Water theft, defective equipment, and missing fire hydrants undermine fire safety efforts in Mandaue City, prompting the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to intensify coordination to address the problem.
Ongoing Issue of Unauthorized Water Extraction
Cesar Boroy, acting division manager of the MCWD Water Distribution Division, said that the unauthorized extraction of water from fire hydrants is a persistent issue in several parts of the city. This problem affects the reliability of hydrants that firefighters depend on during emergencies. "The problem has been ongoing for a long time," Boroy noted, emphasizing that incidents of illegal water extraction continue to be reported in various areas, including near the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC).
Defective Hydrants and Data Discrepancies
The issue extends beyond water theft. A recent inspection conducted by the BFP found that 13 of the city's 53 identified fire hydrants were defective. The MCWD estimated that there are around 100 hydrants across Mandaue, but Boroy said the exact number needs verification because some units have disappeared, were stolen, or are no longer found at their recorded locations. These discrepancies prompted MCWD and BFP officials to schedule discussions to reconcile their data. The meetings aim to determine the actual condition and number of hydrants operating in the city. Once authorities finalize the list, they plan to prioritize repairs and replacements. Boroy said workers target to complete the restoration work within the year, subject to the approval of the budget for materials and repairs.
Low Water Pressure Concerns
Apart from damaged hydrants, some areas of the city experience low water pressure. Boroy explained that water pressure depends largely on a hydrant's distance from the water source and the configuration of the distribution network. "The farther a hydrant is from the source, the weaker the pressure can become," Boroy said. Hydrants located in parts of central Mandaue are among those experiencing lower water pressure, raising concerns about their effectiveness during major fire incidents.
Contingency Measures and Theft Prevention
Despite the challenges, Boroy assured residents that MCWD has contingency measures in place. During emergencies, the utility can redirect water supply from other lines to boost pressure in affected hydrants. MCWD also maintains a 24-hour hotline to respond to urgent requests from firefighters and local authorities. To curb water theft, MCWD seals or locks hydrants that people repeatedly target instead of permanently disconnecting them from the system. Boroy said this approach ensures that the hydrants remain readily accessible and operational whenever firefighters need them during emergencies.
Long-Term Solutions
MCWD is also exploring long-term solutions to protect the city's fire hydrant network. Among these is a proposal to sign memoranda of agreement with local government units and barangays to formalize community participation in monitoring and safeguarding hydrants. Under the proposed arrangement, barangay officials and residents would help report suspicious activities and prevent vandalism, theft, and unauthorized use of hydrants. Boroy also clarified that not all barangays have fire hydrants because their installation originally formed part of the design of the water distribution system. Additional hydrants may still be installed in areas identified as needing greater fire protection coverage, subject to technical assessments and available funding.
As Mandaue continues to expand, authorities emphasize the need to secure and maintain fire hydrants. Damaged or stolen units could compromise emergency response efforts and place communities at greater risk during fires.
