City drafts groundwater rules

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Government is moving to strengthen the protection and management of its groundwater resources by drafting a Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) framework aimed at regulating extraction and ensuring long-term water security.

The initiative, spearheaded by the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) in coordination with Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña, seeks to establish localized mechanisms to prevent aquifer depletion, curb excessive groundwater extraction and safeguard the city’s dwindling water resources amid worsening climate conditions.

According to CCENRO, the proposed framework will introduce structural measures for groundwater regulation and aquifer protection, laying the groundwork for a more sustainable water management system.

The next phase of the initiative will involve the formation of joint committees composed of government agencies, environmental experts, stakeholders and community representatives tasked with developing the operational guidelines for the program.

To institutionalize the initiative, the Cebu City Council is also expected to pass resolutions providing legislative support, making localized groundwater regulation a permanent component of the city’s environmental and water resource policies.

Efforts to strengthen groundwater regulation build on concerns that have been raised for years within the City Council.

Before becoming mayor, Nestor Archival had repeatedly warned about the risks posed by unregulated groundwater extraction and the proliferation of private well-drilling activities across Cebu City.

In April 2024, then-councilor Archival called on the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) to organize a technical working group among local government units to monitor private contractors engaged in well drilling.

At the time, he cautioned that unchecked extraction could accelerate aquifer depletion and trigger saltwater intrusion in coastal communities, threatening both water quality and supply.

Archival likewise filed a resolution requesting officials from the NWRB, the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) and the University of San Carlos Water Resources Center to brief the council on the status of Cebu’s groundwater reserves and pending water permit applications.

Data presented by MCWD during those discussions estimated Metro Cebu’s groundwater potential at around 450,000 cubic meters per day. Current extraction, however, had already reached approximately 170,000 cubic meters daily.

With Metro Cebu’s water demand estimated at 500,000 cubic meters per day, authorities have long warned of a widening supply gap that could worsen without additional conservation and management measures.

The city’s efforts come as Cebu continues to grapple with recurring water shortages aggravated by prolonged dry conditions.

Even before the onset of stronger El Niño conditions, MCWD had warned of a daily water deficit of up to 43,000 cubic meters, forcing authorities to implement emergency interventions such as water rationing, water trucking operations and the rehabilitation of 386 artesian wells across Cebu City.

The effects have also extended to the agricultural sector.

Initial reports from the City Agriculture Department showed that more than 233 hectares of farmland in upland barangays have been affected by drought, damaging crops such as bananas, corn and vegetables. Livestock and poultry production have likewise suffered losses, further straining the livelihoods of farming communities.

Protecting Aquifers

Groundwater remains one of Cebu’s most critical natural resources, supplying households, farms and industries throughout the metropolitan area.

Stored beneath the earth’s surface in soil pores and rock formations, groundwater is held in aquifers—underground layers of permeable rock, sand or gravel that function as natural reservoirs.

These aquifers gradually release water to wells, springs and rivers. However, excessive extraction can lower water tables, deplete reserves and, in coastal areas, allow seawater to infiltrate freshwater sources, rendering them unsuitable for consumption.

Environmental experts emphasize that sustainable groundwater management requires balancing extraction with natural recharge through rainfall and infiltration to maintain long-term supply.

For city officials, the proposed JVA framework represents a significant step toward translating years of advocacy into concrete policy action.

With climate variability expected to continue affecting water availability in the coming years, the success of the initiative will depend on effective enforcement, inter-agency coordination and public participation in water conservation efforts.

Authorities view the proposed framework not merely as a policy measure but as a strategic response to a growing challenge that is already affecting households, agriculture and economic activity across Cebu City. By institutionalizing groundwater protection, the city hopes to preserve its aquifers as a reliable source of water for future generations. – FPL (CEBU NEWS)