Cebu City Council Declares ’State of Preparedness’ for El Niño

The Cebu City Council has declared the whole city under a state of preparedness to equip vulnerable barangays against the effect of El Niño, which is expected to hit the country next month.

The declaration of a state of preparedness will also allow the city government to use its P225-million calamity fund this year for preemptive measures.

The resolution, sponsored by Councilors Mary Ann de Los Santos, Dave Tumulak, Hanz Abella, James Cuenco and Gerardo Carillo, said the city should prepare since the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) already issued an advisory that El Niño is expected to be felt in June.

A long drought is expected during the El Niño phenomenon, forecast to peak during the last quarter of this year and may last up to the first quarter of 2015.

“Right now, we are already experiencing hot temperature during the day, between 26 and 34 degrees Celsius,” read the resolution.

All departments were directed to present their action plans and other preparations to minimize the effects of the weather phenomenon.

The City Agriculture Office and the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries (DVMF) are already preparing for the effects of El Niño even before the declaration of a state of preparedness.

The two offices have requested the City for a P5.28-million fund to help the farmers prepare for the dry season.

Cebu City Agriculturist Joelito Baclayon said the amount will be divided among the 31 mountain barangays in the city.

It will be used to support the irrigation system and buy hoses, water tanks, heat-tolerant plants and fertilizers that will be distributed to the farmers.

Expected effects of the dry spell include a low agricultural production, scarcity of food supply and high mortality rate of livestock and farm animals.

The council is also expecting water supply in the city to be affected as the water level in dams continues to drop. (PNA) LAP/EB