SC to DENR: Submit report on clean water compliance

MANILA, Philippines -  Has the government been complying with the Clean Water Act? 

The Supreme Court (SC) wants an answer to this question as it ordered the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to submit a report on its compliance with key provisions of Republic Act 9275 or the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004.

In a four-page resolution released last week, the high court directed DENR to submit its list of categories of the industry sector, its obligations relative to water quality standards and its plan with respect to solid waste disposal under Sections 14 and 19 of the law.

The SC issued the order upon a petition filed by water concessionaires Maynilad Water Services and Manila Water Co. Inc.

Section 14 of RA 9275 requires the DENR to regulate discharge of wastewater while Section 19 mandates it to prepare a National Water Quality Status Report, an Integrated Water Quality Management Framework, and a 10-year Water Quality Management Area Action Plan as lead implementing agency of the law.

The high court also gave the same order to other agencies, including the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), National Sewerage and Septage Management Program Office in the DPWH, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) and Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA).

The DILG was likewise required to submit to the court a complete list of highly urbanized cities (HUCs) in the country.

The high court also ordered the local government units of these HUCs to submit compliance report on the provisions of RA 9275.

The LLDA, for its part, was required to submit to the SC a list of industries falling under its administration.

Maynilad and Manila Water were also required to each submit an updated list of the respective service areas under their concession agreements with the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and also updated reports on the status of their compliance with the same provisions of the law.  

 “All parties to these cases and all government agencies directed in this resolution may traverse any or all of the manifestations submitted within 15 days from receipt of the last manifestation required by this resolution,” read the notice of resolution signed by SC clerk of court Felipa Anama.   

The Clean Water Act aims to protect the country’s water bodies from pollution from land-based sources (industries and commercial establishments, agriculture and community/household activities) and provides a comprehensive and integrated strategy to prevent and minimize pollution through a multi-sectoral and participatory approach involving all stakeholders.