RBCO as Lead Agency for River Basin Management

Executive Order No. 192 (1987) designates the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as the primary agency for conserving, managing, and developing the country’s environment and natural resources.
Existing river basin and flood control projects require rationalization into an Integrated River Basin Development and Management Master Plan.
Areas without major river basins but vulnerable to water-related problems are included in the master planning framework.
Executive Order No. 510 (2006) mandates the River Basin Control Office (RBCO) under DENR to rationalize river basin projects and promote integrated river basin management for environmental protection and disaster mitigation.
The President holds authority to rationalize and integrate executive branch mandates pursuant to the Administrative Code of 1997.

The River Basin Control Office (RBCO) under DENR is declared as the lead oversight agency for all governmental initiatives concerning the country’s river basins.

Rationalize and integrate all national plans, projects, and programs within river catchment basins, overseeing related initiatives by various government agencies and corporations.
Coordinate with and review river basin initiatives for approval and funding endorsement, consistent with existing laws and regulations.
Harmonize existing national river basin policies, formulate new policies, and create an enabling environment for effective river basin governance.
Serve as the national policy coordination office for local government units (LGUs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) involved in river basin development, recommending approval and funding of support initiatives.
Implement, monitor, and evaluate DENR programs and projects within river basins.
Act as central fund administrator for river basin appropriations from DENR’s budget to optimize public spending.
Maintain the central government river basin database through a River Basin Integrated Information Management System, requiring cooperation from all relevant agencies for data submission and integration.

RBCO shall have an initial fund of Two Hundred Forty Million Pesos (P240,000,000) sourced from unprogrammed DENR funds and/or approved by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
The fund will be used for planning, operations, administration, and capacity building to fulfill RBCO’s mandates.
Beginning in the 2010 budget year, RBCO’s operating budget will be included in DENR’s and member-agencies’ budget allocations.

All government departments, bureaus, agencies, instrumentalities, and government-owned or controlled corporations are directed to provide assistance and cooperation to RBCO for the effective discharge of its functions.

All executive orders, rules, regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with this order are revoked, amended, or modified accordingly.
The Executive Order takes effect 15 days after complete publication in a national newspaper and registration with the Office of the National Administrative Register.