City stockpiles relief supplies

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City government has begun stockpiling food, relief supplies, and construction materials as part of its preparations for the looming El Niño and typhoon season, aiming to ensure immediate assistance for families and vulnerable communities when disasters strike.

The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO), together with the Department of Social Welfare Services (DSWS), has procured a wide range of essentials, including eco-friendly packed meals, rice, canned sardines, corned beef, tuna, beef loaf, powdered milk, instant noodles, coffee, and bottled water.

Disaster family kits containing kitchen utensils, toiletries, clothing, and sleeping gear have also been secured, alongside G.I. sheets and marine plywood for emergency shelter repairs.

Officials stressed that all goods meet quality standards and will be distributed promptly and equitably.

The procurement was funded through the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF) under its Relief and Recovery allocation and underwent public bidding in compliance with government regulations.

Relief supplies are intended to benefit displaced families, road restoration communities, and other vulnerable sectors across the city during emergencies such as fires, typhoons, flooding, landslides, earthquakes, El Niño, and La Niña.

The preparations come as Cebu City and the rest of the country brace for what weather experts warn could be a severe El Niño episode in 2026, with the potential to intensify into a “Super El Niño” by late 2026 or early 2027.

PAGASA has cautioned that the phenomenon may bring prolonged drought, water scarcity, agricultural losses, and extreme heat nationwide.

Cebu City had earlier declared a state of preparedness under Republic Act No. 10121, mobilizing resources and implementing proactive measures against climate-related hazards.

The administration of Mayor Nestor Archival has also started assessing community wells and deploying filter pumps to mitigate possible water shortages, while acknowledging challenges in repairing irrigation facilities vital to farmers. — /FPL (FREEMAN)