Preamble
WHEREAS, one of the prerequisites to the orderly and well-balanced growth of urban areas is an effective system of local utilities, the absence of which is recognized as a deterrent to economic growth, a hazard to public health and an irritant to the spirit and well-being of the citizenry; WHEREAS, domestic water systems and sanitary sewers are two of the most basic and essential elements of local utility system, which, with a few exceptions, do not exist in provincial areas in the Philippines; WHEREAS, existing domestic water utilities are not meeting the needs of the communities they serve; water quality is unsatisfactory; pressure is inadequate; and reliability of service is poor; in fact, many persons receive no piped water service whatsoever; WHEREAS, conditions of service continue to worsen for two apparent reasons, namely: (1) that key elements of existing systems are deteriorating faster than they arc being maintained or replaced, and (2) that they are not being expanded at a rate sufficient to match population growth; and WHEREAS, local water utilities should be locally-con trolled and managed, as well as have support on the national level in the area of technical advisory services and financing; NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution as Commander-in-Chief of all the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and pursuant to Proclamation No. 1081, dated September 21, 1.972, and General Order No. 1, dated September 22, 1972, as amended, do hereby decree, order and make as part of the law of the land the following measure: ADMINISTRATION LAW