Manila Water unit readies Cebu supply as strong El Niño looms

CEBU, Philippines — Manila Water Philippine Ventures is stepping up preparations to protect water supply in Metro Cebu as a potentially severe El Niño threatens to bring prolonged dry conditions to the province through the first quarter of 2027.

The company currently supplies 30.3 million liters of potable water a day in Cebu and can add another 7.5 million liters daily, enough to serve about 12,000 households, as it prepares for tighter water conditions, MWPV said.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration has forecast a “very strong” El Niño, with as many as 85 provinces potentially experiencing dry conditions, dry spells or drought from late October through March.

MWPV, the non-East Zone subsidiary of Manila Water Co., said it has activated measures across its 13 operating units in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao to protect water availability during extended periods of below-normal rainfall.

The company said its current water source remains stable despite dry-season conditions, with water continuing to overflow from its weir. It said production remains sufficient to meet current requirements while complying with water-quality standards.

MWPV-Cebu is monitoring and rehabilitating deep wells and surface-water sources, conducting preventive maintenance, optimizing reservoir use and evaluating additional sources as part of its El Niño preparations.

The company has also prepared water tankers, mobile treatment plants and standby deep wells to provide additional supply if needed. Its treatment facilities are also implementing backwash-recovery measures to improve water-use efficiency.

MWPV is also preparing a new water-supply project that will include a new water source, treatment facility and pumping station. The project is expected to add at least 12.5 million liters of water per day, enough to serve about 20,000 households, according to the company.

“The combination of our current supply reliability, robust El Niño preparedness measures, and planned capacity expansion provides support to Metro Cebu’s growing water requirements,” Ruby Rose Mercado, general manager of MWPV-Cebu, said.

The planned investment comes as Metro Cebu faces increasing demand from residential, commercial and industrial users while water availability remains vulnerable to prolonged dry conditions.

MWPV said it is applying similar preparedness measures across its other operating units, including Metro Ilagan Water, Calasiao Water, Laguna Water, Laguna Aquatech and Tanauan Water in Luzon; Boracay Water and Calbayog Water in the Visayas; and Tagum Water in Mindanao.

The company also operates business-to-business units Estate Water and Manila Water Infratech Solutions.

MWPV said the measures include diversifying water sources, strengthening infrastructure, maintaining operational readiness and developing additional supply capacity to reduce the impact of prolonged dry weather on its service areas.