Ipo Watershed is vital to the sustainability of quality water supply for the survival of Metro Manila being the transit point of water coming from the Angat Watershed before reaching the La Mesa Watershed Reservoi. The stability, productivity, and functionality of the Ipo Watershed is fast deteriorating brought about by the uncontrolled and massive rate of forest degradation due to illegal settlements, illegal forest products harvesting, frequent destructive fires encroaching into the natural forests, and conversion of forest lands for cash crops production, all together acting in unison resulting to massive sand, silt and rock deposition into the Ipo Dam Reservoir.

To ensure the timely and efficient implementation of the rehabilitation, protection and management of the Ipo Watershed Area and to arrest its spiraling deterioration, pursuant to Republic Act No. 7586, otherwise known as the œNational Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS),  the authority to manage the Ipo Watershed Areas (as defined in Proclamation No. 391, placing the Ipo Watershed under joint management by the Director of Forestry, now DENR Secretary and the Administrator of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System), and DENR Administrative Order No. 2005-23 entitled œAdoption and Implementation of Collaborative Approach to Watershed Management,  clearance is hereby granted to the MANILA WATER COMPANY, INC. (MWCI) and the MANILA WATER SERVICES, INC. (MWSI) to assist in the management of the Ipo Watershed areas subject to the following guidelines:

Section 1. Joint Authority. The MWCI and MWSI are jointly authorized and directed to negotiate and enter into agreement with a private entity with proven capabilities and expertise in the rehabilitation, protection, and management of critical watershed areas.

Section 2. Agreement. The Authority referred to in Section 1 shall refer to the implementation of the rehabilitation, protection, and development programs solely for the rehabilitation, protection, and management of the Ipo Watershed consistent with DENR rules and regulations.

Section 3. Repealing Clause. Any Memorandum Orders and Circulars inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 4. Effectivity. This Memorandum Order shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation and receipt of a copy hereof by the Office of the National Administrative Register.

Adopted: 27 May 2009

(SGD.) JOSE L. ATIENZA, JR.
Secretary