Water security remains a pressing but often overlooked issue in many rural communities in the Philippines, where limited infrastructure, weak governance, and socioeconomic challenges hinder the effective management of water resources. In Tabogon, a rural municipality in northern Cebu, these constraints contribute to persistent issues in water accessibility, safety, and regulation. This study aimed to assess the current water security status and related concerns in selected barangays of Tabogon. A descriptive qualitative approach was employed, with data gathered through structured interviews involving 408 adult household representatives. The majority of respondents were female (64.7%), aged over 51 (35.5%), high school graduates (34.8%), and housewives (45.3%), living in households of three to six members (72.5%). Farming (29.2%) was the most common livelihood, and 28.9% reported a monthly income exceeding PhPz4 7,500 (approx. USD 129). Results indicated intermittent water supply, limited access to potable water, and weak enforcement of local water management policies. Furthermore, there was a noticeable absence of formal guidelines for groundwater use and poor implementation of existing water protection laws. These findings highlight critical gaps in rural water governance and infrastructure. The study contributes empirical evidence to support local policy development and advocates for targeted, community-based water security interventions in similarly underserved rural areas.
Paran et al. (Sun,) studied this question.