EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 374 - CREATING THE PRESIDENTIAL TASK FORCE ON WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the State to ensure sustainable, adequate, safe and affordable water supply to meet the requirements of the country’s development;

WHEREAS, growing contamination and pollution limits the available water supply to meet the present and future requirements of the population and water consuming sectors of economy;

WHEREAS, the development and management of our water resources requires the efficient rationalization of the competing demands for such resources;

WHEREAS, the timely and effective provision of the needed infrastructure and organization support are essential for ensuring the widest access to water resources by these sectors;

WHEREAS, there is a need for an apex body that will oversee and coordinate government policies and programs to enhance the development and management of water resources.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FIDEL V. RAMOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

Section 1. Creation of the Presidential Task Force on Water Resources Management. — There is hereby created a Presidential Task Force to ensure the efficient development and management of the country’s water resources.

Sec. 2. Composition. — The Task Force shall have the following composition:

Chairman — Secretary, Department of Environment
  and Natural Resources

Vice Chairman — Chairman, National Water
   Resources Board
 
Members — Secretary, Department of Energy

  
   — Secretary, Department of Health

— Secretary. Department of Agriculture

— Secretary, Department of Interior and Local
   Government

— President, League of Provinces

— President, League of Municipalities

— Administrator, MWSS

— Administrator, LWUA

— Three (3) representatives from the private

 sector, preferably from the environmentalist,
 water management and consumer groups to be
  designated by the task Force Chairman

Sec. 3. Powers and Functions. — The Task Force shall serve as an oversight body for ensuring the efficient sourcing and use of water resources, in particular the provision of policy and program recommendations on the following:

a. Water supply planning and coordination, including the efficient allocation of water resources to its different users;

b. Prioritization of programs and projects critical for ensuring sustainable, adequate, safe and affordable water supply;

c. Coordination and monitoring of water policies and programs; and

d. Pricing policies on water resources.