Toledo City under state of calamity

CEBU, Philippines — The city of Toledo is under a state of calamity due to the widespread impact of the El Niño to its agriculture and water resources.

Based on the resolution posted by the Sanguniang Panglungsod Secretariat of Toledo City last April 30 on its Facebook page, the state of calamity was actually declared last April 8 and will last until June this year.

"The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council adopted resolution no. 1 series of 2024 recommending the state of calamity of the City of Toledo due to widespread impact of damages brought by extreme heat causes by El Niño phenomenon," the resolution reads.

Under the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act, the declaration of a state of calamity imposes price caps on basic necessities and prime commodities and requires agencies to monitor and stop overpricing, profiteering and hoarding of food, medicines and fuel.

This also allows the reprogramming of funds "for the repair and safety upgrading of public infrastructures and facilities" and the grant of no-interest loans to sectors most affected by the calamity.

Further, the LGU of Toledo has reportedly already made efforts to address the water problem in some areas by supplying water to its residents.

As of writing, no details yet has been released by the city on the total damage on agriculture brought by the drought.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has already advised the public to take extra measures to prevent further effect of the unusual high heat these days. The extreme heat is expected to last until this month of May. —/ATO (FREEMAN)