Cebu maps out El Niño assistance plan

CEBU CITY – The provincial government of Cebu has started mapping out its implementation plan to assist towns and cities affected by the dry spell.

Provincial information officer Ainjeliz Orong said the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) and other offices are now laying out their action plan. The Provincial Board (PB) approved the resolution placing the entire province of Cebu under state of calamity.

Provincial Board Member Jovito Ouano, chairman of PB’s committee on environment, cited the necessity of the implementation plan in providing assistance to the affected sectors to minimize the adverse effects of El Niño. “We need to assess the extent of damage in the farmlands in the province, particularly those who are in the hinterlands,” Ouano said.

Farmers and fishermen in several towns reported crop damages and fish kills and Vice Governor Agnes Magpale said some rivers in have dried up, consequently affecting the daily water supply.

Recently, the PDRRMO, together with the Provincial Agriculture Office, Provincial Veterinary Office, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources, Provincial Engineering Office, and local governments’ representatives, conducted an assessment in 51 areas on the initial negative impacts or damages of the prevailing dry spell and the potential impacts on agricultural products including crops, livestock and fishery, as well as water resources.

And 27 local government areas have suffered damages and losses reaching up to P100 million and P25 million of this damage is on agricultural, specifically corns. The cities that have reported damages are Mandaue, Danao, Carcar and Toledo, while the towns are Asturias, Alcantara, Aloguinsan, Alcoy, Argao, Balamban, Dumanjug, Sogod, Dalaguete, San Remegio, Sibonga, Tuburan, Tabuelan, Daanbantayan, Medellin, Bantayan, Carmen, Madridejos, Santa Fe, Consolacion, Compostela, Boljoon and Minglanilla.

With the declaration of the state of calamity, the provincial government, through the PDRRMO, can tap the available P59 million from its calamity fund. Around P20 million to P25 million can be used to purchase materials and equipment, and to fund support programs that can help affected farmers and fishermen such as the Cash-for-Work program. (John Rey Saavedra)

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