By Nimfa L. Estrellado-Laurino Coun. Rhaetia "Sunshine" Abcede-Llaga raises concerns over water supply issues and the potential i...
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| Coun. Rhaetia "Sunshine" Abcede-Llaga raises concerns over water supply issues and the potential impact of El Niño during the June 22 session of the Lucena City Council. (Sangguniang Panlungsod - Lucena City) |
LUCENA CITY, Quezon — Before dawn breaks over parts of Lucena, some residents still wake to listen for the sound of water moving through their pipes. A few minutes of flow can determine how a family cooks, cleans and prepares for the day ahead, especially in households that have adapted to unpredictable water schedules.
Buckets remain lined up outside homes in some neighborhoods, while others depend on stored water collected during brief periods of service. For many residents, uncertainty has become part of daily life as the absence of a dependable water supply continues to reshape household routines.
Now, that uncertainty is colliding with a looming climate threat as forecasters warn that El Niño could bring prolonged dry conditions across the country. The prospect of below-normal rainfall has heightened concerns that existing water shortages may worsen in the months ahead.
Water service complaints have persisted for years in Lucena and have increasingly fueled public frustration. Similar concerns have also emerged in Tayabas and Pagbilao, communities served through the same QMWD system.
The issues took center stage during the regular session of the 20th Sangguniang Panlungsod ng Lucena on June 22, 2026. Council members examined water service concerns, possible accountability measures and the potential effects of El Niño on local supply conditions.
Coun. Rhaetia "Sunshine" Abcede-Llaga focused on the risks posed by a potential El Niño event and the added strain it could place on communities already facing water supply concerns. She cited forecasts indicating a 79 percent chance of dry conditions extending into early 2027 and affecting parts of Quezon Province.
The councilor warned that the city could face a more difficult situation if water shortages worsen while demand remains high. She said local officials should prepare now before dry conditions place additional pressure on water supplies.
"Ayon sa PAGASA, sa pagpasok ng Hunyo, Hulyo at Agosto ay may 79% chance na makakaranas ng El Niño ang Pilipinas at magtatagal hanggang pasimula ng 2027. Ang lalawigan ng Quezon ay makakaranas ng dry condition with expected below normal rainfall condition sa October at November, kaya dapat maging handa tayo sa mas matinding epekto nito sa ating water supply," Abcede-Llaga said.
Abcede-Llaga also urged closer scrutiny of the Joint Venture Agreement between the Quezon Metropolitan Water District and PrimeWater. She called for a review of existing agreements and service commitments as the city weighs possible responses to continuing water supply concerns.
Questions surround the future of the agreement as QMWD reviews its relationship with the private water provider. Reports indicate that the water district adopted a resolution seeking the pre-termination of its agreement with PrimeWater over alleged contractual breaches and consumer dissatisfaction.
The Quezon Metropolitan Water District supplies water services to Lucena City, Tayabas City and Pagbilao through its partnership with PrimeWater. The pre-termination process remains unresolved, allowing the joint venture to continue while reviews proceed.
Similar concerns have also emerged in Tayabas City, where local officials have reported continuing complaints about low water pressure, service interruptions and unreliable supply. The city government has already demanded a concrete improvement plan from PrimeWater and continues to explore legal options as it seeks long-term solutions to the problem.
Pagbilao officials have also raised concerns over recurring water service issues affecting residents in several barangays. Local leaders previously supported efforts to review the QMWD-PrimeWater partnership and called for measures that would secure a more reliable water supply for affected communities.
"Hindi maaaring nasa dilim ang mga mamamayan ng Lucena tungkol sa mga agreements ng QMWD at PrimeWater, kung meron man. Ang mga mamamayan ang nakakaranas ng paghihirap sa tubig kung kaya't dapat ay alam nila ang anumang magiging hakbangin tungkol sa pagsasaayos ng water service. We cannot be kept in the dark. We deserve to know. Dahil ito ay sama-samang pagkilos, kinakailangan nating magkaroon ng datos tungkol sa klase ng serbisyo ng tubig na meron ang Lungsod ng Lucena," Abcede-Llaga said.
Neither QMWD nor PrimeWater responded during the council discussions, although council members said both entities may be invited to future proceedings. The councilor proposed creating a fact-finding team of barangay officials, civic groups and volunteers to document citywide water conditions.
Questions about government responsibility for the water crisis prompted Gov. Angelina "Helen" Tan to explain the limits of provincial authority over water district operations. She said local water districts operate independently under national oversight, limiting the provincial government's authority to intervene directly in their day-to-day operations.
Gov. Angelina "Helen" Tan advised local officials to review the agreement and determine whether contractual obligations have been violated. She said legal remedies should be explored if service failures can be properly documented.
"Ang action dapat ng local government is to get a legal team to review the joint venture agreement na pinasok ng QMWD with PrimeWater. Meron bang mga violations? Kung ang isinisisi natin ay poor service ng PrimeWater, ano bang naging dahilan?" Tan said.
Tan said Lucena, Tayabas and Pagbilao fall under the QMWD system, while Alabat faces a different set of water supply challenges. She also noted that the province continues to construct water supply projects, deploy water trucks and develop a bulk water project in Atimonan.
"Kahit wala kaming direct control dyan sa QMWD at PrimeWater, we're doing our best to find solutions. Direct to the people ang ginagawa namin dahil tuloy-tuloy ang delivery ng tubig at pagpapatayo ng mga water supply projects sa iba't ibang lugar sa Quezon," the governor said.
The council's discussion also turned to the economic consequences of prolonged supply disruptions. Councilor Benito "Baste" Brizuela Jr. focused his remarks on the burden carried by businesses, consumers and taxpayers.
Earlier in the session, Brizuela highlighted the mounting financial pressure on city businesses and small enterprises. He said many establishments have absorbed costs that threaten their ability to operate and grow.
"Our micro, small and medium enterprises, our local eateries, car washes, laundromats and food processors are being choked. Pinipilit silang magbayad ng minimum monthly utility bills para sa tubig na hindi naman nila natatanggap habang sabay na gumagastos ng napakalaking halaga para bumili ng alternatibong commercial water para lamang mapanatiling bukas ang kanilang negosyo. How can we promote local trade and investment when our businesses cannot even guarantee water flowing from their pipes?" Brizuela said.
Brizuela questioned the rising public cost of responding to service interruptions. He noted that government vehicles, personnel and resources continue to support emergency water rationing operations throughout the city.
Brizuela said the financial burden of emergency water distribution has increasingly shifted to the local government and its taxpayers. He argued that residents are effectively paying twice for a service they expect to receive through their monthly water bills.
"Ang pribadong concessionaire ang nangungulekta ng mga kita, samantala ang pamahalaan ng Lucena City at ang ating mga taxpayers ang pumapasan ng operational cost ng crudo, truck maintenance at manpower para gawin ang trabahong nabigo nilang panindigan. Ang servisyong nakasaad na dapat natatanggap natin ayon sa kontrata ay napupunta ngayon sa mga resources ng lokal na pamahalaan na maaari sanang magamit sa iba pang mahahalagang pangangailangan ng ating mga mamamayan," Brizuela said.
Brizuela proposed a four-point agenda that includes an economic impact inquiry, a water-rationing cost audit, a compliance review and QMWD contingency plans. He said the measures could provide a stronger factual basis for future policy decisions.
Several council members backed the proposals during the session and echoed calls for a broader examination of the city's water situation. Majority Floor Leader Wilbert Noche proposed an executive-legislative meeting to align priorities before a formal information hour.
For residents still waiting for reliable water service, the questions raised during the session remain unanswered. Council members signaled that the issue will return to the agenda as Lucena confronts the possibility of prolonged dry conditions and continued supply challenges.
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