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MALACAÑAN PALACE
MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

[ Memorandum Order No. 351, March 18, 1991 ]

PROVIDING MEASURES FOR THE CONSERVATION OF WATER SUPPLY IN THE METROPOLITAN MANILA

WHEREAS, in view of the water crisis now obtaining in Metropolitan Manila, there is an urgent need to adopt conservation measures that will address the problem;

WHEREAS, the assistance and cooperation of both the public and private sectors are necessary in the effective implementation of the conservation measure;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, CORAZON C. AQUINO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

Section 1. The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) is hereby directed:

(a) To speed up and intensify the repair of all leakages and replacement of defective fixtures in its distribution systems;

(b) To cause the immediate removal of all illegal connections and/or fixtures; and

(c) To prevent the unauthorized use of fire hydrants.

Section 2. The Mayors of Metropolitan Manila are hereby enjoined to restrict the use, at anytime of the day, of water drawn from the MWSS waterworks system for watering of all lawns and gardens, both public and private, campuses, parks and/or memorial parks and median islands. For this purpose, they may propose the necessary ordinances before their respective legislative bodies for the strict enforcement of this restriction and the appropriate penalties or fines for violations thereof.

Section 3. The Heads of all government agencies including government-owned or controlled corporations and local government units as well as private corporations and entities are hereby enjoined to cause the immediate inspection of their respective plumbing system and cause their immediate repair and/or replacement of defective fixtures, and/or close the same immediately

Section 4. The Barangay Chairmen in the Metropolitan Manila are hereby directed to report any unlawful or unauthorized drawing, pumping, and use of water from MWSS water lines committed within their respective barangays to the MWSS or the police authorities.

Section 5. The Philippine National Police is hereby mandated to lend full support and assistance to the MWSS in the implementation of the conservation measures herein promulgated.1aшphi1

Section 6. All residents of Metropolitan Manila drawing water from the MWSS waterworks system are urged to conserve water during the period of crisis and report any leakages to the MWSS.

Section 7. The prohibitions in Presidential Decree No. 401, entitled “Penalizing The Unauthorized Installation Of Water, Electrical Or Telephone Connections, The Use Of Tampered Water Or Electrical Meters, And Other Acts” as further amended by Batas Pambansa Blg. 876, entitled “An Act To Include All Authorized Water, Gas, Electric, And Telephone Utilities Within The Coverage Of Presidential Decree No. 401”, are hereby reiterated.

Section 8. The MWSS shall issue rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Memorandum Order.

Section 9. This Memorandum Order shall take effect immediately.

Done in the City of Manila, this 18th day of March, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and ninety-one.

(Sgd.) CORAZON C. AQUINO

By the President:

(Sgd.) OSCAR M. ORBOS
Executive Secretary

The Lawphil Project - Arellano Law Foundation

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