Cebu Plans Water Rationing, Additional Supply Systems Ahead of Super El Niño

The Cebu Provincial Government is preparing emergency water deliveries to communities vulnerable to shortages as Super El Niño approaches, with mountain barangays set to receive priority assistance.

However, only two of the six government-owned water treatment plants identified by the Province as potential supply and refilling stations are currently operational.

Cebu Province Inter-LGU Waterworks System head Aldrin Barade said water trucks would deliver supplies directly to households as an immediate response to possible shortages.

“Importante kini siya because we need immediate supply gyud sa water. And then, we need to transport this water directly sa atong mga residents o sa mga balay-balay,” Barade said.

(This is important because residents need an immediate water supply, which must be delivered directly to their homes.)

Gov. Pamela Baricuatro said the provincial government would work with local government units (LGUs) to organize water distribution and provide additional resources where necessary.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) is currently identifying LGUs with available water trucks and fire trucks, as well as municipalities that may need additional vehicles to support deliveries.

The Province is also planning to purchase more water trucks, although officials have yet to disclose the number of units to be acquired or the target date for the start of rationing.

Limited operational water facilities

Barade said six government-owned water treatment facilities have been identified to serve as water sources and refilling stations for delivery trucks.

Only the facilities in Moalboal and Barili are operational. Construction of the remaining four plants, located in Barili, Malabuyoc, Oslob and Tabogon, is being accelerated.

The provincial government has not yet provided completion dates for the four facilities or estimates of their combined water production capacity.

Meanwhile, a team from the governor’s office is assessing alternative water sources that could supplement supplies if treated water becomes insufficient.

Barade said treated water would remain the primary source for household deliveries to ensure that the distributed supply is safe for consumption.

The Province is also considering establishing additional water stations in northwestern Cebu, particularly to serve communities in Tabuelan and Tuburan.

Long-term water security measures

Beyond emergency rationing, Baricuatro said the provincial government is pursuing additional water systems as a medium-term intervention and an inter-LGU bulk water supply network as a long-term solution.

“Ang atong mid-term interventions, mao na ang construction of water system. We still need to get funds. And we also have the long-term, which is the inter-LGU bulk water supply,” she said.

(Our medium-term intervention is the construction of water systems, for which we still need to secure funding. Our long-term intervention is an inter-LGU bulk water supply system.)

Barade said the Province currently operates water systems in Boljoon and Carmen.

To discuss possible solutions and strengthen preparations, the provincial government will convene a Water Summit on Nov. 17 and 18, 2026, at the Capitol Social Hall.

The gathering will bring together LGUs, private bulk water suppliers and national government agencies to discuss water security measures and preparations for the anticipated El Niño conditions.

Baricuatro said cooperation with private water suppliers would be important in addressing potential shortages.

Households urged to prepare

The provincial government is also preparing an information campaign urging households to maintain at least 72 hours’ worth of food, drinking water and other essential supplies.

Baricuatro said the campaign would be released once finalized.

At the same time, the PDRRMO is conducting disaster scenario exercises to identify weaknesses in emergency response and prepare for possible disruptions to essential services.

The simulations cover potential El Niño impacts, typhoons and earthquakes, including scenarios involving interruptions to water and electricity supplies.

The disaster office will submit its recommendations to Baricuatro, while the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council is scheduled to discuss preparedness measures on Nov. 18.

The provincial government’s preparations combine immediate water distribution plans with infrastructure development and household readiness measures as Cebu braces for potentially prolonged dry conditions.