17 rivers in Cebu eyed as source of bulk water supply

Local

THE Cebu Provincial Government is identifying 17 rivers across the province as potential sources for long-term bulk water supply.

Engr. Aldrin Barade, head of the Cebu Provincial Inter-LGU Waterworks System Office (CPILWSO), said an inventory of these major rivers is ongoing to determine their potential as bulk water sources.

"Naa pa mi sa identification kay wala mi capacity man sa technical equipment and monitoring kay it needs daily monitoring sa iyang source unya for one year cycle or two year cycle ang monitoring ani Board kay moagi baya ni og dry season," Barade told members Committee on Budget and Appropriatioins of the provincial board during the budget deliberation on Wednesday, Nov. 11.

He added that the CPILWSO has already proposed the establishment of a Water Resources Monitoring Network, which was approved by the governor.

The project will be undertaken through a consultancy service that will conduct a feasibility study of potential water sources for long-term water supply.

Board Member Stanley Caminero asked whether there had been any endorsement from the previous administration regarding the water sources. He noted that the province had initially identified the local government units (LGUs) covered by its bulk water system project, which aims to address the increasing demand for potable water on the island.

Among these LGUs are Moalboal, San Fernando, Argao, Barili, Boljoon, Oslob, Samboan, Alcoy, Alegria, Badian, Dalaguete, Tuburan, Asturias, Pinamungajan, Aloguinsan, Tabogon, San Remigio, Tabuelan, Sogod, Dumanjug, Ronda, Alcantara, Malabuyoc, Ginatilan, and Santander.

Barade said the data from the previous administration served as the basis for identifying these major water sources.

"Ang kulang lang sa study sa previous administration is that ang ilang measurement sa water source kay one time lang but if we conduct feasibility on this, daily gyud dapat ang monitoring ani sa iyang yield," Barade added.

Caminero suggested conducting inventories of potential water catchment areas for runoff or surface water.

"... kay climate-related man gud siya, ang kana man gud atong river, the inventory is intended for the analysis kon how much outside of spring water do you need to reinforce. Kay nahitabo man gud karon, ang atong spring water used to be for farming, livestock, and human

consumption," Caminero said.

"When water resource becomes scarce, you're going to prioritize human consumption, meaning we'll have to look for other initiatives to make sure nga duna tay ma-augment sa farming ug sa livestock that's where our inventory on the landscape comes in, because we want to have reservoir, mga bedliner laying kun asay mga naay plateu, or kinahanglan ban ta mo-excavate ang province, para dili gamiton sa balona sa alad sa baboy ang gikan sa spring nga para unta gamiton para imnon sa tawo," Caminero explained.

Caminero said the Capitol should have this kind of data as part of the overall concept of water resource management and conservation, wherein catchment areas play an important role.

He suggested that the Waterworks System Office include this in its inventory and proposed budget for next year.

CPILWSO is proposinng P80.704 million budget for 2027.

Barade said they are proposing a bigger budget for next year as the office plans to expand its operations in 2027.

Berate said three water systems in Barili, Malabuyoc, and Tabogon are expected to be completed next year.

Currently, the office manages and operates two water systems in Moalboal and Carmen. Both generate income that contributes to the coffers of the province.

The Capitol generated P2.6 million in revenue from the Carmen bulk water system from January to October 2026, while in Moalboal, the Capitol earned P34.35 million for the same period.(MyTVCebu)