Aid to farmers in city coming

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City government will give P2.2 million to farmers in mountain barangays in the city whose livelihood was affected adversely by the “unusual” weather in January.

Councilor Dave Tumulak penned the resolution granting assistance to the farmers in the form of agricultural inputs, as recommended by the City Agriculture Department (CAD).

Mayor Michael Rama, Tumulak said, has agreed to use the amount from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) fund.

Tumulak has secured a certificate of availability of funds amounting to exactly P2, 216, 200 from the Office of the Treasurer. The certificate dated February 25, 2014 was signed by City Treasurer Diwa Cuevas.

The release of the amount may be delayed because the City Council referred Tumulak’s resolution first to the committees on social services, budget and finance and CAD before final approval.

Councilor Alvin Arcilla also requested Tumulak to provide the Council with the names of the beneficiaries.

Tumulak, the chairman of the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, made the proposal to help farmers recover from economic losses.

Due to the cold weather phenomenon that pervaded Cebu in January, mountain barangays in the city experienced unprecedented low temperatures never experienced in the last few decades.

The “phenomenon” resulted in damage to crops and livestock amounting to P28 million in Cebu City, Danao City and Balamban town. Fertilizers, vitamins and wound sprays were also damaged.

“The mountain folks were caught off guard and was unable to prepare adequately for such unusual weather phenomenon such that many of their crops were destroyed and livestock as well as domestic animals were unable to survive the unfavorable condition,” Tumulak said.

The situation prompted CAD to inspect the mountain barangays Lusaran, Adlaon, Sirao, Tagba-o, Taptap, Bonbon, Guba, Cambinocot, Paril, Budlaan, Pung-ol Sibugay, Sudlon II, Sudlon I, Sinsin and Tabunan for proper assessment.  (FREEMAN)