Cebu City can now use P27 million calamity fund

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City government is now authorized to utilize the calamity funds under the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CCDRRMO) account amounting to P27.5 million to address the effects of the El Niño phenomenon in the city.

During the special session yesterday, the City Council placed the entire city under state of calamity after approving the resolution of Councilor David Tumulak for its declaration.

“RESOLVED, to declare a State of Calamity in the Cebu City in order to allow access to calamity funds to be utilized to address the concerns associated with this dry spell and water shortage like provision of appropriate and immediate health services, augmentation of potable water to affected households in various barangays…,” a portion of the approved resolution read.

Tumulak sponsored the resolution after he received a resolution of CCDRRMO recommending the declaration of state of calamity in the whole city.

Under the resolution are the reports of the Cebu City Agriculture Department (CAD) and the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) on the effects of El Niño.

In their report, MCWD said they do not have enough water supply for the 19,800 households they serve because their water production is only 198,000 cubic meters per day.

In addition, the dry spell has affected the Buhisan Dam, which has completely dried up, while other water sources have decreased in production.

MCWD identified the 20 areas affected by El Niño as Banawa, Oprra, Capitol, Sta. Cruz, Sambag 1, Sambag 2, Kamputhaw, M. Velez, Juana Osmeña, Sun Valley, B. Rodriguez, F. Ramos, Pier Area, M.J. Cuenco, Mambaling, Kinasang-an, Inayawan, Lagtang, Lawaan, and Pooc.

“Production deficit is mainly due to decreased production of Jaclupan wellfield, Buhisan Dam, and some of the groundwater source because of the dry spell. In fact, Buhisan now is completely dry,” the MCWD report read.

CAD said damage brought on by El Niño has reached P27.5 million, including damage to crops like cutflowers, lettuce, baguio beans, sweet corn, ampalaya, hot pepper, tomato, eggplant, string beans, and yellow corn.

The dry spell is affecting 668 farmers from 28 barangays, an estimated of 142.12 hectares of farmland was also damaged.

These 28 barangays are Busay, Pulangbato, Budlaan, Binaliw, Mabini, Agsungot, Malubog, Taptap, Adlaon, Guba, Lusaran, Cambinocot, Paril, Sirao, Pamutan, Toong, Sapangdaku, Kalunasan, Buhisan, Pung-ol Sibugay, Babag, Bonbon, Sudlon 1, Sudlon 2, Sinsin, Tagbao, Tabunan, and Buot.

The City Council requested the CCDRRMO to submit a detailed report on the utilization of P27.5 million to aid the affected people.

Based on the Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis report, among of the needs of the affected farmers are plastic liners, water pumps, plastic drums, hoes, vegetable seeds, fertilizers, and other farm inputs. — BRP (FREEMAN)