Tanjay Water District v. Gabaton G.R. No.

L-63742 April 17, 1989 Facts:

Tanjay Water District filed a case against the Municipality of Pamplona and its officials to prevent them
from interfering in the management of the Tanjay Waterworks system. The Judge dismissed the case for
lack of jurisdiction over the subject matter, being water by virtue of P.D. 1607. IN another case, Datuin
filed a complaint for illegal dismissal against Tarlac Water District in the DOLE.

Issue:
Whether water districts created under PD No. 198 are private corporations or government-owned or
controlled corporations

Ruling:

Both petitions are dismissed without prejudice to the Tanjay Water District filing their complaint in the
NWRC and Datuin seeking redress in the Civil Service Commission. The Court has already ruled that water
districts are quasi-public corporations whose employees belong to the civil service, hence, the dismissal
of those employees shall be governed by the civil service law, rules and regulations. Inasmuch as PD No.
198, as amended, is the original charter of Tanjay Water District and Tarlac Water District and all water
districts in the country, they come under the coverage of the civil service law, rules and regulations. PD
1067 likewise provided that NWRC has jurisdiction over all disputes relating to appropriation, utilization,
exploitation, development, control, conservation and protection of waters. Regular courts only have
appellate jurisdiction.