Council to call for executive session to address dry spell
CEBU CITY (March 21, 2024) – Mayor Mike Rama supports calls to declare a state of calamity or emergency in the city to assist those affected by the worsening El Niño.
The City Council, on the other hand, wants to revisit the city’s planned measures to help farmers cope with the dry spell.
Rama said the City has prepared for the dry spell since last year.
He asked Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia and the Council to address the crisis.
He instructed concerned department heads, especially the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRMO), to check and validate the need to declare now.
“Nganong dili man?” Rama said in Ingna’ng Mayor when asked of his response to a netizen who suggested the declaration.
“I hope Mayor Mike will declare state of emergency or calamity amidst the El Niño. It will help somehow,” netizen Prince Sy wrote to Sugboanon Channel.
The CCDRRMO Command Center (C3) advised extreme caution today with the heat index measured at 33 degrees celcius, but yesterday’s hit the 35 degree mark.
Rama said he has repeatedly called for proactive preparation to deal with the El Niño since last year, especially with the City Agriculture Department (CAD) ensure food security.
He also sought help from the private sector to help desilt the Buhisan Dam in order to increase its capacity to store water.
“Kung dili na i-desilt, dali ra mahubas ang dam,” the mayor added.
Council ‘not apprised’
In a related development, the City Council scheduled an executive session with concerned departments on March 27 to discuss their preparations against the effects of El Niño.
The Council invited City Administrator’s Office, CAD, CCDRRMO, the Cebu City Resource Management and Development Center, Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office, and the Association of Barangay Councils.
It also invited Metro Cebu Water District and farmers groups Alliance of Cebu City Farmers Association, Cebu City Farmers Federation, and the Cebu City Highland Irrigators Federation, Inc.
In a privilege speech yesterday, March 20, Councilor Pastor “Jun” Alcover, Jr. said several farmers have reached out to him to ask for assistance.
Alcover, who chairs the committee on agriculture, lamented that the legislative department has not been apprised on the City’s efforts to support farmers during the dry spell.
“Anam anam na nga nangamatay ang ilang mga pananom ug nangauga na ang mga sapa ug mga atabay,” he expressed. | PPRMN / jkv / jsb
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