Butuan City Faces Growing Calls for Accountability Over Water Shortages

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur — Criticism of the local water district and the city government has intensified as residents of Butuan City endure yet another round of water supply interruptions. Citizens are calling for greater accountability and a long-term plan to secure the city’s water supply, arguing that recurring shortages can no longer be treated solely as emergencies caused by dry weather. Online, consumers are urging the Butuan City Water District (BCWD) and local officials to disclose what measures have been completed and how they intend to prevent similar crises. The criticism follows the BCWD’s reintroduction of “Oplan Sag-Ob” (Fetch Water), an emergency measure allowing concessionaires to collect water from designated distribution points when regular service is inadequate. While residents acknowledge the necessity of water rationing during emergencies, they emphasize that such programs should not substitute for reliable infrastructure and long-term preparedness. Luna Kaisog, a resident, stated, “Emergency measures should remain emergency measures. They cannot become institutionalized substitutes for infrastructure.” Kaisog urged the BCWD to publicly present a comprehensive water security and drought resilience plan with measurable targets, project costs, and completion timelines. This plan, she suggested, should include projections of Butuan’s water demand, the condition of existing pumping stations, reservoirs, and wells, potential alternative sources, additional storage requirements, watershed protection measures, and targets for reducing water lost through leaks. Butuan City Mayor Lawrence Lemuel “Law” Fortun addressed the water shortage during his State of the City Address on August 5. He affirmed that water supply remains the responsibility of the BCWD but revealed that the city government had purchased three submersible pumps to help improve water pressure, particularly during dry periods. However, he conceded that these interventions alone would not suffice to solve the city's water problems. According to the BCWD, the Taguibo watershed had experienced 23 days without sufficient rainfall as of August 24. Streamflow had declined to approximately 42 million to 43 million liters per day, and the dam level had dropped to 3.58 meters, below the critical four-meter threshold. This deterioration prompted the resumption of “Oplan Sag-Ob.” Resident Allen Kenneth Pacis questioned the lack of stronger contingency measures despite earlier indications of a potentially severe dry period. Pacis highlighted that the water shortage affects not only households and businesses but also hospitals and patients, including those undergoing dialysis who rely on a consistent water supply for treatment. “This is not simply an inconvenience,” he warned, noting that disruptions to essential services could have severe consequences for patients. Netizens have called on the city government and the water district to publish project timelines, expected additional capacity, and contingency measures that can be activated before water levels reach critical thresholds. The BCWD and the city government have yet to issue a detailed response to the criticisms and proposals. Source: Inquirer NewsInfo