By CHRIS V. PANGANIBAN
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur – Butuan City faces an ongoing water crisis as the Taguibo Watershed, the main source for the Butuan City Water District (BCWD), continues to run dangerously low.
Despite recent rainfall, the water supply from Taguibo Aquatech Solutions Corporation (TASC) is still far from normal levels, dropping to just 32.25 million liters per day (MLD) from 34 MLD, as reported by the Butuan City Public Information Office (PIO) on Monday.
The shortage is hitting remote areas hardest, where residents are grappling with either no water supply or weak pressure. With the situation worsening, BCWD is urging everyone to conserve water and collaborate in this critical time of need.
In a bid to ease the strain, BCWD has activated its three pump stations and is working on repairing damaged distribution lines. Additionally, “Oplan Sag-ob” has been put into action at Pump Station No. 1 in Alviola Village, Barangay Baan Km. 3, from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Despite these efforts, however, the water supply remains insufficient to meet the growing demand.
To further manage the situation, water rationing has been enforced in barangays such as Masao, San Vicente, Libertad, and Villakanangga, with water trucks now deployed to these areas. The delivery schedules, however, may change depending on the circumstances. BCWD is working closely with the City Government of Butuan, the Bureau of Fire Protection, and private partners to ensure smoother water distribution.
In a notable shift, BCWD Public Information Officer Ramil Barquin announced that water rationing will no longer be done house-to-house to avoid delays and improve coverage.
“Continuing house-to-house distribution will leave many areas without water. After a meeting with the Liga ng mga Barangay and City Hall, we’ve agreed that distribution will now be done barangay-to-barangay, with water tankers stationed in every Purok,” said Barquin. This new method is designed to speed up distribution and provide more areas with much-needed supply.
Residents are urged to bring clean containers for water collection and to be patient as the process continues. BCWD also encourages the public to stay updated with announcements from the Butuan City PIO and PAGASA.
Meanwhile, the Easterlies have been affecting the region, bringing both intense heat and occasional rain, which is expected to increase water demand. Authorities are reminding everyone to stay hydrated, wear sun protection, and be mindful of the heat to avoid dehydration.
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