Law Summary
Mandate and Functions of the WRMO
- Champion the passage of legislation to create a central regulatory body for water management (e.g., Department of Water or water regulatory commission).
- Ensure swift adoption and implementation of IWRM and develop IWMP.
- Harmonize plans from various agencies including the Philippine Development Plan and Water Security Master Plan.
- Maintain credible, timely water and sanitation data for policy, regulation, and implementation.
- Collaborate with government agencies, LGUs, civil society, and private sector.
- Perform additional functions assigned by the DENR Secretary.
Attachment of Water-Related Agencies to DENR
- The following agencies are attached to DENR for coordination with WRMO:
- National Water Resources Board (NWRB)
- Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), both corporate and regulatory offices
- Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) and local water districts
- Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA)
- Coordination respects agencies’ existing mandates.
Integrated Water Resources Master Plan (IWMP) Objectives
- Optimize water supply benefits for society and environment.
- Harmonize government plans and policies on water management.
- Ensure water programs and infrastructure are resilient to extreme weather and future water availability challenges.
- Engage LGUs, private sector, and civil society in policy-making for improved water resource management.
- WRMO assigns tasks to water agencies for IWMP objectives.
Organizational Set-up and Administrative Oversight
- DENR Secretary, via WRMO Undersecretary, formulates structure and staffing considering:
- Harmonization of water-related functions in DENR.
- Strengthening coordination with government agencies.
- Administrative oversight over MWSS, LWUA, and local water districts for policy coordination, monitoring, and evaluation.
- Establishing a centralized Decision Support System and water data repository.
- Integrating climate change and disaster risk management into water policies.
- Regional DENR offices implement WRMO mandates locally, with strengthened Water Resources Utilization Sections.
- DBM authorized to create new WRMO positions to fulfill mandates.
Whole-of-Government Approach
- All government departments, agencies, state universities, government corporations, financial institutions, and LGUs are directed or enjoined to assist and cooperate with WRMO to achieve its objectives.
Funding Provision
- Initial implementation funded from DENR current appropriations.
- Subsequent funding coordinated through DENR and DBM for inclusion in General Appropriations Act.
- Attachment of water agencies to DENR does not affect their appropriations.
Implementation and Reporting
- DENR tasked to issue necessary implementing guidelines.
- WRMO, via DENR Secretary, submits quarterly reports on Order implementation to the Office of the President through the Executive Secretary.
Legal Provisions
- Contains a separability clause preserving validity of unaffected provisions if any part is declared invalid.
- Repeals inconsistent prior orders, guidelines, rules, regulations accordingly.
- Immediate effectivity of the Order upon signing.