THE Cebu City Government can use at least P27.5 million in its calamity fund to extend assistance to those who are affected by the El Niño phenomenon after the entire city was placed under state of calamity.
In a special session on Friday, April 12, the Council approved the resolution of Councilor Dave Tumulak placing the city under state of calamity to allow the City to use its calamity fund.
While this developed, the City Council also asked the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office to submit a written report on the breakdown of the disaster fund that will be spent in relation to the dry spell.
The City Agriculture Department has recorded around P27 million damage in agriculture brought by El Niño.
During the deliberation, Tumulak said assistance will be given to the residents both in the upland and lowland area.
While agriculture products are affected in the mountain barangays, Tumulak said residents in urban areas are also experiencing the effects of the mild El Niño because of the limited water supply.
In a letter, the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) reported that areas affected by the limited water supply include Banawa, Opra, capitol Site, Sta. Cruz, Sambag I, Sambag II, Kamputhaw, M. Velez, Juana Osmeña, B. Rodriquez, F. Ramos, pier area, MJ Cuenco, Mambaling, Kinasang-an and Inayawan.
Tumulak said the City, MCWD and the Bureau of Fire Protection will be helping each other supply water in areas with limited supply.
The City will be extending hoses, water pumps, water drums, seedlings, farm equipment and vitamins to farmers.
At present, the City has around 14,000 farmers.
In an interview, Tumulak said the declaration of state of calamity should have been made earlier but they only got the list of the areas affected by the limited water supply last April 10.
“The declaration is a bit late but it's better that we already declared it because we are expecting that there are barangays still that will be affected by the El Niño,” he said. (RVC)