WATER RIGHTS – Bohol Governor Aris Aumentado pushes for the implementation of an intermunicipal bulk water supply project that aims to deliver clean and reliable water to 15 municipalities in the province, with the Inabanga River as the primary source. (Contributed photo)
The provincial government of Bohol is pushing forward with a major intermunicipal bulk water supply project targeting 15 municipalities in its first phase, even as Governor Aris Aumentado moved to quell circulating claims that water from the Inabanga River would be diverted to Cebu at the expense of Bohol residents.
Aumentado categorically denied the allegations during a check distribution ceremony in Inabanga town, saying Boholanos — particularly Inabanga residents — would be the first to benefit from the water project.
“Kitang mga Bol-anon, ilabina kamong taga-Inabanga maoy mouna og tilaw sa tubig sa Bohol,” the governor said, roughly translated as: “We Boholanos, especially you from Inabanga, will be the first to taste the water of Bohol.”
He dismissed claims by unnamed groups that the municipality of Inabanga stood to lose from the project. “They don’t own that water alone — it comes all the way from Dagohoy,” Aumentado said, referring to the Wahig River in Dagohoy, one of the main tributaries of the Inabanga River.
The governor acknowledged a remote possibility of eventually sharing surplus water with Cebu, but stressed that Bohol’s own needs take clear precedence. “We are not thinking of bringing it to Cebu because Boholanos need this water more,” he said. “Maybe someday, if the supply exceeds what our municipalities can use, we can share it with Cebu as our sister province — but that is far off.”
15 Municipalities
The Bohol Municipal Bulk Water Supply Project, in its first phase, is set to serve the municipalities of Loon, Calape, Tubigon, Clarin, Inabanga, Buenavista, Talibon, Getafe, Bien Unido, Trinidad, Ubay, President Carlos P. Garcia, Sagbayan, Danao and San Miguel.
Under the plan, the primary water source will be the Inabanga River, which will be connected to other potential water sources within the covered municipalities to ensure continuous and adequate distribution.
Provincial consultant Engr. Rogelio Vergara presented the project details during a meeting attended by mayors of the local government units that have water sources relevant to the project.
Aumentado said he was pleased with the positive response from the participating LGUs.
“We are happy with the positive feedback from the municipalities and their unified support for us to have an adequate water supply,” Aumentado said, adding that water security is a key indicator of the province’s development.
To move forward, the provincial government must secure water rights through the National Water Resources Board (NWRB), a process Aumentado described as a legal requirement that must be completed before project implementation.
Inabanga to Have Separate Waterworks
In response to Inabanga’s specific concerns, the local government unit — led by Mayor Dexter Muneses Ancla and Vice Mayor Jon Cenabre — has proposed establishing its own waterworks system.
Aumentado said the province, along with 2nd District Rep. Vanessa “Van-van” Cadorna Aumentado, would assist the municipality.
The congresswoman has reportedly allocated P50 million this year to kick off the waterworks project in Inabanga.
Cadorna Aumentado will also earmark P5 million for the barangays of Liloan Norte, Datag, and U-Og for priority projects including the construction or completion of covered courts.
The governor encouraged barangay officials to submit formal resolutions to him, to Vice Governor and to members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for future funding requests, but reminded them to first settle unliquidated funds to expedite processing.
Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Handel Lagunay confirmed that Inabanga and other towns in the eastern and northern portions of Bohol are among the intended beneficiaries of the province’s intermunicipal bulk water project.
Meanwhile, Aumentado has appealed to the national government for stronger support on multiple provincial priorities, including the bulk water project.
During a courtesy call at the Bohol Capitol, the governor received Assistant Secretary Lorenzo Sagucio Jr. of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President, alongside Provincial Administrator Asteria Caberte and Chief of Staff Atty. Filipina Piollo. Officials from BEDIPO, PPDO and BPTO also attended.
The discussions centered on the Strategic Governance Roadmap 2025–2028 and possible collaboration between the provincial government and national agencies.
Aumentado raised the issue of Batasan Island in Tubigon, which is slowly sinking and has displaced or endangered nearly 1,000 households. Sagucio acknowledged the urgency of the matter.
The governor also sought backing from the Office of the President, through the Special Assistant to the President, for the proposed conversion of the old Tagbilaran City Airport into a Bohol Business Park — a project the provincial government is banking on to drive economic growth.
On the water project, Aumentado specifically asked for assistance in accelerating the processing of water rights with the NWRB, which he said is critical to moving the bulk water supply project forward.