CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) — To improve water access and sustainability in the city, the Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD), with support from the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), has introduced a P6.7-billion plan that will span five years.
“Diha sa 5-year development plan, mapakita nato nga ang una nato nga goal is to deliver reliable water supply. So there are pipeline reinforcement projects, gikan sa Bulua, Barra, Canitoan, Iponan, Opol, Pagatpat, and Carmen that are already programmed from 2025 to 2027,” COWD Interim General Manager Fermin Jarales said during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas on November 26.
(In the 5-year development plan, we can see that our first goal is to deliver a reliable water supply. This includes pipeline reinforcement projects in Bulua, Barra, Canitoan, Iponan, Opol, Pagatpat, and Carmen, which are already scheduled from 2025 to 2027.)
He added that the plan aims to enhance water reliability, expand coverage, rehabilitate aging infrastructure, and ensure long-term sustainability while addressing environmental concerns and increasing public trust.
Major projects include a 4.1-kilometer pipeline upgrade in Iponan costing P99 million and a 4.3-kilometer reinforcement in Pagatpat valued at P116 million. Similar investments are being made in Lumbia, Carmen, and other areas to minimize service interruptions and optimize water pressure for residents.
The plan also focuses on ensuring adequate water supply by constructing new reservoirs and water treatment facilities. Four large-scale reservoirs, including 3,000-cubic-meter structures in Opol, Upper Carmen, and Bulao Iponan, will cost P75 million each. A flagship project, the P2-billion surface water treatment plant in the West Area, is expected to bolster the city’s capacity to meet growing demand and support urban development.
Pipeline expansion projects will extend water service to underserved communities. Significant allocations include P803 million for Opol, P208 million for Lumbia, and additional investments for new transmission and distribution pipelines in areas such as Canitoan, Bulua-Igpit, and JR Borja Extension. These expansions are designed to bridge service gaps and ensure equitable access to potable water across the city.
“Sa maintenance, nakita gyud nato nga karaan na o aged ang atong pipelines, and there are technical losses sa leakages. Pasabot nga 50 anyos naman kita, ang atong mga linya taas-taas na sad ang pangidaron. Naa’y mga usik gyud nga gitawag nato og non-revenue water,” Jarales said.
(In maintenance, we can clearly see that our pipelines are old or aged, leading to technical losses due to leakages. This means that since we are already 50 years old as a system, many of our lines are also quite old. There is significant wastage, which we refer to as non-revenue water.)
A major component of the plan is the rehabilitation of aging pipelines, some of which are over 36 and 49 years old. Key projects include a P549-million upgrade for pipelines in Lapasan-Gusa-Cugman and P269 million allocated for the Carmen-Patag area. These improvements will significantly reduce water losses, improve safety, and modernize the city’s water infrastructure.
Expanding service coverage is another priority, with efforts concentrated on barangays like FS Catanico and Upper Agusan. Plans include new production wells, reservoirs, and distribution systems, with FS Catanico receiving a P30-million investment for production well development and Upper Agusan benefiting from P10 million for distribution and P15 million for reservoir construction.
Care for the environment
Environmental sustainability is a critical element of the initiative. Projects include riverbank rehabilitation in Balubal for P720,000 and a three-year riparian reforestation program in Dansolihon, Bayanga, and Tignapoloan costing P1.5 million. Additionally, over the next 20 years, a P200-million septage management program aims to enhance waste management and mitigate environmental impact.
The benefits of the program are extensive. By improving water reliability and reducing non-revenue water, the city is expected to save costs, enhance service quality, and boost community trust. The plan also prioritizes regulatory compliance, environmental conservation, and infrastructure resilience, ensuring that COWD services remain adaptive to climate challenges and future growth.
“Gatan-aw ta that this will be long-term, sustainably operated ang atong water district by the time that mahuman ang period of interim, mahimong mapuslanon ang atong pag-intervene sa LWUA dinhi sa atong Cagayan de Oro City Water District,” Jarales said.
(We see this as a long-term solution, ensuring that our water district will be sustainably operated. By the time the interim period is completed, we hope that our intervention through LWUA in the Cagayan de Oro City Water District will be beneficial). (RTP/PIA-10)
