City Hall orders ‘strict’ water conservation

CEBU, Philippines — In a bid to brace for the looming El Niño crisis, the Cebu City Government has ordered all offices at City Hall to strictly conserve water, mandating employees to adopt disciplined practices to protect the city’s dwindling supply.

The Human Resource Development Office (HRDO) has recently issued Memorandum No. HR-2026-053, directing all personnel to comply with mandatory water conservation measures in line with Sangguniang Panlungsod Resolution No. 17-3683-2026.

The order requires staff to turn off faucets immediately after use, avoid running water while washing hands or brushing their teeth, report leaks without delay, and use buckets or basins instead of hoses when cleaning service vehicles or washing dishes.

The use of shower facilities in offices is prohibited, while toilet use must be disciplined to prevent clogs and unnecessary water consumption.

The HRDO stressed that strict adherence to the directive is expected from all employees as part of the city’s broader El Niño preparedness plan.

The Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) had earlier warned of declining production at its Jaclupan facility, with output dropping from 25,000 to 21,000 cubic meters per day.

Officials fear a possible daily deficit of 43,000 cubic meters if dry conditions persist, a shortfall that could severely affect households, businesses, and hospitals.

This latest measure reinforces earlier conservation policies at City Hall.

In April, Mayor Nestor Archival signed Executive Order No. 027, which imposed energy-saving rules such as limiting air-conditioning use, shutting down non-essential lights and equipment, reducing elevator operations after office hours, and restricting government vehicle fuel consumption.

The order also mandated leak inspections, waste segregation, and urban gardening initiatives to cushion potential food supply disruptions.

The City Council has likewise passed resolutions requiring hospitals and fuel depots to submit emergency resiliency plans, while gasoline stations must disclose their reserve capacity.

Councilor Michelle Abella-Cellona, who authored the water security resolution, said the city must act decisively to prevent a repeat of past El Niño-induced shortages that crippled agriculture and strained Metro Cebu’s water system.

It was reported that more than 233 hectares of farmland have already been damaged, affecting hundreds of farmers in the upland barangays.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has forecast a high probability of El Niño developing between May and July, with the possibility of intensifying into a “Super El Niño” by late 2026. The phenomenon is expected to bring prolonged drought, rotational brownouts, and extreme heat across the Visayas. — (FREEMAN)