Cebu City firefighters are looking for alternative water sources as prolonged dry conditions threaten to weaken hydrant supply and complicate fire suppression during the expected El Niño.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Cebu City is identifying backup supplies, inspecting firefighting equipment and preparing contingency measures ahead of possible water shortages.
Senior Fire Officer 3 Wendell Villanueva, BFP-Cebu City information officer, said regional offices and local fire stations have been placed on heightened alert because prolonged dry spells could increase the risk of fires.
Villanueva said firefighters have encountered hydrants with little or no water pressure during actual fire responses, particularly when they need to obtain water from areas beyond the immediate fire scene.
“Daghan kaayo nga mga hydrant og walay tubig, wala siya’y pressure. Naa man gani’y tubig, perting hinaya,” he said during the Openline news media forum on Tuesday.
He explained that the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) may redirect water pressure toward areas where major fires occur, potentially reducing supply in other parts of the city.
For example, a fire in Mambaling could prompt the concentration of water pressure in the surrounding area, affecting supply in Mabolo, Lahug and Talamban.
To secure backup supplies, the BFP is coordinating with hotels and condominium operators with large swimming pools. Existing agreements allow firefighters to draw water from these facilities during major fires when other sources prove insufficient.
However, the bureau has no inventory of residential swimming pools that could also serve as emergency water sources.
Villanueva said the BFP has yet to determine whether firefighters can safely use seawater, as its salt content could damage fire trucks.
The agency is also receiving requests from residents for water rationing as some communities experience shortages. Villanueva said fire trucks remain filled while on standby but could also be deployed to distribute water if conditions worsen.
He clarified that the BFP coordinates with MCWD on water concerns, but its authority to draw water from hydrants is primarily intended for firefighting, not public distribution.
Villanueva urged households and businesses to conserve water, warning that firefighters could struggle to respond to emergencies if they cannot replenish their trucks.
“Lisod kaayo huna-hunaon nga mag-respond ta og sunog nga walay sulod nga tubig atong firetruck,” he said.
The BFP is also checking the availability and condition of its equipment and preparing quick-response teams for possible forest and grass fires as vegetation dries out during prolonged hot weather.
Villanueva said conserving water would help households manage possible shortages while ensuring firefighters have sufficient supplies when emergencies occur.
📷 Provident
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