Excecutive Order No. 577 of 1980.

This Excecutive Order aim at creating the Rural Waterworks Development Corporation, prescribing its powers and activities, appropriating the necessary funds therefor.
The National Water Resources Council shall be responsible for formulating policies and framework plans for water supply. Consistent with these policies and framework plans, the Ministry of Public Works shall be responsible for developing integrated national water supply plans and programs covering all sectors and agencies concerned. To attain the objectives of water supply service coverage of rural areas, the Government shall encourage self-help and self-reliant water supply projects and promote the organization of nonprofit, non-stock rural waterworks associations, or cooperatives hereinafter to be referred to as RWA’s. A public corporation to be known as the Rural Waterworks Development Corporation shall be established, which shall be primarily responsible for the formation of RWA’s that will construct, operate and maintain water supply systems in the rural areas. The Corporation shall be directly under the Office of the President.