Cebu City is preparing for potential water shortages as the El Niño weather phenomenon approaches, Mayor Nestor Archival said.
Archival emphasized the need for early action, particularly for mountain barangays that rely on water deliveries during prolonged dry spells.
“In the next few months, naa ang El Niño. The moment gani nga moabot ang El Niño, mao nay problema because ang atong tubig didto sa bukid mahubas na,” he said.
Currently, the city operates only four water tanker trucks for northern and southern areas, a capacity that may not meet rising demand if dry conditions intensify.
“Karon ang nahitabo, ang truck nato nga naa dinhi sa atong siyudad upat man ni kabuok. Kung mag-grabe gani ang El Niño, maglisod ta pag-distribute og tubig. So basically, magkinahanglan ta og additional truck ani,” Archival added.
To mitigate the impact, the city government is pushing barangays to rehabilitate traditional water sources, including wells or “poso,” many of which have fallen into disuse.
Barangay officials have been asked to submit inventories of non-functioning wells for potential funding and rehabilitation.
“Ang atong plano, sa mga kapitan nga naa diri, nihangyo ko atong i-revive ang tanan natong poso. Kung naa moy list sa mga poso nga wa na mo agas unya gusto nato ipa-rehabilitate, palihog ko og lista then ihatag sa BAO para atong tagaan og budget ang atong poso nga ayohon,” he said.
The city is also coordinating with the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) to establish centralized water access points in areas with limited supply.
Barangay officials will oversee distribution at designated collection points.
“Ang atong plano with MCWD, magbutang ta og common nga area where makahatag ta og tubig nila gikan sa MCWD. Magbutang ta og common nato nga tubigan which ang kapitan maoy mo-manage, and then i-distribute sa barangay,” Archival explained.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), El Niño may begin developing between August and October 2026.
Early impacts could include intensified southwest monsoon rains followed by reduced rainfall that may lead to drought conditions.
Some areas may experience below-normal rainfall by the last quarter of 2026, with potential for higher temperatures extending into 2027. (LLP)
Image: El Niño Ready Nations
