Section 2
SEC. 2. The Council shall have the following Functions, duties, and powers: A. Regulatory and Executory: Coordinate and integrate, on a sound and logical basis, water resources development activities of the country within the context of national plans and policies for social and economic development; Determine, adjudicate, and grant water rights amending, for this purpose, Act No. 2152, and other laws relating to the appropriation and utilization of surface ground water; Formulate and promulgate: General criteria, methods, and standards for basic data collection, project investigation, formulation, planning and design, and feasibility evaluation; and Rules and regulations for the exploitation and optimum utilization of water resources, including the imposition on water appropriators of such fees or charges as may be deemed necessary by the Council for water resources development; Review and approve water resources development plans and programs of any agency within the context of the overall national plans and program; Undertake river basin survey, inventory and appraisal of water and related resources and develop comprehensive basinwide plans of storage and control to maximize the conservation and multipurpose use of water in the basin; Undertake hydrologic surveys and establish, operate and maintain observation station networks and a centralized water resources data center necessary for the scientific survey and appraisal of surface and ground water potentials of the country; and Conduct and/or promote special studies and researches with other government or private agencies on all related aspects of water resources development such as weather modification, environmental quality, desalination, and the like. B. Advisory and Recommendatory: Apprise and/or advise the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) on matters pertaining to water resources development projects and programs; Recommend to NEDA the adoption of general policies and guidelines and short/ long range plans and programs for water resources development.