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WATER POLICY

This part of the Plan translates general guiding principles into corresponding policy statements to serve as enabling mechanism for the rational use of water resources in the pursuit of the goals and objectives it is set to achieve and accomplish, the LUDIP and the university as a whole. For legal guidance, this policy is primarily based from the Water Code of the Philippines  with its Amended Implementing Rules and Regulations (WIRR) of 2005. Accordingly, the water policy of MMSU under SIRMATA 2040 shall be expressed as principles in the first order represented by the five (5) Rules in the WIRR, and, in the second order, are the corresponding applicable policies for MMSU for each rule. Wherefore, the water policy of the university shall adopt the first three (3) Rules of the WIRR 2005 as principal and the “principle” components as follows: 1) appropriation and utilization; 2) control, conservation, and protection of waters and  related land resources; and 3) administration and enforcement. The sense of the two (2) other Rules are incorporated in the adopted first three (3) Rules.          

 

Principle 1.0. Appropriation and Utilization of Waters

 

Policy 1.1. Moral obligation and legal covenant. It shall be the moral obligation and a legal covenant of the university to be a resposible and accountable steward of its water and related resources for sustainable use by the university today and in the future. 

 

Policy 1.2. Support to the mandated functions of the university.Water resources of the university shall be wisely appropriated and used in support to the  effective and efficient performance of its mandated functions and services.

 

Policy 1.3. Water as a social and economic good. The university shall ensure accessible, adequate and quality standard supply of in-campus water to its constituents. At the same time, water resources of the university shall be explored and appropriated wisely in their prescribed forms and standards to support the strategic operations of the university.  

 

Policy 1.4. Compliance to government and quasi-government laws and declarations. The appropriation and use of water resources of the university shall be in accordance with pertinent government and quasi-government laws and doctrines. Quasi-governments include supra-regional groups like the ASEAN, international bodies like the UN, and others of global recognition.

 

Policy 1.5. Laws of nature. The university shall observe and defer to the laws of nature in the exercise and observance of responsibility, accountability and covenant in the appropriation and use of its water and related resources.

 

Policy 1.6 Aim. The appropriation and use of the water resources of the university shall aim to maintain, protect, conserve, restore, and enhance the integrity of the water resources itself, to the environment and ecological balance in all its campuses as to also effectively and positively influence the surrounding areas. Towards this end, management options and mechanisms therein shall hasten the university’s ability to prevent, reduce, and/or mitigate risks and vulnerabilities from natural disasters.   

 

 

Principle 2.0. Control, Conservation and Protection of Waters, Watersheds and Related Land Resources

 

Policy 2.1. Science-based. The university shall be fully guided by sound ethical science in the appropriation and utilization and in the control, conservation and protection (CCP) practices of its water and related resources.The university shall endeavor to invest in research along this concern.  

 

Policy 2.2. Guided by natural laws. The CCP practices on water and related resources of the university shall be guided by the laws of nature. Disobedience and disregard to natural laws portends calamities and unwanted consequences to men in general and to university operations and services in particular.

 

Policy 2.3 Appropriate technologies. Only appropriate technologies based on sound ethical science guided by natural laws and, if applicable, verified indigenous knowledge systems (VICKS), shall be applied in the appropriation and use and CCP practices of all water and related resources of the university. 

 

Policy 2.4. Balanced development. All competing interests in the appropriation and use and in the CPP practices of its water and related resources shall be evaluated and decided upon in favor for the option that is to the best interest of the university; Provided, that the best interest option presents the optimal balance in the development of the different sectors and functions of the university.

 

Policy 2.5. Economic feasibility. Any decision to  approrpiate and use and in the CPP practices of water and related resources of the university shall be in consideration to the best and balanced economic, social, political, cultural, ecological and environmental benefits possible but shall be strictly in keeping with the integrity and sustainability of the water asset.

 

Policy 2.6. Fragile and crifical resources. Fragile and critical water resources especially those in protected areas shall be given special considerations in their appropriation, operation and management in order to satisfy the requisites and demands for their protection, conservation, enrichment, rehabilitation, and sustenance.  

 

Policy 2.7. Carrying capacity. Every appropriation and utilization and CCP practice-options of and for all water and related resources of the university shall be within the limits of their objectively assessed carrying capacity.

 

Policy 2.8. Conservation and rehabilitation. Water conservation measures like of establishment  of water impoundments, catch basins, water treatment facilities,  and related infrastructures shall be given importance.   At the same time, activities to recharge water tables and the restoration of watersheds shall be a priority concern. Rehabilitation of “polluted” resources must be immediate.

 

Policy 2.9.  Protection. All water and related resources of the university, ground and surface, shall be shielded from any kind of pollution, ground water exploitation, and of destruction induced by nature and/or perpetrated by man and/or animals.

 

 

Prinicple 3.0. Administration and Enforcement

 

Policy 3.1. University Water Resources Management (UniWaRM) Office. An office shall be created to manage and administer the water resources of the university. Where such task is an implicit or implied function of an office already existing,, i.e., a directorate, a section for such shall be created and the role of water resources management to be assigned officially.

 

Policy 3.2. Support committe. In the pursuit of well deliberated, well-crafted and implemented water management and administration, the university may  compose a university committee to assist the UniWaRM office in the crafting of policies, rules, guidelines, and in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of its programs projects and sctivities. The committee may be an integral part of the structure of theUniWaRM office.

 

Policy 3.3. Concern of all. Effective and efficient administration of water and related resources of the university is a function of the collective effort of MMSU as a unified community. The university shall strategize to empower, engage and mobilize every constituent to become a responsible and accountable party to the cause.

 

Policy 3.4. Engagement with the extra-community. Complementary to Policy 3.3, the university shall endeavor to work with its adjacent communities, local government units, other communities,  and government agencies, non-government and poeples’ organizations, and stakeholders with joint or common interest on any given water and related resources, i.e., water sheds, lakes, springs, rivers, bays, gulfs, etc.

 

Policy 3.5. Immediate policy and corollary action. The MMSU-LUDIP shall be the immediate institutional policy in the appropriation and use of water and related resources of the university. In any case where a possible action cannot find basis in the present policy, the university, pursuant to applicable statutes and natural laws, shall formulate, approve and adopt the corresponding policy.

 

Policy 3.6. Review and communication. The university shall regularly review, update and promptly communicate widely to all sectors the policies, rules and guidelines on the appropriation and use of water and related resources. 

 

Policy 3.7. Implementing rules and regulations. The UniWaRM office shall be responsible in translating this policy into specific implementing rules and guidelines and for the execution and internal monitoring and evaluation thereof.

 

References

Philippine Agenda 21

HLURB. 2013. CLUP Guidebook: A Guide to Comprehensive Land Use Plan Preparation (Volume 1).

Presidential Decree 1067. Water Code of the Philippines: Amended Implementing Rules and Regulations of 2005.

Republic Act 11396. The SUCs LUDIP Act of 2019 and Its Implementing Rules and Regulations. 

United Nations. 2016. Sustainable Development Goals.

 

 

 

MMSU considers water as a critical resource and implements policies and programs for its management and conservation.

 

The University has a Water Policy which includes among others, guidelines on efficient water management.