By Xander Ledesma
Moalboal, Cebu — Residents in several barangays of Moalboal now have improved access to a reliable water supply as Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia inaugurated the Capitol’s Level 3 Bulk Water Supply Project on October 28 at the Barangay Saavedra covered court. The project marks a significant step toward ending long-standing water scarcity issues in the area.
Joined by her daughter Carissa, Moalboal Mayor Inocentes Cabaron, Vice Mayor Paz Rozgoni, and Cebu Provincial Board Members Glenn Soco, Cesar Baricuatro, Loren Singco, and Jerome Librando, Governor Garcia led the ceremonial opening of the water valve, symbolizing the start of fresh water flowing directly to local households.
The new bulk water project, funded by the Capitol, offers a more affordable solution than private water suppliers who have charged up to P250 per cubic meter. The Capitol’s water rates are set to be lower than those of the local water district, which currently charges P11 per cubic meter for households and P23.50 per cubic meter for commercial users. Governor Garcia stated that the Provincial Water Resources Authority and the Provincial Board will regulate and approve the water tariffs to ensure transparency and fairness.
The project sources water from Budlot Spring in Barangay Bala, with an investment of P317 million for a water treatment facility, reservoir, and a 63-kilometer pipeline network that distributes water directly to homes. This infrastructure will serve approximately 8,690 households across nine barangays, including Basdiot, Tubli, Poblacion West, Poblacion East, Tunga, Lanao, Bugho, and Bala. Smart meters will monitor household water consumption, and data on usage and payments will be transmitted to the Capitol electronically.
This Moalboal project is the first completed under the Capitol’s extensive bulk water initiative, with similar projects underway in 24 other municipalities across Cebu. The Capitol has allocated P3.3 billion this year to expand bulk water supply access throughout the province.