Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. __ 8066

INTRODUCED BY HON. DEOGRACIAS VICTOR “DV” B, SAVELLANO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippine Archipelago is endowed with thousands of River Basins characterized
as major, principal and minor. It comprises the landscapes and landforms including the rivers
and river systems from the ridges to the reefs in the coastal zones. In the area of land
management, it is essential to note the various information parameters that can be obtained
from the river basin. In fact, the Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master
Plans of each identified major rivers in the country is vital in the thrust of the Local Government
Units to establish its own Comprehensive Land Use Plans.

The programs of the National Government in relation to water resource management
and other water initiatives should be in harmony with the existing approved plans in the various
river basins. The lack of coordination and project prioritization from the concerned agencies
will put the integrated plans to naught.

At present, it is worthy to note the existing issues and challenges besetting our river
basins from its physical, ecological, hydrological, biological and institutional status. The
National Greening Program (NGP) of the DENR has been of great help in the reforestation
efforts of the government as mandated in the Executive Order No. 510 however, it would take
some time to realize the fruits of the program. Meantime, the effort to stop illegal logging
remains to be a perpetual challenge in the thrust of the government to improve vegetation in
the upland area of the river basins.

In the area of water quality and waste management affecting our rivers and river
systems, there is a need for a drastic policy shift and to empower the Barangay Local
Government Units. Our rivers are polluted both by liquid and solid wastes from the industrial,
mining and institutional sources. The lack of enforcement mechanism on the part of
government to prosecute water polluters is a gargantuan tasks. The proposed creation of an
Enforcement Bureau of DENR may be able help in addressing these issues.

Most of the major and principal river basins are all heavily silted thereby causing
flooding during rainy and typhoon season. The DPWH is mandated to undertake plans and
programs to mitigate floodings along the rivers and its flood plains.

There is a need to resolve the problems on river easement and to avert the proliferation
of informal settlers along the river banks both in the rural and the urban rivers. The regulation
of river navigation using boats and vessels with diesel-fed engines is also necessary.


Pursuant to Executive Order No. 510 series of 2006 on the creation of the River Basin
Control Office (RBCO) under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
and Executive Order No. 816 series of 2009 declaring the RBCO as the Lead Government
Agency for the integrated planning, management, rehabilitation and development of the
country’s river basins, an institutional mechanism is hereby established through the enactment
of the Philippine River Basins Development Authority.

The importance of these river basins cannot be understated as they are considered as
one of the life blood and drivers of the Philippine economy. Hence, they have to be managed
sustainably. An integrated river basin management approach was applied in the preparation of
the master plan for each river basin in line with the Philippine Development Plan. Itis intended
to address several concerns related to watershed conservation, river basin rehabilitation, flood
control/mitigation, and water security for domestic, irrigation and industrial use, livelihood and
economic opportunities in the area.

The DENR River Basin Control Office as the mandated agency to lead the
implementation of the Integrated River Basin Management Framework envisions the country
to have a sustainable water resource that meet the needs of the people by means of leading an
interagency, multi-sectoral and multi-institutional partnership and linkages. There is a need for
the institutionalization thru the creation of an Authority gears towards the continuous
implementation and monitoring of the completed and endorsed Integrated River Basin
Management and Development Master Plans (IRBMDMP).

Considering that the master plans for the 18 river basins had been formulated and
approved by the late 2000°s and with the passage of the Climate Change Act of 2009 and the
Disaster Risk Reduction Law of 2010, the updating and formulation of a climate-responsive
integrated master plans were undertaken.

In view of the on-going implementation of the River Basin Master Plans, the creation
of the Philippine River Basins Development Authority (PRBDA) is hereby proposed. This
proposed law aims to determine the extent of the implementation of the IRBMDMP and their
impact on the social, economic and environmental aspect of the basin to deiéfmine how
effective the Master Plan implementation on ground.

DEOGRACIAS VICTOR “DV” B. SAVELLANO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 8066

INTRODUCED BY HON. DEOGRACIAS VICTOR “DV” B. SAVELLANO.

AN ACT
CREATING THE PHILIPPINE RIVER BASINS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
(PRBDA) PRESCRIBING ITS POWERS, FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES, PROVIDING
FUNDS THERFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSE.

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

SECTION 1. TITLE. This act shall be known as the “Philippine River Basins Development
Authority”.

SECTION 2, DECLARATION OF POLICY. It shall be declared a policy of the State to
pursue economic growth consistent with the conservation, protection, development and
regulation of the country’s water resources to achieve social development, economic progress
and ecological stability. In view hereof, the State shall strengthen, integrate, consolidate and
institutionalize government initiatives to achieve coordination in the implementation of plans
and programs to address climate change in the context of sustainable development.

SECTION 3. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES. It is the purpose and objective of this Act:

a. To institutionalize the PRBDA and its units providing a concrete structure and functions
of the River Basin Management Offices (RBMOs) down to the CENRO level;

b. To provide effective, climate-resilient and gender-responsive strategies for the
sustainable management and development of the Philippine River Basins;

c. To provide basis for the strategic planning, programming and budgeting of PAPs within
river basin approach;

d. To promote and harness stakeholder collaboration and cooperation through holistic
efforts in conserving and protecting the river basin under the thematic areas namely;
water resources, watershed, wetland, disaster risk reduction, economic and institutional
development;

e. To encourage other government agencies, Local Government Units (LGUs), civil
society organizations, business sectors, corporations, academe and other stakeholders
to take an active role in river basin management; and

f. To maximize the use of public information and education on river basin management
as a mechanism for active participation of the stakeholders.


SECTION 4. DEFINITION OF TERMS. As used in this Order, the following terms shall
be construed as follows:

a. Coastal and Wetland Resources Management shall refer to the strategy that manages
areas that are submerged or soaked by enough surface or groundwater to support
ecosystems such as mangroves, coral reefs, swamps, rice paddies, estuaries, lakes and
reservoirs.

b. Disaster Risk Reduction and Management shall refer to the systematic approach to
identifying, assessing and reducing the risks of disaster. It aims to reduce socio-
economic vulnerabilities to disaster as well as dealing with the environmental and other
hazards that trigger them.

c. Economic Development shall refer to the process by which a state improves the
economic, political, and social well-being of its people.

d. Forest Ecosystems and Biodiversity Management shall refer to the conservation
management and planning approach that organizes land, people, and other resources in
the watershed to provide goods and services without harming the soil and water.

e. Integrated River Basin Management and Development (IRBMD) Master Plan shall
refer to a management and development plan formulated in a particular river basin with
the application of an integrated river basin management approach intended to address
several concems related to watershed conservation, river basin rehabilitation, flood
control/ mitigation, and water security for domestic, irrigation and industrial use,
livelihood and economic opportunities in the arca.

f. Major River Basin shall refer to river basin area of more than 1,000sq.km.

Principal River Basin shall refer to river basin area of 1,000sq.km. and below.

h, River Basin shall refer to an area drained by a river and all of its tributaries. A river
basin is made up of many different watersheds.

i. River Basin Project Management Office (RBPMO) shall refer to a planning, monitoring
and coordinating office in the regional level.

j. River Basin Project Management Unit (RBPMU) shall refer to a planning, monitoring
and coordinating unit within the PENR and CENR Offices.

k. River Basin Organization (RBO) or River Basin Management Council (RBMC) shall
refer to a decision-making body or organization for basin-wide integrated river basin
management.

1. Water Resources Management shall refer to the sustainable management of fresh water
as an economic and public good while recognizing its vulnerability and limited supply.

SECTION 5. PHILIPPINE RIVER BASINS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY. THE
ROLES AND FUNCTIONS.

1) Rationalize the various existing river basin projects such as but not limited to the
following: namely: Mt. Pinatubo Hazard Urgent Mitigation, Tloilo Flood Control,
Lower Agusan Flood Control, Bicol River Basin and Watershed Management, Agno
River and Allied-Rivers Flood Control, KAMANAVA Flood Control and the Pasig
River Rehabilitation:

2) Develop a National Master Plan for Flood Control by integrating the various existing
river basin projects and developing additional plan component as needed in
coordination with other government agencies; developing additional plan component
as needed in coordination with other government agencies;


3) Rationalize and prioritize reforestation in watersheds such as but not limited to the
watersheds of Pampanga and Bicol Rivers;

4) Implement and operationalize the creation of River Basin Organizations in the major
and priority river basins in the country supporting the PRBDA management and
administration of the country’s river basins;

5) Spearhead in the creation and networking of an Integrated Database Management
Information System covering all the data parameters in the water sectors;

6) Implement functions and mandates outlined in the Integrated River Basin Development
and Management Master Plan as approved;

7) Rationalize and integrate all national plans, projects and programs within the country’s
river catchment basins, with the authority to serve as the oversight office of all various
government agencies and corporations with relevant and related river basin initiatives,
projects and programs such as, but not limited to, river basin infrastructure
development, flood control, environmental protection and integrated water resources
management. To this end, such government agencies and corporations shall coordinate
their planned and ongoing river basin initiatives with the PRBDA, to which the PRBDA
shall review and endorse approval and funding from the national budget thereof, as may
be provided under existing laws, rules and regulations;

8) Harmonize All Relevant National River Basin Policies and Formulate New Policies and
Create Enabling Policy Environment That Shall Allow Effective and Efficient
Management and Governance of the Country’s River Basins. To this end, the national
government agencies and corporation shall consult with the PRBDA in such planning
and implementation, and have the PRBDA as Ex-Officio Member in the policy steering
or project implementing boards as may be established therefor;

9) Serve as the National Policy Coordination Office for local government units and non-
governmental organizations in the development and sustainability of all river and
catchment basins, for which the PRBDA shall recommend the approval and funding
thercof of national government agency and corporations’ support to such local and non-
government river and catchment basin initiatives;

10)Serve as the DENR’s Implementing Office in the implementation, monitoring and
evaluation of DENR’s programs and projects within the country’s river basins which
include but not limited to water quality management, potable water systems,
agricultural irrigation, sanitary interventions, hydropower generation projects, river
quarrying and dredging, river rehabilitation and enhancement, flood control,
forecasting and mitigation initiatives, ecotourism and recreation activities, economic
livelihood programs and navigation;

11) Serve as Central Fund Administrator for river basins appropriation provided under the
DENR’s budget that shall allow a more rationalized and optimized management of
government public spending; and


12)Serve as the government’s Central River Basin Database Management Agency, to
which all government agencies and existing river basin organizations with relevant
mandates and developmental initiatives within the river basins are required to cooperate
and regularly submit their updated databases for integration and consolidation by
PRBDA using a River Basin Integrated Information Management System.

SECTION 6. LOCATION OF PRINCIPAL OFFICE. The Principal Office of the
Philippine River Basins Development Authority shall be at the DENR Central Office, Visayas
Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City.

SECTION 7. THE CORPORATE POWER OF THE PRBDA. The Authority has the
following Corporate Powers.

a. To succeed on its corporate name;

b. To sue and be sued in such corporate name;

c. To adopt. Alter and use a corporate seal;

d. To adopt, amend and repeal its by-laws;

e. To undertake activities that will strategically explore, exploit, extract and develop the
economic potentials of the Major and Principal Rivers Basins in the Philippines in ways
that are environmentally friendly and not competitive with the private sector;

To enter into contracts of any kind and description , to enable it to carry out its purpose
and function under this act;

g. To acquire but, purchase, hold or lease such personal and real property as it deems it
necessary or convenient in the transaction of its business and/or in relation to carrying
out its purposes under this Act, and to lease, mortgage and alienate or otherwise
encumber. utilize, exploit or dispose such personal and real property held by it subject
to prior or existing individual or communal right of private parties or of the government
or any agency or enterprise thereof:

h. To exercise the power of eminent domain whenever the Authority deems it necessary
for the attainment of its objectives;

i. To borrow funds from any local or foreign financial institution to carry out the purposes
of the Authority under this Act;

j. To issue such rules and regulations as may be necessary to effectively carry out the
power and purposes herein provided including plans, program, projects of the Authority
subject to the approval of the Office of the President;

k. To perform any other lawful acts to further the objectives of the Authority.

SECTION 8. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. The PRBDA Board shall be composed of the
following:

a. Secretary ofthe DENR = - Chairman

b. Secretary of DPWH - Vice Chairman

c. Secretary of DA = Member

d. Secretary of DOST = Member

e. Secretary of DND = Member

f Secretary of DOE = Member

g. Secretary of DILG - Member

h. Secretary of NEDA - Member
Secretary of DOTr - Member

Secretary of DOT - Member


k. Executive Director, PRBDA - Ex-Officio Member
SECTION 8. THE ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

In line with the thrust of the government to protect and conserve our water resources
and to institutionalize the integrated water resource management for all sectors concerned, it is
hereby proposed to revitalize the River Basin Control Office (PRBDA). It shall remained to
be under an Undersecretary, to be assisted by an Executive Director and a Deputy Executive
Director. The PRBDA shall be composed of an Operations Division, a Technical Division, and
a Management Support Division described below:

THE OPERATIONS DIVISION. This Division shall be composed of three (3) Sections
namely:

1, _ RIVER BASIN AND WATERSHED MANAGEMENT SECTION (RBWMS):
Functions and Responsibilities

The River Basin and Watershed Management Division (RBWMS) shall provide the over-all
direction, control and supervision in the implementation of policies, plans and programs for the
protection, conservation and management of the country’s watershed and river basin
environment. The section shall facilitate the identification and adoption of best practices and
strategies and establishment of mechanisms for optimum watershed and river basin
management.

The section shall be comprised of but not limited to the following Technical Units:
a) Watershed Management; b) River Basin Management; and c) Flood Mitigation and
Disaster Management. It shall be responsible for the following functions and responsibilities
+ Formulate and implement plans, programs and strategies for watershed and river-basin
environment;

+ Document field experience/lessons learned and recommend best practices and
strategies related to watershed and river basin management, flood mitigation and disaster
management;

+ Coordinate, integrate, monitor and evaluate both local and foreign-funded DENR
programs, projects and activities related to the watershed and river basin sector, flood and
water-related disaster management and rainwater harvest;

+ Consolidate accomplishments and all forms of reports and documents concerning
watershed and river basin environments;

+ Conduct watershed and river basin studies; investigations and assessments;

+ Review and recommend revision of watershed and river basin policies;

+ Revicw standards and benchmarks related to watershed and river environments;

+ Identify responsibilities and commitments in relation to international conventions,

treaties and protocols and recommend official position on issues concerning watershed and
river basins;

* Establish linkage with other information networks;
* Conduct and ensure effective rehabilitation of watersheds and river basin;
> Perform other functions/activities.

2. | WATER ENGINEERING AND HYDROGEOLOGY MANAGEMENT
SECTION (WEHMS):
Funetions and Responsibilities


The Water Engineering and Hydrogeology Management Section (WEHMS) shall
Provide the over-all direction, control and supervision in the implementation of policies, plans
and programs for engineering geology, hydrogeology, waste water management and water.
related hazards and protection, conservation and management of the country’s urban aquifers,
hydrological cycles and groundwater resources. The Division shall facilitate the identification
and adoption of best practices and strategies and establishment of mechanisms for optimum
engineering and urban geological standards, hydro-geological and groundwater resources
management.

The WEHMS shall be comprised of but not limited to the following units: a)
Hydraulics and Drainage; b) Groundwater and Geophysics; and c) Engineering and
Urban Water Management, The section shall be responsible for the following functions and
responsibilities:

* Formulate plans, programs and strategies for the engineering and hydrogeological
Fesources, waste water management, environmental engineering and groundwater
management;

* Conduct, coordinate, integrate, monitor and evaluate both local and foreign-funded
DENR programs, projects and activities related to the water-related hazards, river hydraulics,
engineering geology, hydrogeology, geophysics, urban geology, groundwater well
developments and drilling:

* Document and collate all issues, experiences, lessons and best practices and strategies
related to water engineering, hydrogeological survey, waste water management, groundwater
resources management, well developments and aquifer utilization;

* Review and revise standards and benchmarks related to hydrological regimes,
groundwater use, developments and construction of groundwater wells;

+ Review and recommend revision of waste water and groundwater policies;

* Consolidate and collate all forms of reports, document, literature and information

concerning water engineering, water related hazards, waste water, urban water management
hydrogeology, groundwater and well developments;

* Conduct and ensure effective and efficient installation and construction of groundwater
monitoring wells;

* Conduct and ensure rehabilitation of drainage ways and esteros;

* _ Provide technical assistance to LGUs and other entities on rainwater harvesting, river

hydraulic studies, engineering geology, urban geology, hydro-geological studies, geophysical
investigations, waste water treatment, groundwater well developments, water supplies and
small water impoundments project (SWIP);

- Perform other functions/activities,

3. ___ COASTAL AND INLAND WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT SECTION
(CIWRMS):
Functions and Responsibilities

The Coastal and Inland Water Resources Management Section (CIVRMS) shall
provide the over-all direction, control and supervision in the implementation of policies, plans
and programs for the protection, conservation, and management of country’s coastal, wetlands
and freshwater ecosystems. The CIWRMS shall facilitate the identification and adoption of
best practices and strategies and establishment of mechanisms for optimum coastal and
freshwater resources management.


The CIWRMS shall be comprised of but no limited to the following units: a) Coastal
Zone Management; b) River Management; and c) Lakes and other Wetlands
Management. The Section shall be responsible for the following functions and
responsibilities:

. Formulate plans, programs and strategies for the resource management of coastal,
wetland (e.g marshes, swamps) and freshwater (e.g lakes and rivers) ecosystems;

. Document and collate all issues, experiences, best lessons and practices of integrated
coastal zone management (ICZM);

. Conduct, coordinate, integrate, monitor and evaluate both local and foreign-funded
DENR programs, projects and activities related to coastal, wetlands and freshwater ecosystems;
= Review standards and benchmarks related to coastal, wetlands and freshwater
ecosystems including small islands, foreshore, neritic zones and shallow marine sanctuaries;

: Identify responsibilities and commitments in relation to international conventions (e.g,

RAMSAR Conventions), treaties and protocols and recommend official position on issues
concerning coastal, wetlands and freshwater ecosystems;

= Review and recommend revision of policies on coastal, wetlands and freshwater
resource management;
a Perform other related functions and activities

THE TECHNICAL DIVISION. The Technical Division is composed of four sections
namely:

1, RESEARCH AND POLICY DEVELOPMENT SECTION (RPDS):

Functions and Responsibilities

The Research and Policy Development Section (RPDS) shall provide the over-all direction and
technical assistance in the implementation of policies, plans and programs for water research
and technology generation, and policy development. The section shall facilitate the
identification and adoption of best practices and strategies and the establishment of a rationale
water policies for adoption.

The section shall be responsible for the following functions and responsibilities:

+ Formulate plans, programs and strategies for water research;
* Develop and conduct water research and relevant training programs on water resource
management;

+ Capacitate LGUs, regional and field implementers on effective integrated water
resources management;

+ Coordinate, collate and disseminate documents, literature, technologies and
information materials pertaining to water resources;

+ Develop policy and disseminate approved policy and advocacy materials, newsletter,
journal and guidebooks on water resources;

+ Perform other related functions/activities

2. _ PLANNING AND PROJECT DEVELOPMENT SECTION (PPDS):
Functions and Responsibilities

The Planning and Project Development Section (PPDS) shall provide the over-all
planning and project management in the implementation of policies and programs. The section
shall facilitate in the identification and adoption of best planning and project management
practices. The division shall be responsible for the following functions and responsibilities:

+ Formulate strategies for planning and project management matters;
+ Facilitate and ensure effective implementation for all plans, programs, projects and
strategies;


+ Develop database and decision support mechanism for planning and project
‘management purposes;

* Coordinate, collate and disseminate documents, literature and information materials
pertaining to planning and project management;

* Develop and disseminate policy and advocacy materials, newsletter, journal and
guidebooks on planning and project management matters;

+ Perform other related functions/activities

3. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SECTION:
Functions and Responsibilities

The Water Information Technology Section (WITS) shall provide the over-all direction
and technical assistance in the implementation of policies, plans and programs for water
information. The Division shall facilitate the identification and adoption of best practices and
strategies and the establishment of national water information network (NWIN). The section
shall be comprised of but not limited to the following technical sections: a) Electronic and
System Development; b) Network and Data Bank; c) Maintenance and Services. The Section
shall be responsible for the following functions and responsibilities:

+ Formulate plans, programs and strategies for water information;
+ Establish and maintain a National Water Information Network (NWIN);
+ Facilitate, coordinate, integrate, monitor and evaluate both local and foreign-funded

DENR programs, projects and activities related to water research, water information,
databanking, and decision support system;

* Develop and conduct water research and relevant training programs on water resources
management;

+ Capacitate LGUs, regional and field implementers on effective integrated water
resources database management;

* Coordinate, collate and disseminate documents, literature and information materials
pertaining to water resources;

+ Perform other related functions/activities.

4. MONITORING AND EVALUATION SECTION
Functions and Responsibilities

The section shall provide over-all directions and technical assistance in the
implementation monitoring and evaluation of the implemented projects and programs of the
PRBDA. The section shall facilitate the identification and adoption of best practices and
strategies for effective and efficient Monitoring and Evaluation activities.

The section shall be responsible for the following functions and responsibilities:

+ Formulate plans, programs and strategies for water project monitoring and evaluation;
+ Establish and maintain a responsive and effective M/E plan;

+ __ Facilitate, coordinate, integrate, monitor and evaluate both local and foreign-funded
DENR programs, projects;

: Coordinate, collate and report output of M/E activities for improvement of project
strategies;
9 Perform other related functions/activities

MANAGEMENT SUPPORT DIVISION. The division shall be composed of two sections,
namely:
1. FINANCE MANAGEMENT SECTION:



Functions and Responsibilities

The Finance Management Section (FMS) shall provide the over-all direction and
assistance in the implementation of policies, plans and programs for budget and finance. The
section shall facilitate the identification and adoption of best budget and finance management
practices and strategies. The section shall be responsible for the following functions and
responsibilities:

+ Formulate plans, programs and strategies for budget and finance;
+ Facilitate control and supervise funding, expenditure outlay, financing and monetary
matters;

+ Develop budget and finance database and decision support mechanism;

+ Coordinate, collate and disseminate document, literature and information materials
pertaining to budget and finance;

+ Develop and disseminate policy advocacy materials, newsletter, journal and
guidebooks on budget and finance;

+ Perform other related functions/activities

2. ADMINISTRATIVE SECTION (AS):
Functions and responsibilities

The Administrative Section (AS) shall provide the over-all administrative direction and
general services in the implementation of policies, plans and programs. The section shall
facilitate the identification and adoption of best administrative management practices and
services. The section shall be responsible for the following functions and responsibilities:

. Formulate plans, programs and strategies for administrative matters;

. Facilitate, control and supervise all procurement and safe-keeping of official supplies,
materials, properties and equipment;

: Develop database and decision support mechanism for administrative purposes;

. Coordinate, collate and disseminate documents, literature and information materials

pertaining to purchases, procurements, bids, awards and other administrative matters.

PHILIPPINE RIVER BASINS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (Central Office)
PERSONNEL REQUIREMENTS,

OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

1 Director IV (SG-28)
1 Legal Officer V (SG-25)
1 Secretary IIT (SG-10)
1 Clerk IV (SG-8)
1 Driver IIT (SG-8)
OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
1 Director IT (SG-27)
1 Clerk IV (SG-8)
1 Driver IIT (SG-8)

OPERATIONS DIVISION
1 Chief, Division (SG-24)
1 Clerk I (SG-6)


River Basin Management Section
1 Project Dev’t, Officer III

2 Project Dev’t. Officer IT

2 Project Dev’t. Officer I
Water Engineering Section

1 Engineer II

D Engineer I

2 Project Dev’t. Officer I

River Protection and Development Section
1 Project Dev’t. Officer IIT

1 Engineer IT
1 Project Dev’t. Officer I
TECHNICAL DIVISION
1 Project Dev’t. Officer V
1 Clerk IIT
Planning and Project Development Section
1 Planning Officer III
2 Planning Officer II
2 Project Dev’t. Officer I

Information Technology Section
1 Project Dev’t. Officer III

1 Project Dev’t. Officer IT
i Engineer IT

Monitoring and Evaluation Section
1 Project Dev't. Officer IIT
1 Project Dev’t. Officer II
1 Engineer IT

Research and Policy Development Section

1 Senior Science Research Specialist

1 Science Research Specialist
1 Science Research Assistant

MANAGEMENT SUPPORT DIVISION
1 Chief Administrative Officer V

1 Clerk TIT
Finance Section
1 Budget Officer IIT
1 Accountant IIT
I Cashier IIT

(SG-18)
(SG-15)
(SG-11)

(SG-19)
(SG-16)
(SG-11)

(SG-18)
(SG-16)
(SG-11)

(SG-24)
(SG-6)

(SG-18)
(SG-15)
(SG-11)

(SG-18)
(SG-16)
(SG-16)

(SG-18)
(SG-16)
(SG-16)

(SG-18)
(SG-16)
(SG-12)

(SG-24)
(SG-6)

(SG-18)
(SG-15)
(SG-15)


Administrative Section
1

Administrative Officer II (SG-18)

1 Human Resources Management Officer III (SG-18)

2 Administrative Officer IT (SG-14)

1 Human Resource Management Officer II (SG-14)

\ Records Officer II (SG-14)

1 Supply Officer IT (SG-14)

4 Driver II (SG-4)
Total Number of Personnel: 60
REGIONAL SUPPORT STAFF

Relative to the funding and implementation of the formulated and approved Integrated River
Basin Management and Development Master Plans (IRBMDMP), an Ad Hoc Office shall be
established for the following Offices:

1.

v

Regional River Basin Project Management Office shall be established as an Ad Hoc
Office under the Office of the Assistant Regional Exccutive Director for Technical
Services to be headed by a qualified personnel designated by the Regional Executive
Director through a Special Order.

. PENRO River Basin Project Management Unit shall be established as an Ad Hoc

Office under the Office of the Technical Services Division to be headed by a qualified
personnel designated by the Regional Executive Director through a Special Order.

CENRO River Basin Project Management Unit shall be established as an Ad Hoc
Office under the Office of the CENR Officer to be headed by a qualified personnel
designated by the Regional Executive Director through a Special Order.

The RBPMO / RBPMU shall be responsible for, but not limited for the following:

b.

Facilitate in the implementation of the Integrated River Basin Management
and Development Master Plan of their River Basin;

Integrate various river basin programs and projects implemented by the
stakeholders within the River Basin/s;

. Provide technical assistance to stakeholders and LGUs in the formulation of

local policy and plan on sustainable ENR management/ development as well
as in the implementation of ENR laws, rules and regulations that are within
their mandate;

Lead in the establishment of River Basin Integrated Information
Management System (RBIIMS) and maintain the database of all records and
statistics for the efficient management and monitoring of the river basin;
Promote appropriate activities related to the river basin management such
as the encouragement of environmental investments, the establishment of
institutional mechanisms, ensuring sustainability, the conduct of
workshops, conferences and training and information, education and
communication activities;


£. Oversee and monitor development activities, programs and projects
introduced or implemented by the government agencies and private sector
concerning the conservation, development, protection, rehabilitation of the
River Basin in the Region;

8. Facilitate and assist in the conduct of Executive Committee, Technical
Working Group and Council Meetings for the information and
implementation of the Master Plan; and

h. To provide any other assistance that could lead to smooth and effective
implementation of the river basin projects and activities.

SECTION 9. CREATION OF THE RIVER BASIN MANAGEMENT COUNCIL
(RBMC).

To support the PRBDA, the River Basin Management Council for every identified River Basin
with approved IRBMDMP are hereby created with the assistance of the DENR-Regional
Support Offices as Secretariat. The PRBDA shall initiate the formulation of a uniform Manual
of Operations to be used by all the RBMCs as a written guideline on its day-to-day
administration and management which shall form part of the Implementing Rules and
Regulation of this Act.

. Cagayan RBMC

Mindanao RBMC

Agusan RBMC

. Pampanga RBMC

. Agno RBMC

. Abra RBMC

. Bicol RBMC

. Apayao-Abulug RBMC

9. Tagum-Libuganon RBMC

10. llog-Hilabangan RBMC

11. Panay RBMC

12. Tagoloan RBMC

13. Ranao (Agus) RBMC

14, Davao RBMC

15. Cagayan de Oro RBMC

16. Jalaur RBMC and

17. Buayan-Malungon RBMC

18. Other Principal River Basins

SIYansewn=

SECTION 10. FUNCTIONS OF THE RBMC. The RBMC shall be the Governing Body of

the River Basins. It shall formulate policies, approve plans and provide oversight function on

the implementation of the IRBMDMP. Specifically, the RBMC shall have the following the
functions:

a. Harmonize the activities of all local government units and national government

agencies as well as the efforts of civil society groups to undertake a multi-


sectoral Integrated River Basin Management and Integrated Water Resources
Management;

b. Facilitate or cause the collection, processing and dissemination of data
including maps on land and water resources as quantitative inputs to decision
support systems that the body may utilize for decision-making on water
resources and river basin programs and projects;

¢. Promote broader multi-stakeholder participation and involvement in water
resources and river basins by providing necessary mechanism to improve
governance thereof:

4. Initiate the review of water resource and river basin management policies
relative to water quality management, potable water systems, agricultural
irrigation, sanitary interventions, hydropower generation projects, river
quarrying and dredging, flood control, forecasting and mitigation initiatives,
ecotourism and recreation activities, economic livelihood programs and
navigation, and recommend appropriate amendments to harmonize them with
the River Basin Master Plans for consideration and possible adoption by the
concerned agencies and appropriate bodies;

e. Lead in the sourcing and mobilization of financial assistance from external
sources (international and local) for the implementation of PAPs; and

f, Provide a venue for complementation and collaboration with other river basin
and water-related bodies/ councils for the harmonization of their plans and

programs.

SECTION 11, STRUCTURE AND COMPOSITIONS OF THE RBMC

The RBMC shall be headed by a Chairperson supported by a Co-chair and Vice-Chair

elected from the regional government agencies which includes but not limited to:

1,

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Regional Executive Director, Department of Environment and Natural Resources

(DENR)

a. Regional Director, Environment Management Bureau

b. Regional Director, Mines and Geoscience Bureau

Regional Director, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)

Regional Director, National Economic Development Authority (NEDA)

Regional Director, Department of Agriculture (DA)

a. Regional Representative, Bureau of Soil and Water (BSW)

b. Regional Representative, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)

c. Regional Representative, National Irrigation Administration (NIA)

Regional Director, Department of Science and Technology (DOST)

a. Regional Representative, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical
Services Administration (PAGASA)

Regional Director, Department of Transportation (DOTr)

Regional Director, Department of Tourism (DOT)

Regional Director, Office of Civil Defense (OCD-DND)


9. Regional Director, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)
a. Regional Representative, League of Provinces
b. Regional Representative, League of Cities / Municipalities
c. Regional Representative, League of Barangays
10. Regional Representative, Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council
11. Regional Representative, Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA)
12. Regional Representative, National Water Resources Board (NWRB)
13. Representative, Manila Water and Sewerage System (MWSS) for NCR,
14, Representative, Civil Society Organizations(to be determined by the RBMC)
15. Representative, Business Sector (to be endorsed by DTI Regional Director)
16, Representative, Academe/SUCs, (to be endorsed by CHED Regional Director)
17. Other Stakeholders within the River Basin (to be determined by the RBMC)

The Executive Director of the PRBDA shall be an Ex-Officio Member of all the
RBMCs. The RBMC shall create Sub-Councils/ Committees and Technical Working Groups
(TWG) as may be necessary to discharge its functions effectively. The head of the sub-council
and TWG shall be elected by the members through voting election process. The TWG shall
have an organizational structure necessary to fulfill its functions in the review and
implementation of the IRBMD Master Plan.

The RBMC shall have a Secretariat composed of the River Basin Support Staff of the
DENR Regional Offices. The Secretariat shall provide a variety of coordinative functions and
services in the organizational operations, fund sourcing and information dissemination and
database management.

River Ba:
Management Counci
River Basin Executive

I Committee

Water Forest Disaster Risk Coastal &
Resources Ecosystem and Reduction Wetland

Secretariat

Management Management Management Resources

Figure 2. River Basin Management Council Structure

SECTION 12. APPROPRIATION. The sum of Two Hundred Fifty Million
(P250,000,000.00) shall be set aside from the National Budget to fund the creation and
operation of the Philippine River Basins Development Authority,


Section 13. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. If for any reason, any section or provision of this
Act is declared invalid, the remaining portions not affected shall continue to be in full force
and effect.

Section 14. REPEALING CLAUSE. All laws, rules, regulations and issuances, or parts
thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 15. EFFECTIVITY. This Act takes effect 15 days from the completion of
publication

Approved,