The state of water resources in the Philippines - Greenpeace

copper, nickel, tin, vanadium and zinc and many of the volatile organic chemicals
(VOCs) are being used by the semiconductor and electronics industries, one of
the country's biggest export earners, but they are not included in the Philippine
water standards. Thus, they are not routinely tested. Furthermore, there are no
existing facilities in the country that are able to test and monitor the industrial
pollutants that come with more modern technologies and production processes.
E. Government agencies involved in regulating water use, water quality
control, and management
More than 30 government agencies and offices are said to be involved in
performing the different aspects or components of water resources management
and development in the country. These agencies function separately dealing
mainly with each of the sectors of water supply, irrigation, hydropower, flood
control, pollution, and watershed management (Dayrit, H, 2001).
According to Madrazo in her paper entitled “Water Issues in the context of
Sustainable Development”, at the national level, the NWRB is responsible for
policy formulation, administration and enforcement of the Water Code of the
Philippines. In this paper, it was observed that other agencies perform policy
formulation as it relates to their mandates. She then identifies the following eight
agencies that have water related mandates:
• Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for flood control and
drainage (this responsibility has recently been transferred to the Metro
Manila Development Authority)
• Department of Health (DOH) for sanitation
• Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for watershed
protection and water quality
• Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for LGU-managed
water supply, and sewerage and sanitation systems and capability building
• National Power Corporation (NPC) for hydropower development
• National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and Bureau of Soils and Water
Management (BSWM) for irrigation development
• Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) for water supply,
sewerage, and sanitation in Metro Manila and, partially, in its neighboring
provinces; and
• Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) for the Water Districts which
manage water supply and sewerage systems.
Madrazo also mentions that the existing regulatory set-up in the Philippines is
quite complicated and poses problems on conflicts of interests and possible
overlapping of responsibilities that hinders effective water resources
management.
A similar view is shared by NWRB’s Executive Director, Hector Dayrit, with the
following observations:
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