MCWD told to increase water production

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival has called on the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) to immediately add at least 10 million liters of water per day to Cebu’s supply, warning that the city must act ahead of the looming Super El Niño.

Archival said he had already sent a letter to MCWD the other day, urging the utility to expand its water production.

“Atong gihangyo ang MCWD…Nagpada nako og suwat the other day, nga kinahanglan unta nga mag-add sila at least bisag 10 million liters per day,” Archival said in an interview.

He explained that while water purchased at P62–P65 per cubic meter is expensive, losses from non-revenue water (NRW) could be reduced by 30 percent to offset the costs.

“So, atong ning kuwaan ug cost sa NRW at least, dili na alkansi I would say ang MCWD,” the mayor explained.

He added that MCWD itself had asked the city to help increase groundwater production.

“So, we will be getting water from the ground, kay ang water from the ground mas minus man ang gasto. At ang maayo ana, ang MCWD nga moymukuha sa tubig, at least maregulate nila ang tubig nga mapump kay over-extraction mang god maka-daut sa atong ground water,” Archival said.

He emphasized that tapping additional wells on city-owned properties, particularly in schools, could yield another 5 million to 10 million liters of water daily.

Archival also welcomed support from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) through the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

“Nalipay ko ganiha pag-sulti ni Secretary Jonvic kay ingon man siya nag-add sila og fire trucks para maka-augment sa pag-hatod sa tubig,” he noted.

Beyond MCWD’s role, Archival recalled that during the city’s El Niño summit, Cebu identified more than 600 wells, about 400 of which are currently producing water.

He directed the Department of Public Services to repair damaged wells and instructed barangays to submit reports on both active and inactive springs to help identify strategic water sources.

He also tasked the Office of the Building Official (OBO) with intensifying its campaign to promote rainwater catchment systems.

“Akong gisultihan si OBO nga panghimusgan nato og campaign… kinahanglan atong i-catch ang rainwater,” Archival said.

Archival also pointed to brackish water reserves on a 50-hectare property known as Pond-A.

“Ako silang giingnan nga if we could find a way nga makakuha ta og filter or desalination equipment para bisan lang gani magamit nato for fire use or domestic use sa balay nga dili lang gamiton para inom. If we have that, makakuha tag 10 or 15 million liters diha,” he said.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has confirmed that El Niño conditions have strengthened and are expected to persist into early 2027, with a high probability of a Super El Niño.

Historically, only three such events have been recorded—in 1982–83, 1997–98, and 2015–16—each bringing severe droughts, water shortages, and agricultural losses nationwide.

PAGASA has warned that Cebu and other parts of the Visayas could experience below-normal rainfall, prolonged dry spells, and extreme heat indices reaching 50°C, compounding the risks to water and energy supplies.

The agency has urged local governments to prepare for prolonged water scarcity, noting that the current Pacific warming is among the strongest on record. (CEBU NEWS)