22 senators back creation of Department of Water Resources

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 22 senators have signed a committee report endorsing the creation of the Department of Water Resources and the Water Regulatory Commission.

The creation of the department was contained in Committee Report No. 210, which proposes the act “Establishing the National Framework for Water Resource Management and Creating the Department Of Water Resources and the Water Regulatory Commission, defining their mandate, powers and functions, appropriating funds therefor, and for other purposes.”

READ: Senate to work on approval of water department bill – Poe

Almost all senators signed the committee report, with the sole exception of Senator Manel “Lito” Lapid.

Meanwhile, Senators Cynthia Villar, Imee Marcos, and Risa Hontiveros indicated that they would interpolate or make proper amendments when the bill is reported on the Senate floor.

Under the proposal, which paves the way for the creation of the Department of Water Resources, the department shall be the “primary policy, planning, coordinating, implementing, monitoring, and administrative entity of the Executive Branch of the government responsible for the comprehensive, sustainable, climate-resilient, and integrated development and management of the water resources of the Philippines.”

It will also be the entity in charge of determining the optimal allocation and use for domestic and municipal water supply, sanitation, irrigation, hydropower, industry, navigation, flood management, and recreation, as well as water utilization aspects of fisheries or aquaculture.

“The Department shall also be the primary agency responsible for the planning and policy formulation towards the attainment of universal access to safe, adequate, affordable, and sustainable water supply, and improved sewerage and sanitation services for all Filipinos,” the proposal read.

Among its powers and functions are policy-making and planning, data collection and evidence gathering, water resource management and allocation, administration and management, and coordination.

Meanwhile, the powers and functions of the Department of Public Works and Highways involving the management of the National Sewerage and Septage Management program will be transferred to the proposed department.

The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, the Laguna Lake Development Authority, the National Irrigation Authority, and any other agencies performing water resource management or conservation will then be considered attached agencies to the department.

The Department shall be composed of the Office of the Secretary, as well as various bureaus and services, and regional offices.

Water Regulatory Commission

Meanwhile, the proposal also aims to establish the Water Regulatory Commission, which will act as an independent, quasi-judicial regulatory arm in charge of all water service providers, whether private or public.

The bill proposes it to be composed of  Regional Regulatory Units and the Central Regulatory Unit.

“The economic regulatory units and functions of the MWSS, NWRB, and LWUA are hereby transferred to the Commission, and shall collectively comprise its Central Regulatory Unit for Water Supply, Sanitation and Sewerage Service that (a.) provide services to more than one province; and (b) are owned, operated, or maintained by Metro Manila concessionaires,” the proposal read.

Apart from water service providers, the overall authority and powers of the Commission also cover all those providing or intending to provide water supply, including suppliers to subdivisions, bulk water suppliers, and other providers for sewerage, and septage treatment and disposal services for domestic, residential, institutional, industrial or commercial use.