Borbon Confronts Looming Water Crisis Amidst Municipal and Private Provider Dispute
A severe water crisis is emerging in Borbon, located in northern Cebu, as a contentious dispute between the Municipal Council and the private water provider Savs Borbon disrupts critical service management and billing collection processes. This conflict has escalated following the local government unit's decision to revoke a long-standing joint venture agreement, plunging the community into uncertainty over water access and payments.
Revocation of Agreement Sparks Confusion and Collection Issues
The local government unit took decisive action on January 22, 2026, by terminating its 25-year joint venture agreement with Savs Borbon, citing alleged violations that included a failure to deliver reliable water service to residents. In the aftermath, confusion has mounted as Savs continues to collect payments from consumers, while Mayor Nico Dotillos has directed the Borbon Water District to initiate fee collections this week, creating a dual-billing scenario that exacerbates the crisis.
Since early this year, the LGU has assumed control of the Borbon Water System, a move Dotillos attributes to increasing complaints from residents and a signature campaign led by barangay officials. He emphasized that the water issues are not new but stem from nearly 11 years of systemic mismanagement under the former distributor, requiring substantial funding and phased repairs due to limited resources.
Long-Standing Problems and Financial Challenges Highlighted
In an interview shared on Facebook, Mayor Dotillos detailed the depth of the problem, noting that initial estimates for pipe repairs were around P40 million, a sum the LGU lacks, with engineers later realizing the scale of rehabilitation needed is even larger. He expressed confidence in the LGU's efforts to address the issue, stating, "We are doing what we can to fix the problem that fell on our lap," and committed to resolving the crisis for the people of Borbon.
Dotillos also warned of legal action if Savs refuses to vacate government property, following a notice from the Municipal Council that gave the firm three days to leave. He stressed that the issue is not political but centers on persistent water outages that have plagued the community, with the agreement originating during the term of former mayor Butch Sepulveda.
Savs Borbon Disputes Claims and Questions LGU Capability
In a separate interview, Savs president Arlene Villaruel contested the LGU's actions, arguing that the contract termination lacked due process. She asserted that the company could not meet its obligations because no facilities or assets were formally turned over by the LGU, questioning, "How can we pay something that we don't have a turnover?" Villaruel also doubted the LGU's ability to manage operations, particularly in collections, due to a lack of database access.
Villaruel defended Savs as a long-standing operator, not a "fly-by-night" entity, and confirmed that legal channels are now handling the dispute. Tensions have intensified after the LGU served a notice ordering Savs to vacate occupied premises, with the Municipal Council's resolution escalating the standoff.
As Borbon grapples with this water crisis, the conflict between the LGU and Savs Borbon underscores broader challenges in municipal water management, with residents caught in the crossfire of billing confusion and service disruptions. The situation highlights the urgent need for resolution to ensure reliable water access for the community.
