Presently, a number of agencies have regulatory authority and operational responsibility within
the Manila Bay watershed area, including: MWSS; the Department of Works and Highways
(DPWH); the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC); the Laguna Lake Development
Authority (LLDA); the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA); the DENR; and,
LGUs. Currently, each authority has its own strategy, action plan, administration, management
responsibilities, and priorities for sustainable development and environmental management.
The proposed component is aimed at formalizing an institutional and operational linkage within
the watershed area among all the players mentioned above. With DENR taking the lead as the
primary environmental regulator, the project will establish a partnership mechanism that will
coordinate management of the Laguna Lake-Manila-Bay-Pasig River watershed area.
Specifically, convergence will be forged in the following strategic areas: (i) policy, regulatory
and investments programming; (ii) development and implementation of water quality strategies
including the establishment of allowable discharge loads to contributing rivers consistent with
the DENR and ASEAN freshwater and marine water quality standards; (iii) attainment of water
quality improvement and environmental sustainability; (iv) institutionalization of mechanisms
for increased private sector and stakeholder co-management; and (v) capacity-building and
knowledge sharing.