Council eyes measures to protect farmers

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Council has urged Mayor Nestor Archival and the City Agriculture Department (CAD) to immediately lay down concrete measures against the worsening dry season after Councilor Pastor “Jun” Alcover Jr. warned that more than 12,000 farmers and their families could be devastated if El Niño intensifies.

“Nasayod ako unsa kabug-at ang paghulat sa ulan, ang kahadlok nga malaya ang tanom tungod sa taas nga panahon sa kainit, ug ang kawalay kasiguruhan sa matag panahon sa pagpugas ug pag-ani,” said Alcover, who chairs the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development of the city council, in a privilege speech during the latest regular session.

He stressed that agriculture is not merely an occupation but a way of life and the lifeblood of thousands of families in Cebu’s upland barangays.

“Kini dili lamang numero. Kini mga pamilya. Kini mga amahan ug inahan nga nagbuhi sa ilang mga anak. Kini mga ordinaryong Sugboanon nga nagsalig sa matag ani, matag tanom, ug matag ulan,” Alcover added, stressing that the looming crisis is about human survival, not statistics.

Citing PAGASA’s forecast of prolonged dry conditions, Alcover warned of cascading consequences: crop failures, livestock mortality, declining fish productivity, rising food prices, and economic slowdown in rural communities.

“Kung mangandam kita karon, malikayan nato ang mas dakong kalisod ugma. Kung suportahan nato ang atong mga mag-uuma karon, mapanalipdan nato ang atong food supply. Ug kung mapanalipdan nato ang atong food supply, mapanalipdan nato ang matag panimalay sa Sugbo,” he said, drawing a direct line between farmer security and household food security.

He pressed the council and the mayor’s office to answer urgent questions:

“What drought mitigation plans are already in place? Are irrigation support systems available for upland farmers? Are emergency water supply measures being prepared? Is there assistance for livestock raisers and fisherfolk? Do we have funds allocated for crop protection, seeds, fertilizers, and emergency subsidies? Are our barangays ready for drought-response operations? How soon can the government act?”

Alcover ended with a motion requesting the CAD, the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, and other agencies to submit their preparations and intervention measures for the dry season and El Niño. The council authorized the Secretariat to furnish copies of the resolution to the concerned offices.

Councilor Francis Esparis followed this by moving for an executive session next month so members could be fully briefed by the disaster and agriculture departments on the city’s readiness.

“Government must be proactive, not reactive. Ang mga tawo nga nagtubo sa atong pagkaon dili dapat mao ang pinakaulahi nga matabangan,” Alcover said. “Kay kung atong panalipdan ang mga mag-uuma, atong panalipdan ang Cebu City.”

Meanwhile, the City’s Department of Public Services has accelerated efforts to secure water supply, restoring more than 90 percent of Cebu City’s artesian wells following a directive from the mayor.

A total of 386 wells are now functional, with 195 in northern barangays and 191 in southern districts, providing communities with alternative water sources should the piped supply falter.

The wells are currently designated for non-potable use, such as bathing, washing, and other household needs, while DPS engineers continue testing for saltwater intrusion and contamination to determine which can be certified safe for drinking.

Rehabilitation work continues on the remaining wells, with the city aiming for full operational capacity in the coming weeks.

PAGASA’s latest advisory raised the El Niño Alert after climate models showed a 79 percent chance of the phenomenon developing between June and August 2026, with risks persisting until early 2027.

The agency warned of prolonged dry spells, reduced dam levels, and heightened threats to agriculture and energy supply.

While El Niño may start weak, PAGASA cautioned that it could strengthen to moderate or strong intensity by late 2026, with the possibility of a “Super El Niño” not ruled out. – IHM (CEBU NEWS)