WHEREAS, the United Nations General Assembly, through Resolution No. 64/292 dated 28 July 2010, recognized the right to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation as a human right that is essential for the full employment of life and all human rights;

WHEREAS, the social and economic progress of the country is highly dependent on the proper development, shared management, control and utilization of its total water resources;

WHEREAS, the fragmented water and sanitation sector, increasing demand for water due to population and economic growth, impacts of climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic, lack of adequate infrastructure leading to uneven distribution of water resources, and inconsistent government regulations are some of the identified challenges that adversely affect the management of water resources in the Philippines;

WHEREAS, to avert a water crisis, minimize and avoid conflicts, and consistent with the State's sole ownership and control over the country's water resources, it is imperative for the Government to integrate and harmonize the policies, programs and projects of all relevant agencies in the water resource sector in the fulfillment of their complementary governmental mandates;

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 92 of the General Provisions of Republic Act No. 11936 or the "General Appropriations Act (GAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023," the President is authorized to create new offices and modify the existing organizational structure of the agencies in the Executive branch, as well as create new positions or modify existing ones whenever public interest so requires; and

WHEREAS, Section 17, Article VII of the 1987 Constitution provides that the President shall have control over all executive departments, bureaus and offices, and shall ensure that the laws are faithfully executed;

NOW, THEREFOR, I, FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR., President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and existing laws, do hereby order:

Section 1. Water Resources Management Office. The Water Resources Management Office (WRMO) is hereby created in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). It shall be headed by an Undersecretary to be appointed by the President, upon the recommendation of the DENR Secretary.

The WRMO, in coordination with all stakeholders, shall primarily be responsible for the integration and harmonization of all government efforts and regulatory activities to ensure availability and sustainable management of water resources in the whole country.

Towards this end, the WRMO shall ensure the immediate implementation of the Integrated Water Resources Management in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and formulate a corresponding Integrated Water Resources Master Plan (IWMP).

Section 2. Functions. In furtherance of its mandate, the WRMO shall have the following functions:

a. Shepherd and champion, together with the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office, the passage of a law creating an apex body such as the proposed Department of Water and/or a regulatory commission on water;

b. Ensure the immediate implementation of the Integrated Water Resources Management, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and formulate a corresponding Integrated Water Resources Master Plan (IWMP).

c. Integrate into the IWMP the various plans of agencies including, but not limited to, the Philippine Development Plan, the Philippine Water Supply and Sanitation Master Plan, and the National Water Resources Board Water Security Master Plan;

d. Generate and maintain credible and timely water and sanitation data to aid in evidence-based policy-making, regulations, planning and implementation;

e. Collaborate closely with all relevant government agencies, local government units (LGUs), civil society, and the private sector in undertaking the above mandate and functions; and

f. Perform such other functions as the DENR Secretary may assign..

Section 3. Attachment of all Water-Related Agencies to the DENR. The following agencies are hereby attached to the DENR, and are directed to closely coordinate and collaborate with the WRMO to the extent allowed by their respective mandates:

a. National Water Resources Board;

b. Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (corporate and Regulatory Offices);

c. Local Water Utilities Administration and the network of local water districts; and

d. Laguna Lake Development Authority.

Section 4. Integrated Water Resources Master Plan. The IWMP shall serve as the comprehensive national policy for the management of water resources. The objectives of the IWMP shall be as follows:

a. To harness our water supply in order to capitalize on its maximum benefit to society and the environment;

b. To effectively manage water resources by harmonizing the plans and policies of various government agencies with water-related functions;

c. To ensure that programs, including planned water infrastructure and water demand management are resilient to extreme events and address the forecasted changes in availability, accessibility and affordability of water; and

d. To engage LGUs, the private sector and civil society organizations n crafting new policies that will result in better management of water resources.

The WRMO shall assign specific tasks to the different water agencies to achieve the objectives of the IWMP.

Section 5. Organizational Set-up. The DENR Secretary, through the WRMO Undersecretary, shall formulate the organizational structure and staffing pattern of the WRMO based on the following considerations:

a. Harmonization of all water-related functions within the DENR;

b. Strengthening the coordination functions of the WRMO with other relevant national government agencies;

c. Exercise administrative oversight function over MWSS, LWUA and local water districts, for purposes of policy and program coordination, monitoring and evaluation;

d. Establishment of a Decision Support System and a central repository of water data, as well as effect inter-sectoral, inter-agency, and inter-departmental coordination on data gathering and management, including knowledge and learning management systems; and

e. Integration of climate change and disaster risk management in water policies, plans and programs.

The DENR Regional Offices (ROs), headed by Regional Directors (RDs), shall implement the mandates, powers and functions of the WRMO at the regional and field level. The existing Water Resources Utilization Section (WRLIS) of the DENR Ros shall be strengthened through the hiring of additional personnel.

The DBM is directed to authorize the creation of new positions in the WRMO, based on an appropriate, lean and reasonable organizational structure and staffing pattern, to fully exercise its mandates and functions towards the implementation of integrated water resources management and the achievement of water security for the country.

Section 6. Whole-of-Government Approach.. All departments, agencies and instrumentalities of the government, including state universities and colleges, government-owned or -controlled corporations, and government financial institutions, are hereby directed, and LGUs are hereby enjoined, to render full assistance and cooperation to the WRMO, as may be necessary to carry out the objectives of this Order.

Section 7. Funding. The initial funding requirements necessary for the implementation of this Order shall be charged against the current appropriations of DENR. Thereafter, the DENR shall coordinate with the DBM to ensure that subsequent funding requirements, as may be necessary, for the implementation of this Order shall be included in the GAA, subject to the usual budget preparation process. The attachment of the water agencies to the DENR shall not affect their respective appropriations.

Section 8. Implementing Guidelines. The DENR shall formulate and issue guidelines as may be necessary for the effective implementation of this Order.

Section 9. Reporting. The WRMO, through the DENR Secretary, is hereby directed to submit to the Office of the President , through the Office of the Executive Secretary, a quarterly status report on the implementation of this Order.

Section 10. Separability. If any part of this Order is held unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 11. Repeal. All other orders, guidelines, rules, regulations and issuances, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Order are hereby repealed or modifies accordingly.

Section 12. Effectivity. This Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE, in the City of Manila, this 27^th day of April, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Twenty Three.