Aquino issues Executive Order no. 62 transferring Local Water Utilities Administration from Department of Health to Department of Public Works and Highways
President Benigno S. Aquino III has transferred the supervision of the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
President Aquino ordered the transfer of LWUA’s supervision from the Department of Health (DOH) to DPWH through Executive Order (EO) No. 62, which he signed on October 26, 2011.
In issuing EO the President cited the need for “a concerted and well-coordinated effort in formulating policies as well as planning and implementing programs and projects for the water sector.”
The DPWH is “mandated to ensure that the planning, design, construction and maintenance of infrastructure facilities, such as national highways, flood control and water resource development systems, are in accordance with the highest level of safety and efficiency and in line with the overall national development objectives.”
“LWUA is hereby transferred from DOH to DPWH,” President Aquino said.
He also authorized the DPWH to exercise administrative supervision over LWUA and to continue to implement reforms to ensure efficient flow of resources into the sector, thereby facilitating the implementation of projects therein.
The President also tasked the Secretaries of Finance, Public Works and Highways, and Health, serving in ex officio capacity, to sit as members of the LWUA Board of Trustees representing the national government.
“The foregoing ex officio members may designate their respective alternates who shall be officials next-in-rank, and whose acts shall be considered the acts of their principals,” the President said.
He likewise tasked the DPWH Secretary to convene the Inter-Agency Committee on the Water Sector “to design and recommend to the President a water sector master plan which will effectively address all the issues and concerns of the water sector.”
According to the President, the said Committee will also recommend the appropriate organizational structure of all concerned agencies for the effective implementation of the water sector master plan.
The National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Budget and Management, Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Office of the President and such other concerned agencies will form part of the Committee on the Water Sector.
The DPWH, in consultation with the concerned agencies, will formulate the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the effective implementation of EO 62.
EO 62 will take effect immediately upon publication in a newspaper of general circulation. (PCOO)
