BUTUAN WATER CRISIS PROMPTS DEMAND FOR ACCOUNTABILITY

Criticism of the Butuan City Water District (BCWD) and city government has intensified as residents face recurring water supply interruptions.

Residents are calling for greater transparency and a long-term water security plan instead of relying on emergency measures such as the “Oplan Sag-Ob” water-fetching program.

BCWD reported that the Taguibo watershed had gone 23 days without sufficient rainfall, causing streamflow and dam levels to fall below critical thresholds.

Mayor Lawrence Lemuel “Law” Fortun said the city purchased three submersible pumps to help improve water pressure but acknowledged that these measures would not fully solve the crisis.

Residents also warned that shortages are affecting households, businesses, hospitals, and patients, and urged authorities to disclose project timelines, additional capacity, and contingency measures.

Source: PhilNews24 | September 7, 2026