Cebu Province Now Under State of Calamity

The Provincial Board on Monday placed the entire Cebu province under a state of calamity due to the effects of a prolonged dry spell brought about by El Niño phenomenon.

Upon the recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), the board approved the resolution at 3pm.

Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) head Baltazar Tribunalo Jr. described the effects of the below-normal rainfall as a “creeping disaster.” He said 12 provinces threatened by a dry spell as effects of the El Niño continued to intensify.

PAGASA said that the effects will possibly last until the end of the year.

Under the state of calamity, some P36.3 million may be used to help upland farmers and other constituents of towns hit by El Niño.

Tribunalo, who appears before the regular session of the Board on Monday, said the P36.3 million represents 30% of the P121-million fund of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (PDRRM).

Meanwhile, PDRRM information officer Jules Regner said the quick response funds (QRF) can be used to buy barrels, water pumps, hoses, food packs, and other assistance needed by the affected families.

Earlier, the towns of Borbon, Tabuelan, Tuburan, Moalboal, and Argao were declared under a state of calamity ahead of the board’s declaration covering the entire province.