Irrigation crisis hits Cebu City

CEBU, Philippines — Only eight of Cebu City’s 42 irrigation systems are operational, leaving 34 non-functional and contributing to the damage of at least 138 hectares of farmland in the city’s upland barangays amid the prolonged dry spell linked to El Niño.

City Agriculturist Joey Baclayon said most of the affected areas are planted with vegetables and corn, which are now under severe water stress.

The situation has been aggravated by irrigation facilities that had already been non-operational even before the dry spell intensified due to structural problems, lack of desilting, and management issues involving the National Irrigation Administration (NIA).

Some systems also depend on electricity that farmers cannot afford, further limiting their use.

Baclayon presented the situation during the recent El Niño Summit held at the Cebu Business Hotel.

He warned that a prolonged dry spell could threaten both farmers’ livelihoods and Cebu City’s food supply.

Mayor Nestor Archival, who convened the summit, called for immediate and coordinated action, stressing that addressing the effects of El Niño requires a whole-of-government response.

“El Niño is not the responsibility of one office or department alone. It is a city-wide concern that requires a whole-of-government response,” Archival said.

The mayor said the summit was organized to align plans, identify necessary interventions, and strengthen coordination among city offices, water stakeholders, and barangays.

“Kini nga summit gi-organize pinaagi sa atong team sa Office of the Mayor together with Management and Improvement Program (MIP) team, in coordination with the concerned offices, water stakeholders, and barangays. Pinaagi niini, atong gi-align ang atong mga plano, gi-identify ang kinahanglan nga actions, ug gipalig-on ang coordination sa matag office ug barangay,” Archival said in his statement.

Archival also pushed for the rehabilitation and maximization of alternative water sources, including artesian wells, and the improvement of irrigation systems in upland barangays.

Discussions during the summit covered water demand, the status of rivers and surface water sources, crop conditions, and the availability of fire trucks and water tankers in barangays.

City Administrator Engr. Albert Tan described the summit as a proactive measure to prepare Cebu City before conditions worsen.

Meanwhile, Engr. Oscar Tabada, the city’s resident meteorologist under the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said El Niño is a foreseeable threat that requires early preparation.

He urged concerned offices to conserve water and align their plans to reduce the impact on agriculture, households, and public health.

The Department of Public Services, through Engr. Paul Gelasque, also reported that Cebu City has 406 artesian wells that could serve as alternative water sources if properly rehabilitated.

The wells, particularly those in upland and interior barangays, could help sustain communities if water sources supplied by the Metro Cebu Water District begin to dwindle.

City Councilor Alvin Arcilla, meanwhile, pledged legislative support for the city’s El Niño mitigation efforts, including measures promoting water conservation and funding for irrigation and well rehabilitation.

He stressed the need for coordination among the executive, legislative, and barangay levels to ensure water access and immediate assistance for affected upland farmers.

With El Niño forecast to persist into 2027, city officials underscored the need for immediate action to protect agriculture, households, and Cebu City’s water supply. — /FPL (FREEMAN)