REPUBLIC ACT No.

1383

AN ACT CREATING A PUBLIC CORPORATION TO BE KNOWN AS THE NATIONAL WATERWORKS AND

SEWERAGE AUTHORITY.

Section 1. Creation of the National Waterworks and Sewerage Authority; its general purposes; zone and
extent of jurisdiction comprised by it; domicile and place of business of the corporation. For the purpose
of consolidating and centralizing all waterworks, sewerage and drainage systems in the Philippines
under one control, direction and general supervision, there is hereby created a public corporation to be
known as the National Waterworks and Sewerage Authority, which shall be organized within one month
after the approval of this Act.

The National Waterworks and Sewerage Authority shall own and/or have jurisdiction, supervision and
control over all territory now embraced by the Metropolitan Water District as well as all areas now
served by existing government-owned waterworks and sewerage and drainage systems within the
boundaries of cities, municipalities, and municipal districts in the Philippines, including those served by
the Waterworks and Wells and Drills Sections of the Bureau of Public Works: Provided, That the Board of
Directors of the National Waterworks and Sewerage Authority, in the interest of the public service, may
from time to time extends its territory by the admission or inclusion of any areas served by such works
located in any other city, municipality or municipal district in the Philippines.

The jurisdiction of the National Waterworks and Sewerage Authority shall extend to the construction,
maintenance, operation and control of non-self-supporting and/or non-revenue producing water
systems and sanitary works, whether undertaken at the expense of the Authority or through subsidy of
the National Government as provided in section ten of this Act
 REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1378

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1378 - AN ACT TO REGULATE THE TRADE OF MASTER PLUMBER

Section 1. This Act shall be known as the "Plumbing Law."

Sec. 2. (a) The practice of plumbing within the meaning and intent of this Act shall embrace services in
the form of consultations, designing, preparation of plans, specifications, estimates, erection,
installation and supervision of plumbing work including the inspection and acceptance of materials used
therein extension and alteration of all pipings to fixtures, appliances, and appurtenances in connection
with any of the following: storm and sanitary drainage, facilities of buildings, the sanitary venting of
fixtures, hot or cold water supply systems within or adjacent to any building, storm drains, sewerage
system of any premises and/or connection with any public disposal or any acceptable terminal. The
enumeration in this paragraph shall not be construed as excluding any other work requiring plumbing
knowledge and application.cralaw

(b) The term "master plumber" as used in this Act shall mean a person duly registered with the Board
of Examiners for Master Plumbers in the manner as hereinafter provided.

Sec. 3. Within thirty days after the approval of this Act, there shall be created a Board of Examiners for
Master Plumbers, hereinafter referred to as the Board, to be composed of a Chairman and two
members who shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines upon the recommendation of the
Commissioner of Civil Service in consultation with a duly registered national association of master
plumbers. The members of the Board shall hold office for a term of three years. The first members of
the Board appointed under this Act shall hold office for the following terms: One member for one year;
one member for two years; and one member for three years. Each member of the Board shall qualify by
taking the proper oath of office before entering upon the performance of his duties. Any member of the
Board may be removed by the President of the Philippines for neglect of duty, incompetency,
malpractice, and unprofessional, unethical, immoral, or dishonorable conduct, after said member has
been given opportunity to defend himself in an administrative investigation duly held. Vacancies in the
Board shall be filled for the unexpired term.cralaw

Sec. 4. The Board shall administer the provisions of this Act; issue, suspend or revoke certificates of
registration of master plumbers; and administer oaths in connection with such certificates of
registration.cralaw

In carrying into effect the provisions of this Act, the Board may, under the hand of its chairman and the
seal of the Board, issue subpoena and subpoena duces tecum, to compel the attendance of witnesses
and require the production of books, documents, and similar evidence in a case involving violation of
any of the provisions of this Act. Any member of the Board may administer oaths or affirmations to
witnesses appearing before it.cralaw
 If any person shall refuse to obey any subpoena or subpoena duces tecum so issued, or shall refuse to
testify or produce any book, record, or document, the Board may present its petition to the Court of
First Instance, setting forth the facts, and thereupon such court shall, in a proper case, issue its
subpoena to such person, requiring his appearance before such court and there to testify or produce
such books, records or documents, as may be deemed necessary and pertinent by the Board. Any
person failing or refusing to obey the subpoena or subpoena duces tecum or order of the said court may
be proceeded against in the same manner as for refusal to obey any other subpoena or subpoena duces
tecum or order of the court.

The Board shall, from time to time, look into conditions affecting the trade of master plumber in the
Philippines, and whenever necessary, recommend to the President of the Philippines the adoption of
such rules and regulations as may be deemed proper for the maintenance of good ethics and standards
in the trade and for the protection of public welfare, life, health, and property.cralaw

Sec. 5. The President of the Philippines is hereby authorized to issue rules and regulations to carry into
effect the objectives of this Act, upon recommendation of the Board of Examiners for Master Plumbers
and in consultation with a duly registered national association of master plumbers, in accordance with
the following basic principles, except in cases where it may prove oppressive or excessively burdensome
to those without sufficient means and to such buildings, structures or constructions valued at five
thousand pesos or less:

(a) All premises intended for human habitation, occupancy, or use shall be provided with a supply of
pure and wholesome water, neither connected with unsafe water supplies nor subject to the hazards of
backflow or backsiphonage.cralaw

(b) Plumbing fixtures, devices, and appurtenances shall be supplied with water in sufficient volume
and at pressures adequate to enable them to function satisfactorily and without undue noise under all
normal conditions of use.cralaw

(c) Plumbing shall designed and adjusted to use the minimum quantity of water consistent with proper
performance and cleaning.cralaw

(d) Devices for heating and storing water shall be so designed and installed as to prevent dangers from
explosion through overheating.cralaw

(e) Every building having plumbing fixtures installed and intended for human habitation, occupancy, or
use on premises abutting on a street, alley, or easement in which there is a public sewer shall have a
connection with the sewer.cralaw

(f) Each family dwelling unit on premises abutting on sewer or with a private sewage-disposal system
shall have, at least, one water closet and one kitchen-type sink. It is further recommended that a
lavatory and bath-tub or shower shall be installed to meet the basic requirements of sanitation and
personal hygiene.cralaw

All other structures for human occupancy or use on premises abutting on a sewer or with a private
sewage-disposal system shall have adequate sanitary facilities but in no case less than one water closet
and one other fixture for cleansing purposes.cralaw

(g) Plumbing fixtures shall be made of smooth non-absorbent material, and shall be free from
concealed fouling surface.cralaw

(h) The drainage system shall be designed, constructed, and maintained so as to guard against fouling,
deposit of solids, and clogging, and with adequate cleanouts so arranged that the pipes may be readily
cleaned.cralaw

(i) The piping of the plumbing system shall be of durable materials, free from defective workmanship
and so designed and constructed as to give satisfactory service for its reasonable expected life.cralaw

(j) Each fixture directly connected to the drainage system shall be equipped with a water-seal trap.

(k) The drainage system shall be designed to provide an adequate circulation ofr in pipes with no
danger of siphonage, aspiration, or forcing of trap seals under condition of ordinary use.cralaw

(l) Each terminal shall extend to the outerr and be so installed as to minimize the possibilities of
clogging and the return of foulr to the building.cralaw

(m) The plumbing system shall be subject to such tests as will effectively disclose all leaks and defects
in the work.cralaw

(n) No substance which will clog the pipes, produce explosive mixtures, destroy the pipes or their
joints, or interfere unduly with the sewage-disposal process shall be allowed to enter the building
drainage system.cralaw

(o) Proper protection shall be provided to prevent contamination of food, water, sterile goods, and
similar materials by backflow of sewage. When necessary, the fixture, device, or appliance shall be
connected indirectly with the building drainage system.cralaw

(p) No water closet nor urinal shall be located in a room or compartment which is not properly lighted
and ventilated.cralaw

(q) If water closets or other plumbing fixtures are installed in buildings where there is no sewer within
a reasonable distance, suitable provision shall be made for disposing of the building sewage by some
accepted method of sewage treatment and disposal.cralaw

(r) Where a plumbing drainage system may be subjected to backflow of sewage, suitable provision
shall be made to prevent its overflow in the building.cralaw
 (s) Plumbing system shall be maintained in a sanitary and serviceable condition.cralaw

(t) All plumbing fixtures shall be so installed with regard to spacing as to be reasonably accessible for
their intended use.cralaw

(u) Plumbing shall be installed with due regard to preservation of the strength of structural members
and prevention of damage to walls and other surfaces through fixture usage.cralaw

(v) Sewage or other waste from a plumbing system which may be deleterious to surface or subsurface
waters shall not be discharged into the ground or into any water-way unless it has first been rendered
innocuous through subjection to some acceptable form of treatment.cralaw

Sec. 6. Each member of the Board shall, at the time of his appointment:

(a) Be a citizen and resident of the Philippines;

(b) Be at least thirty years of age and of good moral character; and

(c) Has been actively engaged in the trade of master plumber for at least five years.cralaw

Sec. 7. The Board of Examiners shall charge for each applicant for examination, the sum of thirty-five
pesos, and for each certificate of registration, ten pesos.cralaw

Sec. 8. The members of the Board shall each receive as compensation, the sum of ten pesos for each
applicant examined. All authorized expenses of the Board shall be paid by the Bureau of Civil Service. All
fees shall be received by the disbursing officer of the Bureau of Civil Service, and said officer shall pay all
authorized expenses of the Board, including the compensation provided hereinabove for members of
the Board.cralaw
Sec. 9. The Commissioner of Civil Service shall be the executive officer of the Board, and shall conduct
the examinations given by the Board and shall designate any subordinate officer of the Bureau of Civil
Service to act as secretary of the Board. All records and minutes of the Board, including all examination
papers, shall be kept by the Bureau of Civil Service.cralaw

Section 10. The Board shall submit an annual report to the President of the Philippines after the close
of each fiscal year, giving a detailed account of its proceedings during the year and making such
recommendation as may be deemed proper.cralaw

Section 11. A roster showing the names and addresses of master plumbers shall be prepared by the
Commissioner of Civil Service during the month of July of every year. Copies of this roster shall be
mailed to each person so registered placed on file with the Office of the President of the Philippines; and
copies thereof shall be furnished to all Department Heads, to the mayors of all chartered cities, to the
Director of Health, Director of Public Works, District Engineers, City Engineers, and to such other
bureaus, government agencies and provincial and municipal authorities as may be deemed necessary,
and to the public, upon request.cralaw

Section 12. All applicants for registration as master plumber shall be required to pass an examination
as hereinafter provided.cralaw

Persons applying for admission to the examination as herein provided, shall, prior to the date of the
examination, establish to the satisfaction of the Board of Examiners, that he:

(a) Is at least twenty-one years of age;

(b) Is a citizen of the Philippines;

(c) Is of good moral character;

(d) Is at least a high school graduate;

 (e) Has at least five years experience in actual plumbing work under the supervision of a registered
master plumber.cralaw

Section 13. Applicants for registration as master plumbers shall be examined in the following subjects:

(a) Plumbing arithmetic, ten per cent;

(b) Plumbing Code, ten per cent;

(c) Sanitation, plumbing design and installation, forty per cent;

(d) Practical problems, twenty per cent;

(e) Oral practical problems and experience, twenty per cent.cralaw

Section 14. The Board shall, within one hundred and twenty days after the date of completion of the
examination, report the rating obtained by each candidate to the Commissioner of Civil Service, who
shall submit such ratings to the President of the Philippines.cralaw

Section 15. The Office of the President, upon the recommendation of the Board, shall issue a
certificate of registration upon payment of the registration fee as provided in this Act to any applicant,
who has satisfactorily met all the requirements specified in this Act.cralaw

All certificates of registration shall show the full name of the registrant, shall have a serial number, and
shall be signed by all members of the Board, the President of the Philippines and the Commissioner of
Civil Service, and shall bear the official seal of the Board.cralaw
The issuance of a certificate of registration by the Board to a registrant shall be evidence that the person
named therein is entitled to all the rights and privileges of a registered master plumber, while said
certificate remains unrevoked.cralaw

Section 16. All successful candidates shall be required to take an oath before the Board or any other
Government official authorized to administer oaths, prior to engaging in the trade of registered master
plumber.cralaw

Section 17. Examination and registration shall not be required of the following persons:

(a) Officers or enlisted men of the Armed Forces of the United States and of the Philippines and civilian
employees of the Government of the United States stationed for the United States and/or the
Philippines.cralaw

(b) Plumbing experts called in by the Philippine Government for consultation in connection with
certain specific construction, provided that their services shall be limited to such work.cralaw

Section 18. The Board shall not issue a certificate to any person convicted by a court of competent
jurisdiction for any criminal offense involving moral turpitude, or to any person found guilty of immoral
or dishonorable conduct, or to any person of unsound mind. In the event of a refusal to issue a
certificate to any person, the Board shall give to the applicant a written statement setting forth its
reason for such action, which statement shall be incorporated into the records of the Board.cralaw

Section 19. Subject to the approval of the President of the Philippines, the Board shall have the power,
after due notice and hearing, to suspend or revoke the certificate of registration for any of the causes
mentioned in the preceding section. The Board may, upon application and upon satisfactory showing,
reinstate a registered master plumber whose certificate of registration has been suspended or
revoked.cralaw

Sec. 20. Any person who shall engage in plumbing in the Philippines without being registered in
accordance with the provisions of this Act, or any person presenting or attempting to use as his own the
certificate of registration of a registered master plumber, or any person who shall give any false or
forged evidence of any kind to the Board, or any person who shall impersonate any registered master
 plumber, or any person who shall attempt to use a revoked or suspended certificate of registration, or
any person who shall use in connection with his name or otherwise assume, use, or advertise any title or
description tending to convey the impression that he is a registered master plumber, or any person who
shall violate any of the provisions of this Act shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall, upon conviction,
be sentenced to a fine of not less than five hundred pesos nor more than two thousand pesos, or to
suffer imprisonment for a period of not less than six months nor more than one year, or both, in the
discretion of the court.cralaw

Sec. 21. No person who is not a citizen of the Philippines at the time he applies for examination shall
be allowed to take it unless he can prove in the manner provided by law that, the country or state of
which he is a citizen, subject, or national, either admits citizens of the Philippines to engage in the same
trade without restriction or allows them to practice it after an examination on terms of strict and
absolute equality with citizens, subjects, or nationals of the country concerned, including the
unconditional recognition of degrees issued by institutions of learning duly recognized for the purpose
by the Government of the Philippines.cralaw

Sec. 22. As soon as this Act shall take effect, any person desiring to practice the trade of master
plumber, shall be required to obtain a certificate of registration in the manner and under the conditions
herein provided.cralaw

All master plumbers duly registered and examined under the provisions of city ordinances in force one
year prior to the effectivity of this Act and all persons with at least five years of continuous practice as
plumbers and certified to as capable to practice the trade by the Board of Examiners within one year
after the effectivity of this Act, shall be automatically registered under the provisions hereof. Certificates
of registration held by such persons in good standing shall have the same force and effect as though the
same had been issued under the provisions of this Act.cralaw

Sec. 23. The provisions of this Act shall apply only in chartered cities.

Sec. 24. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.cralaw

Approved: June 18, 1955

 REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1383
AN ACT CREATING A PUBLIC CORPORATION TO BE KNOWN AS THE NATIONAL WATERWORKS AND
SEWERAGE AUTHORITY

Section 1. Creation of the National Waterworks and Sewerage Authority; its general purposes; zone and
extent of jurisdiction comprised by it; domicile and place of business of the corporation. For the purpose
of consolidating and centralizing all waterworks, sewerage and drainage systems in the Philippines
under one control, direction and general supervision, there is hereby created a public corporation to be
known as the National Waterworks and Sewerage Authority, which shall be organized within one month
after the approval of this Act. The National Waterworks and Sewerage Authority shall own and/or have
jurisdiction, supervision and control over all territory now embraced by the Metropolitan Water District
as well as all areas now served by existing government-owned waterworks and sewerage and drainage
systems within the boundaries of cities, municipalities, and municipal districts in the Philippines,
including those served by the Waterworks and Wells and Drills Sections of the Bureau of Public Works:
Provided, That the Board of Directors of the National Waterworks and Sewerage Authority, in the
interest of the public service, may from time to time extends its territory by the admission or inclusion
of any areas served by such works located in any other city, municipality or municipal district in the
Philippines. The jurisdiction of the National Waterworks and Sewerage Authority shall extend to the
construction, maintenance, operation and control of non-self-supporting and/or non-revenue producing
water systems and sanitary works, whether undertaken at the expense of the Authority or through
subsidy of the National Government as provided in section ten of this Act. The domicile and place of
business of the Authority shall be in the City of Manila. Section 2. Powers and general functions of the
Authority. The powers, functions, and activities of the National Waterworks and Sewerage Authority
shall be the following:

(a) To have continuous succession under its corporate name until otherwise provided by law;

(b) To prescribe its by-laws;

(c) To adopt and use a seal and alter it at its pleasure;

(d) To sue and be sued in any court;

(e) To construct, maintain, and operate mains, pipes, water reservoirs, machinery, and other
waterworks for the purpose of supplying water to the inhabitants of its zone, both for domestic and
 other purposes; to purify the source of supply, regulate the control and use, and prevent the waste of
water; and to fix water rates and provided for the collection of rents therefor;

(f) To construct, maintain, and operate such systems of sanitary sewers as may be necessary for the
proper sanitation of the cities and towns comprising the Authority, and to charge and collect such sums
for construction and rates for this service as may be determined by the Board to be equitable and just;

(g) To construct, maintain and operate such storm drains, artesian wells and springs as may be needed
and requested by any city or municipality, and to take control of and administer all such storm drains
artesian wells and springs as may now be in actual operation, the respective city, municipality or
municipal district concerned to appropriate sufficient funds for the purpose;

(h) To acquire, purchase, hold, transfer, sell, lease, rent, mortgage, encumber, and otherwise dispose of
real and personal property, including rights and franchises, within the Philippines, as authorized by the
purposes for which the Authority was created and reasonably and necessarily required for the
transaction of the lawful business of the same, unless otherwise provided in this Act;

(i) To construct works across, or otherwise, any stream, watercourse, canal, ditch, flume, street, avenue,
highway, or railway, as the location of said works may require, Provided, That such works be
constructed in such manner as to afford security for life and property: And, Provided, further, That the
stream, watercourse, canal, ditch, flume, street, avenue, highway, or railway so crossed or intersected
be restored to their former state as near as may be, or in a manner not to impair unnecessarily their
usefulness. Every person or entity whose right of way is crossed or intersected by said works shall not
obstruct the forming of such crossing or intersection and shall grant the Authority the proper authority,
upon payment of just compensation, for the execution of such work. The Authority is hereby given the
right of way to locate, construct, and maintain such works over and through any of the lands which are
now or may be the property of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines or any of its branches
and political sub-divisions;

(j) To exercise the right of eminent domain for the purpose for which the Authority was created, in the
manner provided by law for condemnation proceedings by the national, provincial, and municipal
governments;
(k) To issue such regulations as may be necessary for the sanitary protection of watersheds, reservoirs,
water mains, springs, and other water sources for the proper operation of sanitary sewers, and for the
protection of the water and sewer service, as soon as established, any violation of which shall be
punished by a fine of not more than five hundred pesos or by imprisonment for not more than six
months, or both such fine and imprisonment in the discretion of the court;

(l) When essential to the proper administration of its corporate affairs or when necessary for the proper
transaction of its business or for carrying out the purposes for which it was organized, to contract
indebtedness and issue bonds, subject to the approval of the Secretary of Finance. The bonded
indebtedness of the Authority, of all classes, shall not at any time exceed one hundred fifty million
pesos, and the issue thereof shall be subject to the conditions set forth in section five of this Act;
and(m)To transact the business for which it was organized and exercise such powers and do such things
as may be reasonably necessary to carry out the purposes for which it was established.

Section 3. Board of Directors; its members, reports to the President and Congress of the Philippines.
Unless otherwise provided by law, all corporate powers of the National Waterworks and Sewerage
Authority shall be exercised, its business managed, and its properties kept and preserved, by a Board of
Directors to be composed of five members: a chairman, three other members, and the general manager
of the Authority who will be an ex officio member. Two of them must possess knowledge of waterworks,
public works and/or sanitary engineering one, knowledge of public health; and one, knowledge of
business management and finance. The chairman and the three other members of the Board shall be
appointed for a term of six years by the President of the Philippines with the consent of the Commission
on Appointments. The Board shall render annual reports to the President and the Congress of the
Philippines. Section 4. First meeting of the Board; quorum; votes necessary, in general, for adopting
resolutions; appeal; per diems of the members; secretary of the Board and his salary. The chairman of
the Board shall immediately after the formation thereof, fix a time and place for the first meeting, at
which the Board shall adopt rules of procedure and fix a time and place for holding regular meetings.
Not less than three members of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and
two affirmative votes shall be necessary for the adoption of any resolution or motion, except as herein
otherwise provided. For actual attendance at meetings, the chairman of the Board shall receive a per
diem of thirty pesos, and each member of the Board of Directors, except the general manager of the
Authority, shall receive a per diem of twenty-five pesos. The Board shall appoint its secretary and fix his
salary. Section 5. Resolution to incur indebtedness and issue bonds; their conditions, privileges, and
exemptions; sinking funds; guaranty. Whenever the Board may deem it necessary for the Authority to
incur indebtedness or issue bonds, it shall by resolution so declare and state the purpose for which the
proposed debt is to be incurred and the conditions of the bonds. In order that such resolution be valid, it
shall be passed by the affirmative vote of at least three members of the Board and approved by the
Secretary of Finance. The bonds shall not be sold at less than par; shall be redeemable at the pleasure of
the Board after ten years from date of issue, and payable forty years after date of issue; shall bear
interest at an annual rate as determined by the Secretary of Finance; and shall be in registered form and
transferable at the office of the National Treasurer. The said bonds are hereby declared exempt from
taxation by the Government of the Republic of the Philippines, or by any authority, branch, division or
political subdivision thereof, which fact shall be stated upon the face of said bonds. The bonds shall be
receivable as security in any transaction with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines in which
such security is required. A sinking fund shall be created for the payment of the bonds issued under the
provisions of this Act in such a manner that the total amount thereof on each annual due date of the
bonds issued shall be equal to the total of annuity of such a sum for each million pesos of the bonds
outstanding that, together with interest at a rate to be determined by the Secretary of Finance, shall be
sufficient to retire the bonds at maturity. The sinking fund shall be under the custody of the Central
Bank of the Philippines, which shall invest the same in such manner as the Monetary Board and the
Secretary of Finance may approve in accordance with Act Numbered Three thousand fourteen, and shall
credit to the same the interest on investment and other incomes accruing to it. The Government of the
Republic of the Philippines hereby guarantees the payment by the National Waterworks and Sewerage
Authority of both the principal and the interest of the bonds issued by said Authority by virtue of this
Act, and shall pay such principal and interest in case the said Authority fails to do so, and there are
hereby authorized to be appropriated, out of any funds in the National Treasury not otherwise
appropriated, the sums necessary to make the payments guaranteed by this Act: Provided, That the
sums so paid by the Government of the Republic of the Philippines shall be refunded by the National
Waterworks and Sewerage Authority, and if said Authority fails to refund the same within thirty days
after such payment has been made by the Government of the Republic of the Philippines, the National
Treasurer is hereby authorized and directed to retain out of the revenues of the City of Manila and the
cities, municipalities and municipal districts included in the Authority, that may come into his possession
as belonging to said cities, municipalities and municipal district, the sums necessary to refund the
payments made by the Government of the Republic of the Philippines in any proportion which the
Auditor General may approve and which will insure their collection. Section 6. Conduct of affairs and
current business; officers and employees of the Authority. The affairs and current business of the
National Waterworks and Sewerage Authority shall be conducted under the direction of the Board, by a
general manager, an assistant general manager, a chief engineer, an auditor, a treasurer, and such
additional officers and employees as the Board may provide. The duties and powers as well as the
compensation of said officers and employees shall be such as may be defined and prescribed or fixed by
the Board which shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Act and other existing laws. The
general manager, assistant general manager, chief engineer and treasurer shall be appointed by the
President of the Philippines with the consent of the Commission on Appointments, and may be removed
for cause by the President of the Philippines. All other officers and employees of the Authority shall be
subject to the Civil Service Law, rules and regulations, except those whose positions may, upon
recommendation of the Board of Directors, be declared by the President of the Philippines as policy-
determining, primarily confidential, or highly technical in nature. The Auditor shall be appointed by the
Auditor General with the approval of the President of the Philippines, and may be removed for cause in
like manner. Section 7. General Manager, Assistant General Manager, Chief Engineer, Treasurer, and
Auditor of the Authority; their functions; salaries. The general manager, assistant general manager, chief
engineer, treasurer and auditor of the National Waterworks and Sewerage Authority shall each receive
 an annual salary which shall be fixed by the Board with the approval of the Secretary of Finance. The
general manager shall represent the Authority in all its business matters; shall submit to the Board an
annual report and such partial reports as he may be required by it or he may see fit to render from time
to time, regarding the condition of the business, or of any part of the business of the National
Waterworks and Sewerage Authority; and shall perform such other executive duties as may be
prescribed by law or may be required of him by resolution of the Board. The assistant general manager
shall perform such duties as may be required of him by the Board or the general manager. He shall act
as general manager in case of the temporary absence or disability of the general manager. The chief
engineer and treasurer shall perform such duties as may be required of them by the Board or the
general manager. The Auditor shall be the representative of the Auditor General who is hereby
designated ex officio auditor of the National Waterworks and Sewerage Authority. The Auditor shall be
the chief of its auditing and accounting department. He shall audit, examine and settle all accounts of
the National Waterworks and Sewerage Authority according to existing law and regulations, and shall
perform such other duties as the Auditor General, the General Manager or the Board may require of him
from time to time. The employees of the Auditor’s office shall be appointed by the Auditor General,
who, with the approval of the Board, shall fix the number and salaries of the said employees. Section 8.
Dissolution of the Metropolitan Water District; transfer to the Authority of its records, assets and
liabilities; transfer to the Authority of entities, waterworks and sewerage systems in the cities,
municipalities, municipal districts, and other government waterworks, and sewerage systems. The
present Metropolitan Water District created under Act Numbered Two thousand eight hundred thirty-
two, as amended, is hereby dissolved and its records, assets and liabilities are transferred to the
Authority. All existing government-owned waterworks and sewerage systems in the cities,
municipalities, and municipal districts, including springs and other water sources, as well as the
waterworks and sewerage bonds, sinking funds, and all indebtedness in general of the said Metropolitan
Water District, and government-owned waterworks and sewerage systems, are transferred to the
National Waterworks and Sewerage Authority, and the Board is hereby authorized and directed to
receive and assume all such assets and liabilities on behalf of the said Authority and in turn to pledge
such assets as security for the payment of the waterworks and sewerage bonded debt. The net book
value of the properties and assets of the Metropolitan Water District and of government-owned
waterworks and sewerage systems in cities, municipalities, or municipal districts, and other
government-owned waterworks and sewerage systems shall be received by the Authority in payment
for an equal value of the assets of the National Waterworks and Sewerage Authority. Any reference
made to the Metropolitan Water District or to any existing government-owned waterworks and
sewerage systems in any city, municipality or municipal district and any waterworks and sewerage
system under the Bureau of Public Works, in any Act or Executive Order or Proclamation of the
President of the Philippines or in any city or municipal ordinance which is still in force, shall be deemed
to be a reference to the National Waterworks and Sewerage Authority created by this Act. Section 9.
Possession by the Authority of all water and sewer systems within its territory; charging and collection
of uniform rates. The National Waterworks and Sewerage Authority shall own and control all the water
and sewer distributing systems of the City of Manila and the nearby municipalities comprising the
Metropolitan Water District, as well as the water and sewer distributing systems of all other cities,
municipalities and municipal districts in the Philippines, and shall charge and collect a uniform rate for
all services rendered in each city, municipality, or municipal district, whether to any person, corporation,
firm, government body, municipal entity or religious or charitable institutions: Provided, That the Public
Service Commission shall exercise no control, supervision or jurisdiction whatsoever over the National
Waterworks and Sewerage Authority in the fixing of rates or over its properties. The Authority shall exist
as an independent agency of the Government under the Department of Public Works and
Communications for administrative purposes. Section 10. National Subsidy for Non-Revenue Producing
Water Systems and Sanitary Works. Non-self-supporting and/or non-revenue producing water systems
and sanitary works, such as springs, artesian wells, and drainage systems, shall receive from the National
Government a subsidy to be provided in the Annual Appropriation Acts for the construction, operation,
maintenance, and control of those works once completed. The amount of the subsidy shall be
determined by the Budget Commissioner who shall base such determination upon recommendation of
the National Waterworks and Sewerage Authority. The accounting and disbursing of funds for this
particular item of expense shall be undertaken separately in the account books of the Authority. Section
11. Letting of contracts for public works of the Authority. All construction and repair works authorized
by the Authority, involving an estimated cost of ten thousand pesos or more, shall be let by the General
Manager with the approval of the Board of Directors to contract under the usual bidding procedure of
the Government, except in the case of construction or repair of water, sewer, and pipe lines or storm
drains, and such other projects which, in the discretion of the Board, due to its urgent nature, should be
undertaken by the Authority by administration. Section 12. Repeal or modification. All Acts, executive
orders, administrative orders and proclamations or parts thereof consistent with any of the provisions of
this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. Section 13. Effective date of this Act. This Act shall
take effect upon its approval. Approved, June 18, 1955