Question & AnswerQ&A (DENR ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 2013-15)
The basic policy is to pursue economic growth consistent with the protection, preservation, and revival of the country's fresh, brackish, and marine waters through streamlining pollution control processes, establishing integrated water quality management, enforcing accountability, designating Water Quality Management Areas (WQMAs), and establishing the Area Water Quality Management Fund (AWQMF).
The main objective is to set forth the procedures for the operationalization of the Area Water Quality Management Fund (AWQMF) designated for each Water Quality Management Area (WQMA).
It covers all AWQMFs designated in all WQMAs to support the maintenance, management, and protection of water bodies within the WQMA.
Eligible Entities include duly registered People’s Organizations (POs), Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), private sector entities, national government agencies or instrumentalities with mandates for environmental protection and water pollution prevention, and local government units or other formal bodies with clear management authority and public accountability within the WQMA.
Sources include fines incurred by establishments in rural areas before RA No. 9275, fees collected under the Wastewater Charge System of RA No. 9275, donations, endowments, grants for water quality management, and collections from loans granted to eligible entities.
The AWQMF in each WQMA is administered by the respective WQMA Governing Board, which designates a Fund Committee from among its members to oversee fund management.
Uses include rewards and incentives for entities with effluent discharges better than water quality standards, loans for facilities to reduce and improve wastewater discharge, maintenance of water bodies consistent with compliance plans, purchase of related equipment, costs for public awareness and special events, and operational expenses of the WQMA Governing Board, among others.
The Fund Committee, composed of five WQMA Governing Board members including representatives from LGUs, NGOs, NGAs, and industries, manages the day-to-day operations of the fund through the Administrative and Finance Group, handling planning, budgeting, accounting, fund management, fundraising support, and administrative services.
The WQMA Governing Board must prepare an annual financial and accomplishment report on the use of the AWQMF, indicating project types, activities supported, and contributions to water quality improvement, and submit copies to the EMB Director and DENR Secretary through a board resolution.
All transactions are subject to government auditing rules, with an elected auditor of the WQMA Governing Board conducting an annual audit and submitting findings to the Fund Committee and Governing Board within 30 days after each fiscal year. Members are accountable for their roles and functions in relation to the fund's use.