Cebu City Agriculture Execs Asks Cebu Archdiocese For Special Prayer For Rain As Dry Spell Continues

The City Agriculture Department (CAD) and the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries (DVMF) of Cebu City have asked the Archdiocese of Cebu to start an Oratio Imperatafor rain as the dry spell starts to affect livelihood in the city’s mountain villages.

CAD chief Joelito Baclayon said they have experienced before that after an oratio imperata was said, it rained.

Operatio Imperata, Latin for obligatory prayer, is a special prayer invoking favors from God during calamities.

Baclayon said the CAD will assess the condition of farmers who are affected by the drought.

Baclayon said an assessment will allow the city government to determine what help to extend to the farmers.

Baclayon said the city has PHP5 million of standby funds that can be used for them.

Most of the time, the effects of the dry season are first felt in Barangays Busay and Babag because these are low-lying areas.

Unlike the same period last year, there is no reported shortage of water supply in the upland areas at present.

The rain last week helped improve the condition of the crops in the mountains, Baclayon said.

“There is still sufficient water supply bisan pa man og ang ubang farmers namalit og rasyon sa ubang barangay,” Baclayon said. (PNA) LAP/EB/EDS