Section 20Sec./Art. 20

Role of Local Government Units. - Local government units shall share the responsibility in the management and improvement of water quality within their territorial jurisdictions.

Each local government unit shall within six (6) months after the establishment of the water quality management area action plan prepare a compliance scheme in, accordance thereof, subject to review and approval of the governing board.

Each local government unit shall, through its Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO) established in Republic Act No.7160, have the following powers and functions:

a) Monitoring of water quality;

b) Emergency response;

c) Compliance with the framework of the Water Quality Management Action Plan;

d) To take active participation in all efforts concerning water quality protection and rehabilitation; and

e) To coordinate with other government agencies and civil society and the concerned sectors in the implementation of measures to prevent and control water pollution: Provided, however, That in provinces/cities/municipalities where there are no environment and natural resources officers, the local executive concerned may, with the approval of the Secretary of the DENR designate any of his official and/or chief of office preferably the provincial, city or municipal agriculturist, or any of his employee: Provided, finally, That in case an employee is designated as such, he must have sufficient experience in environmental and natural resources management, conservation and utilization.