Flowing Against the Drought: How Cagayan de Oro Plans to Outsmart El Niño

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (November 7) — As forecasters warn of a severe dry spell stretching into early 2027, Cagayan de Oro isn’t waiting for taps to run dry.

City Hall and the Cagayan de Oro City Water District (COWD) have locked arms to safeguard the city’s water supply, deploying a double-barreled strategy: fast-tracked emergency measures for immediate relief, paired with a massive 10-year overhaul of the city’s water infrastructure.

During a emergency planning session, Mayor Rolando “Klarex” Uy directed city department heads to coordinate directly with COWD to keep water flowing, particularly to high-risk barangays prone to low pressure and dry taps.

“We are preparing for potentially worsening dry conditions through the first quarter of 2027,” Mayor Uy emphasized, highlighting the urgent need for seamless delivery across all neighborhoods.

Tapping the Rivers & Narrow-Street Deliveries

To boost raw water supply during peak drought, COWD has set its sights on two major natural lifelines: the Bobonawan River and the Cagayan River.

• ₱5-Million Emergency Treatment Facility: Blueprint plans are complete for a specialized water treatment plant designed to process water from these two river sources. The project is currently awaiting final funding release to begin construction.
• Reaching Every Neighborhood: Standard water delivery trucks often struggle to navigate tight community streets. COWD is adding smaller, mobile water tankers designed specifically for narrow barangay roads. Three are already making rounds in affected areas.

The Big Picture: A 10-Year Water Modernization

While El Niño poses an immediate threat, COWD Chairman Dr. Gerry Carno revealed a long-term plan to ensure Cagayan de Oro’s water security stays resilient for decades to come.

COWD’s proposed 2025–2035 Modernization Program—budgeted between ₱9.3 billion and ₱12 billion—targets the underlying causes of supply shortages:

• Replacing Aging Pipes: Overhauling decades-old distribution networks to stop underground leaks.
• Cutting NRW (Non-Revenue Water): Cracking down on system losses caused by unmetered leaks, pipe bursts, and illegal connections.
• Funding & Rate Transparency: Financing options include government subsidies, institutional loans,potential Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), and proposed tariff adjustments. Local officials assured residents that any proposed rate changes will undergo strict regulatory review before approval.

How Household Conservation Helps

While local agencies work on pipeline engineering and river tapping, Dr. Carno urged residents to do their part at home. Simple habits—like reusing laundry rinse water for flushing toilets, checking household pipes for hidden leaks, and storing water wisely—can significantly lighten the strain on the city grid during peak dry months.