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The Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004

Republic Act 9275

Salient Features of the Act

The State shall pursue a policy of economic growth in a manner consistent with theprotection, preservation and revival of a quality of our fresh, brackish and marine waters. . To

achieve this end, the framework for sustainable development shall be pursued. As such, it shall

be the policy of the State to:

Streamline processes and procedures in the prevention, control and abatement of

pollution of the country’s water resources; 

Promote environmental strategies, use of appropriate economic instruments and of

control mechanisms for the protection of water resources;

Formulate a holistic national program of water quality management that recognizes that

water quality management issue cannot be separated from concerns about watersources and ecological protection , water supply, public health and quality of life;

Formulate an integrated water quality management framework through proper

delegation and effective coordination of functions and activities;

Promote commercial and industrial processes and products that are environment

friendly and energy- efficient;

Encourage cooperation and self-regulation among citizen and industries through the

application of incentives market-based instruments and to promote the role of private

industrial enterprises in shaping its regulatory profile within the acceptable boundaries

of public health and environment;

Provide for a comprehensive management program for water pollution focusing on

pollution prevention;

Promote public information and education to encourage the participation of an

informed and active public in water quality management and monitoring; and

Formulate and enforce a system of accountability for short and long term adverse

environmental impact of a project, program or activity.

Encourage civil society and other sectors, particularly labor, the academe and business

undertaking environment-related activities in their efforts to organize, eradicate and

motivate the people in addressing pertinent environmental issue and problems at the

local and national levels.

It mandates the various government agencies to do the following in support of the Act:

  Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)  – act as overall of the lead

agency; prepare a National Water Quality Status Report; issue rules and regulations in

the implementation of the Act.

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  Department of Agriculture (DA)  –  shall develop guidelines for re-use of wastewater for

irrigation purposes or as soil conditioner or fertilizer; together with the PCG shall

enforce water quality standards in marine waters .

  Philippine Coast Guard (PCG )  –  shall enforce standards and regulations in offshore

areas including the discharge of wastewater by ships; together with the DA shallenforce water quality standards in marine waters .

  Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) - together with the DENR and

LGUs shall prepare a national program on sewerage and septage management.

 

Department of Health (DOH) - shall provide specific health criteria and data related to

the promulgation, revision and enforcement of drinking water quality standrads 

  Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and Local Water Utilities

Authority (LWUA)   –shall contribute inputs relative to the responsibilities of

concessionaires and water districts in sewerage, septage and sanitation management. 

  Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED) ,

Department of Interior and Local Governments (DILG) and the Philippine Information

Agency ( PIA)  –  shall prepare and implement a comprehensive and continuing public

education and information program

  Department of Energy ( DOE)  – with the DENR shall formulate water quality criteria and

standards specifically for geothermal exploration that encounters re-injection

constraints, that provides adequate protection to other users of water bodiesdownstream of the geothermal project. 

  Department of Science and Technology ( DOST)  –  with the DENR shall prepare a

program for the evaluation, verification, development and public dissemination of

pollution prevention and cleaner production technologies.