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As Cebu braces for the dry summer months, concerns are mounting over the province’s water security amid warnings that an unstable power supply could worsen the situation.
According to the Cebu Electricity Rights Advocate (CERA), the availability of clean and reliable water is inseparable from energy stability, as the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) depends heavily on electricity to operate its pumping stations.
“True resilience requires shifting from a mindset of simply increasing capacity to one of Critical Infrastructure Resilience, where water and power systems are integrated and protected,” said Nathaniel Chua, CERA convener.
Power Instability Threatens Water Security
Chua emphasized that baseload power—continuous and reliable electricity generation—has become a prerequisite for ensuring a stable water supply. However, he warned that with the growing threat of grid instability, Cebu’s water distribution system could become vulnerable to disruptions.
“Unless something is done, water security will remain hostage to grid instability,” he said.
CERA is urging MCWD to strengthen its operations by ensuring that all major pumping stations are connected to dedicated, non-interruptible power lines from Visayan Electric.
Chua added that critical facilities such as Jaclupan and Lusaran must be equipped with onsite, high-capacity energy storage or microgrid solutions to sustain operations during “Yellow Alerts” or periods of power supply strain.
Consumer And Environmental Safeguards
Beyond infrastructure measures, CERA also called for stronger consumer protections. Chua proposed a zero-consumption fee moratorium to help households cope with rising costs, along with an enhanced lifeline program for low-income families.
He further urged government agencies to treat the Central Cebu Protected Landscape (CCPL) not only as an environmental zone but also as a vital economic asset that needs dedicated funding and protection from encroachment.
Addressing The Water Supply Gap
CERA estimates that Metro Cebu currently faces a 300 million-liter-per-day water supply gap, threatening both household consumption and the region’s economic growth. Chua said low water pressure in hydrants is already a visible sign of poor coordination between the power grid and MCWD’s pumping system.
To close this gap, he recommended providing stable power to all pumping stations, developing a clear roadmap for new generation plants to meet Cebu’s projected 150-megawatt annual growth in demand, and implementing tariff reforms and stronger transmission systems to attract investment.
Push For Local Generation
CERA’s campaign also highlights the need for Cebu to expand its own local power generation capacity to reduce dependence on the national grid. While renewable and waste-to-energy projects are seen as welcome additions, Chua cautioned that they “remain supplements rather than substitutes for reliable baseload power.”
With forecasts pointing to a tight supply-demand balance this year, CERA urged both the government and private sector to prioritize developing reliable island-based energy facilities.
“Consumers deserve water and energy systems that are resilient, transparent, and built to secure both household needs and long-term economic growth,” Chua said.
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