical models for design, planning, decision or evaluation purposes, 
8 
and 4) a user-friendly interface which includes graphical interface or 
9 
visualization tools. 
10 
 
11 
(v) 
Develop and maintain specific models to include the following: 
12 
 
13 
a) long-term climatologic and weather forecasting model; 
14 
b) watershed models and river-flood plain models; 
15 
c) groundwater models and coupled to surface water models; 
16 
d) flood forecasting model for major rivers; 
17 
e) optimization-simulation management 
models 
for 
watershed 
18 
conservation, conjunctive surface and groundwater use, irrigation 
19 
scheduling, normal and emergency operations of multi-purpose 
20 
reservoirs; and 
21 
f) water quality and ecological models. 
22 
 
23 
(vi) 
Develop and administer the management information system and 
24 
knowledge systems of the Department to: 
25 
 
26 
a) Retrieve, process, and monitor information on all projects and 
27 
activities in the web portal; 
28 
b) Conduct and apply systems and process engineering, software 
29 
development, software configuration management; 
30 
c) Develop and manage its corporate database, unified database for 
31 
water industry, data warehouse, other water information resources, 
32 
library services and document management and archiving services; 
33 
 
34 


d) Develop and manage its Information and Communications 
1 
Technology (ICT) infrastructure and ICT related-services 
2 
including computer networking and voice communications 
3 
services and data exchange, and 
4 
e) Manage the literacy and training services of the Department on 
5 
various ICT and, Knowledge Management (KM) tools and 
6 
applications, including information and knowledge management. 
7 
 
8 
(vii) 
Perform such other related functions and activities which are necessary 
9 
for the effective administration of the management information and 
10 
knowledge systems of the Department. 
11 
 
12 
(3) The Administrative and Human Resource Service shall provide the Department 
13 
with services relating   to   human   resources   development,   personnel,   
14 
records,   facilities maintenance, medical and dental, security, property and 
15 
procurement services, and shall exercise the following functions:  
16 
 
17 
(i) 
Advise the Secretary on all matters relating to internal administration 
18 
and human resources management; 
19 
(ii) 
Prepare and implement an integrated personnel development plan that 
20 
shall include provisions for merit promotions, performance evaluation, 
21 
job rotation, incentive awards systems, and health and welfare services; 
22 
(iii) 
Provide services related to human resource training, education and 
23 
development including manpower, career planning and forecasting, and 
24 
development of indigenous training materials; 
25 
(iv) 
Develop, establish,   and   maintain   an   efficient   and   cost-effective   
26 
property procurement system and facilities and coordinate or otherwise 
27 
interface with relevant agencies, whether government or private, for the 
28 
purpose of developing or upgrading the system; 
29 
(v) 
Develop, establish, and maintain an efficient and effective security 
30 
system covering, among others, personnel, physical installations, 
31 
facilities, equipment, documents and materials including the conduct of 
32 
security investigations; 
33 
 
34 


(vi) 
Coordinate with the appropriate government agencies for a more 
1 
efficient conduct of administrative processes; 
2 
(vii) 
Develop, establish, and maintain an efficient records system; 
3 
(viii) 
Provide assistance in its area of specialization to the Department Proper, 
4 
bureaus and regional and water district offices and, when requested, to 
5 
the government agencies and corporations attached to the Department; 
6 
and 
7 
(ix) 
Perform such other related functions and activities which are necessary 
8 
for the effective management of the resources of the Department, 
9 
including its human resources. 
10 
 
11 
(4) The Legal and Legislative Research Service shall provide the Department with 
12 
services on such legal affairs as contract letting and litigation, legal and 
13 
legislative research, complaints and investigation, legal counselling and other 
14 
matters of law, and shall exercise the following functions: 
15 
 
16 
(i) 
Advise the Secretary on all matters relating to legal and legislative 
17 
affairs; 
18 
(ii) 
Prepare Department contracts and legal instruments, review and 
19 
interpret all contracts and agreements entered into by the Department 
20 
and evaluate all legal proposals; 
21 
(iii) 
Conduct administrative investigation and the review of administrative 
22 
charges against officers and employees of the Department; 
23 
(iv) 
Exercise functional jurisdiction over the legal staffs of Regional 
24 
Offices; 
25 
(v) 
Provide legal assistance to the Department Proper, the bureaus and 
26 
regional offices and when requested, the attached corporations; 
27 
(vi) 
Develop and prepare the Department’s Legislative Agenda, recommend 
28 
presidential certification of the urgency of priority water bills, and other 
29 
water-related legislation; 
30 
(vii) 
Coordinate and maintain linkages between and among the various 
31 
offices, bureaus, regional offices and attached agencies to the 
32 
Department along with other government agencies on policy matters 
33 
affecting the Department’s mandate in relation to legislation; 
34 


(viii) 
Perform liaison and networking activities in relation to the enactment 
1 
of related laws relating to water resources issues in legislative 
2 
policymaking bodies such as the Senate of the Philippines, the House 
3 
of Representatives, and the various Sanggunians; 
4 
(ix) 
Monitor the progress of the Department’s priority or certified bills to 
5 
ensure their passage; and 
6 
(x) 
Perform such functions and activities, as may be mandated by law, 
7 
which are necessary for the effective performance of the 
8 
abovementioned objectives. 
9 
(5) The Comptrollership and Financial Management Service shall provide the 
10 
Department with coordinated services relating to financial systems and 
11 
procedures, budget, cash, accounting and all financial housekeeping matters, 
12 
and shall exercise the following functions: 
13 
(i) 
Advise the Secretary on all matters relating to the accounting of 
14 
government 
expenditures 
and 
receipts, 
budgeting 
and 
cash 
15 
management, project finances and financial systems and procedures; 
16 
(ii) 
Prepare budget proposals and pursue formal budget authorizations, 
17 
undertake budget execution, and prepare and submit all appropriate 
18 
reports to the proper offices; 
19 
(iii) 
Develop and maintain accounting, financial and assets management 
20 
systems, procedures and practices in the Department Proper, Bureaus 
21 
and Regional Offices; 
22 
(iv) 
Review and appraise systems and procedures, organizational structure, 
23 
assets management practices, accounting, and other records, reports, 
24 
and performance standards such as budgets and standard costs of the 
25 
Department, bureaus, and regional offices; 
26 
(v) 
Provide assistance in its area of specialization to any unit of the 
27 
Department and, when requested, to government corporations and 
28 
councils attached to the Department; and 
29 
(vi) 
Perform such other related functions and activities which are necessary 
30 
for the effective financial management of the Department. 
31 
 
32 
 
33 
 
34 


(6) The Resource Regulation Service shall provide the Department with services 
1 
for the effective regulation of all water-related services and activities and shall 
2 
exercise the following functions: 
3 
 
4 
(i) 
Advise the Secretary on all matters relating to resource regulations; 
5 
(ii) 
Determine, grant and regulate water rights for the appropriate, optimal 
6 
and sustainable use of surface and ground water; 
7 
(iii) 
Determine and evaluate waterworks and sewerage licenses, and submit 
8 
evaluation results to the Water Regulatory Commission for the latter’s 
9 
consideration in granting of licenses; 
10 
(iv) 
Investigate violations of the water rights and the Water Code, and 
11 
impose the appropriate sanctions in accordance with existing laws, rules 
12 
and regulations as well as future rules and regulations which the 
13 
Department shall promulgate; 
14 
(v) 
Adjudicate water use conflicts; and 
15 
(vi) 
Perform such other related functions and activities which are necessary 
16 
for the effective regulation of water-related services. 
17 
 
18 
(7) The Internal Audit Service shall regularly conduct a comprehensive audit of 
19 
various Department activities and shall exercise the following functions: 
20 
 
21 
(i) 
Advise the Secretary on all matters relating to management control and 
22 
operations audit;  
23 
(ii) 
Conduct a performance audit of the management and operations of the 
24 
Department, its activities, the performance of all units, and determine 
25 
the degree of compliance of all operating units with established 
26 
objectives, policies, standards, methods and procedures, government 
27 
regulations and contractual obligations of the Department; 
28 
(iii) 
Review and appraise systems and procedures, organizational structure, 
29 
assets management practices, accounting and other records, and 
30 
performance standards such as budgets and standard costs of the 
31 
Department Proper, bureaus and regional offices; 
32 
(iv) 
Analyze and evaluate management deficiencies and recommend 
33 
realistic courses of action; and 
34 


(v) 
Perform such functions and activities, as may be mandated by law, 
1 
which are necessary for the effective performance of the 
2 
abovementioned objectives. 
3 
 
4 
(8) The Public Affairs Service shall enhance relations with all stakeholders 
5 
including the media, for the effective dissemination of information relating to 
6 
water-related issues, including important announcements on policies and 
7 
activities of the department that is of interest to the general public. It shall 
8 
ensure that women, men, elderly, and people with disabilities shall be 
9 
consulted, organized and take active part in all aspects of water resources 
10 
development and management activities. It shall also lead the planning and 
11 
organizing of special events, and shall exercise the following functions: 
12 
 
13 
(i) 
Public Awareness 
14 
 
15 
a) Advise the Secretary on matters pertaining to public affairs; 
16 
b) Develop and supervise the implementation of comprehensible 
17 
communications programs on relevant policies, programs and plans 
18 
of the Department; 
19 
c) Produce and supervise the dissemination of communication 
20 
materials in line with the priorities of the Department and national 
21 
government public information programs; 
22 
d) Conduct public opinion and attitude surveys to identify the interests 
23 
and concerns of the stakeholders of the Department; 
24 
e) Establish policies on the presentation and publication of the content 
25 
of the communication materials for dissemination to print and 
26 
broadcast media; 
27 
f) Establish and maintain linkages with the tri-media and a presence in 
28 
social media; 
29 
g) Coordinate the conduct of interviews and news conferences; 
30 
h) Make public announcements on matters relating to the work and 
31 
activities of the Department through the print and broadcast media, 
32 
either through press releases or live interviews; 
33 
 
34 


i) Coordinate with various Department units, concerned government 
1 
agencies, tri-media and other stakeholders on matters related to the 
2 
above-enumerated functions; and 
3 
j) Coordinate with the appropriate national government agencies 
4 
involved in public information affairs. 
5 
 
6 
(ii) 
Promote Participation 
7 
 
8 
a) Conduct public consultations and discussions; 
9 
b) Develop and disseminate relevant and appropriate materials and 
10 
programs for public information and education, as well as advocacy 
11 
campaign; 
12 
c) Conduct seminars and workshops involving the LGUs and the 
13 
general public on current water issues and problems; and 
14 
d) Conduct capability building seminars of various stakeholders to 
15 
promote meaningful participation in the Department’s policy   
16 
making, planning, development and implementation of various 
17 
programs and projects. 
18 
 
19 
(iii) 
Special Events 
20 
 
21 
a) Coordinate the organization and promotion of special events and 
22 
water exhibits; 
23 
b) Act as the focal office for all water related events; and 
24 
c) Perform such functions and activities, as may be mandated by law, 
25 
which are necessary for the effective performance of the 
26 
abovementioned objectives. 
27 
 
28 
(f) Bureaus. – The Department shall create bureaus which shall each be headed by a 
29 
Bureau Director. The Bureau Director shall be responsible for the efficient and 
30 
effective discharge of the functions of the Bureau concerned. The Bureau Director 
31 
shall be assisted by one (1) Assistant Director. 
32 
 
33 
 
34 


(1) 
Bureau of Flood Control and Drainage shall plan and design flood control 
1 
and drainage structures and facilities in accordance with technical standards, 
2 
guidelines and manuals. For this purpose, it shall have the following duties 
3 
and responsibilities: 
4 
 
5 
(i) 
Formulate policy, strategies and programs on flood risk management in 
6 
the context of integrated flood management (IFM) which integrates 
7 
water, land, coastal zone and multi-hazard management. In integrating 
8 
land use planning and water management, the Department shall 
9 
harmonize and synthesize plans to enable the sharing of information 
10 
between land-use planning and water management authorities. In this 
11 
regard, a holistic approach shall be adopted by making the IFM a part 
12 
of a wider risk or multi-hazard management system that includes 
13 
earthquakes, landslides, fires, tsunami, and other calamities of the same 
14 
gravity or nature; 
15 
(ii) 
Integrate climate change and disaster risk reduction and management in 
16 
policies and plans; 
17 
(iii) 
Prepare master plans of flood management and drainage in river basins 
18 
in coordination with the concerned water resources region and river 
19 
basin organizations; 
20 
(iv) 
Prepare master plans for urban drainage in cities and municipalities; 
21 
(v) 
Prepare feasibility studies of recommended measures in the master 
22 
plans; 
23 
(vi) 
Plan and design structural measures for flood control and drainage; 
24 
(vii) 
Implement and collaborate with concerned agencies on the formulation 
25 
and adoption of non-structural measures for flood control and drainage; 
26 
(viii) 
Patrol and investigate rivers, and monitor stream flows; 
27 
(ix) 
Conduct post-disaster investigation and evaluation and damage 
28 
assessment of flood infrastructures after extreme events; 
29 
(x) 
Conduct research and development on water and sediment-related 
30 
disasters; 
31 
(xi) 
Develop design guidelines, criteria, and standards on flood control and 
32 
drainage structures; 
33 
 
34 


(xii) 
Provide technical assistance to other agencies, LGUs, and other 
1 
stakeholders; 
2 
(xiii) 
Advise the Secretary on declaring flood control areas and recommend 
3 
guidelines for flood plain management plans in these areas; and 
4 
(xiv) 
Perform such related activities which are necessary for the effective 
5 
performance of its functions. 
6 
 
7 
(2) 
Bureau of Water Quality Management shall supervise and exercise control 
8 
over all aspects of water quality management to ensure the sustainability of 
9 
the country’s water resources and the protection of the environment. It 
10 
should take into account proper and integrated treatment of freshwater and 
11 
wastewater within the whole process. For this purpose, the Bureau shall 
12 
exercise the following functions: 
13 
 
14 
(i) 
Establish water quality guidelines for freshwater and coastal or marine 
15 
waters as basis for classifying water bodies in the country. Specifically, 
16 
develop water quality indices or composite metrics to measure the 
17 
quality status and health of natural water bodies in relation to ecological 
18 
integrity and function; 
19 
(ii) 
Establish effluent standards for point discharges to receiving bodies of 
20 
water; 
21 
(iii) 
Establish internationally accepted procedures for sampling and 
22 
analysis; 
23 
(iv) 
Prepare an integrated water quality management framework; 
24 
(v) 
Prepare the ten-year water quality management plans for each water 
25 
quality management area as part of the River Basin Master Plans and in 
26 
support of the NWRMP; 
27 
(vi) 
Classify groundwater sources and prepare a national groundwater 
28 
vulnerability map; 
29 
(vii) 
Classify or reclassify all water bodies according to their beneficial 
30 
usages using the established water quality guidelines established; 
31 
(viii) 
Issue permits, clearances, and similar instruments pursuant to the Clean 
32 
Water Act of 2004; 
33 
(ix) 
Collect the wastewater discharge fees for all permittees; 
34 


(x) 
Monitor the compliance of water discharge permittees with the effluent 
1 
standards; 
2 
(xi) 
Regularly monitor the water quality of major water bodies in the 
3 
country and analyze the data to identify possible sources of pollution; 
4 
(xii) 
Issue notices of violations and/or cease and desist orders for those found 
5 
in violation; 
6 
(xiii) 
File the needed cases against violators with the Water Pollution 
7 
Adjudication Board (WPAB); 
8 
(xiv) 
Serve as secretariat of the WPAB; and 
9 
(xv) 
Perform such functions and activities, as may be mandated by law, 
10 
which are necessary for the effective performance of the 
11 
abovementioned objectives. 
12 
 
13 
(3) 
A Water Resources Regional Office (WRRO) shall be organized per water 
14 
resources region and shall be responsible for implementing the mandates, 
15 
powers and duties of the Department at the field level, except for 
16 
policymaking which will be vested solely in the Department. The 
17 
formulation of the master plan for the nearby river basins such as the Pasig-
18 
Marikina-Laguna Lake-Cavite, shall be the responsibility of the 
19 
Department. Each WRRO shall perform the following duties and 
20 
responsibilities: 
21 
 
22 
(i) 
Formulate or update and coordinate the river basin master plans for 
23 
river basins within its jurisdictions ensuring consistency with the 
24 
National Water Resources Management Framework Plan; 
25 
(ii) 
Advocate and strongly support the creation and functioning of multi-
26 
stakeholder river basin organizations (RBOs) and serve as the 
27 
secretariat of the said RBOs; 
28 
(iii) 
Undertake and evaluate the planning, design, and work supervision 
29 
functions of the Department for the water infrastructures within the 
30 
region; 
31 
(iv) 
Ensure the implementation of laws, policies, programs, rules and 
32 
regulations regarding the abovementioned infrastructure as well as 
33 
public and private physical structures; 
34 


(v) 
Provide technical assistance related to the water-related functions of 
1 
other agencies within the region especially the local government; 
2 
(vi) 
Coordinate with other departments, agencies, institutions and 
3 
organizations, especially local government units within the region in the 
4 
planning and implementation of the river basin master plans; 
5 
(vii) 
Conduct consultations with the local communities, take appropriate 
6 
measures to ensure that the services of the Department are responsive, 
7 
and recommend such appropriate actions as may be necessary; and 
8 
(viii) 
Perform such functions and activities, as may be mandated by law, 
9 
which are necessary for the effective performance of the 
10 
abovementioned objectives. 
11 
 
12 
The Department shall retain existing Project Management Offices as may be required, 
13 
which shall be under the supervision and control of the appropriate Water Resources Regional 
14 
Office unless otherwise determined by the Secretary for reasons of supra-regional scope, 
15 
magnitude and multi-functional coverage.  
16 
 
17 
Each Water Resources Regional Office shall be headed by a Water Resources Regional 
18 
Director who shall be responsible for efficiently and effectively carrying out the duties and 
19 
responsibilities of the Office. Towards this end, the Water Resources Regional Director shall 
20 
exercise functional and administrative supervision over all units within the region and is 
21 
authorized to commit resources and assign personnel to integrated regional water resources 
22 
management, water supply and sanitation management, and flood control and flood risk 
23 
management initiatives. The Water Resources Regional Director shall also perform such other 
24 
related duties and responsibilities as may be assigned or delegated by the Secretary or as may 
25 
be required by law. 
26 
 
27 
The Water Resources Regional Director shall be assisted by two (2) Assistant Water 
28 
Resources Regional Office Directors who shall exercise supervision over (1) the planning, 
29 
project design and evaluation function and (2) technical assistance to the River Basin 
30 
Organizations within the water resources region.  
31 
 
32 
SEC. 14. Water Pollution Adjudication Board. – There is hereby created a Water 
33 
Pollution Adjudication Board under the Office of the Secretary. The Board shall be composed 
34 


of the Secretary as Chairperson, two (2) Undersecretaries as may be designated by the 
1 
Secretary, the Director of Water Quality Management Bureau, and three (3) other 
2 
representatives from other stakeholders to be designated by the Secretary as members. 
3 
 
4 
The Board shall assume the powers and functions of the National Pollution Control 
5 
Commission with respect to the adjudication of water pollution cases under Republic Act No. 
6 
3931 entitled, An Act Creating The National Water And Air Pollution Control Commission, 
7 
Presidential Decree 984 entitled Providing For The Revision Of Republic Act No. 3931, 
8 
Commonly Known as the Pollution Control Law, And For Other Purposes, particularly with 
9 
respect to Section 6 letters e, f, g, j, k and Republic Act No. 9275. The Bureau of Water Quality 
10 
Management shall serve as the Secretariat of the Board. These powers and functions may be 
11 
delegated to the field officers of the Department in accordance with rules and regulations to be 
12 
promulgated by the Board. 
13 
 
14 
CHAPTER III 
15 
INTERDEPARTMENTAL RELATIONS 
16 
AND INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS OF THE DEPARTMENT 
17 
 
18 
SEC. 15. Interface and Institutional Arrangements with Other Agencies. – 
19 
 
20 
(a) The Department of Health (DOH) shall continue to have primary authority and 
21 
responsibility for setting and enforcing drinking water quality standards. The 
22 
Department shall coordinate with the DOH in this aspect, and shall ensure 
23 
consistency of standards and targets, as well as the compliance of permittees with 
24 
mandated standards; 
25 
 
26 
(b) The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) shall continue to 
27 
have primary authority and responsibility for protecting the environment and 
28 
managing the country’s watersheds; 
29 
 
30 
(c) The Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Power Corporation (NPC) shall 
31 
continue to have primary authority and responsibility for establishing and operating 
32 
hydropower plants, but shall ensure that hydropower plant development plans are 
33 
consistent with the National Water Development and Management Plan; 
34 


(d) The Department shall coordinate with the DA to ensure agricultural development 
1 
that reduces long-term pollution for surface water and groundwater, and agricultural 
2 
and industrial economic development that employs water efficiency, water 
3 
recycling or reuse, and the appropriate treatment of wastewater; 
4 
 
5 
(e) The Department shall coordinate with the National Disaster Risk Reduction 
6 
Management Council (NDRRMC) to ensure that its plans and designs for flood 
7 
control, flood risk management and drought risk management are aligned with the 
8 
objectives and plans of the Department; 
9 
 
10 
(f) The Department shall coordinate with Climate Change Commission (CCC), 
11 
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration 
12 
(PAGASA), and National Mapping and Resource Information Authority 
13 
(NAMRIA) for scientific studies, integrated surveys, mapping, charting, and 
14 
decision support systems 
15 
 
16 
(g) The Department shall coordinate with the Department of Tourism (DOT) on 
17 
recreational use of water resources; 
18 
 
19 
(h) The Department shall coordinate with the Philippine Reclamation Authority and 
20 
economic zone authorities on water resources development and water requirements 
21 
within reclamation areas and economic zones, respectively; and 
22 
 
23 
(i) The Department shall coordinate with relevant government agencies, including 
24 
local government units (LGUs), with respect to development projects and shall 
25 
ensure cross-cutting collaboration between and among all water subsectors and 
26 
facilitate inter-agency subsector coordination, strategic development, planning, 
27 
monitoring and provision of technical, institutional and financial capacity building 
28 
support to their different stakeholders at the water subsector level. 
29 
 
30 
SEC. 16. National Water Sector Policy Board. – The National Water Sector Policy 
31 
Board (NWSPB) shall be created and shall be headed by the Secretary of the Department of 
32 
Water Resources with the Secretary of the National Economic and Development Authority as 
33 
the Vice-Chairperson, and the Secretaries of the DOH, DILG, DOE, DA, Department of Social 
34 


Welfare and Development; DPWH; Department of Budget and Management (DBM); Office of 
1 
the President, and DENR, and National Commission on Indigenous Peoples as members. The 
2 
Department shall provide personnel to serve as Secretariat to the Board. 
3 
 
4 
SEC. 17. Powers and Functions of the National Water Sector Policy Board – The 
5 
NWSPB shall perform policymaking, coordination, integration, supervision, monitoring and 
6 
evaluation functions, and shall have the following responsibilities: 
7 
 
8 
(a) Approve the NWRMP which shall serve as a principal guide to water management 
9 
efforts in the country and shall be reviewed every five (5)-years interval, or as may 
10 
be deemed necessary, in order to ensure its relevance to the times; 
11 
 
12 
(b) Provide overall policy direction and recommend policies on water resources 
13 
requiring Presidential decision; 
14 
 
15 
(c) Advise the President on the status of water management and supply, recommend to 
16 
the President the declaration of a state calamity in areas affected by water supply, 
17 
and submit proposals to restore normalcy in the affected areas; 
18 
 
19 
(d) Ensure a multi-stakeholder participation in the development, updating, and sharing 
20 
of information system as policy, planning and decision-making tools consistent 
21 
with IWRM. 
22 
 
23 
SEC.18. Transfer of Rights and Obligations. – The Department shall, by virtue of this 
24 
Act, be subrogated to all the rights and assume all the obligations of the government agencies 
25 
and units whose powers and functions have been subsumed, absorbed, transferred or attached 
26 
to the Department in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission on Audit, 
27 
and the Civil Service Commission, and other applicable laws. The transfer of powers and 
28 
functions as herein provided shall take effect within six (6) months of the effectivity of this Act. 
29 
As such, all affected agencies, offices, units, shall continue to function under their present 
30 
mandates. 
31 
 
32 
 
33 
 
34 


CHAPTER IV 
1 
WATER REGULATORY COMMISSION 
2 
 
3 
SEC.19. Water Regulatory Commission. – There is hereby created and established as 
4 
an independent, quasi-judicial regulatory body to be known as the Water Regulatory 
5 
Commission, hereinafter referred to as the Commission, which shall be organized within one 
6 
hundred twenty (120) days after the effectivity of this Act. 
7 
 
8 
The Commission shall be placed under the administrative supervision of the Department 
9 
as an attached agency.  
10 
 
11 
The Commission shall have a Board of Commissioners, and shall be vested with powers 
12 
and functions, as conferred and set forth hereunder. 
13 
 
14 
SEC. 20.  The Regulatory Units. – The regulatory units of the Commission shall be 
15 
composed of the central regulatory unit and the regional regulatory units.  
16 
 
17 
The economic regulatory units and functions of the MWSS, NWRB, LWUA, SBMA, 
18 
PEZA, and TIEZA are hereby transferred to the Commission, and shall collectively comprise 
19 
its central regulatory unit for water supply and sanitation services that: (a) provide services to 
20 
more than one province; and (b) are owned, operated and/or maintained by special economic 
21 
zones and Metro Manila concessionaires. 
22 
 
23 
The regional regulatory units shall be established by the Commission in accordance with 
24 
this Act and the rules, regulations, guidelines, and standards that the Commission shall issue.  
25 
 
26 
SEC. 21. Powers and Functions of the Commission. – The overall authority and 
27 
powers of the Commission shall cover and apply to all service providers, whether private or 
28 
public, providing or intending to provide levels II & III water supply, including suppliers to 
29 
subdivisions and /or other service providers, sewerage, and/or septage treatment and disposal 
30 
services for domestic, residential, institutional, industrial or commercial use. 
31 
 
32 
 
33 
 
34 


The Commission shall exercise the following powers and functions: 
1 
 
2 
(a) Issue and promulgate rules, regulations and guidelines as may be necessary to 
3 
implement and enforce its powers and functions under this Act; 
4 
(b) Promulgate and enforce just and reasonable technical standards, classifications and 
5 
measurements of service; 
6 
(c) Establish rules and regulations to monitor, avoid, and provide remedies for any 
7 
market power abuse or anti-competitive or discriminatory act or behavior by or 
8 
against any participant in the water supply and sanitation sector. Upon finding that 
9 
a market participant has engaged in, or had fallen victim to such act or behavior, 
10 
the Commission shall act to stop or redress the same. Such remedies may, without 
11 
limitation, include the imposition of price controls, issuance of injunctions, 
12 
requirement of divestment or disgorgement of excess profits, invalidation of 
13 
contracts and imposition of fines and penalties pursuant to this Act. 
14 
(d) Adopt and require that books, records, and accounts be kept and maintained in 
15 
accordance with the prescribed uniform accounting system; 
16 
(e) Fix and determine proper and adequate rates of depreciation of properties and 
17 
equipment used in water supply and sanitation services; 
18 
(f) Impose and collect annual levies determined as a percentage of gross revenue 
19 
accruing in relation to the licensed activities, and reasonable fees and surcharges as 
20 
may be necessary for achieving the purposes, powers and functions of the 
21 
Commission; 
22 
(g) Require the submission reports of finances and operations, verified under oaths by 
23 
the owner or president and secretary of the board of the licensee; 
24 
(h) Determine and require the monitoring and submission of such data, statistics and 
25 
other information from the regulatory units and any or all licensees as may be 
26 
necessary for the effective and efficient exercise of its duties, functions, powers and 
27 
responsibilities. 
28 
(i) Investigate, motu propio or upon a written complaint, any matter concerning the 
29 
operation of the service and issues on price manipulation and anti-competitive 
30 
behavior; 
31 
(j) Impose penalties and fines against any licensee or against its owners, directors, 
32 
officers, agents or representatives for any violation of this Act or of the license, 
33 
order, rule regulation or requirement issued by the Commission; 
34 


(k) Require any licensee to pay the actual expenses incurred by the Commission in any 
1 
investigation if it shall be found that a licensee violated any provision of this Act or 
2 
of the license, order, rule regulation or requirement issued by the Commission; 
3 
(l) Advise, apprise and coordinate with other relevant agencies of the national or local 
4 
government on any matter relating to water supply and sanitation services; 
5 
(m) Deputize agents, whether from the public or private sector, to assist in the 
6 
performance of any of the powers and functions of the Commission; 
7 
(n) Appoint an interim or temporary management committee upon appeal and after due 
8 
hearing, to ensure continuity of service in case a licensee fails to meet conditions of 
9 
the license and the concerned Regulatory Unit fails or refuses to appoint an interim 
10 
management committee as provided in the following section. 
11 
(o) Appoint, hire and maintain adequate staff and personnel, advisers, or consultants, 
12 
with suitable qualifications and experience, as necessary; 
13 
(p) Exercise original and exclusive jurisdiction over all cases contesting rates, fees, 
14 
fines and penalties imposed by the regulatory units in the exercise of their powers, 
15 
functions and responsibilities, as provided under this Act, and over all cases 
16 
involving disputes between and among participants or stakeholders in the water 
17 
supply and sanitation services; and 
18 
(q) Such other incidental powers and functions as may be necessary to attain the 
19 
objectives of this Act. 
20 
 
21 
SEC. 22. Powers and Functions of the Regulatory Units. – The regulatory units of the 
22 
Commission shall have the following powers and functions: 
23 
 
24 
(a) Issue licenses authorizing the operation of water supply and sanitation services in 
25 
any specified area or areas within the Philippines. 
26 
(b) Impose fines, charges and other penalties upon any provider and/or its officers and 
27 
stockholders who shall fail or refuse to register or obtain a license prior to operation 
28 
or commencement of business, as provided hereunder. 
29 
(c) Review, determine, fix, and approve, consistent with the rules, guidelines, 
30 
procedures and methodologies which the Commission shall provide, proposed 
31 
water and sewerage and septage management tariffs, rates and charges that 
32 
licensees may impose upon their consumers; 
33 
 
34 


(d) Appraise and value property and equipment used by licensees in providing water 
1 
supply and sanitation services. 
2 
(e) Enforce technical, financial, and other performance standards set by the 
3 
Commission for licensees or utilities; 
4 
(f) Respond to consumer complaints and ensure the adequate promotion of consumer 
5 
interests and investigate motu propio price manipulation and anti-competitive 
6 
behavior; 
7 
(g) Investigate accidents directly or indirectly arising from or connected with the 
8 
maintenance or operation of the service, and make such order or recommendation 
9 
as the public interest may warrant; 
10 
(h) equire the review and/or approval of contracts or agreements that may impact on 
11 
the tariff and rates of service provision entered into by service providers upon 
12 
petition or motu propio where in its determination public interest so dictates; 
13 
(i) Require the submission of reports, plans, and other documents that define the 
14 
performance targets of the licensees or utilities, and regular accomplishment 
15 
reports; 
16 
(j) Impose and collect annual levies determined as a percentage of gross revenue 
17 
accruing in relation to the licensed activities, and reasonable fees and surcharges as 
18 
may be necessary for achieving the purposes, powers, and functions of the 
19 
regulator; 
20 
(k) Conduct benchmarking and monitor the performance of licensees or utilities under 
21 
their jurisdiction, and publish reports detailing the results thereof, as may be 
22 
necessary or required by the Commission; 
23 
(l) Amend, modify, suspend, or revoke any license issued by them, after due notice 
24 
and hearing, on any of the following grounds: 
25 
(1) when the facts and circumstances on the strength of which the license was 
26 
issued have been materially misrepresented or have materially changed; 
27 
(2) where the licensee has failed to meet or comply with terms, conditions, and 
28 
performance targets, including but not limited to service expansion, that may 
29 
have been set in the license; 
30 
(3) where the licensee is found to be manifestly inefficient in the operation of or 
31 
provision of water supply and sanitation services in its area; or 
32 
(4) when the licensee thereof has violated or willfully refused to comply with any 
33 
order, rule or regulation of the Commission or any provision of this Act; 
34 


(m) Appoint an interim management committee to ensure continuity of service in case 
1 
a licensee fails to meet the conditions of the license; and 
2 
 
3 
(n) Submit performance plans and reports as required by the Commission. 
4 
 
5 
SEC. 23. Composition of the Water Regulatory Commission. – 
6 
 
7 
(a) The Commission shall be a collegial body composed of five (5) full-time members 
8 
consisting of a Chairperson and four (4) members, who shall all be appointed by 
9 
the President of the Philippines. All members of the Commission must be citizens 
10 
and residents of the Philippines, at least thirty five (35) years of age, and of good 
11 
moral character, of recognized integrity and competence in the field of law, 
12 
business, commerce, finance, accounting or public administration, water or utility 
13 
economics, management, physical or engineering services, hydrology and other 
14 
related services, with at least three (3) years of actual and distinguished experience 
15 
in their respective fields of expertise: Provided, That out of the four (4) members of 
16 
the Commission, at least one (1) shall be a member of the Philippine Bar with at 
17 
least ten (10) years of experience in the active practice of law, and at least one (1) 
18 
shall be a certified public accountant with at least ten (10) years of experience in 
19 
active practice. 
20 
(b) The term of office of each member of the Commission shall be seven (7) years: 
21 
Provided, That among the members first appointed, the Chairperson shall serve for 
22 
a period of seven (7) years, two (2) members shall serve for five (5) years and the 
23 
other two (2) members shall serve for three (3) years: Provided further, That any 
24 
member whose term has expired as specified herein shall serve as such until a 
25 
successor shall have been appointed and qualified: Provided furthermore, That any 
26 
appointment to fill a vacancy in the Commission arising from death, removal, 
27 
retirement or resignation shall be made only for the unexpired term: Provided, 
28 
finally, That in no case shall any member serve for more than seven (7) years in the 
29 
Commission. 
30 
(c) The Commission shall meet as often as may be necessary on such day or days as 
31 
the Chairperson may fix. The presence of at least three (3) members of the 
32 
Commission shall constitute a quorum, which shall be necessary for the transaction 
33 
of any business. The affirmative vote of majority of the members of the 
34 


Commission where a quorum is present shall be necessary for the adoption of any 
1 
order, resolution, decisions, or other act of the Commission in the exercise of its 
2 
quasi-judicial functions: Provided, That in promulgating rules, regulations, 
3 
guidelines and in exercising its quasi-legislative functions, an affirmative vote of 
4 
three (3) members shall be required. 
5 
(d) The Chairperson of the Commission shall exercise general executive control and 
6 
supervision over the Commission and its members, staff and personnel, agents and 
7 
representatives. Within three (3) months from the creation of the Commission and 
8 
the appointment of all Members of   the   Commission,   the   Chairperson   shall   
9 
determine   and   establish   the organizational structure and plantilla positions 
10 
necessary to carry out the powers and functions of the Commission, including those 
11 
of the central and provincial regulatory units subject to the review and approval of 
12 
the DBM. 
13 
 
14 
The plantilla positions of the Commission shall be filled by regular appointments in 
15 
accordance with Civil Service laws, rules, and regulations. Members of the Commission 
16 
shall enjoy security of tenure and shall not be suspended or removed from office except for 
17 
just cause as specified by law. 
18 
 
19 
(e) The Chairperson and members of the Commission or any of their relatives within 
20 
the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, legitimate or common law, shall 
21 
be prohibited from holding any interest whatsoever, either as investor, stockholder, 
22 
officer or director, in any company or entity engaged in provision of water supply 
23 
and distribution, septage management and sewerage services and must, therefore, 
24 
divest through sale or legal disposition of any and all interests in the water sector 
25 
upon assumption to office. 
26 
 
27 
SEC. 24. Secretariat of the Commission. – The Commission shall establish a 
28 
Secretariat which shall provide the Commission with technical and support services including 
29 
the following: 
30 
(a) Provide the necessary technical inputs and secretariat support to the Commission to 
31 
facilitate the conduct of its functions; 
32 
(b) Coordinate with Regulatory Units to ensure proper implementation of the rules, 
33 
regulations and guidelines promulgated by the Commission; 
34 


(c) Monitor and assess activities of the Regulatory Units vis-à-vis their respective 
1 
annual performance plans and targets; 
2 
(d) Maintain a database on the water supply and sanitation subsector; and 
3 
(e) Coordinate with other relevant agencies of the national or local government on any 
4 
matter relating to water supply and sanitation. 
5 
 
6 
SEC. 25. Executive Director. – The Commission shall appoint an Executive Director 
7 
who shall head the Commission Secretariat, keep and maintain the official records of the 
8 
Commission, render a report on the proceedings of the Commission, and administer oaths in all 
9 
matters falling within the jurisdiction of the Commission. 
10 
 
11 
The Executive Director shall be responsible for the effective implementation of the 
12 
policies, plans, programs, rules, regulations and directives of the Commission; coordinate and 
13 
supervise the activities of the different operating units under the Commission; and perform such 
14 
functions as may be assigned by the Chairperson and/or other members of the Commission. 
15 
 
16 
SEC. 26. Compensation and Other Emoluments. – The compensation of the members 
17 
of the Commission and its staff shall conform to provisions of Republic Act No. 6758 as 
18 
amended, otherwise known as the Compensation and Position Classification Act of 1989. 
19 
 
20 
CHAPTER V 
21 
REGISTRATION AND LICENSING 
22 
 
23 
SEC. 27. Registration and Licensing of All Water Supply and Sanitation Services. – 
24 
All water supply and sanitation service providers, including bulk water suppliers and those 
25 
providing services to subdivisions and other service providers, shall register with the 
26 
Commission and, subject to such rules, guidelines, procedures and other issuances of the 
27 
Commission, obtain a license to operate from the appropriate regulatory units.  
28 
 
29 
The Commission shall ensure that the grant and revocation of licenses are carried out 
30 
fairly, transparently, and without discrimination. Issuances of the Commission shall specify, 
31 
among others, the qualifications, requirements, and procedure for the grant and revocation of 
32 
licenses including the standards and performance targets that shall continuously be complied 
33 
with to keep the licenses valid. 
34 


Unless otherwise provided in this Act or by the Commission, no public water supply 
1 
and sanitation service provider shall commence or conduct the business of providing water 
2 
supply and sanitation services without first obtaining a license. 
3 
 
4 
Concession agreements and other contracts for water supply provision and water 
5 
sanitation and treatment services currently existing shall remain valid and enforceable unless 
6 
otherwise terminated, after due notice and hearing for reasons provided in the existing terms 
7 
and conditions under the concession or service agreement or contract, or when invalidated by 
8 
the Commission, after due notice and hearing, where national security, national emergency or 
9 
public interest so dictates. 
10 
 
11 
SEC 28. Conditions of License. – The Commission or the concerned regulatory unit, 
12 
may impose such conditions on the licensee as it may deem necessary, such as: 
13 
 
14 
(a) Tariffs, rates and charges that may be imposed from its customers or consumers. 
15 
 
16 
(b) Term fixing the duration of the privilege. 
17 
 
18 
(c) Grounds for modification, suspension or cancellation of the License. 
19 
 
20 
(d) Minimum technical performance and service level standards. 
21 
 
22 
(e) Expansion targets and service level improvements over time. 
23 
 
24 
(f) Restrictions or conditions for transferability of the business or controlling interest 
25 
in the business. 
26 
 
27 
(g) Reportorial requirements and obligations of the grantee. 
28 
 
29 
(h) Submission to annual performance audit by the Commission or its duly authorized 
30 
representative(s). 
31 
 
32 
The Commission shall specify the requirements and procedure for existing holders of a 
33 
Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC), Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity 
34 
(CPCN) issued by NWRB, or Certificate of Conformance (CoC) issued by LWUA, to convert 
35 
their existing certificates into licenses to operate in accordance with Sec. 27 herein.  
36 
All existing providers of water supply and sanitation services without a legal and valid 
37 
Certificate of Public Convenience, Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, or 
38 
Certificate of Conformance shall register with the Commission and apply for a license within 
39 
six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act. 
40 


SEC. 29. Rights and Duties of Licensees. – 
1 
 
2 
(a) Any person granted a license under this Act shall have the obligation to ensure that 
3 
licensed activities are conducted to further public interest and, in particular: 
4 
 
5 
(1) Foster the maintenance and development of efficient, coordinated, and viable 
6 
operation of their licensed activities; 
7 
 
8 
(2) Ensure that their water supply and sanitation services are provided in a diligent, 
9 
conscientious and workman like manner, in accordance with applicable laws 
10 
rules and regulations issued by the Commission and the generally accepted 
11 
standards and practices of the water supply and sanitation industry; and 
12 
 
13 
(3) Comply with drinking water quality requirements and standards that may be 
14 
established by the Commission. 
15 
 
16 
(b) Any person granted a license under this Act shall, to the extent allowed by law and 
17 
specified in the license, has the right to acquire or lease land, lay or repair water or 
18 
sanitation main lines and other relevant facilities in public ways to fulfill the terms 
19 
and conditions under the license.  
20 
 
21 
(c) Subject to any condition or limitation laid down in the license, a licensee may 
22 
discontinue water supply and sanitation services to a customer if such customer 
23 
defaults in the payment of fees due to the licensee for the water supplied or 
24 
sanitation services provided, or for acts of pilferage pursuant to Sections 8, 9, 10, 
25 
and 11 of Republic Act No. 8041, otherwise known as the Water Crisis Act of 1995. 
26 
 
27 
(d) license issued under this Act shall contain provisions designed to ensure that 
28 
licensees: 
29 
 
30 
(1) Publish the Tariff and other charges approved by and the terms and conditions 
31 
imposed by the Commission for the provision of water supply and sanitation 
32 
services. 
33 
 
34 


(2) Prepare, within three (3) months from the issuance of a license, in consultation 
1 
with its customers, a Customer Service Code specifying the manner and 
2 
procedure for: (a) metering, billing, and collection of the licensee’s approved 
3 
tariff and other charges, (b) disconnection or suspension of service in case of 
4 
non-payment of tariffs and/or other charges, or acts of pilferage, and (c) 
5 
recommendation and recovery of arrears in tariffs and other charges; 
6 
 
7 
(3) Maintain financial accounts in accordance with the manner and procedure 
8 
specified in the license and as may be required by the Commission; and 
9 
 
10 
(4) Maintain and upon request by anyone during regular office hours, promptly 
11 
make available for scrutiny and inspection such data, statistics and other 
12 
information, as may be required by the Commission. 
13 
 
14 
 
15 
SEC. 30. Setting Tariffs, Rates, and Other Charges. – Regulatory units shall establish 
16 
tariffs, rates and other charges which are fair and reasonable, and ensure economic viability and 
17 
a fair return on investments.  
18 
 
19 
Tariffs, rates and charges shall be based on and consistent with a rate-setting 
20 
methodology that the Commission shall, after due consultation, define and publish, taking into 
21 
account the following, among others: 
22 
 
23 
(a) Reasonable and prudent capital and recurrent costs of providing the service 
24 
including a reasonable rate of return on capital; 
25 
(b) Efficiency of the service; 
26 
(c) Incentives for enhancement of efficiency; 
27 
(d) Willingness to pay of the customers/consumers; 
28 
(e) Equity considerations; and 
29 
(f) Administrative simplicity. 
30 
 
31 
Tariffs, rates, and charges set by the regulatory units shall be presumed valid and 
32 
reasonable unless a protest or contest is filed with the Commission. 
33 
 
34 


SEC.31. Direct Access. – Fifty-one (51) percent of the registered water consumers in a 
1 
municipality, city or province may petition for direct access to water from any water service 
2 
provider subject to concurrence by the service provider and approval by the Commission. The 
3 
Commission shall promulgate rules and procedures for this mode of service. 
4 
 
5 
SEC. 32. Innovative Schemes to Improve Efficiency and Management of Systems. – 
6 
The Commission shall promote innovative schemes such as the consolidation or integration of 
7 
water supply and sanitation services, or providers in the same service area, where it shall result 
8 
in improved efficiency, service expansion and lower costs.  
9 
 
10 
To this end, the Commission shall establish and issue such rules and guidelines as may 
11 
be necessary to (a) create incentives to encourage efficiency and service expansion; (b) establish 
12 
the standards and targets that service providers are required to meet; and (c) define the fines 
13 
and penalties that shall be imposed for failure to meet such standards and targets. 
14 
 
15 
 
16 
CHAPTER VI 
17 
QUASI-JUDICIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMISSION 
18 
 
19 
SEC. 33. Proceedings before the Commission. – For the purpose of any investigation, 
20 
inquiry or proceeding, the Commission shall: 
21 
 
22 
(a) Issue subpoena duces tecum and subpoena ad testificandum; 
23 
 
24 
(b) Appoint hearing officers to hear and receive evidence on behalf of the Commission; 
25 
 
26 
(c) Cite any person or party for contempt for refusal to appear, testify, or comply with 
27 
an order of the Commission on any matter that is the subject of investigation, 
28 
inquiry or proceeding before the Commission. 
29 
 
30 
SEC. 34. Orders and Decisions of the Commission. – Any order, resolution, or 
31 
decisions of the Commission shall be promulgated promptly, expeditiously, reasonably, and in 
32 
writing, and shall state clearly and distinctly the facts and law on which it is based.  
33 
 
34 


The Commission shall publish and make available for public inspection, all decisions 
1 
and final orders in the adjudication of contested cases or applications. 
2 
 
3 
SEC. 35. Appeals Procedure and Prohibition Against Injunction. – 
4 
 
5 
(a) The orders, rulings, and decisions of the Commission are final and executory unless 
6 
appealed to the Court of Appeals within fifteen (15) days from receipt of notice of 
7 
such order, ruling or decision: Provided, That orders, rulings, and decisions of the 
8 
Commission approving tariffs, shall be immediately executory and may be 
9 
suspended only upon appeal and filing of a bond, in an amount to be fixed by the 
10 
Commission, to answer for damages occasioned by the suspension or stay of 
11 
execution of such orders, rulings, and decisions. 
12 
 
13 
(b) No injunction may be issued by any court or administrative agency  to restrain any 
14 
proceeding before, or the implementation or execution of any order, ruling, or 
15 
decision of the Commission, except on the basis of a question of law brought before 
16 
the Supreme Court on certiorari. 
17 
 
18 
(c) Any act or decision of the Commission shall not be invalidated merely because of 
19 
a defect or irregularity in, or in connection with, the appointment or vacancy in the 
20 
Office of the Chairperson or any other member of the Commission. 
21 
 
22 
CHAPTER VII 
23 
INTERDEPARTMENTAL RELATIONS OF THE COMMISSION 
24 
 
25 
SEC. 36. Interface with Other Sector Regulators. – 
26 
 
27 
(a) The DENR shall continue to exercise primary jurisdiction over programs aimed at 
28 
protecting the environment and the quality of water sources from waste and 
29 
pollution, and shall promulgate rules, regulations, and standards in this regard. The 
30 
Department of Health (DOH) shall continue to exercise primary jurisdiction over 
31 
the determination and enforcement of standards for quality drinking water and 
32 
sanitation.  
33 
 
34 


(b) The Commission shall coordinate with the: 
1 
(1) DOH to ensure that the standards and targets for quality drinking water and 
2 
sanitation are consistently complied with; 
3 
(2) LGUs for development projects relating to water supply and sanitation; and 
4 
(3) Department of Public Works and Highways for flood control and harnessing 
5 
and impounding of water. 
6 
 
7 
SEC. 37. Transfer of Rights and Obligations. – The Commission shall, by virtue of 
8 
this Act, be subrogated to all the rights, and assume all the obligations, of the Water Utilities 
9 
Division of the NWRB, the regulatory offices of MWSS and LWUA, the regulatory units of all 
10 
special economic zones, and all other government agencies and units whose powers and 
11 
functions have been transferred to the Commission. 
12 
 
13 
The transfer of powers and functions to the Department of the concerned agencies as 
14 
herein provided for, shall be deemed completed within six (6) months after the effectivity of 
15 
this Act. The transfer of powers and functions shall include all applicable funds, personnel, 
16 
records, property and equipment, as may be necessary. The same shall apply to agencies which 
17 
have been attached to the Department by virtue of this Act. 
18 
  
19 
All agencies transferred, subsumed and attached to the Department, shall continue to 
20 
function under their present mandates until the six-month transition period mandated under this 
21 
Act shall have lapsed. The heads of the affected agencies shall continue to serve until replaced.  
22 
 
23 
All rights and obligations of the affected agencies are hereby transferred to and assumed 
24 
by the Commission, and shall be acted upon in accordance with the rules and regulations of the 
25 
Commission on Audit and other pertinent laws, rules, and regulations. 
26 
 
27 
SEC. 38. Absorption or Separation from Service of Employees of the Subrogated 
28 
Agencies. – The current employees of the Water Utilities Division of the NWRB, the regulatory 
29 
offices of MWSS and LWUA, the regulatory units of all special economic zones, and all other 
30 
government agencies and units whose powers and functions have been transferred to the 
31 
Commission shall enjoy security of tenure, and shall be absorbed by the Department, in 
32 
accordance with their staffing pattern and the selection process as prescribed under Republic 
33 
Act No. 6656 or the Government Reorganization Law. 
34 


Employees opting to be separated from the service as a consequence of the 
1 
consolidation, and reconstitution under the provisions of this Act shall, within one (1) month 
2 
from their separation or phase out from the service, receive separation benefits in accordance 
3 
with existing laws, and those who are qualified to retire shall be allowed to retire and be entitled 
4 
to all benefits under existing retirement laws. 
5 
 
6 
SEC. 39. Water Trust Fund. – There is hereby created a Water Trust Fund in the Bureau 
7 
of Treasury. All non-tax revenues, including raw water pricing, permit fees, registration fees, 
8 
supervision and regulation enforcement fees, filing fees, testing fees, and other service income 
9 
from the use of water resources shall be remitted to the Water Trust Fund. The trust fund shall 
10 
be accounted separately from the government’s general revenues and shall be automatically 
11 
appropriated to the Department. Proceeds from the trust fund shall be utilized for water 
12 
development, water sanitation and waste water treatment and management, and water 
13 
sustainability programs and projects authorized under this Act: Provided, That a maximum of 
14 
ten percent (10%) of the total income generated from raw water extraction shall be given as 
15 
share of the concerned local government unit or indigenous peoples (IP) community who own 
16 
the specific areas or land where the raw water was sourced. 
17 
 
18 
 
19 
CHAPTER VIII 
20 
FINAL PROVISIONS. 
21 
 
22 
SEC. 40. Applicability of Ease of Doing Business Law. – The prescribed processing 
23 
time provided under Section 9.b of Republic Act No. 11032, otherwise known as the Ease of 
24 
Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018, shall be applicable to 
25 
all agencies and LGUs covered under this Act particularly on accessing government services. 
26 
 
27 
SEC. 41. Transitory Provisions. – Performance audit of all water-related agencies and 
28 
institutions, including LWUA and water districts, MWSS, MWSS-RO and its concessionaires, 
29 
LGU- run utilities, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, Philippine Economic 
30 
Zone Authority, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Subic Bay Metropolitan 
31 
Authority, DILG, and NIA, shall be conducted by the Department. 
32 
 
33 
 
34 


SEC. 42. Appropriations – The amount necessary to cover the initial implementation 
1 
of this Act shall be charged against the currents year’s appropriations of the agencies and offices 
2 
transferred and subsumed by the Department and the Commission in the General 
3 
Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued 
4 
implementation of the Act shall be included in the annual GAA. 
5 
 
6 
SEC. 43. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within one hundred eighty (180) 
7 
days from the effectivity of this Act, the Department, NEDA, DBM, DENR, CSC, in 
8 
consultation with concerned government agencies, the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office 
9 
shall promulgate rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act. 
10 
 
11 
SEC. 44. Separability Clause. – If any reason, any portion or provision of this Act shall 
12 
be held unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining provisions not affected thereby shall continue 
13 
to be in full force and effect. 
14 
 
15 
SEC. 45. Repealing Clause. –  
16 
 
17 
(a) The following provisions are hereby repealed: 
18 
1) Section 3 (h) and Section 12 on the provision with respect to fixing of water 
19 
rates and sanitation service fees, Section 3 (n) on the provision with respect to 
20 
regulation of waterworks and deep wells, and Section 3 (p) on the provision 
21 
with respect to regulation of waterworks and sanitation systems in privately 
22 
owned subdivisions of Republic Act 6234 entitled, An Act Creating The 
23 
Metropolitan Waterworks And Sewerage System And Dissolving The National 
24 
Waterworks And Sewerage Authority, And For Other Purposes, as amended. 
25 
 
26 
2) Title III on Local Water Utilities Administration Law of Presidential Decree 
27 
No. 198 otherwise known as the Provincial Water Utilities Act of 1973, as 
28 
amended by Letter of Instruction No. 700 - Providing Measures To Control 
29 
And Regulate Increase In Water Rates, Letter of Instruction No. 744 - Relative 
30 
To Reliable Water Supply At Reasonable Rates In The Countryside on the, 
31 
Executive Order No. 124, 30 January 1987 - Reorganization Act of the Ministry 
32 
of Public Works and Highways, Executive Order No. 123, 30 January 1987 - 
33 
Reorganization Act of Ministry of Social Services and Development. 
34 


3) Republic Act No. 3601 as amended by Presidential Decree No. 552 and 
1 
Presidential Decree No. 1702 pertaining to the creation of the National 
2 
Irrigation Administration; 
3 
 
4 
4) Section 1 of Executive Order No. 124-A S. 1987 Amending Executive Order 
5 
No. 124, dated 30 January 1987, Reorganizing the Department of Public Works 
6 
and Highways, Redefining Its Powers and Functions, and For Other Purposes 
7 
on renaming and reorganizing the National Water Resources Council into the 
8 
National Water Resources Board. 
9 
 
10 
(b) The following provisions are hereby amended accordingly: 
11 
 
12 
1) Section 3 paragraph 3 Commonwealth Act No. 146, as amended, otherwise 
13 
known as the Public Service Act pertaining to all cases involving the fixing of 
14 
rates; 
15 
 
16 
2) Section 154, Article V, Chapter I, Title One, Book II of Republic Act No. 7160, 
17 
as amended, otherwise known as the “Local Government Code of 1991”, and 
18 
its implementing rules and regulations on the power of the local government 
19 
units to fix the rates of water utilities owned, operated and maintained by them 
20 
within their jurisdiction is hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
21 
 
22 
3) Section 13 (b) on the regulation of enterprises within the Economic Zone under 
23 
Republic Act No. 7916 as amended, otherwise known as “The Special 
24 
Economic Zone Act of 1995”; 
25 
 
26 
4) Section 69 of Republic Act No. 9593 otherwise known as “The Tourism Act 
27 
of 2009” and its implementing rules and regulations which mandate the 
28 
Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority to grant franchises, 
29 
supervise the operation of public utilities, and register, monitor and regulate 
30 
enterprises within Tourism Enterprise Zones, are hereby repealed or modified 
31 
accordingly; 
32 
 
33 
 
34 


5) Sections 7 and 8 on the adjudication of water pollution cases under Republic 
1 
Act No. 3931 entitled, An Act Creating The National Water And Air Pollution 
2 
Control Commission, particularly with respect to Section 6 letters e, f, g, j, k 
3 
Presidential Decree 984 entitled, Providing for the Revision of Republic Act 
4 
No. 3931, Commonly Known as the Pollution Control Law, and For Other 
5 
Purposes; 
6 
 
7 
6) Sections 4(1) and 7 of Republic Act No. 9275, otherwise known as the 
8 
“Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004”; 
9 
 
10 
7) Articles 3(d) and 79 of Presidential Decree No. 1067, otherwise known as The 
11 
Water Code of the Philippines; 
12 
 
13 
8) Sections 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13, Chapter II of Presidential Decree No. 856, 
14 
otherwise known as the “Code on Sanitation of the Philippines”; and 
15 
 
16 
9) Section 3.2 (b) of Executive Order No. 149 Series of 1993 transferring the 
17 
Laguna Lake Development Authority from the Office of the President to the 
18 
Department of Environment and Natural Resources. 
19 
 
20 
All other laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, presidential 
21 
proclamations, rules and regulations, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the 
22 
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly. 
23 
 
24 
SEC. 46. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
25 
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
26 
 
27 
Approved, 
28