Bukidnon water district gears up as Super El Niño threatens supply

VALENCIA CITY, Bukidnon — As the country braces for the Super El Niño projected to peak at the end of 2026 and persist until the first half of 2027, the Valencia City Water District (VCWD) here has stepped up proactive measures to protect water security across 17 of the city’s 31 villages.

Michael Pornia, VCWD administration and general services manager, told the Inquirer on Tuesday that the district currently relies on deep wells for 91 percent of its operations, serving over 27,000 connections without any production slowdowns reported thus far.

To prepare for the looming severe dry spell and manage water loss, the district is aggressively repairing underground pipes and invisible leaks, he said.

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READ: Valencia City allots P140M as it gears up vs. El Niño

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While contingency planning for past dry spells caused minimal disruptions, Pornia said management remains vigilant as the weather bureau forecasts El Niño to hit Bukidnon hardest in the first quarter of 2027.

To augment supply, VCWD completed two new pump stations this year, bringing the total to 14 operational pumps.

These are supported by newly constructed 500-cubic-meter reservoirs at the main office and covering interior barangays such as Dagat-Kidavao and Banlag, alongside an upcoming 1,000-cubic-meter facility slated for the Guinabot and Isidro areas.

For elevated and vulnerable zones like Paglaum Village in upper Barangay Lumbo, the district plans to boost an existing water reservoir to secure adequate supply, with water tankers on standby for emergency deployment alongside backup generators at pumping stations to guard against power disruptions, Lesly Joy Balcos, a VCWD water resource section personnel, said.

Balcos added that the remaining villages currently rely on their local barangay water systems, deep wells, and natural water springs for their daily consumption./coa