” RECEIVED “2
(s oarSEP. EIVED ol

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Que3on €ity

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL no 4654

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Access to clean and adequate water remains to be a challenge in the Philippines. Only
36% of the country’s river systems are classified as sources of public water supply’
Despite our country being endowed with rich natural water resources, urban cities like
Metro Manila still experience water shortage for weeks due to weather phenomenon
and global warming?.

EI Nifio has greatly affected not just the country’s water supply, but also power supply—
as in the case of hydropower supply—as the reduced rainfall, especially during summer
months, lead to drought. Highly viable sources of water continue to be vulnerable to
impacts of floods, droughts, and typhoons®. This has affected the supply of irrigation
water, further affecting agricultural production.

Water security is clearly an issue that needs to be addressed by the State. According to
the Asian Development Bank's study’, the Philippine’s water supply has not kept pace
with the growing population in the last few decades wand many water utilities face
financial difficulties. The problem in supply can be chalked up to institutional

* Water Environment Partnership in Asia. hitp./hwww wepa-db netipolicies/state/philippines/overview him

® Gwen de la Cruz. 2014, Rappler. https: /hww.rappler comlscience-nature/environment/73542-prepare-drought-iess-rainfal-2015
"Water Security under ciate risks: A Philippine climate change adaptation strategy fo the agricultural sector. USAID. 2016.
hitps:www- usaid goviphiippines/energy-and-environment/bawp

* Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Assessment, Strategy, and Road Map. Asian Development Bank. January 2013,

https yw adb org/siteskietaultifies/insttutional-document’338 Ofiles/phiippines-water-supply-sector-assessment pat


fragmentation, poor performance of many water utilities, weak sector planning, and
inadequate support for poor urban communities and rural water utilities. There is also an
apparent need for water and sanitation infrastructure, as waterborne diseases remain
pervasive and one of the top causes of morbidity in the country.

In hopes of addressing these water security, irrigation and sanitation problems, the
proposed bill seeks to create the Department of Water, Irrigation, Sewage, and
Sanitation Resource Management to realize the right of all Filipinos to safe, clean,
affordable, and accessible drinking water. This would append the responsibility in the
management of water resources, which is currently lodged with various agencies, in one
national government agency and prevent backlog and lack of coordination.

The proposed Department would be tasked with developing and implementing a
comprehensive water, irrigation, sewage, and sanitation program for the Philippines,
and be in-charge of water resource planning and policy-making. The vision is to ensure
a sustainable and efficient management of water resources for irrigation, power
generation, agricultural, and domestic use. It hopes to provide one of the most basic
and crucial rights to every Filipino—water.

In the urgency of this need, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

c

LUIS RAY] JAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Queson City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NOL ES4

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

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 deciared 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 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.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes 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 plant disposal

d. Sewage refers to water-carried waste in solution or suspension, including
sanitary waste, commercial waste, industrial waste, agricultural 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.

The terms "infrastructure" and “public works" as used in this Act should be ready
to apply only to wholly or primarily water-related projects and shall not be read to
incorporate projects which would not otherwise fall within the purview of the objectives,
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:


c

d.

. Implementing necessary policy and resource reforms with respect to the

management of water, irrigation, sewage, and sanitation;

. Monitoring and evaluating compliance with the national goals relating to water,

irrigation, sewage, and sanitation;

Formulating an updated national road map to address the water, sewage, and
sanitation requirements of the State; and

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;

. Coordinate with relevant government agencies or entities to provide policy

directions, 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;

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 functions and services;

|. Manage the ownership, appropriation, utilization, exploitation, development,

conservation, and protection of water resources and rights to land related thereto
and their competing demands;

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;

Formulate and enforce rules and regulations in the administration and
management of the country’s water resources and implement rules and
guidelines for the enforcement of water-related laws;

|. 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;
Coordinate with and assist other government agencies in all aspects of data
gathering, conduct studies and research, and classify and establish water quality
standards for surface and ground water, including national standards for drinking
water and wastewater effluence, in coordination with relevant agencies;
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;
Effect and compel inter-sectoral, inter-agency, and _ inter-departmental
coordination on water, irrigation, energy, environmental, sewage, and sanitation
resources development planning with the aim of operationalizing the integrated
approach to water resources management;
. 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;
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;
Coordinate with other relevant government agencies and develop policies and
plans in respect of water resources for farming, including sustainable
mechanisms for irrigation;
Pass upon, approve, or disapprove all plans, programs, or development projects
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 areas of water supply sources, which have direct or
indirect impact on the affected locality's water resources;
Review from time to time regulations prescribed by any government agency
pertaining to water use, exploitation, development, conservation, or protection of
waters, water resources, and watershed or basin areas;
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;
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 concemed LGU and/or national agency.
However, in the absence of such concerns, the concerned LGU and/or
government agency may, ninety (90) days from the submission of its zoning and
land use plan and after submitting to the Department a written 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;

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;

. Plan, design, construct, and/or improve all types of irrigation projects and
appurtenant structures;

Operate, maintain, and administer all national irrigation systems (NIS);

. Supervise the operation, maintenance, and repair, or otherwise, administer
temporarily all communal and pump irrigation systems constructed, improved,
and/or repaired wholly or partially with government funds;

Supervise the operation, maintenance, and repair, or otherwise, administer
temporarily all communal and pump irrigation systems constructed, improved,
and/or repaired wholly or partially with government funds;

|. Delegate the partial or full management of NIS to duly organized cooperatives or
associations;

. Construct multiple-purpose water resources projects designed primarily for
irrigation, and secondarily for hydraulic power development and/or other uses
‘such as flood control, drainage, land reclamation, domestic water supply, roads
and highway construction, and reforestation, among others; Provided, that the
plans, designs, and the construction thereof, shall be undertaken in coordination
with the agencies concerned;

. Charge and collect from the beneficiaries of the water from all irrigation systems
constructed under its administration;

. 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.Coordinate 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 LGUs, in determining the most
suitable entity to undertake the actual construction of water, irrigation, sewage,
and sanitation projects;

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 powers 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 through 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 powers and functions as may be necessary to
attain the objectives of this Act; and

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


SECTION 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 Bureaus and 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. Office 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
(6) 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. Assistant Secretaries. - The Secretary shall also be assisted by one
Assistant Secretary for Internal Audit and the five (5) 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 units:

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 functions:

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 problems by recommending realistic courses 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 Finance Services is hereby created to provide
the Department with coordinated services relating to financial systems and procedures,


budget, cash, accounting, and all financial matters not falling under other Services. For
such purposes, it shall have the following functions:

a

Advise the Secretary on all matters relating to the accounting of government
expenditures and receipts, budgeting and cash management, project finances,
and financial systems and procedures;

. Prepare budget proposals and pursue formal budget authorizations, undertake

budget execution, and prepare and submit all appropriate reports to the proper
offices;

. 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;

|. 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

. Perform such other related duties and responsibilities as may be assigned or

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

SECTION 13. 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), security, property and procurement services. For such purposes, it shall have
‘the following functions:

a.

b.

Advise the Secretary on all matters relating to internal administration and human
resources management;

Prepare and implement an integrated personnel plan that shalll include provisions
‘on merit promotion, performance evaluation, job rotation, suggestions and
incentive awards systems, and health and welfare services;

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

|. Prepare and/or implement Department GAD plans and budgets and GAD

accomplishment reports;

. 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;


Secure and maintain necessary Department facilities, and develop, establish,
and maintain an efficient and effective security system covering, among others,
personnel, physical installations, equipment, documents, and materials, including
the conduct of security investigations;
Coordinate with the appropriate government agencies for a more efficient
conduct of administrative processes;

. Develop, establish and maintain an efficient records system;

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

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

b.

Advise the Secretary on all matters relating to infrastructure planning and
implementation;

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

. Formulate and implement long-range, medium-term and annual development

plans and programs for infrastructure, including flood control, water resource
development systems, and other public works projects, including phasing of
implementation and review and integrate land use plans with such water
development plans;

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;

. Prioritize project implementation and the allocation of funds and other resources

and package project proposals for funding and implementation;

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;

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

thereof;

. Gather, analyze, and organize needed statistical data and information;


i. Provide technical assistance related 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 Department 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. Advise 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
charges against officers and employees of the Department, members of the top
management of the attached corporations and boards;

d. Conduct administrative investigation as well 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;

. Review all water rates or charges;

Manage the financial assistance available and granted to LWDs, RWSAs and
other qualified water utilities.

ze

SECTION 16. Operations. - The Operations is hereby created to provide 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 functions 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 their functions to other agencies within
the region;

e. Coordinate with other departments, agencies, institutions, and organizations
within the region, in the planning and 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 actions 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 Office, and (2) the
construction, maintenance, and works supervision functions in the region.

CHAPTER Ill
TRANSITORY PROVISIONS.

SECTION 18. Interface with Other Sector Regulators. - The Department is mandated
to coordinate with the different sector regulators 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 rules,
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 sanitation 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 powers 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 powers and
functions shall include all applicable funds, personnel, records, property, and
equipment, as may be necessary. All offices shall continue to function under their
present mandates until transition is effected as provided for under this Act.


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 20. Separation from Service. - Employees separated from government
service as a result of this Act shall be entitled to the benefits that they may receive
under existing 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
implementation of this Act shall be sourced from any available funds of the National
Treasury, and is hereby appropriated and authorized to be released for the organization
of the Department and its initial operations.

Thereafter, funds sufficient to fully carry out the objectives, powers, and functions
of the Department shall be 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. - \f any provisions or part hereof, is 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, rule or regulation contrary to or
inconsistent with the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended
accordingly.


SECTION 25. Effectivity Clause. - 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,