WATER CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES

Section 7 Water Charges. - Except when the appropriation is for family domestic purpose or
when the quantity of water appropriated for agricultural use is not more than 5 liters per second,
all appropriators shall pay to the Council in the manner provided under Section 6 hereof, an
annual water charge in accordance with the following schedule:
A. For the use of water when diverted/extracted from the natural source:
Rate of Withdrawal Charge per liter/sec.
(liters/second)
I) Not more than 30 PO.50
2) More than 30 but not exceeding 50 0.75
3) More than 50 1.00

Section 14. Periodic and Final Inspection of Project. - The Council or its authorized agents who
investigated the application may conduct periodic inspection while construction, alteration, or
repair' is in progress as well as final inspection thereof to ascertain whether or not the same is in
accordance with approved plans and specifications. A report of inspection within ten (10) days
from date thereof shall be submitted to the Council thru the Public Works Regional Director.

Section 16. Inspection of Works. - Inspection of the premises shall be conducted by any person
deputized by the Council to determine compliance with the conditions imposed in the permit and
such other order, rule or regulation the Council may issue.

Section 45. _ Protection of Water Supply Sources. - No person shall discharge into any source of
water supply any domestic sewage, industrial waste, or pollutant not meeting the effluent
standards set by the National Pollution Control Commission.

Section 50. _ Water Resources Projects/Programs by Government Sector. - Government water

resources and related projects/programs shall be submitted by the proponent agencies to the
Council, which may, if necessary, refer the matter to the proper deputies or concerned agencies
for evaluation and comment in accordance with the above guidelines before approving the same.

Section 52. Requirements of Water Resources Projects/Programs. - Project Program proposals

shall contain indicators of socio-economic justification, relationship to the National
Development Plan, impact statement on the sector's project/program supports and complement,
regional impact state environmental impact statement, and such other information as the
Council may require. Projects, such as artesian wells, spring development and barangay
waterworks for purely domestic and municipal use, and such other small-scale projects as the
Council may determine, shall be exempted from this requirement.

Section 58._ Review and Approval of Rules and Regulations Involving Water. - Rules and
regulations by any government agency involving policies on the utilization, exploitation,
development, control, conservation or protection of water resources shall be reviewed and
approved by the Council, unless the charter of such agency provides that the same shall be
approved by the President, in which case the proposed rules shall first be referred to the Council
for comment.

REFERENCES: http://extwprlegs1.fao.org/docs/pdf/phi2078.pdf
An Assessment of the Local Service Delivery of Potable Water in Dumaguete City and Selected
Areas of Agusan del Sur Province

There have been economic studies on the potable water situation in the Philippines. On the
supply side, a study indicated that water service in Metro Manila was inadequate (David and
Inocencio 1996). Two studies (Arellano 1994, David 2000) on the privatization of the
Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) showed that unless some adjustments
were made, the water shortage problem in Metro Manila would persist. Other studies showed
that much of the surface and groundwater in Metro Manila and the country was already
contaminated (Ebarvia 1994, The World Bank Group 2003). Another study (Inocencio and
David 2001) suggested that the provision of water for the poor and poor communities could be a
potent tool for alleviating poverty as it could significantly impact health, income and
consumption, as well as gender and social inclusion.

One study (Magtibay 2004) indicated that a portion of the population of the Philippines had
shifted its preference from traditional to alternative sources of drinking water such as water
refilling stations. Other studies (Greenpeace 2007, World Bank 2005a) stated that 1 out of 5
Filipinos did not get water from formal sources. Still another study (Madrazo 2002) pointed out
that those without household connections could only access water from wells, springs, communal
faucets, and/or from small-scale informal providers. Based on another study (ADB 2006)
focusing on water supply as a development goal, by 2015 the Philippines would have rural water
supply for only 77 percent of the rural population. In 2004 overall water supply coverage for the
Philippines was only 85 percent (ADB 2007). On potable water demand and consumption, two
studies (Largo et al. 1998, David et al. 2000) revealed that water pricing significantly affected
water demand in the country. Based on another study (Inocencio et al. 1999) a family of six in
the Philippines usually depended on the potable water lifeline or minimum consumption block
measuring about 10 cubic meters. This implies a substantial water demand, particularly when
viewed against an increasing population. Where the importance of institutions to the provision of
potable water is concerned, one study (Water and Sanitation Program 2004) suggested that rural
water supply projects with significant investments in capacity and institution building produced
the most sustainable rural water supply. Another study (Singh2006) suggested that policymakers
in the Philippines should give due attention to institutional transformation or the creation of
appropriate and new institutions as the country moves toward decentralization. Still another
study (Johnson et al. 1996) explored innovative ways to finance water districts in the country,
particularly where the support of financial donors could be tapped. In summary, the foregoing
findings from various studies highlighted the following about the potable water situation in the
Philippines:

The country has been faced with inadequate potable water resulting from water scarcity and
water contamination;

This problem is exacerbated by increasing water demand brought about by a high level of
consumption and an increasing population;

National and MDG goals on potable water supply may not be achievable based on past
performance and projections;

Innovative solutions are urgently needed to address the potable water problems and achieve
the national and MDG objectives;

One potent solution could be significant investments in capacity and institution building to
make rural water supply projects sustainable; and

Local institutions could play an important role in potable water service delivery with
decentralization.

REFERENCES: https://dirp4.pids.gov.ph/ris/pjd/pidspjd09-2water.pdf