Memorandum Circular No.01 Series of 2020. Unimpeded/unhindered access or movement of water utilities personnel and regulators

Section 1. Objective – The purpose of this Circular is to ensure that all water utilities/water service providers shall provide uninterrupted/unhampered supply or delivery of clean and safe water to individual households, communities, more especially to hospitals and similar facilities, health workers, and other front liners in need of water.

Section 2. Policy - In order to maintain a steady and uninterrupted flow of clean and safe water to individual households, communities, institutions, and other vital establishments, there is a need for the water utility operators to deploy technical personnel and other workers for the operation and maintenance of their waterworks systems. It is equally necessary for all waterworks operation to procure and maintain stocks (e.g. supplies, chemicals, pumps, tools, equipment, other instruments or implements) used in their day-to-day operation.

Section 3. Guidelines – in attaining the objective of this Circular, the following directives are promulgated: a. ALL CONCERNED are hereby requested to ensure that all personnel working for water utilities/service providers shall have unimpeded and/or unhindered access or movement to and from their workplaces, and shall be allowed free passage in the conduct of repair and maintenance of water systems, and in the procurement of supplies, materials, tools and equipment for the operation and proper maintenance of their systems and related facilities, provided, that proper documentation is presented to the authorities. b. Personnel or employee/s of water utilities/service providers shall exhibit proper identification of their individual person and employment when requested by proper authority/ies. c. In case of purchase/procurement or delivery of goods, supplies, tools, or equipment for waterworks operation, necessitating travel outside of their places of operation or across political boundaries/jurisdiction, proper identification of personnel/employee should be accompanied by an authorization from the company manager or any person having supervision and control over the person being authorized; provided, that the authorization document should clearly and specifically state the purpose for which the travel is undertaken, and the inclusive date or period thereof. d. All NWRB officials and personnel shall be accorded free, unimpeded/unhindered movement or access in order for them to act, respond, and perform their duties in ensuring the compliance of water utilities/service providers with the objective of this Circular. e. All NWRB officials and personnel, and personnel/employees of water utilities/service providers shall abide by the COVID-19 protocol i.e. social/physical distancing and wearing of mask. All concerned personnel are hereby requested to render proper assistance at the designated quarantine checkpoints to ensure that the public will have access to safe and reliable water supply. DR. SEVILLO D. DAVID, JR., CESO III Executive Director