CEBU CITY — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is seeking an additional P1 billion to purchase water tanker trucks and other water-delivery equipment as Cebu prepares for possible shortages during the El Niño.
Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the proposed funding, expected to come from the Office of the President, would support the procurement of additional tankers for local government units (LGUs), particularly in areas expected to face severe water shortages.
“Cebu will be hit hard. Kaya ngayon pa lang nag emergency purchase kami ng tanker trucks (Cebu will be hit hard. That is why we are already making emergency purchases of tanker trucks),” Remulla said in an interview during his visit to Cebu last Thursday.
The additional units are targeted for delivery by January, depending on equipment availability. Remulla did not specify the number of tankers the proposed allocation would cover.
The tankers would help LGUs deliver water to communities when regular supplies become scarce, although Remulla acknowledged that transporting water would increase local governments’ operating expenses.
He said the government will prioritize providing water to residents regardless of political affiliation, emphasizing that the assistance was intended to address public needs during the anticipated crisis.
Aside from tankers, the government is considering desalination boats to supply communities, particularly island municipalities, with limited access to freshwater.
Remulla directed local chief executives to identify available water sources, especially in island communities, to help authorities determine where to deploy water-delivery equipment.
He encouraged LGUs to procure water containers, including drums, so households could store water delivered by tanker trucks.
Cebu faces particular challenges in securing water because of its limestone terrain, which can make groundwater resources difficult to access in some areas, Remulla said.
He said he had requested additional water tankers from the fire service deployed in Cebu.
