Manila – The House of Representatives has given its second reading approval to a bill for the establishment of the Department of Water Resources (DWR), marking a significant step towards addressing the country’s water resource management issues. The bill, which is a priority mentioned by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in his State of the Nation Address, passed via voice vote as House Bill 9663, or the National Water Resources Act.

According to Philippines News Agency, the DWR will be the primary agency responsible for the comprehensive and integrated management of water resources in the Philippines, excluding fisheries or aquaculture. This involves the identification and mapping of water resources, planning, policy formulation, and overseeing the ownership, appropriation, utilization, exploitation, development, sustainability, and protection of these resources.

Additionally, the proposed department will develop institutional arrangements with public water organizations and ensure coordination with all stakeholders for water resource development, integration, and management activities. This includes areas like sanitation, flood risk, and drought risk management.

The bill also introduces the establishment of the Water Regulatory Commission as an independent, quasi-judicial regulatory body. This commission will have authority over all service providers, both private and public, involved in water supply, sewerage, or septage treatment and disposal services.

Furthermore, the National Water Resources Board will be reconstituted as the National Water Resource Allocation Board, which will approve the use of water resources, including dam construction. The bill proposes the creation of a water trust fund for water development, sanitation, wastewater treatment, and sustainability programs and projects.