Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro has allocated P50 million for the rehabilitation of the Borbon Water System (BWS) to restore stable water supply in the municipality, which has been facing prolonged service disruptions for more than four months.
The funding aims to address Borbon’s continuing water crisis following the termination of a joint venture agreement between the municipal government and a private water service provider, which previously managed the system.
In a social media post, the Cebu Provincial Government said the assistance will support ongoing rehabilitation efforts, including system assessments, repair works, and intensified water quality monitoring.
“The local government is currently conducting system assessments, repair works, and intensified water quality monitoring to restore stable water services to residents,” part of the Capitol statement read.
Since January 2026, the Borbon Water System has been under the management of the local government unit after the Municipal Council terminated its agreement with a private provider over alleged failure to consistently deliver safe and clean water.
The move led to legal issues and prolonged water supply interruptions, prompting local officials to seek assistance from the provincial government.
Borbon Mayor Nico Dotillos earlier appealed for support from the Capitol, noting that rehabilitation costs were initially estimated at around P40 million but could increase depending on the extent of repairs.
During a relief distribution in Borbon on Thursday, June 4, Baricuatro emphasized the importance of access to safe water, calling it a priority infrastructure concern of the provincial government.
“We have to look at the basic infrastructure nga gitrabaho sa probinsya karon. First, water. Kana gyud ang basic infrastructure which we are helping you,” Baricuatro said.
She also assured local officials that the province is prepared to extend additional support if needed.
“The Province is allocating P50 million for this. Initial lang na, Mayor, and as we go along, just let me know and we will look into that,” she added.
Dotillos welcomed the provincial government’s commitment, saying the funding would significantly help address the municipality’s long-standing water issues.
“Si Governor Pam just recently iya kong giingnan nga iya tang tabangan sa problema nato sa tubig. I know for sure dako gyud ni nga tabang. Wa man gyuy perpekto nga gobyerno, ang importante lang gyud siguro nga naa tay buhaton,” he said.
In a separate event in Tabogon on the same day, Baricuatro also announced an additional P13 million in provincial funding for local infrastructure projects.
Of the amount, P8 million will be used to rehabilitate the Tabogon Sports Complex, while P5 million will go to improvements of the municipality’s Rural Health Unit (RHU).
“Ang inyohang RHU, ang inyahang infirmary kinahanglan kaayog tabang,” Baricuatro said.
Photo courtesy of Cebu Province
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