Water drilling has begun at the Girl Scout Camp in Kalunasan, Cebu City, targeting upland “thirsty zones” and the Cebu City Jail, as supply gaps persist.
Water-source exploration drilling has started at the Girl Scout Camp in Barangay Kalunasan, Cebu City, as officials move to address long-running water shortages in the upland parts of the community.
The project is being carried out by the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) under Cebu City Government Resolution 17-2344-2026, approved on Feb.. 3, 2026.. The resolution authorized MCWD to continue exploration drilling and specifically prioritized Kalunasan, where residents in higher elevations have struggled to get stable access to piped water.
City officials previously pointed out that a 2019 authorization had allowed MCWD to drill in several public school sites, but no exploration work was carried out at the time.. The new city resolution, according to MCWD’s statements, reflects a renewed push for additional and more sustainable water sources as Cebu City continues to face supply constraints that affect households, businesses, and public institutions.
Why the “thirsty zones” matter in Kalunasan
The drilling site inside the Girl Scout Camp is part of the resolution’s initial implementation phase.. It targets upland areas of Kalunasan, including areas described as “thirsty zones,” a label tied to geography—elevation has made it harder for residents to be reached by MCWD’s main distribution lines.
For many upland communities, limited connection to the primary network can translate into inconsistent supply and a heavier reliance on alternative sources, which often become less reliable during dry spells.. That seasonal pattern has been a recurring pressure point, especially for communities that do not have the same access to backup options.
Cebu City Jail connection is a key test
Beyond households, the project also has a clear institutional priority: the Cebu City Jail (CCJ).. MCWD plans to make the Kalunasan well operational within the year and intends to supply water not just to nearby communities but also to the CCJ, identified by the City Council as a priority beneficiary.
The urgency is hard to miss.. Jail officials have said there has been no direct MCWD connection since the CCJ opened in 2006 because of elevation.. Over the years, attempts to secure a connection to the water line have not succeeded, turning the lack of a stable source into a persistent concern—particularly during the dry season when demand increases and available supply becomes more limited.
From a practical perspective, a new well represents more than infrastructure. It can mean fewer disruptions in daily operations and improved reliability for basic needs in facilities that must manage large populations every day, regardless of weather.
What drilling can change—and what still needs to follow
MCWD said drilling activities in Kalunasan are being done in compliance with safety, environmental, and coordination requirements set out in the resolution.. Officials are aiming to complete the well so it can support MCWD’s broader effort to strengthen long-term water security, especially in areas that are difficult to reach through conventional distribution routes.
Even so, the benefits will depend on what comes after exploration.. Making a well operational involves more than finding water—it requires reliable production, appropriate system integration, and continued coordination with local beneficiaries so that supply can translate into everyday access.. In upland barangays, the timing of completion can also determine whether communities are better prepared for the next dry season.
There is also a broader trend behind this move.. As Cebu City continues to grapple with supply constraints, the focus on “hard-to-reach” areas suggests that future improvements may increasingly rely on localized sources rather than expanding connectivity alone.. If the Kalunasan well performs as expected, it could serve as a model for how the city addresses elevation-related gaps in potable water access—one upland community at a time.