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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider MCWD prepares for water shortage

MCWD prepares for water shortage

Published Apr 2, 2026 09:49 pm
THE MCWD prepares for a water shortage in Cebu. (MCWD FB)
THE MCWD prepares for a water shortage in Cebu. (MCWD FB)
CEBU CITY – With the onset of the dry season and El Niño possibly developing in the coming months, water sources in Cebu may significantly decline.
With this, the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) is rolling out contingency measures as it braces for a projected 43,000 cubic meters per day deficit as a result of the dry season.
MCWD assessed that under drier conditions, its water sources in Jaclupan may decline from 25,000 cubic meters per day to 7,000 cubic meters per day while the Buhisan Dam may drop from 5,000 cubic meters per day to zero production.
From 20,000 cubic meters per day, water production from the Lusaran Bulk Water may dip to 10,000 cubic meters per day.
Also, production at Compostela Bulk Water Supply may drop to from 10,000 cubic meters per day to zero production.
MCWD said these reductions could result in a total deficit of around 43,000 cubic meters per day, equivalent to about 15 percent of MCWD’s total production.
To address this, MCWD plans to implement water rationing in affected areas, including parts of Talisay City and Cebu City, while fast-tracking the installation of pumping stations in 11 public schools in Cebu City.
The water district will also deploy water trucks to remote and elevated areas, tap additional water sources, fast-track well development and pipeline interconnections, and secure supplementary bulk water supply, including desalinated water.
A public advisory campaign on water conservation is also being prepared.
These preparations came after MCWD General Manager John Lapid requested a technical briefing from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration to gain a clearer picture of what to expect in the coming months and allow the water district to plan accordingly.
During the briefing, PAGASA said the Philippines is currently under El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO)-neutral conditions following a weak La Niña.
However, there is a 62 percent chance that El Niño will develop as early as June to August, with the probability increasing to at least 83 percent by yearend.

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