EO Declaring RBCO as Lead Agency for River Basins

Executive Order No. 192 (1987) designates the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as the primary agency responsible for conservation and management of the environment and natural resources.
Several existing river basin and flood control projects need rationalization within an integrated master plan and framework.
Areas without major river basins but vulnerable to water-related issues must also be included in integrated river basin management.
Executive Order No. 510 (2006) mandates the River Basin Control Office (RBCO) under DENR to rationalize various river basin projects and promote integrated river basin management.
The President holds authority under the Administrative Code of 1997 to rationalize and integrate executive branch mandates.

The RBCO under DENR is declared the oversight agency for all government efforts and initiatives concerning the country’s river basins.

Rationalize and integrate all national plans, projects, and programs within river catchment basins.
Oversee agencies and corporations involved in river basin infrastructure, flood control, environmental protection, and water resources management.
Require coordination of agency projects with RBCO; review and endorse project approval and national budget funding.
Harmonize national river basin policies, formulate new policies, and create an enabling environment for effective management.
Serve as ex-officio member in policy steering and project implementation boards.
Coordinate policy implementation with local government units (LGUs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), recommending approval and funding for local initiatives.
Implement, monitor, and evaluate DENR programs and projects within river basins.
Act as central fund administrator for river basin appropriations in DENR’s budget, ensuring rationalized public spending.
Maintain a central river basin database management system, requiring agencies and river basin organizations to submit updated data for integration.

Initial fund of Two Hundred Forty Million Pesos (P240,000,000.00) sourced from DENR unprogrammed funds and approved by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
Funds allocated for planning, operations, administration, and augmentation of manpower capacity.
Initial funds to come from unreleased budget under EO No. 510 (2006).
From 2010 onwards, operating budget to be included in DENR and member agencies’ budget allocations.

All government departments, bureaus, offices, agencies, and government-owned or controlled corporations must provide assistance and cooperation to RBCO as needed.

All prior executive orders, regulations, and issuances inconsistent with this Executive Order are revoked, amended, or modified accordingly.

The Executive Order takes effect 15 days after complete publication in a national newspaper and 15 days after registration with the Office of the National Administrative Register.