Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF WATER, IRRIGATION, SEWAGE, AND 
SANITATION RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, DEFINING ITS POWERS AND 
FUNCTIONS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippine government’s responsibility to provide safe, clean, 
accessible and affordable drinking water, sanitation and irrigation service to the 
public is of utmost importance and it is attainable through well-coordinated, 
effective, efficient and sustainable management of its water and sanitation 
resources. The Philippine government must take in consideration the rapid 
population growth, waterborne diseases like diarrhea, leptospirosis, and dengue, 
agricultural requirements for food production, water pollution, watershed 
degradation, climate change, and other related factors that need to be adequately 
addressed without delay. 
The proposed measure thus now seeks to rationalize the water, irrigation, 
sewage, and sanitation resource management, including water rights, through 
the creation of the Department of Water, Irrigation, Sewage, and Sanitation 
Resource Management. 
Currently, our national government consists of several agencies which 
take care of our water: the National Water Resources Board (NWRB), a 
government agency responsible for the enforcement of the Water Code of the 
Philippines, under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources 
(DENR); the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), a government-owned 
and controlled corporation (GOCC) attached to the Department of Public Work 
and Highways (DPWH) and has regulatory powers over all local water districts 
July 27, 2022
3:17 pm
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(LWDs) and rural waterworks and sanitation associations (RWSAs) nationwide; 
the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage  System (MWSS), a GOCC also 
attached to the DPWH, which is responsible for the water supply and sanitation 
in Metropolitan Manila and such contiguous areas as may be added to its area 
of jurisdiction; and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), a government  
agency under the Office of the President primarily responsible for irrigation 
development and management. 
 
With the regulation and management of the said water resources currently 
lodged with various units and agencies of the government, there have been 
various challenges and confusions in the coordination and implementation of 
the national policies and plans on water, sewage, sanitation, and irrigation. 
 
The fragmentation among water-related agencies has resulted in a backlog 
in the provision of water supply and sanitation service to the public. 
 
The proposed measure shall address the immediate need to create the 
Department of Water, Irrigation, Sewage and Sanitation Resource Management, 
which shall strengthen and coordinate water resource planning and policy-
making to ensure sustainable and fair allocation and efficient use of water 
resources between competing water uses and users, including but not limited to 
domestic and municipal use, irrigation, power generation, farming, fisheries, 
commercial, and industrial use. The measure shall also prioritize and pursue 
the immediate attainment of universal access to safe, adequate, and sustainable 
water supply and sanitation services for all Filipinos and adopt all necessary 
measures directed towards the realization of providing a world-class, affordable 
and sustainable water supply, sanitation and sewerage system accessible to 
every Filipino. 
 
 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought. 
 
 
 
 
REP. PM VARGAS   
 
Fifth District, Quezon City 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF WATER, IRRIGATION, SEWAGE, AND 
SANITATION RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, DEFINING ITS POWERS AND 
FUNCTIONS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
CHAPTER 1  
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Department of Water, 
Irrigation, Sewage, and Sanitation Resource Management Act.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the State 
to recognize,  protect, realize, and enhance the right of all Filipinos to safe, clean, 
affordable, and accessible drinking water, sanitation and irrigation as essential 
to the full enjoyment of life and all human rights and the protection and 
sustainability of the environment. 
In pursuit of said policy, this Act shall have the following objectives: 
a)
To prioritize and pursue the immediate attainment of universal access to
safe, adequate, and sustainable water supply and sanitation services for
all Filipinos and adopt all necessary measures directed towards the
realization of the human right to water and sanitation; and
b)
To strengthen and coordinate water resources planning and policy-
making to ensure sustainable and fair allocation and efficient use of
2523


water resources between competing water uses and user, including but 
not limited to domestic and municipal use, irrigation, power generation, 
farming, fisheries, commercial, and industrial use. 
 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. – For purpose of this Act, the following terms 
are hereby defined: 
a) 
‘Department’ refers to the Department of Water, Irrigation, Sewage, and 
Sanitation Resource Management. 
b) 
‘Sanitation’ refers to sewage, sanitation, and septage management. 
c) 
‘Sewerage’ refers to any system or network of sanitary pipelines, ditches, 
channels, or conduits including pumping stations, lift stations, and force 
mains, service connections including other constructions, devices, or 
appliances appurtenant thereof, which includes the collection, sanitary 
piping transport, pumping, and treatment of water-borne human or 
animal waste removed from residences, buildings, institutions, and 
industrial and commercial establishments to point of sewage treatment 
20 plant disposal. 
d) 
‘Sewage’ refers to water-carried waste in solution or suspension, 
including sanitary waste, commercial waste, industrial waste, and 
surface runoff, conveyed by a sewerage system for treatment or disposal. 
For purposes of this Act, the definition of septage shall be included in the 
use of sewage. 
e) 
‘Septage’ refers to sludge produced on individual on-site wastewater 
disposal systems, principally septic tanks and cesspools. 
f) 
The terms “infrastructure” and “public works” as used in this Act should 
be ready to apply only to wholly or primarily water-related project and 
shall not be read to incorporate projects which would not otherwise fall 
within the purview of the objectives, powers, and duties of the 
Department. 
 
 
CHAPTER II 
ORGANIZATION 
 
SECTION 4. The Department of Water, Irrigation, Sewage, and Sanitation 
Resource Management. – There is hereby created and established the 
Department of Water, Irrigation, Sewage, and Sanitation Resource Management, 
hereinafter referred to as the “Department,” which shall be organized within one 
hundred twenty (120) days after the effectivity of this Act. The Department shall 
be tasked with developing and implementing a comprehensive water, irrigation, 
sewage, and sanitation program for the Philippines including, but not limited to: 
(a) Implementing necessary policy and resource reform with respect to the 
management of water, irrigation, sewage, and sanitation; (b) Monitoring and 
evaluating compliance with the national goals relating to water, irrigation, 
sewage, and sanitation;(c) Formulating an updated national road  map to 


address the water, sewage, and sanitation requirements of the State; and (d) 
Improving conservation of water and increasing system efficiencies. 
 
SECTION 5. Powers and Duties of the Department. – The Department shall 
have the following powers and duties, among others:  
 
a) 
Develop policies to promote universal access to safe, adequate, 
affordable, and sustainable water supply, irrigation, sewage, and 
sanitation services for all Filipinos; 
b) 
Coordinate with relevant government agencies or entities to provide policy 
direction, strategies, and targets to meet the goals and objectives for 
water supply, irrigation, sewage, and sanitation. Such policies shall 
among other things, integrate the issues of water, irrigation, sewage, 
energy, environment, and food security; 
c) 
Manage and protect the country’s water resources to ensure the optimal 
use thereof for domestic water supply, sewage, sanitation, irrigation, 
hydropower, navigation, flood control, and recreation, including the 
enhancement and maintenance of water quality, conservation of 
watersheds, control of water pollution , and environmental restoration, 
without compromising the natural ecosystem function and service;  
d) 
Manage 
the 
ownership 
appropriation, 
utilization, 
exploitation, 
development, conservation, and protection of water resources and rights 
to land related thereto and their competing demands; 
e) 
Undertake and coordinate with other agencies and government entities 
in data gathering, scientific research, and studies on water resources 
management and development, and conduct nationwide hydrologic 
surveys to determine the annual renewable  water available per water 
region; 
f) 
Formulate and enforce rules and regulation in the administration and 
management of the country’s water resource and implement rules and 
guidelines for the enforcement of water related laws; 
g) 
Conduct continuing surveys and studies of the country’s renewable water 
supply with a view towards formulating long-term policies to balance the 
sustainability and optimal use of water resources, defining the hydrologic 
boundaries of basins of the existing water supply sources, and creating 
and implementing countrywide master plans for water resources 
management and development; 
h) 
Coordinate with and assist other government  agencies in all aspects of 
data gathering, conduct studies and research, and establish water and 
wastewater effluence, in coordination with relevant agencies; 
i) 
Coordinate with other relevant agencies to engage in flood control and 
flood 
risk 
management, 
formulate 
integrated 
water 
resources 
management 
(IWRM) 
policies 
and 
plans, 
and 
coordinate 
the 
implementation, promotion, revision, and enhancement of IWRM plans; 
j) 
Effect and compel inter-section, inter-agency, and inter department 
coordination on water, irrigation, energy, environmental, sewage, and 


sanitation 
resources 
development 
planning 
with 
the 
aim 
of 
operationalizing 
the 
integrated 
approach 
to 
water 
resources 
management; 
k) 
Regulate and control the utilization, exploitation, abstraction, diversion, 
and development of water resources, taking into account its equitable 
distribution, and determine the standards of beneficial and priority uses 
of water  in times of crisis and national emergencies; 
l) 
Assist and provide the National Economic and Development Authority 
(NEDA) with required data and inputs from and for the water sector in 
the formulation of the country’s short-term  and long-term strategic 
development plans and actions; 
m) 
Coordinate with other relevant government agencies and develop policies 
and plans in respect of water resources for farming, including sustainable 
mechanisms for irrigation; 
n) 
Pass upon, approve, or disapprove all plans, program, development 
project of private individuals, corporations, and government agencies, 
whether national or local, that affect water resources, its diversion or 
abstraction, and the construction of hydraulic facilities, including but not 
limited to plans and projects in watershed or basin area of water supply 
sources, which have direct or indirect impact on the affected locality’s 
water resources; 
o) 
Review from time regulations prescribed by any government agency 
pertaining to water use, exploitation, development, conservation, or 
protection of waters, water resources, and watershed or basin areas; 
p) 
Authorize its representatives or any deputized agent to enter any property 
of public dominion or any private land, building, or enclave, whether 
inhabited or not, for the purpose of conducting hydrologic surveys and 
investigations, including assessing and evaluating the conditions of water 
facilities installed, and determining compliance with water laws and 
standards; 
q) 
Require Local Government Units (LGUs) and national agencies to submit 
zoning and land use management plans to ensure the integration of water 
resource management plans: Provided, That no zoning and land use plan 
shall become effective and enforceable unless and until a certification of 
integration of water, sewage, and sanitation resource management plan 
has been issued by the Department. Should the Department have serious 
concerns affecting conservation and sustainability of water supply, such 
concerns must first be resolved by the Department and the concerned 
LGU and/or national agency. However, in the absence of such concerns, 
the concerned LGU and/or national agency may, ninety (90) days from 
the submission of its zoning and land use plan and after submitting to 
the Department a writer notice of compliance with this provision, proceed 
with the implementation of its zoning and land use plan without prejudice 
to later integration of the water resource management plan for the 
locality; 


r) 
Provide technical assistance to water, irrigation, sewer and sanitation 
users, whether directly or in coordination with other agencies, to assist 
them in applying for water and irrigation permits and providing data on 
water, irrigation, sewage, and sanitation resource usage; 
s) 
Plan design, construct, and/or improve all types of irrigation projects and 
appurtenant structures; 
t) 
Operate, maintain, and administer ail national irrigation systems (NIS); 
u) 
Supervise the operation, maintenance, and repair, or otherwise, 
administer temporarily all communal and pump irrigation systems 
constructed, improved, and/or repaired wholly or partially with 
government fund; 
v) 
Supervise the operation, maintenance, and repair, or otherwise, 
administer temporarily all communal and pump irrigation systems 
constructed, improved, and/or repaired wholly or partially with 
government funds;   
w) 
Delegate the partial or full management of NIS to duly organized 
cooperatives or associations; 
x) 
Construct multiple-purpose water resources projects designed primarily 
for irrigation, and secondarily for hydraulic power development and/or 
other uses such as flood control, drainage, land reclamation, domestic 
water supply, roads and highway construction, and reforestation, among 
others; Provided, that the plans, designs, and the construction thereof, 
shall be undertaken in coordination with the agencies concerned; 
y) 
Charge and collect from the beneficiaries of the water from all irrigation 
systems constructed under its administration; 
z) 
In coordination with other relevant government agencies, develop and 
implement effective codes, standards and reasonable guidelines to ensure 
the safety of all public and private structures in the country and assure 
efficiency and proper quality in the construction of water, irrigation, 
sewage, and sanitation infrastructures; 
aa) Coordination 
with 
relevant 
government 
agencies, 
including the 
Department of environment and Natural Resources, to ensure that the 
agencies’ respective standards complement each other when taken as 
part of a larger whole; 
bb) In coordination with other relevant agencies, ascertain that all plans and 
project implementation designs are consistent with current standards 
and guidelines; 
cc) Provide the works supervision function for all public works construction 
and ensure that actual construction is done in accordance with approved 
government plans and specifications; 
dd) Assist other government agencies, including LCDs, in determining the 
most suitable entity to undertake the actual construction of water, 
irrigation, sewage, and sanitation project; 
ee) Maintain and cause to be maintained all flood control, water resource 
development systems, irrigation systems, and other public works 
throughout the country except those that are the responsibility of other 


agencies as directed by the President of the Philippines or as provided by 
law; 
ff) 
Provide integrated planning for flood control, flood risk management, and 
water resource development and management systems, other public 
works; 
gg) Issue and promulgate rules, regulations, and guidelines as may be 
necessary to implement and enforce its powers and functions under this 
Act; 
hh) Determine and require the monitoring and submission of such data, 
statistics, and other information as may be necessary for the effective and 
efficient exercise of its duties, functions, powers and responsibilities; 
ii) 
Respond to consumer complaints and ensure the adequate promotion of 
consumer interests; 
jj) 
Deputize agents, whether from the public or private sector, to assist in 
the performance of any of the power and functions of the Department; 
kk) Appoint, hire, and maintain adequate staff and personnel, advisers, 
and/or consultants, with suitable qualifications and experience, as 
necessary; 
ll) 
Manage funds coursed though it under the General Appropriations Act 
intended as financial assistance to LWDs or LGUs for the development 
and/or improvement of water supply and sanitation facilities; 
mm) Exercise such other powers and functions necessary or incidental to the 
effective administration and management of the country’s water, 
irrigation, sewage, and sanitation resources; 
nn) Exercise such other incidental power and functions as may be necessary 
to attain the objectives of this Act; and  
oo) Carry out such other functions as the President may from time to time 
assign to the Department consistent with the aims and provision of this 
Act. 
 
 
SECTION 6. Secretary of the Department of Water, Sewage, and 
Sanitation. – The authority and responsibility for the exercise of the mandate 
of the Department and for the discharge of its powers and functions shall be 
vested in the Secretary of the Department of Water, Sewage and Sanitation, 
hereinafter referred to as the Secretary, who shall have supervision and control 
over the Department and shall be appointed by the President. For such purposes, 
the Secretary shall: 
 
a) 
Advise the President on the promulgation of executive or administrative 
orders, regulations, proclamations, and other issuances relative to 
matters under the jurisdiction of the Department; 
b) 
Establish the policies and standards for the operation of the Department 
pursuant to the President’s guidelines; 
c) 
Promulgate rules and regulations necessary to carry out Department 
objectives, policies, and functions; 


d) 
Exercise supervision and control over all Offices under the Department; 
e) 
Supervise all attached agencies and corporations in accordance with law; 
f) 
As deemed appropriate by the Secretary, delegate authority for the 
performance of any power or function, as defined herein or as delegated 
by the President, to officers and employees under the Secretary’s 
direction; and  
g) 
Perform such other duties and responsibilities as may be provided by law. 
 
SECTION 7. Offices of the Secretary. – The Office of the Secretary shall be 
composed of the Secretary and his/her immediate staff. 
 
SECTION 8. Undersecretaries. – The Secretary shall be assisted by not more 
than five (5) Undersecretaries, who shall be appointed by the President upon the 
recommendation of the Secretary, as follows; 
 
1) One for the Finance Service; 
2) One for the Administrative Service; 
3) One for the Planning and Engineering Services; 
4) One for the Regulatory and Financial Assistance Services; and  
5) One for the Operations. 
 
Within her/his functional area of responsibility, an Undersecretary shall have 
the following functions: 
  
a) 
Advise and assist the Secretary in the formulation and implementation of 
Department policies, plans, programs, and projects; 
b) 
Supervise all the operational activities of the units assigned to her/him, 
for which she/he is responsible to the secretary; and  
c) 
Perform such other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned or 
delegated by the Secretary to promote efficiency and effectiveness in the 
delivery of public services or as may be required by law. 
 
SECTION 9. Assistance Secretaries. – The Secretary shall also be assisted by 
one Assistant Secretary for Internal Audit and the five Undersecretaries shall 
each be assisted by not more than three (3) Assistant Secretaries likewise 
appointed by the President of the Philippines upon the recommendation of the 
Secretary. 
 
SECTION 10. Organizational Structure. – The Department shall be composed 
of the following organization unit: 
 
a) 
Department Proper consisting of the Office of the Secretary, the Offices of 
the Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries, the Internal Audit, 
Finance Service, Administrative Service, Planning and Engineering 
Services, Regulatory and Financial Assistance Services; and Operations; 
and 


b) 
Regional Offices, as deemed appropriate and necessary by the Secretary. 
 
SECTION 11. Internal Audit. – The Internal Audit is hereby created for the 
purpose of conducting comprehensive audit of various Department activities and 
shall have the following specific function: 
 
a) 
Advise the Secretary on all matters relating to management control and 
operations audit; 
b) 
Conduct management and operations performance audit of Department 
activities and units and determine as to compliance with established 
objectives, policies, methods and procedures, government regulations, 
and contractual obligations of the Department; 
c) 
Review and appraise systems and procedures, organizational structure, 
assets management practices, accounting, and other records, reports, 
and performance standards of the Department of Proper and Regional 
Offices; 
d) 
Analyze and evaluate management deficiencies and assist top 
management to solve problem by recommending realistic of action; and  
e) 
Perform such other related duties and responsibilities as may be assigned 
or delegated by the Secretary or as may be required by law. 
 
SECTION 12. Finance Service. – The Finances is hereby created to provide the 
Department with coordinated services relating to financial systems and 
procedures, budget, cash, accounting, and ail financial matters not falling under 
other Services. For such purposes, it shall have the following: 
 
a) 
Advise the Secretary on all matters relating to the accounting of 
government expenditures and receipts, budgeting and cash management, 
project finances, and financial systems and procedures; 
b) 
Prepare budget proposals and pursue formal budget authorizations, 
undertake budget execution, and prepare and submit all appropriate 
report to the propose offices; 
c) 
Develop and maintain accounting, financial, and assets management 
systems, procedures, and practices in the Department Proper and 
Regional Offices in accordance with the existing government accounting 
and auditing rules and regulations; 
d) 
Provide assistance in its area of specialization to any unit of the 
Department and, when requested, to government corporations, councils, 
and boards attached to the Department; and  
e) 
Preform such other related duties and responsibilities as may be assigned 
or delegated by the Secretary or as may be required by law. 
 
 
SECTION 13. Administrative Service. – The Administrative Service is hereby 
created to provide the Department with services relating to human resources 
development, personnel, records, facilities maintenance, medical and dental, 


gender and development (GAD), secretary, property and procurement services. 
For such purposes, it shall have the following functions: 
 
a) Advise the Secretary on all matter relating to internal administration and 
human resources management: 
b) Prepare and implement an integrated personnel plan that shall include 
provisions on merit promotion, performance evaluation, job rotation, 
suggestion and incentive awards system, and health and welfare service; 
c) Provide services related to human resource training, education, and 
development, including manpower, career planning and forecasting and 
development of indigenous training materials; 
d) Provide and/or implement Department GAD plan and budget and GAD 
accomplishment report; 
e) Develop, establish, and maintain an efficient and cost-effective property 
procurement system and facilities and coordinate or otherwise interface with 
relevant agencies, whether government or private, for the purpose of 
developing or upgrading the system; 
f) Secure and maintain necessary Department facilities, and develop, establish, 
and maintain an efficient and effective security system covering, among 
other, personnel, physical installations, equipment, documents, and 
materials, including the conduct of security investigation; 
g) Coordinate with the appropriate government agencies for a more efficient 
conduct of administrative processes; 
h) Develop, establish and maintain an efficient records system; 
i) Provide assistance in its area of specialization to the Department Proper and 
Regional Offices and, when requested, the government agencies and 
corporations attached to the Department; and  
j) Perform such other related duties and responsibilities as may be assigned or 
delegated by the Secretary or as may be required by law. 
 
SECTION 14. Planning and Engineering Services. – The Planning and 
Engineering Services is hereby created to provide the Department with the 
capability to undertake infrastructure development planning, programming, and 
implementation. For this purpose, it shall have the following functions: 
 
a) 
Advise the Secretary on all matters relating to infrastructure planning 
and implementation; 
b) 
Formulate strategies and priorities for infrastructure development 
consistent with national development objectives and initiate or undertake 
relevant surveys for development planning; 
c) 
Formulate and implement long-range, medium-term and annual 
development plans and programs for infrastructure, including flood 
control, water resource development system, and other public works 
projects, including phasing of implementation and review and integrate 
land use plans with such water development plans; 


d) 
Identify and implement priority packages for infrastructure development, 
including flood control, water resource development systems, and other 
public works projects, and undertake or supervise and evaluate the 
conduct of feasibility studies and project preparation and implementation 
thereof; 
e) 
Prioritize project implementation and the allocation of funds and other 
resources 
and 
package 
project 
proposals 
for 
funding 
and 
implementation; 
f) 
Evaluate 
and 
appraise 
all 
regional 
interregional 
infrastructure 
development plans and programs as to their feasibility and consistency 
with approved strategies and long and medium-tens plans; 
g) 
Initiate regular Department-wide planning exercises and act as the 
secretariat thereof; 
h) 
Gather, analyze, and organize needed statistical data and information; 
i) 
Provide technical assistance relate to its functions to the other Services 
and Regional Offices as needed; and  
j) 
Perform such other related duties and responsibilities as may be assigned 
or delegated by the Secretary or as may be required by law. 
 
SECTION 15. Regulatory and Financial Assistance Services. – The 
Regulatory and Financial Assistance Services is hereby created to provide the 
Development with services on all legal affairs, compliance of attached 
government corporations, LWDs, RWSAs, cooperatives, and other associations, 
including private entities under contractual or concession arrangement with 
them, and other private water service providers on the established standards, 
rules and regulations relating to: water quality; infrastructure and facilities 
design and construction; equipment, materials and supplies; operations and 
maintenance; personnel; organization; accounting; tariffs; and other matters 
subject to regulation. It shall also provide the Department services on the 
management of the financial assistance available and granted to LWDs and 
RWSAs. For this purpose, it shall have the following functions: 
 
a) 
Advice the Secretary on all matters relating to legal affairs and regulation 
of the operation of the attached corporations, LWDs, RWSAs, 
cooperatives and other associations; 
b) 
Provide legal assistance to the Department Proper and Regional Offices 
and, when requested, the attached corporations and boards; 
c) 
Prepare Department contracts and legal instruments, review of 
administrative changes against offices and employees of the Department, 
members of the top management of the attached corporations and 
boards; 
d) 
Conduct administrative investigation as the review of administrative 
charges against officers and employees of the Department, members of 
the top management of the attached corporations and boards; 
e) 
Exercise functional jurisdiction over the legal staffs of Regional Offices; 


f) 
Establish standards for water quality; design and construction of 
facilities; optimum selection of equipment, materials and supplies; 
procedures for operations and maintenance of water and sewer 
equipment and facilities; training of personnel; organization; uniform 
accounting system; tariffs; 
g) 
Review all water rates or changes; 
h) 
Manage the financial assistance available and grated to LWDs, RWSAs 
and other qualified water utilities. 
 
SECTION 16. Operation. – The Operations is hereby created to provide to the 
Department through Regional Offices with the capability to plan, design, and 
implement projects for water resource development systems, irrigation, flood 
control, and other public works in different regions of the country. For this 
purpose, it shall have the following functions; 
 
a) 
Undertake and evaluate the planning, design, construction, and works 
supervision function of the Department for the abovementioned 
infrastructure within the region; 
b) 
Undertake the maintenance of the abovementioned infrastructure within 
the region and supervise the maintenance of such local infrastructure 
receiving national government financial assistance as the Secretary may 
determine; 
c) 
Ensure the implementation of laws, policies, programs, rules and 
regulations regarding the abovementioned infrastructure as well as 
public and private physical structures; 
d) 
Provide technical assistance related to related to their functions to other 
agencies within the region; 
e) 
Coordinate with other departments, agencies, institutions, and 
organizations within the region, in the implementation of infrastructure 
projects; 
f) 
Conduct continuing consultations with the local communities, take 
appropriate measures to make the services of the Department responsive 
to the needs of the general public, compile and submit such information 
to the central office, and recommend such appropriate action as may be 
necessary; and  
g) 
Perform such other related duties and responsibilities as may be assigned 
or delegated by the Secretary or as may be required by law. 
 
SECTION 17. Regional Director. – Each Regional Office shall be headed by a 
Regional Director who shall be responsible for efficiently and effectively carrying 
out the duties and responsibilities of the Regional Office. She/he shall also 
perform such other related duties and responsibilities as may be assigned or 
delegated by the Secretary or as may be required by law. The Regional Director 
shall be assisted by two (2) Assistant Regional Directors who shall exercise 
supervision respectively over: 
 


1) The planning, project design, evaluation, and technical assistance 
functions of the Regional Offices, and 
2) The construction, maintenance, and works supervision functions in 
the region. 
 
CHAPTER III 
TRANSITORY PROVISIONS 
 
SECTION 18. Interface with Other Sector Regulations. – The Department is 
mandated is mandated to coordinate with the different sector regulation as 
follows: 
 
a) 
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) shall 
continue to have the primary authority and responsibility for protecting 
the environment and for the conservation of water and related natural 
resources, including protecting, water bodies from waste and pollution 
and shall promulgate rule, regulations, and standards in this regard. The 
Department shall coordinate with the DENR with respect to the 
conservation of water resources, protection from sewage and septage 
waste, and restoration  from environment damage;  
b) 
The Department of Health (DOH) shall have primary authority and 
responsibility for determining and enforcing drinking water quality and 
standards. The Department shall coordinate with the DOH to achieve an 
integrated approach for sanitation, including toilets, collection, 
treatment, and evaluation of wastewater. 
c) 
The Department shall subsume responsibility from the Department of 
Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for wholly or primarily water-related 
public works projects including flood control, water resources 
development, sewerage, sanitation, and the harnessing and impounding 
of water. The Secretaries of each department shall coordinate on the 
development of evaluation criteria as necessary, to determine proper 
allocation of public works projects between the two departments; 
d) 
The Department shall absorb the responsibility from the Department of 
Interior and Local Government (DILG) on the management and operation 
of water supply systems of local government units. 
 
SECTION 19. Transfer of Rights and Obligations. – The Department, shall by 
virtue of this Act, be subrogated to all the rights, and assume all the obligations 
of the relevant parts of any government agency or unit whose powers and duties 
have been transferred to the Department, including the DPWH, National 
Irrigation Administration (NIA), National Water Resources Board (NWRB), 
Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), Local Water Utilities 
Administration (LWUA), Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and the 
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). The transfer of power and 
functions in Section 18 above, as applicable, and agencies attached thereto, as 


herein provided for, shall take effect within one hundred eighty (180) days after 
the effectivity of this Act. 
 
The foregoing transfer of power and functions shall include all applicable funds, 
personnel, records, property, and equipment, as may be necessary. All offices 
shall continue to function under their present mandates until transition is 
effected as provided for under this Act. All rights and obligations of said 
government agencies are hereby transferred to and assumed by the Department 
and shall be acted upon in accordance with the rules and regulations of the 
Commission on Audit and other pertinent laws, rules, and regulations. 
 
 
SECTION 21. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within one hundred 
eighty (180) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Department, in consultation 
with the concerned government agencies, shall promulgate the necessary 
implementing rules and regulations for the implementation of this Act; Provided, 
That such revised implementing rules and regulations shall only take effect 
fifteen (15) days following its publication in two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation. 
 
SECTION 22. Appropriations. – The amount necessary to carry out the initial 
internal implementation of this Act shall be sourced from any available funds of 
the National Treasury, and its initial operations. Thereafter, funds sufficient to 
fully carry out the objectives, powers, and functions of the Department shall be 
appropriated every fiscal year in the General Appropriations Act. The Department 
shall submit its annual budget, which shall include, among others, detailed 
information on the compensation and benefits received by their employees to the 
Office of the President for approval. 
 
SECTION 23. Separability Clause. – If any provision or part hereof, in held 
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not 
otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting. 
 
SECTION 24. Repealing Clause. – Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rules or regulation 
contrary to or inconsistent with the provision of this Act. Is hereby repealed, 
modified or amended accordingly. 
 
SECTION 25. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from its 
complete publication in the Official Gazette and in at least one (1) newspaper of 
general circulation. 
 
Approved,