In the interest of the service and in order to guide the Authority as regards the implementation of the new General Effluent Standards (GES) promulgated by the DENR thru Administrative Order No. 2016-08 pursuant to Republic Act No. 9275 otherwise known as the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004, of which the LLDA adopted  thru  LLDA  Board  Resolution  No.  523  series  of  2017,  and  for  the continuous implementation of the Environmental User Fee System (EUFS) in the Laguna de Bay Region, the following rules and regulations shall be adopted.

I.     COVERAGE

These guidelines shall apply to all existing and/or new development projects, installations   and  activities  that  are  required  to  secure  a  discharge   permit, pursuant to LLDA Board Resolution No. 322 series of 2007 or the Modified Wastewater Charge System in the Laguna de Bay Region.

II.  POLICY  GUIDELINES  IN  THE  IMPLEMENTATION  OF  SPECIFIC PROVISIONS OF DENR DAO 2016-08

The rules and regulations  implementing  specific  provisions  of the DENR  DAO
2016-08, specifically  those that pertains to the adoption of the GES are hereby promulgated, as follows:

1.  General Effluent Standards (Section 7.0 of DAO 2016-08)

1.1 Discharges  from any point source  shall, at all times, meet the effluent standards  set  forth  in  Tables  9  and  10  of  DENR  DAO  2016-08  to maintain the required Class C water quality for water bodies within the Laguna de Bay Region, and Class SB for Manila Bay as mandated  by the DENR;

1.2 With  this  new  GES,  industries  shall  only  be  required  to  monitor  their effluent quality parameters determined to be significant to them. Results of laboratory analysis for all significant effluent parameters shall be submitted to the LLDA as part of its Self-Monitoring Report (SMR).
1.3 Wastewater generated by an establishment shall not be allowed to be re- used   for  irrigation   and  other   agricultural   purposes   without   a  valid certification issued by the Department of Agriculture (DA) in accordance with Administrative Order 2007-26 issued by said Department, and for subsequent amendment or issuance by the DA to conform with the new water  quality  guidelines  and  general  effluent  standards  issued  by  the DENR;

Certification   from  the  DA  should   be  valid  for  the  duration   of  the
Discharge Permit issued to the said establishment.

1.4 Effluent  quality  monitoring  procedures  shall be in accordance  with the Effluent Quality Monitoring Manual issued by DENR-EMB through Memorandum Circular 2008-008 as adopted by LLDA

2. Significant Effluent Quality Parameters per Sector (Section 7.1)

2.1 In general, individual point sources of pollution shall be categorized into sectors consistent with the Philippine Standard Industrial Classification (PSIC, 2009). The significant effluent quality parameters for each sector or industry type shall be based on Table 8 of said DAO, for purposes of streamlining compliance and enforcement of the GES;

In  cases  where  a  certain  establishment  does  not  fall  in  one  of  the identified  sectors  in Table  8 of said  DAO,  the LLDA  shall  identify  the most probable pollutants  that the said establishment  will discharge  into the environment. These identified parameters will then be used for that particular  establishment ™s  discharge  permit,  and  for  compliance monitoring and enforcement;

2.2 Wastewater treatment facilities of establishment that caters both process wastewater   and   domestic   sewage   shall   be   monitored   for   effluent parameters   significant   to   them,   including   parameters   intended   for domestic sewage as listed in PSIC Code No. 37000;

2.3 The LLDA shall include additional effluent parameter/s  other than those listed  in  their  assigned   PSIC  Code  for  laboratory   analysis,   if  this particular parameter/s  is deemed significant based on actual inspection of its process or activities.

3. Effluent Standards for BOD for Strong Wastewater (Section 7.2)

3.1 Establishments  with  Strong  Wastewater  has  to request  and  submit  at least ten (10) monthly monitoring results or a minimum of twelve (12) monitoring  results  of  a  6-month  period  showing  that  influent  BOD  is equal to or greater  than 3,000 mg/L, at all times. Analysis  of samples shall be from a DENR-recognized,  third-party laboratory. The LLDA may conduct  validation  tests,  review  of submitted  SMRs,  among  others,  to verify if such a claim is valid;

3.2 Those establishments  with verified influent BOD of at least 3,000 mg/L, the  applicable  effluent  standards  in  Table  10  shall  at  all  times  be enforced and complied with Laboratory analysis for influent BOD shall be conducted consistent with the analysis of effluent samples which shall be included in the submission of its Self-Monitoring Report;

3.3 Since   Manila   Bay   is  re-classified   into   Class   SB   pursuant   to  the continuing mandamus of the Supreme Court, all establishments directly draining into the Manila Bay with BOD as one of its significant effluent parameters   and  considered   as  strong  waste  shall  comply  with  the maximum BOD value set in Table 9;

3.4 For parameters other than BOD, Table 9 shall apply.

4 Modification of GES (Section 8.0)

4.1 Any person, both natural and juridical, May request for the modification of the GES as described in this section;

4.2 The request shall include a clear and scientifically valid evidence having a probative value to demonstrate that such modification is consistent with RA 9275 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations Request for modification  shall be submitted to the Office of the General Manager of the LLDA, actions of which shall be subject to further consultation  with the DENR;

The requesting entity has to submit at least ten (10) monthly monitoring results  or  a  minimum  of  twelve  (12)  monitoring  results  of  a  6-month period among other supporting documents, to prove that its request for modification is based on empirical and scientific findings or studies. The LLDA shall conduct validation tests, review of submitted SMRs, among others, to verify if such a claim is valid.

5. Modification of Significant Effluent Quality Parameters and GES Values (Section 8.3)

5.1 In  cases  where  a  particular  significant   parameter   is  present  in  an establishment ™s waste stream but is not listed in Table 8 of the DAO, the LLoA shall require the establishment to comply with such particular significant parameter;

The LLDA shall inform the establishment of the findings and of the need to include such parameter in the succeeding issuances of its Discharge Permit, as well as in the succeeding compliance monitoring and enforcement;

The  establishment  may  file  a motion  for  reconsideration  within  fifteen (15) days after receipt of such findings. The LLDA reserves the right to reject or accept the appeal based on justifiable grounds;

5.2 In cases  where  a particular  significant  parameter  is not present  in an establishment ™s   waste  stream,   such  establishment   may  request   for exclusion  of  such  particular  parameter  in  its  succeeding  monitoring regime and in its Discharge Permit, provided the following conditions are met;

5.2.1  Based on the DENR-approved  method of analysis, the parameter of concern is below the method detection level (MDL) for at least ten (10) monitoring events;

Monitoring events shall refer to self-monitoring activities with a frequency of at least twice a month;

5.2.2  No change in technology and raw materials used in its operations or process;

During the monitoring periods for purposes of effluent quality measurement, there should be no changes in technology and raw materials used in its operations or process;

Once exclusion of a particular parameter is approved, the establishment   shall   inform   the   Authority   of  any   changes   in technology and raw materials used in its operations or processes to verify if such exclusion  is still valid. This shall be included  as one of the conditions in its Discharge Permit;

The  LLDA  shall  conduct  validation  tests,  review  of  submitted  SMRs, among others, to verify if such a claim is valid

6. Grace Period (Section 10.0)

6.1 An establishment  may request for a grace period of not more than five (5) years to be able to fully comply with the GES, provided the requesting establishment  submits a Compliance Action Plan (CAP). Cases wherein a grace period may be granted shall be limited to any of the following:

6.1.1  Values  for  the  GES  have  become  stringent  compared  to  the values in DAO 1990-35. In such cases, DAO 1990-35 shall apply during the grace period;
6.1.2  New significant effluent quality parameters were identified for the sector

6.2 The minimum content of the Compliance Action Plan to avail of the grace period are as follows:

6.2.1   description of the establishment;
6.2.2  justifications  why it needs to request for a grace period (i.e., new parameters, stricter parameters in the new DAO, etc);
6.2.3  process  production  flow  (including  flow  rate,  material  balance, water balance, etc);
6.2.4  characterization or nature of existing wastewater stream, historical trends of its regulated parameters based on the submitted SMRs (within the last three years to present);
6.2.5  description  of existing  wastewater  treatment  facility,  such  as  its type, design rate and actual capacity, date constructed/installed, projected useful life, etc.;
6.2.6  proposed   modification   on   the   existing   wastewater   treatment facilities  to address  new and/or stringent  parameters  of the new DAO;
6.2.7 timeline   of   the   establishment's   corrective   actions   and modifications,   including   annual   projected   milestones,   to   fully comply with the new standards within the requested grace period;
6.2.8  investment     cost     and     other     related     expenses     for    the implementation of the CAP.

6.3 Compliance Action Plan submitted before the issuance of this IRR need not follow the suggested content. However, the establishment may opt to submit  or the LLDA  may  request  for submission  of a revised  CAP  to include other details not considered in the earlier submitted CAP;

6.4 Filing for the request of grace period thru the submission of CAP shall be made at least three (3) months before expiration/revalidation  of its Discharge Permit for CY 2018;

6.5 The start of the grace period is upon approval of the submitted CAP;

6.6 After   approval   of   its   Compliance   Action   Plan,   periodic   status   of implementation,  or annual progress report, shall be submitted to update the   LLDA   on   the   steps   taken   for   the   establishment ™s   approved compliance schedule, including milestones achieved, implementation challenges, among others;

6.7 Within  the  approved  grace  period,  a  moratorium   is  in  effect  which includes  issuance  of cease and desist and/or closure order, fines, and other penalties against establishment ™s operations;

However, DAO 1990-35 remains in effect during the grace period which must be complied with at all times. Thus, failure in any of the regulated parameters under DAO 1990-35 shall not be covered in the above- mentioned moratorium;

6.8 Failure   to   submit   annual   progress   report   or   periodic   status   of implementation may form the basis for the cancellation and/or revocation of approved grace period. In such cases, the applicable general effluent standards   for   that   particular   establishment   shall   be   enforced   and complied with at all times;

6.9 The LLDA may grant an extension of the approved grace period provided that a catch-up plan was submitted six (6) months before the lapse of the grace   period,   provided   also   that   the   delay   and/or   implementation challenges was duly reported in its submitted periodic (annual) status of implementation. In no case shall the grace period be extended to an aggregate total of five (5) years;

6.10 After the lapse of the grace period, the new GES shall be automatically enforced and complied with at all times.

7.    Fines, Damages and Penalties (Section 12.0)

7.1 Any person, both natural or juridical, found violating or failing to comply with any Order or Decision of the Authority or any provision of this Order, shall be liable under Section 28 of RA 9275, in the amount of:

7.1.1   PHP 10,000 per day of violation (minimum);
7.1.2   PHP 200,000 per day of violation (maximum);
7.1.3  The fines herein prescribed shall be increased by 10% every two (2) years to compensate for inflation and to maintain the deterrent function of such fines.

7.2 Appropriate fines and penalties as stated under LLDA Board Resolution
No 404, s. 2012, adopting the fines and penalties under Section 28 of RA
9275 shall apply;

7.3 The  existing  rates  of  fines  and  penalties  to  be  imposed  are  without prejudice to the new sets of fees and charges that the LLDA Board of Directors may issue for the purpose.

III.   WATER  POLLUTION   CASE  PENDING  WITH  THE  PUBLIC  HEARING COMMITTEE

Those  establishments   with  water  pollution  case  pending  before  the  Public Hearing Committee, the case shall be deemed recommended for dismissal if the non-compliant parameter is no longer included in the list of its new significant parameters.  The cut-off  date for the computation  of daily penalty  and Environmental  User  Fee to be imposed,  as pre-requisites  for dismissal  of the said case, shall be at the date of effectivity of this IRR.

However,  those  who  submitted  a  Compliance  Action  Plan,  wherein  the  DAO
1990-35  shall apply  for the duration  of the grace  period,  the case  will remain active until it complies with the effluent standards set for the said DAO.

IV.  REVIEW AND AMENDMENT

The review of this Implementing Rules and Regulations shall be conducted after two (2) years of its implementation, or as may be necessary.

V.   EFFECTIVITY

This Memorandum Circular shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in a newspaper  of general circulation,  posting in the LLDA official website and

upon  acknowledgment   of  receipt  of  a  copy  by  the  Office  of  the  National
Administrative Register (ONAR).