Barili residents urged to conserve water amid looming El Niño

Local

RESIDENTS in Barili town, southern Cebu were urged to start conserving water as the town is starting to face shortage of water supply.

In a statement, Barili Mayor John-John Garcia said they acknowledge the continuing concerns of residents about water availability, especially with the looming Super El Niño expected to last until the first quarter of next year.

Garcia said the municipal government is taking initiatives and coordinating with the Cebu Provincial Government to address the water concern.

Establishment of the Barili Bulk Water Supply Project, which has been in the pipeline since the last administration, is being looked into, Garcia said.

But the project has more hurdles to overcome, especially the challenges in its implementation, which include the acquisition and use of private properties for the project, he said.

The local government unit has appealed to private property owners for cooperation and understanding to move forward with the initiative.

While waiting for the project's progress, Barili is addressing residents' immediate water needs through water rationing by the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO).

Barili urged its residents to coordinate with their barangay captains for the proper scheduling of water distribution.

Garcia said solving the water problem in the town requires coordination and collective effort between the local government and its people, urging them to conserve water and not to wait for the impact of Super El Niño before preparing.

"With the possibility of a very strong El Niño, every available water source must be protected and every drop of water must be used responsibly," Garcia said.

He added that the town will continue to coordinate with the provincial government, concerned agencies, barangays, and other stakeholders to help address the immediate and long-term water needs of the town.

Barili is among the towns covered under the proposed new water systems of the Cebu Provincial Inter-LGU Waterworks Systems Office (CPIWSO), together with the towns of Oslob and Malabuyoc.

The initiative targets completion between 2027 and 2028, with the aim of activating more waterworks systems in the province and benefiting around 15,000 households.(MyTVCebu)