Overview of RA 9275 and

Water Quality Management

Area
Designation/Operationalizati
on
Environmental Management Bureau

Department of Environment and Natural

Resources
Engr. Antonio L. Estrada
Chief, EMED

SOME TYPESUSES OF THE

WATER

Sources of Pollution - National

Republic Act 9275

Philippine Clean Water Act of
2004)
- Signed on 22 March 2004
- Published on 21 April 2004
- Took effect on 6 May 2004

IMPLEMENTING RULES &

REGULATIONS
- Signed on 16 May 2005 (DAO
2005-10)

RA 9275
THE CLEAN WATER ACT
IS A MILESTONE
LEGISLATION THAT
CAN DELIVER THE
MUCH NEEDED
SUPPORT IN OUR
EFFORT TO ADDRESS
WATER CONCERNS.
THIS LAW CALLS FOR
AN INTEGRATED,
HOLISTIC,
DECENTRALIZED AND
PARTICIPATORY
APPROACH TO
ABATING, PREVENTING
AND CONTROLLING
WATER POLLUTION.

Declaration of Principles and

Policies
Sustainable Development
Framework
Holistic National Program
Operate under an Integrated WQ
Framework
Self-regulation among industries thru
MBIs
Focus on pollution prevention
With a system of accountability
Streamline procedures and processes
Mobilize/Encourage participation of

COVERAGE
Water

Quality
Management in all water
bodies
Abatement & control of
pollution from land-based
sources
Enforcement
of
WQ
standards, regulations and
penalties

CONCEPTUAL
FRAMEWORK
Integrated Water Quality
Management Framework

Water Quality Mgt. Action

Plan (WQMAP) ...
LGU Compliance
Scheme

Designation of Water Quality

Management Area (WQMA)
Non-Attainment Areas
(NAAs)
Natl. Sewerage and Septage
Management Program
Classification/
Reclassification of Water
Bodies
Groundwater Vulnerability
Mapping
WQ Guidelines
Effluent Standards
Categorization of Industry
Wastewater Charge System
Discharge Permits
Financial Liability
Programmatic EIA
Incentives and Rewards
Prohibitions/Sanctions/
Actions

The Philippine Clean Water Act 2004

(Republic Act No. 9275)

1
2
3
4

Coverage of WQMA Designation

Surface waters natural , man-made
streams (rivers and creeks)
lakes
marine waters

Land within the hydrologic unit

residential, industrial, commercial, agricultural,
tourism, forest and protection areas

Conditions for WQMA Designation

1. The WQMA to use the

appropriate physiographic
unit such as a watershed,
river basin, water resource
region, or sub-basin, microwatershed.

2. The WQMA shall have similar

hydrological,
hydrogeological,
meteorological or
geographic conditions which
affect the physicochemical,
biological and
bacteriological reactions and
diffusions of pollutants in
the water bodies.

3. The WQMA may share

common interest, or face

THE USE OF
APPROPRIATE
PHYSIOGRAPHIC UNIT

WATER QUALITY OF
WATER BODIES IS
AFFECTED

SHARES COMMON
INTEREST,
PROGRAMS,
PROSPECTS,
PROBLEMS

Conditions for WQMA

Designation
4. The water quality of specific
water body/ies within that
physiographic unit may be:

a. A non-attainment area (NAA)

that needs immediate WQ
management interventions to
improve WQ.

INTENSITY OF
POLLUTION PROBLEM
AS IT IMPACTS ON
t AND
n
PUBLIC HEALTH
e
s
e
r
THE
REGIONAL
p
e
b
t
s
d. ECONOMY
u

te
m
a
s
n
n
ig
b. A combination of NAA and
o
i
s
t
i
e
d is is d
Attainment Area (AA).oThis
n
c is a need
A
applicable when there
c
i
M
s theWQ
a
to improve WQ
and
b
r of the
e
u
h
management
existing
t
o
f
n
ll
e
andA
potential
pollution
sources
h
w
must be addressed through
specific interventions.

c. An AA but WQ management
interventions are needed to
improve and/or preserve its
condition.

Objective of the Water Quality Management Area

(WQMA)

The objective of the WQMA is to

protect, thru stakeholder
collaboration, the water body and its
tributaries by keeping their water
quality within the WQ guidelines
conforming to the water bodys
classification (e.g., Class C or Class
SC) or even improve the quality to
higher classification (e.g., from C to
B or SC to SB).

Proposed Revised Water Classification and Usage

of Freshwater
Classification

Class AA
Class A
Class B
Class C

Class D

Intended Beneficial Use

Public Water Supply Class I Intended primarily for waters

having watersheds, which are uninhabited and/or otherwise
declared as protected areas, and which require only approved
disinfection to meet the latest PNSDW
Public Water Supply Class II Intended as sources of water
supply requiring conventional treatment (coagulation,
sedimentation, filtration and disinfection) to meet the latest
PNSDW
Recreational
Water Class I Intended for primary contact
recreation (bathing, swimming, etc.)
1. Fishery Water for the propagation and growth of fish and
other aquatic resources
2. Recreational Water Class II For boating, fishing, or similar
activities
3. For agriculture, irrigation, and livestock watering
1. Industrial Water Supply For manufacturing processes after
treatment, cooling, etc.
2. Navigation and other similar uses

Note: For unclassified water bodies, classification shall be based on the beneficial use as
determined by EMB.

Proposed Revised Water Classification and Usage of Marine Waters

Classification

Intended Beneficial Use

1. Fishery Water Class I Suitable for shellfish harvesting for direct
human consumption
2. Protected Waters Waters designated as national or local marine
parks, reserves, sanctuaries, and other areas established by law
Class SA
(Presidential Proclamation 1801 and other existing laws), and/or
declared as such by appropriate government agency, LGUs, etc.
1. Fishery Water Class II Waters suitable for commercial
propagation of shellfish and intended as spawning areas for
milkfish (Chanos chanos) and similar species
Class SB 2. Tourist Zones For ecotourism and recreational activities
3. Recreational Water Class I Intended for primary contact
recreation (bathing, swimming, skin diving, etc.)
1. Fishery Water Class III For the propagation and growth of fish
and other aquatic resources and intended for commercial and
sustenance fishing
Class SC 2. Recreational Water Class II For boating, fishing, or similar
activities
3. Marshy and/or mangrove areas declared as fish and wildlife
sanctuaries
Water shall
Supply
For
manufacturing
processes
Note: For unclassified 1.
waterIndustrial
bodies, classification
be based
on the
beneficial use as determined
byafter
EMB.

Considerations in Designating
A Water Quality Management Area

Water quality problem/s

Causes and sources of pollution
Beneficial use of the receiving
water body
Control measures that can
effectively achieve water quality
objectives or improvement.

Designation of the WQMA

1.Specify
1.Specifyaawater
waterbody/dies
body/dieswith
withaawater
waterquality
qualityproblem.
problem.
2.Specify
2.Specifythe
thewater
waterclassification/use.
classification/use.
3.Specify
3.Specifyand/or
and/ordescribe
describethe
thetype
typeofofwater
waterquality
qualityproblem.
problem.

1.

2.
2.

3.
3.

Data Gathering
Maps
Major Threats
to Water
Pollution
Common
Interest
Stakeholders
Support
WQMA Socioeconomic
Profile

Evaluation by
EMB RO
a. Criteria for
Boundary
Setting
- Need
Rehabilitation
& Protection
- Establish
most affected
waterbody/ies
b. Other Factors
- Manageability
- Similar
Development
Plans

Coordination with
NWRB
a.Data
Requirements
b.Review
Justification
c.Recommends
Designation

4.
Convene
Stakeholders
a. Identification of
Key
Stakeholders
b. Conduct of
Information
Dissemination
Activities
c. Conduct of
Meetings

Designation of the WQMA

5.
Conduct Public
Consultations
a. Identification
of the Public
b. Information
Dissemination
Activities
c. Conduct of
Public
Consultations

6.
6.
Evaluation
Evaluation of
of
Proposal
Proposal by
by
EMB
EMB CO
CO
Based
Based on
on the
the
Following:
Following:
Completion
Completion of
of
all
all Data
Data
Requirements
Requirements
Result
Result of
of Key
Key
Stakeholders
Stakeholders
Meetings
Meetings
Result
Result of
of Public
Public
Consultations
Consultations

7.
7.
Recommends
WQMA
Designation
and GB
Composition to
DENR
Secretary

8.
Designate
the WQMA
by DENR
Secretary
(DAO)

Designation of the WQMA

9.
Informs the LGUs,
NGAs, Business,
Civil Society/NGOs
And Water Utility
Sectors to Submit
Nominations in
GB.
DENR shall sit
as Chairman of
the Board.

10.
Submits Names to
DENR of GB
Membership.
Names of
permanent and
alternate
members of the
GB shall be
submitted to
DENR
Secretary for
approval

11.
Re-designation
of WQMA
by DENR
Secretary
(DAO)

Designation of Water Quality Management Areas

DENR Memorandum Circular No. 2009-15 adopts the
Procedural Manual for the Designation of WQMA
Areas within the jurisdiction of LLDA one WQMA (RA 9275)
Tigum-Aganan Watershed in Iloilo DENR AO 2006-18
Silway River in South Cotabato DENR AO 2010-10

DAO 2008-07

DAO 2009-11

DAO 2009-12

MMO RS WQMA
(DAO 2008-07)

Areas within LLDA jurisdiction

Designated WQMAs

Luzon

(RA 9275)

Visayas

Tigum-Aganan

Watershed
(DAO 2006-18)

Iloilo-Batiano

RS WQMA

(DAO 2009-11)

Mindana

Silway River WQMA

(DAO 2010-10)

Sarangani Bay WQMA

(DAO 2009-12)

WQMA Governing Board

The Clean Water Act mandates the creation

of a Governing Board composed of
representatives of mayors and governors
of member LGUs, and representatives of
relevant national government agencies,
duly registered non-governmental
organization, water utility sector,
academe, and business sector.
The DENR/EMB representative shall chair
the Governing Board.

WQMAGOVERNING
GOVERNING BOARD
BOARD
WQMA
Civil Society/ Water
NGOs
Utilities

Business

AA BB CC DD EE AA BB CC DD EE AA BB CC DD EE

Sub-sectors

Sub-sectors

Sub-sectors

LGUs

NGAs/
GOCCs

Functions of the
WQMA Governing Board
Prepare and publish on a regular basis a Water
Quality Status Report for the WQMA and
submit a copy to the DENR for consolidation
into the National Water Quality Status Report;
Formulate strategies to coordinate policies/
regulations/local legislation necessary for the
effective implementation of the CWA in
accordance with those established in the WQM
Framework;

Functions of the WQMA Governing Board

Review the initial WQMA Action Plan prepared by the DENR

and draft a common and integrated compliance plan.
Thereafter, prepare a draft Action Plan for succeeding
periods for submission to the DENR;
Monitor and facilitate the compliance of LGUs with the
WQMA Action Plan;
Coordinate relevant activities among its members and
member agencies and facilitate resolution of conflicts; and
Undertake complementary interventions for non-point
sources, considering their greater contribution to
pollution.

WQMA Action Planning

Action Planning for WQMA

EMB RO
DENR RO
NWRB
LGUs
Concerned
Sectors

WQMA
WQMA

CONCERNED GA
OR CIVIL
SOCIETY

WQMA
WQMA
ActionPlan
Plan
Action

Clean Water Act (CWA)

Initiatives

WQMA Action Plan is a combination of control measures to

reduce pollution loads from point and non-point sources
draining into a water body, so that it achieves its water
quality objectives, or measures or actions to conserve its
water quality.

Start

1
Problem Identification and Priority
Concerns, and Data Collection and
Analysis

Process for
WQMA Action
Planning

Public Consultations

2
Setting-up of Water Quality
Objectives and Targets

3
Development of Strategies for the
WQMA Action Plan

4
Selection of Most Viable WQMA
Action Plan

5
Development of Detailed
Implementation Plan

6
Approval of WQMA Action Plan by
EMB RO

7
Preparation of LGU Compliance
Scheme

8
Review of WQMA Action Plan

Feedback
(Go to Step 1)

The Initial 10-year

WQMA Action Plans
The Action Plans identified among others the following measures
to address the issues and attain the objectives of the Plan:
Measures

Actions

Provide organizational and/

or social support to sustain
the implementation of the
Plan

Institutional Arrangements
promoting inter-agency and
inter LGU cooperation

Prepare and implement

promotional program
utilizing actual
implementation as
opportunity to enhance
awareness

Development of promotional
campaign materials and
activities

Area
Cooperatio
n
Arrangeme
nt
Public
Informatio
n

Area Cooperation Arrangement

in WQMAs

WQMA Designation
and Preparation of Action Plans
Formalized the
designation of the
WQMA

Created and
operationalized the
Governing Board

Supported by
various
stakeholders

Prepared the
10-year
Action Plan

Identified priority
concerns

MSGs Legal Basis

in Clean Water Act
Section 5.

Water Quality Management Area

Each management area shall create a multisectoral group to establish and effect
water quality surveillance and monitoring
network including sampling schedules and
other similar activities. The group shall submit
its report and recommendations to the chairman
of the governing board.

Legal Basis (CWA IRR)

Rule 5.7

Multi-sectoral group

The Governing Board shall provide for the creation

and operation of a multi-sectoral group for water
quality monitoring and surveillance. The Board shall
ensure that the operations of the group do not
necessarily duplicate the regular monitoring
functions of government agencies and local
governments.

Steps for creating MSG

under WQMAs

Area
Cooperation
Arrangement

1. Determination Type of Arrangement

2. Prepare TOR on Water Quality

Monitoring Plan

3. Form Multi-Sectoral Group

4. Implement Area Cooperation

Arrangement

5. Review and identify issues, and

provide recommendations

Objective: Support WQMA

Action Plan
Plan

for water quality management

Provide inputs for the review of water quality
guidelines
Prepare feasibility studies

Steps for MSG water quality monitoring

1.
2.
3.

MSG prepares water quality monitoring plan

(work and financial)
GB approves water quality monitoring plan
Project implementation
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

Sampling and on-site measurement

Storage and transport of samples
Laboratory analysis
Data storage, treatment and analysis
Report preparation

Work Plan

Background Information
Objectives of Monitoring
Monitoring Stations
Water Quality Parameters for
Measurement
Timing and Frequency of Monitoring
Water Quality Sampling and Test Methods
QA/QC Procedures
Budget for the Monitoring Activity

Designation/Operationalization of Water
Quality Management Areas
Region

Water Body For WQMA

Designation

Location

NCR

San Juan River

Metro Manila

CAR

Balili River

La Trinidad, Benguet

Sinocalan-Dagupan River System Pangasinan

Pinacanauan de Tuguegarao

Cagayan Valley

3*

Marilao-Meycauyan-Obando RS

Pampanga

4A

Ylang-Ylang River

Cavite

4B

Calapan River System

Oriental Mindoro

Lake Buhi

Buhi, Camarines Sur

Designation/Operationalization of Water
Quality Management Areas
Region

Water Body For WQMA Designation

Location

6*

Tigum-Aganan Watershed and IloIlo-Batiano

River System

IloIlo

Butuanon River

Mandaue & Cebu City

Ormoc Bay

Ormoc City

Tumaga River

Zamboanga City

10

Cagayan de Oro River System

Cagayan de Oro

11

Davao River System (Tamugan Panigan)

Davao

12*

Sarangani Bay & Silway River

South Cotabato

CARAGA

Taguibo River

Agusan del Norte

* Officially
Designated

THANK YOU
FOR YOUR ATTENTION!