Butuan City water crisis sparks calls for accountability, solutions

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur — Criticism of the Butuan City Water District (BCWD) and the city government has intensified as residents endure another round of water supply interruption, prompting calls for greater accountability and a long-term plan to secure the city’s water supply.

Posts on social media stated the recurring shortages could no longer be treated solely as an emergency caused by dry weather.

Consumers urged the BCWD and local officials to disclose what measures had been completed and how they intended to prevent similar crises.

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The criticism followed the return of BCWD’s “Oplan Sag-Ob,” an emergency measure that allows concessionaires to fetch water from designated distribution stations when regular service is inadequate.

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While residents acknowledged the importance of water rationing during emergencies, they said the program should not become a substitute for reliable infrastructure and long-term preparation.

“Emergency measures should remain emergency measures. They cannot become institutionalized substitutes for infrastructure,” Luna Kaisog stated.

Kaisog called on the BCWD to publicly present a comprehensive water security and drought resilience plan containing measurable targets, project costs and completion timelines.

The proposed plan should include projections of Butuan’s water demand, the condition of existing pumping stations, reservoirs and wells, possible alternative sources, additional storage requirements, watershed protection measures and targets for reducing water lost through leaks and other causes, she said.

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Butuan City Mayor Lawrence Lemuel “Law” Fortun raised the water shortage issue during his State of the City Address on Aug. 5.

Fortun said water supply remained the responsibility of the BCWD, but disclosed that the city government had purchased three submersible pumps to help improve water pressure, particularly during dry periods.

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He, however, acknowledged that these interventions would not be enough to solve the city’s water problems.

On Aug. 24, BCWD reported that the Taguibo watershed had experienced 23 days without sufficient rainfall. Streamflow had declined to about 42 million to 43 million liters a day, while the dam level had dropped to 3.58 meters—below the four-meter critical threshold.

The deterioration prompted the water district to resume “Oplan Sag-Ob (Fetch Water)” 

Resident Allen Kenneth Pacis questioned why stronger contingency measures had not been put in place despite earlier indications of a potentially severe dry period.

Pacis said the water shortage affected not only households and businesses but also hospitals and patients, including those undergoing dialysis who depend on a reliable water supply for treatment.

“This is not simply an inconvenience,” he said, warning that disruptions in essential services could have serious consequences for patients.

Netizens called on the city government and the water district to publish project timelines, expected additional capacity and contingency measures that could be activated before water levels reach critical thresholds.

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The BCWD and the city government have not issued a detailed response to the criticisms and proposals. /gsg