Capitol allocates P50M for water system rehab in Borbon

CEBU, Philippines — As part of its thrust toward local development, the Cebu provincial government has earmarked P50 million for the rehabilitation of the Borbon Water System (BWS).

The financial assistance will help address the water supply shortage the town has been experiencing for over four months since the termination of the joint venture agreement between the local government unit (LGU) and a private water service provider.

In January 2026, the management of BWS fell under the LGU after the municipal council terminated the agreement with the private water service provider due to claims that the company had long failed to provide clean water to the community.

The dispute resulted in legal action and months-long water supply problems in the town.

Following this, Mayor Nico Dotillos sought assistance from the Capitol due to the high costs of the water system rehabilitation, which was initially estimated at P40 million or even higher.

In the meantime, the local government of Borbon is conducting system assessments, repair works, and intensive quality monitoring to stabilize the water supply for residents.

In her message during the distribution of calamity assistance in the town on Thursday, June 4, Governor Pamela Baricuatro stressed that providing clean water remains one of the provincial government’s priorities.

“We have to look at the basic infrastructure nga gitrabaho sa probinsya karon. First, water. Kana gyud ang basic infrastructure which we are helping you,” Baricuatro said.

She added that the allotted amount is still initial and that the Capitol is willing to provide more assistance as the project progresses.

“The province is allocating P50 million for this. Initial lang na, mayor, and as we go along, just let me know and we will look into that,” she added.

For his part, Dotillos expressed gratitude for the aid and underscored that the LGU will continue to build projects that will drive the development of the community.

“Si Governor Pam just recently iya kong giingnan nga iya tang tabangan sa problema nato sa tubig. I know for sure dako gyud ni nga tabang. Wa man gyuy perpekto nga gobyerno, ang importante lang gyud siguro nga naa tay buhaton,” he said.

Meanwhile, in a separate cash aid distribution held at the Municipality of Tabogon on Thursday, Baricuatro announced that the Capitol also allocated P13 million to subsidize infrastructure-building projects in the municipality.

Of the amount, P8 million will fund the rehabilitation of the Tabogon Sports Complex, while the remaining amount will go to the rehabilitation of the municipality's Rural Health Unit (RHU).

“Ang inyohang RHU, ang inyohang infirmary kinahanglan kaayog tabang,” Baricuatro said. — Jona Mariel Apurado, CNU Intern/MRM (FREEMAN)