Cebu braces for El Niño impact: Water rationing

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu provincial government is preparing to implement water rationing and deploy water trucks to communities facing possible shortages as it braces for the anticipated effects of Super El Niño.

The immediate measures will prioritize upland barangays and other areas where access to water is limited, with the provincial government coordinating with local government units (LGUs) to identify communities that may need emergency assistance.

In a press conference yesterday, Engineer Aldrin Barade, head of the Cebu Province Inter-LGU Waterworks System (CPIWSO), said the province is preparing to dispatch water trucks to critical areas and establish designated stations where the vehicles can replenish their supplies.

“Isa sa atong immediate intervention is kaning water rationing. We will deploy our trucks to critical areas, especially katong mountain barangays,” Barade said.

The refilling stations will accommodate water trucks owned by both the provincial government and the LGUs to facilitate the distribution of water to affected communities.

Governor Pamela Baricuatro said the province would primarily augment the resources of local governments, particularly those lacking sufficient equipment to deliver water to their constituents.

“You have to understand that we sa Province, we augment sa mga LGUs,” Baricuatro said.

Barade said the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) is consolidating an inventory of available water trucks and fire trucks across the province to determine which LGUs have adequate resources and which need additional assistance.

While some LGUs have several water trucks and fire trucks, others have only a few or none at all, making provincial intervention necessary to ensure water reaches communities in need.

Barade said rationing would help ensure the orderly distribution of available supplies, particularly in areas where residents have limited access to alternative water sources.

Water treatment plants

To support the planned water rationing, the provincial government is also working to complete six province-owned water treatment plants that could serve as additional sources for refilling water trucks.

Barade said two facilities, located in Moalboal and Barili, have already been completed and are operational.

The province is encouraging nearby LGUs to coordinate with the provincial government so they can access water from these facilities.

The remaining treatment plants are nearing completion, with the Provincial Engineering Office (PEO) helping fast-track construction.

The province is also exploring the establishment of water stations in areas without treatment plants, including Tabogon, Tabuelan and Tuburan. Other areas being considered for water treatment facilities include Malabuyoc and Oslob.

Aside from water rationing and the deployment of water trucks, Baricuatro said the provincial government is considering medium- and long-term interventions to address water supply concerns.

Among the medium-term measures is the construction of barangay-level water systems to improve access to water within communities.

For the long term, the governor identified the proposed inter-LGU water supply system as one of the solutions being considered to strengthen water distribution across local government boundaries.

Barade said reports submitted to the PDRRMO have already indicated declining water supplies in some LGUs.

Inventory of water sources

The provincial government is also developing a system to maintain a continuing inventory of water sources across Cebu, including major and smaller sources that could potentially be developed for public water supply, irrigation or impounding.

Barade said Baricuatro ordered the initiative as a province-wide undertaking involving various provincial departments.

The inventory aims to identify available water sources and determine how these could be tapped should prolonged dry conditions affect the province.

It will also include the validation of potential water sources reported to the governor's team during visits to different LGUs.

Barade said these sources could serve as backup supplies, particularly in areas where existing sources may no longer be sufficient during extended dry periods.

                                             Cebu City

Meanwhile, the Cebu City Government is also stepping up preparations by coordinating with the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) and assessing alternative water sources to help sustain communities during prolonged dry conditions.

Mayor Nestor Archival met with MCWD officials led by Chairman Ruben Almendras to discuss the current water supply situation, contingency plans and measures to minimize the impact of an anticipated dry spell on residents.

MCWD presented possible response measures that could be activated should water availability decline. These include developing additional water sources, deploying water trucks, implementing scheduled water rationing in areas experiencing limited supply, and intensifying water conservation campaigns.

According to Archival, MCWD also outlined ongoing efforts to increase water production and reduce system losses to address potential shortages and ensure that available supplies reach more consumers efficiently.

The discussions also covered proposed pump stations in Cebu City public schools, which could serve as strategic facilities to improve water access in key areas, particularly during emergencies or periods of limited supply.

"As we prepare for the challenges ahead, we will continue working closely with MCWD and our partners to help ensure a more reliable and equitable water supply for our communities," the mayor said.

He stressed that government interventions alone would not be enough if dry conditions worsen, underscoring the importance of public cooperation in conserving water.

"We also encourage everyone to conserve water and use it responsibly. Every effort counts in preparing our city for El Niño," Archival added.

As part of Cebu City's preparations, an inter-agency team composed of personnel from MCWD, the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO), Bureau of Agriculture (BAO) and Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO) conducted field assessments in Barangay Bonbon and Mt. Mauyog in Barangay Sunog, Balamban.

The activity forms part of the city's effort to identify and assess potential water sources that could be tapped should shortages affect communities.

According to the City Public Information Office, the assessment sought to determine whether alternative sources in upland areas could be developed or utilized to augment the city's water supply during periods of shortage.