WATER PERMIT
REQUIREMENTS &
PROCESSES
MARY JANE DOMINGUEZ
NWRB
THE NATIONAL WATER RESOURCES
BOARD
The NWRB is the
government agency that
is responsible for all the
water resources in the
Philippines
LEGAL FRAMEWORK
FRAMEWORK
PD 424 creating the NWRC (1974)
EO 124-A converted NWRC to NWRB (1987);
FRAMEWORK
transferred BRS to DPWH
PD 1067 The Water
Code of the Philippines (1976)
PD 1206 assigned the residual functions of the Board EO 123 reconstituted the NWRB Board; transferring NWRB
of Waterworks and the defunct Public Service to DENR and transferring regulatory functions of LWUA to
Commission to NWRB NWRB (2002)
THE NWRB BOARD
Chairperson
Vice-Chair FRAMEWORK
Secretary, Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Director-General, National Economic and Development Authority
Members Secretary, Department of Justice
FRAMEWORK
Secretary, Department of Science and Technology
Executive Director, UP - National Hydraulics Research Center
NWRB Staff
Deputized Agents
DPW Deputized NI
H Agencies A
DENR
NWRB Employees
THE WATER CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES
(PD 1067)
Underlying Principles
All waters belong to the State
All waters that belong to the State can not be the subject
of acquisitive prescription
The State may allow the use or development of waters by
administrative concession
The utilization, exploitation, development, conservation
and protection of water resources shall be subject to the
control and regulation of the government through the
National Water Resources Council (NWRC) now
National Water Resources Board (NWRB)
Preference in the use and development of waters shall
consider current usages and be responsive to the
changing needs of the country
BASIS FOR WATER RIGHTS/PERMITS (Article
13, WCP)
“Except as otherwise herein provided, no person, including government
instrumentalities or government-owned or controlled corporations shall
appropriate water without a “water right,” which shall be evidenced by a
document known as a “Water Permit”.
Water Right is a privilege granted by the government to appropriate and
use water.
MEASURE & LIMIT OF APPROPRIATION OF
WATER (Article 20, WCP)
The measure and limit of appropriation of water shall be beneficial use.
Beneficial use of water is the utilization of water in the right amount during the period that
the water is needed for producing the benefits for which the water is appropriated.
Water permit shall continue to be valid as long as water is beneficially used: however, it may
be suspended on the grounds of: non-compliance with approved plans and specifications or
schedules of water distributions, use of water for a purpose other than that for which it was
granted, non-payment of water charges, wastage; failure to keep records of water diversion, when
required, and violation of any term or condition of any permit or rules and regulations
promulgated by the Board.
USES OF WATER (Article 10, WCP)
Domestic
Municipal
Irrigation
Power Generation
Fisheries
Livestock Raising
Industrial
Recreational
Other Purposes
WHENT TO GET PERMIT/AUTHORITY
FROM NWRB
Appropriation of water for any purpose
Change in purpose of appropriation
Amendment of an existing permit
Transfer/Lease of water permit
Temporary permit to appropriate and use of water
Developing a stream, lake, or spring for recreational purpose
Such other instances that will require a permit as determined by the Board
QUALIFICATION OF APPLICANTS FOR
PERMIT/AUTHORITY (Article 15, WCP)
Citizens of the Philippines
Associations, duly registered cooperatives or corporations organized under
Philippine laws, at least 60% of the capital of which is owned by citizens of the
Philippines
Government entities and instrumentalities, including government-owned or
controlled corporations
WATER PERMIT REQUIREMENTS
(Section 5, IRR)
Proof of Land Ownership of, legal title to, or right to use, the
property on which the water source is situated
Certificate of Registration from relevant agencies
Vicinity Map/Location Plan showing the exact diversion point
Well Drilling Data (In case of existing well)
Actual discharge of the spring
Certificate of Potability; Manifestation to treat the water if not
potable
ECC/Certificate of Non-Coverage
PROCESS FLOW
WATER PERMIT APPLICATION FORM
NOTICE OF WATER PERMIT
APPLICATION
CONDITIONAL WATER PERMIT
WATER PERMIT
GROUNDS FOR REVOCATION/CANCELLATION
(Article 29, WCP)
Non-Use
Gross violation of the conditions imposed in the permit
Unauthorized sale of water
Willful failure or refusal to comply with rules &
regulations of the Board
Appropriator is found to be disqualified under the law to
exploit and develop natural resources of the Philippines
OTHER IMPORTANT PROVISIONS OF
THE WCP
Art. 79- The Administration and enforcement of the provisions of
this Code, including the granting of permits and the imposition of
penalties for administrative violations hereof are hereby vested in the
Board, and except in regard to those functions which under this Code
are specifically conferred upon other agencies of the government, the
Board is hereby empowered to make all decisions and
determinations provided in this Code
Art. 80- The Board may deputize any official or agency of the
government to perform any of its functions or activities.
Art. 88- The Board shall have original jurisdiction over all disputes
relating to appropriation, utilization, exploitation, development,
control, conservation and protection of waters within the meaning
and context of the provisions of this Code
WATER PERMIT MANAGEMENT
INFORMATION SYSTEM
On-line filing of water permit application
Migration from manual to automated water permit
application processing
www.tlcpay.ph/NWRB/onlineapplication
THANK YOU
FOR LISTENING
