The City of Alegria in southern Cebu has declared a state of calamity due to a severe water supply crisis affecting nearly half of its population. Mayor Gilberto Magallon announced the declaration on Monday, June 29, 2026, stating that approximately 44% of residents are impacted, particularly in the barangays of Madridejos, Valencia, and Compostela.
Mayor Cites Urgency for Faster Emergency Response
In a media interview, Magallon explained that the state of calamity declaration would expedite the processing of necessary requirements, especially in budgeting and finance. "We declared this state of calamity so that we can process our needs more quickly, especially regarding budgeting and finance," he said. The local government unit has already passed a resolution to officially declare the state of calamity.
Magallon emphasized the critical nature of the water shortage, warning that without water, people would face dire consequences within days. "If there is no water, in three days you will die… in three days without water, people will go wild. So, it is very alarming; many are complaining now, so we have to make a move," he added.
Emergency Funds and Provincial Assistance Sought
The declaration allows for faster release of emergency funds to address the water shortage. Magallon also appealed to Governor Pamela Baricuatro for assistance in restoring a stable water supply. "I hope Gov. Pam and the Provincial Government can also help us with our problem with water. This is also one of our urgent requests from the Governor," he said.
According to the mayor, the crisis stems from issues with the PHP 95 million water system project under the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP), which faced implementation deficiencies. The city was also hit by Typhoon Odette in 2021, which damaged water pipes and other infrastructure. Additionally, road concreting projects cut some underground water pipes because the water project was completed before the roads.
Interim Solution via Badian
To provide an immediate solution, Alegria has coordinated with the Municipality of Badian to obtain water for Barangay Balhaan. The city continues to seek long-term remedies to ensure a reliable water supply for all affected residents.
