BY CARLA KRISTINE VIA, RHUELLA SALDUA & ANDRE MARCO AMPIG/UM INTERNS
FIRST District Councilor Diosdado Angelo Mahipus Jr. shot down the idea of supplying water to the Island Garden City of Samal until the Davao City Water District can ensure sustainability and resiliency of its services to its Davaoeño customers.
During the 21st City Council regular session on May 26, Mahipus submitted a resolution arguing that distribution to neighboring areas must not be pursued unless the DCWD can secure a long-term supply, including emergency contingencies.
The resolution also noted that exporting water could compromise the city’s emergency preparedness, reserve capacity, and overall water security if implemented without a comprehensive study.
It also underscored the need to protect local watersheds and maintain sustainable extraction levels, warning that increased allocation to areas outside Davao City may lead to depletion of groundwater, heightened vulnerability during disasters or supply disruptions, and strain the infrastructure.
“In times of prolonged drought, contamination events, system failures, earthquakes, climate-related emergencies, or critical infrastructure disruptions, who ultimately answers to the people if supply becomes insufficient? It will not be LWUA. It will not be the NWRB. It will not be distant agencies in Manila. It will be the local government of Davao City,” he said.
“It will be the city government. It will be this Sanggunian, and it will be the leaders elected by the people of Davao City who will answer for the consequences. And therefore, the city has every right, indeed every duty to evaluate these risks under its police power mandate,” Mahipus said in his privilege speech.
The proposed resolution was also backed by 1st District Councilor Temujin Ocampo, who stated that there is a significant decrease in surface water levels due to El Niño, and Councilor Louie John Bonguyan.
To recall, during the Davao Peace and Security Press Corps Press Conference in The Royal Mandaya Hotel on May 6, 2026, DCWD spokesperson JC Duhaylungsod said the utility firm is open to supplying water to Samal Island.
