Joint Administrative Order No.2022-0002 on Guidelines on Establishing Local Drinking Water Quality Surveillance (LDWQS) Program

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT JUN 1am JOINT ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER No. 2022- Dbo2 SUBJECT: Guidelines on Establishing Local Drinking Water Quality Surveillance (LDWQS) Program through the Creation of Local Drinking Water Quality Monitoring Committee (LDWQMC) as MandatedBy the Code on Sanitation (PD 856) I. RATIONALE The United Nations General Assembly, through Resolution AJ64/292 of 2010, explicitly recognized that access to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation is a human right that is essential for the full enjoyment of life. In 2015, the United Nations adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which includes Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: Clean Water and Sanitation where one of its targets is to achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all in 2030. In the Philippines, the Code on Sanitation (PD 856) and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) require drinking water to be protected from all types of contamination. The Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water (PNSDW) was formulated based on this Code as a basis for monitoring and surveillance of drinking water supply facilities. To carry out monitoring and surveillance activities, the IRR of Chapter II (Water Supply) of PD 856 stipulated the creation of the Local Drinking Water Quality Monitoring Committee (LDWQMC), in further support to the Local Government Code of 1990. To strengthen drinking water safety at the Local Government Units (LGUs) level in the context of PD 856 and Local Government Code, the requirement of every LGU to establish a Local Drinking Water Quality Surveillance (LDWQS) Program through the creation of LDWQMC is found necessary to protect public health. The Department of Health (DOH), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the LGUs play pivotal roles as water quality surveillance authorities since the protection and preservation of public health is among their primary functions and responsibilities. A Joint Administrative Order (JAO) issuance by the DOH and the DILG shall help ensure the sustainable engagement of all stakeholders under LGU jurisdiction to fully implement an LDWQS program under the supervision of the LDWQMC. As envisaged, this program will contribute to the attainment of goals of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act and FOURmula One Plus (F1+) for Health. [. b Building 1, San Lazaro Compound, Rizal Avenue, Sta. Cruz, 1003 Manila e Trunk Line 651-7800 local 1108, 1111, 1114 1113 Direct Line: 711-9502; 711-9503 Fax: 743-1829 @ URL: http://www.doh.gov.ph; e-mail: ftduque@doh.gov.ph II. OBJECTIVE This Order provides the guidelines for the establishment of LDWQS programs in each LGU through the creation of LDWQMC for the use of all LGUs and the national and regional offices of the DOH and the DILG. III. SCOPE This Order shall apply to the Department of Health and its attached agencies, Centers for Health Development (CHDs), Ministry of Health Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOH-BARMM) subject to the applicable provisions of RA No. 11054 or the “Bangsamoro Organic Act” and subsequent rules and policies issued by the Bangsamoro government, Department of the Interior and Local Government and its attached agencies, Local Government Units (LGUs), and other concerned entities. IV. DEFINITION OF TERMS A. Acceptability — refers to a physical and chemical quality of water that refers to the appearance (e.g. dust particles and solid contaminants), taste, and odor of drinking water, satisfactory to the consumer. B. Contamination - refers to the presence of substances (e.g. organic/inorganic substances and bacteria or microorganisms) found in water that make water less desirable or unfit for drinking. C. Drinking water — refers to water intended for direct human consumption or for use in food preparation and related processes. D. Drinking water service provider - refers to any company, agency, or institution in-charge of operating a potable water supply system. E. Sanitary survey — refers to an activity to inspect and investigate the existing environmental and physical conditions around the water sources and water systems which may affect the quality of water. F. Surveillance - refers to the continuous and vigilant public health assessment and review of safety and acceptability of drinking water supplies. G. Water Safety Plan - refers to the use of a comprehensive risk assessment and risk management approach that encompasses all steps in water supply from catchment to consumer to consistently ensure the safety of drinking water. V. GENERAL GUIDELINES A. All cities and municipalities shall establish a LDWQS Program. Drinking water quality surveillance is the continuous and vigilant public health assessment and review of the safety and acceptability of drinking water supplies. This surveillance contributes to the protection of public health by promoting improvement of the quality, quantity, accessibility, coverage, affordability and continuity of water supplies and is complementary to the quality control function of the drinking water VIL service providers. There are two types of approaches to surveillance of drinking water quality: audit based and direct assessment. B. All cities and municipalities shall create a LDWQMC. As stipulated in Section 3.5a of the IRR of Chapter II (Water Supply) of PD 856, the Local Health Authority shall establish a Water Surveillance Program through the creation of LDWQMC with stipulated composition and functions. The Operations Manual for Local Drinking Water Quality Monitoring Committee on Drinking Water Quality Surveillance developed by DOH in collaboration with DILG and technical support from the World Health Organization shall be the guide on the creation of the LDWQMC. The Manual shall be available at the DOH and DILG websites. SPECIFIC GUIDELINES A. Establishment of the LDWQS Program The establishment of the LDWQS program in a municipality or city shall be done by phasing as outlined below. 1. Initial Phase (first to second quarter of the year) - This is done at the early stage of preparations for the LDWQS program. In this phase, a framework of activities shall be developed to gather useful data required for the prioritization and implementation of drinking water quality surveillance plan. Step 1: Establish framework for institutional development ofsurveillance plan. Step 2: Provide training for staff involved in the surveillance program. Step 3: Develop standards for data collection and reporting. Step 4: Initiate comprehensive inventory of water supply systems. Step 5: Undertake initial fieldwork and water sample collection to identify priority areas. Step 6: Collate and prepare reports. Step 7: Promote improvement by prioritization and legal actions. Step 8: Establish liaison with communities and identify community roles in surveillance and means of promoting community participation. Step 9: Evaluate methods and reporting protocols and staff training needs. Step 10: Develop a routine annual plan for community fieldwork. 2. Intermediate Phase (third to fourth quarter of the year) - Progressive implementation shall be done in the intermediate phase. In this phase, available resources shall be considered. Step 1: Establish and expand systematic routine surveillance. Step 2: Expand analytical capability by networking with DOH accredited water laboratories equipped to perform the testing of necessary parameters. Step 3: Undertake surveys for chemical contaminants which are likely to affect drinking water quality in the locality. Step 4: Establish a database for archiving of information and data generated in the surveillance, including protocols for accessibility and sharing. 3. Advanced Phase (second year) - The LDWQS program shall be expanded if resources and conditions permit. In this phase, improvement of water services 3 v l is already implemented, information sharing has progressed beyond the local level, and national legislations are regularly complied with. Step 1: Establish routine surveillance for all health and acceptability parameters at defined frequencies. Step 2: Improve services on the basis of national and local priorities, hygiene education, and enforcement of standards in drinking water quality and safety practices. Step 3: Involve communities routinely in surveillance implementation. B. Creation of the LDWQMC The creation of the LDWQMC shall be in accordance with the IRR of Chapter IT (Water Supply) of PD 856. The LDWQMC shall be composed of but not limited to the representatives from: Municipal/City Health Authority— Chairperson Rural Health Unit/City Health Officer Water Districts/Private Water Suppliers Sangguniang Panlalawigan/Panlungsod/Bayan Municipal/City Engineer’s Office Municipal/City Environment and Natural Resources Officer (M/CENRO) Non-Government Organizations and Professional Groups Related to Health and Sanitation DOH Representative to the Local Health Board 9. Provincial Health Office (Provincial Sanitary Engineer) Non hA LD — 0 C. Functions of the LDWQMC The functions of the LDWQMC shall be based on the IRR of Chapter II (Water Supply) of PD 856. 1. Regularly collect and analyze water samples. 2. Evaluate laboratory results as to their compliance with standards. 3. Conduct regular (e.g. quarterly) or immediate sanitary survey during the existence of a potential cause of contamination. 4. Institute remedial measures to correct deficiencies of water systems. Inform the public of the latest quality of the drinking water in the locality. 6. Perform other functions related to water quality assurance. on VII. MONITORING AND EVALUATION The DOH and DILG shall develop a monitoring and evaluation system to track the progress of the LDWQS programs and the accomplishments of the LDWQMC. VIII. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The specific tasks and actions of the DOH (through the Disease Prevention and Control Bureau), DILG (through the Bureau of Local Government Supervision), Provincial Health Authority, the Local (Municipal/City LGU) Health Authority and 3 other Local Officials are outlined in the Operations Manual for Local Drinking Water Quality Monitoring Committee on Drinking Water Quality Surveillance. The DOH Central Office and its Centers for Health Development (CHDs) and the DILG including the Provincial and Municipal/City Health Authorities shall have the following general roles and responsibilities: A. The DOH - Central Office shall; 1. Coordinate with the DILG to ensure LGU compliance on the establishment of LDWQS program and the creation of the LDWQMC as prescribed by the IRR of Chapter II (Water Supply) of PD 856. Orient CHDs on this Administrative Order and on the Operations Manual for LDWQMC on Drinking Water Quality Surveillance. Monitor and evaluate the progress/accomplishments of CHDs in orienting local authorities as well as the progress/accomplishments of established LDWQMC and LDWQS program. B. The DOH - CHDs and MOH - BARMM shall: 1. Issue a corresponding Regional Order to constitute a regional organizing team to assist the LGUs on the establishment of the LDWQS program and the creation of the LDWQMC. The following are the recommended members of the team: a. Regional Sanitary Engineer b. Senior Sanitary Engineer ¢. Health Education and Promotion Officer (HEPO) / Public Information Officer (PIO) d. DOH Provincial Health Team Leaders (PHTLs) Orient the Provincial Governor and Provincial Health Officer on the duty of LGUs in establishing a LDWQS program and in creating an LDWQMC as decreed under the Code on Sanitation of the Philippines. Assist the LDWQMC in organizing themselves and in the formulation of a local DWQS program, including action plans, for implementation. Submit a report to the DOH-Central Office on the implementation, monitoring and monitoring of the program. C. The DILG - Central Office shall: 1. 2. Issue an Order ora Circular directing the establishment of the LDWQS program and the creation of the LDWQMC. Orient the DILG regional and provincial offices regarding this Order and the Operations Manual for Local Drinking Water Quality Monitoring Committee on Drinking Water Quality Surveillance with assistance from DOH. Develop a monitoring and evaluation system to determine the progress of activities of all LDWQMCs. D. The Provincial Health Authority shall: 1. Issue a provincial order for the constitution of a provincial organizing team to include the Provincial Sanitary Engineer (PSE) and/or Supervising Sanitary Inspector (SSI) or the personnel whose roles and functions approximate these positions closest. 2. Orient Municipal/City local chief executives and key officials (including municipal/city health officers) on the duty of LGUs in establishing a LDWQS program and in creating an LDWQMC to implement the program. 3. Assist the LDWQMC in organizing themselves and in the formulation of a local DWQS program, including action plans, for implementation. 4. Monitor the progress/accomplishments of established LDWQMCs and LDWQS programs. 5. Monitor and evaluate the progress/accomplishments of established LDWQMCs and LDWQS programs. E. The Municipal/City Health Authority shall: 1. Assist/facilitate issuance of an executive/administrative order in establishing a LDWQS program and to constitute the LDWQMC. 2. Organize themselves and in the formulation of a LDWQS program, including action plans, for implementation. 3. Assist/facilitate in the passing of a resolution before the Municipal/City Council to recognize the newly organized Committee and to appropriate funds for the implementation of LDWQS program and for the LDWQMC to function and operate. 4. Conduct an orientation and/or training on LDWQS for Committee members and for the Technical Working Group (TWG) in coordination with the regional and provincial organizing teams, IX. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE In the event that any provision of this Order is declared unconstitutional, the validity ofthe other provisions shall not be affected by such declaration. X. REPEALING CLAUSE Any orders, issuances, rules, and regulations inconsistent with or contrary to this JAO shall be repealed, amended, or modified accordingly. XI. EFFECTIVITY This Order shall take effect fifteen (15) days from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette or in any national newspaper of general circulation, with three (3) certified copies to be filed with the Office of the National Administrative Register (ONAR)of the UP Law Center. : O T. BUQUE III, MD, MSc WM. ANOFRANCI y : cretary of Health Secretary of the Interef-and Lgcal Government X ESDILG-OSEC 04292022.025