Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 1383)
The main purpose of Republic Act No. 1383 is to create a public corporation called the National Waterworks and Sewerage Authority (NAWASA) to consolidate and centralize all waterworks, sewerage, and drainage systems in the Philippines under one control, direction, and general supervision.
NAWASA has jurisdiction over all territory embraced by the Metropolitan Water District, all areas served by existing government-owned waterworks, sewerage, and drainage systems within the cities, municipalities, and municipal districts in the Philippines, including those served by the Waterworks and Wells and Drills Sections of the Bureau of Public Works. The Board may also extend this territory as deemed necessary.
The domicile and place of business of NAWASA is in the City of Manila.
NAWASA has various powers including continuous succession, adopting bylaws and seal, suing and being sued, constructing and operating water and sewer systems, setting water rates, acquiring and disposing of property, exercising eminent domain, issuing regulations for sanitary protection, contracting indebtedness and issuing bonds, and generally transacting the business necessary for its operation.
The Board is composed of five members: a chairman, three other members, and the general manager (ex officio). Two members must have knowledge in waterworks, public works, or sanitary engineering; one in public health; and one in business management and finance. The chairman and three members are appointed by the President with the Commission on Appointments' consent.
Violations of the regulations for sanitary protection may be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred pesos, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both, at the discretion of the court.
Contracts involving an estimated cost of ten thousand pesos or more shall be let by the General Manager with the Board's approval under the usual government bidding procedure, except for urgent construction or repair works of water, sewer, pipelines, or storm drains which the Board may decide to undertake by administration.
The assets and liabilities of the dissolved Metropolitan Water District are transferred to NAWASA. This includes records, assets, liabilities, government-owned waterworks and sewerage systems, bonds, sinking funds, and all indebtedness. NAWASA is authorized and directed to receive and assume these on behalf of the Authority.
No. NAWASA is mandated to charge and collect a uniform rate for all water and sewer services rendered within each city, municipality, or municipal district, regardless of whether the customer is a person, corporation, government body, or institution.