Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 22)
The main purpose of Executive Order No. 22 is to create the Water Resources Management Office (WRMO) within the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to integrate and harmonize all government efforts and regulatory activities ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water resources in the Philippines.
The WRMO is headed by an Undersecretary who is appointed by the President of the Philippines upon the recommendation of the DENR Secretary.
The WRMO is responsible for the integration and harmonization of government efforts in water resource management, immediate implementation of the Integrated Water Resources Management aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, formulation of an Integrated Water Resources Master Plan, collaboration with various sectors, and other functions assigned by the DENR Secretary.
The agencies attached to the DENR and directed to coordinate with the WRMO include the National Water Resources Board, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (both corporate and regulatory offices), Local Water Utilities Administration and local water districts, and the Laguna Lake Development Authority.
The IWMP is a comprehensive national policy for managing water resources, designed to maximize benefits to society and the environment, harmonize agency plans and policies, ensure resilience to extreme events, and promote engagement among LGUs, private sector, and civil society for better water management.
The WRMO is tasked to collaborate closely with government agencies, local government units, civil society, and the private sector. Additionally, all government departments, agencies, instrumentalities, state universities and colleges, and government-owned or -controlled corporations are directed to render full assistance and cooperation to the WRMO.
The DENR Secretary, through the WRMO Undersecretary, shall formulate the organizational structure and staffing pattern of the WRMO, assign functions, issue implementing guidelines, and exercise administrative oversight functions over attached water agencies for policy coordination, monitoring, and evaluation.
Initial funding shall come from the current appropriations of the DENR, with the DENR coordinating with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to include future funding requirements for the WRMO in the General Appropriations Act. The attachment of water agencies to DENR does not affect their appropriations.
Section 6 directs all government entities and encourages LGUs to provide full assistance and cooperation to the WRMO, thereby ensuring a coordinated and unified approach towards water resources management throughout the government.
According to Section 10 on Separability, if any part of this Order is held unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.