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119 OG No. 25, 4551 (June 19, 2023)
[ MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 22, June 07, 2023 ]
MANDATING ALL NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND INSTRUMENTALITIES TO STRICTLY IMPLEMENT WATER CONSERVATION MEASURES
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 enjoyment of life and all human rights;
WHEREAS, Section 16, Article II of the Constitution declares it a policy of the State to protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature;
WHEREAS, Executive Order No. 22 (s. 2022) created the Water Resources Management Office (WRMO) in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), as the apex government body tasked to harmonize all policies, projects and programs of all government agencies in the water resource sector, and shall ensure the implementation of the Water Resource Management Plan; and
WHEREAS, with the probability of the El Niño phenomenon occurring within the next few months, there is an urgent need to implement water conservation measures to avert a looming water crisis not just in Metro Manila, but in all other areas of the country experiencing water scarcity;
NOW, THEREFOR, the following are hereby ordered:
Section 1. The WRMO and its network of agencies with water-related functions shall take the lead in the implementation of a nationwide water conservation program, in coordination with other related government agencies.
Section 2. All national government agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned or -controlled corporations and state universities and colleges, are hereby directed to identify and implement specific, quantifiable and attainable water conservation measures that will result in ten percent (10%) water volume reduction of their respective first quarter (January to March 2023) water consumption.
Section 3. The Local Water Utilities Administration (in case of Water Districts), National Water Resources Board (in case of local government-run water service providers [WSPs], and Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (Corporate and Regulatory Offices) (in case of its two concessionaires, Maynilad and Manila Water), are hereby directed, and private WSPs are hereby encouraged, to submit to the WRMO a monthly supply-demand projection highlighting if there is any likelihood of a deficit in water supply in the near future.
Government-run WSPs are hereby directed and private WSPs are hereby encouraged to implement water conservation measures, such as but not limited to non-revenue water management and water pressure management.
Section 4. National Government-run WSPs are hereby directed, and local government-run WSPs are hereby encouraged to immediately complete their projects to reduce non-revenue water and upgrade water distribution pipes. Local government units are encouraged to process the requests of WSPs for waterworks within a reasonable period of time.
Section 5. The WRMO shall identify strategies towards water conservation, monitor compliance of government agencies and instrumentalities with the aforementioned water conservation measures, and provide quarterly updates to the Office of the President, through the Office of the Executive Secretary, on the progress thereof.
Section 6. If any part or provision of this Circular is held unconstitutional or invalid, other parts not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.
Section 7. All issuances, orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Circular are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Section 8. This Circular shall take effect immediately.
DONE, in the City of Manila, this 7th day of June, in the year of our Lord, Two Thousand and Twenty-Three.
By authority the President:
(SGD.) LUCAS P. BERSAMIN
Executive Secretary