5 towns declare state of calamity
Following the impact brought about by the weak El Niño, five local government units in Cebu have declared a state of calamity in their respective areas.
Waning water supply in some parts of Borbon, Tabuelan, Tuburan, Moalboal, and Argao towns prompted their respective municipal councils to issue the declaration.
But assessments on the ill-effects of the below-normal rainfall due to El Niño are still ongoing, the local chief executives said.
In northern Cebu, the towns of Borbon and Tuburan, which was named after the abundance of “tubod” or springs as water sources, have been saddled by shortage of water supply.
Tuburan Mayor Democrito Diamante reported that most mountain barangays are experiencing water problems.
“Portions sa ubang barangay sa bukid kuwang gyod og tubig, maglisod og saka ang tubig,” he told The FREEMAN over the phone.
He said the town is delivering barrels of water to the affected barangays. He explained that the town is using dumptrucks to transport water instead of firetrucks due to the steep and narrow path leading to the barangays.
The same response was also made in Borbon town, according to Mayor Bernard Sepulveda, in a separate interview. The town declared a state of calamity last week.
Apart from water woes, crop and livestock losses were also recorded in Tuburan. Figures on the losses were not yet available but Diamante said the losses are minimal and not yet alarming.
Considering these impacts, the municipal council placed Tuburan town under state of calamity on Monday.
Tabuelan town also issued a declaration on the same day.
Mayor Rex Gerona said the El Niño phenomenon has already inflicted damage to the agriculture sector.
He, however, reported that water supply in the town remains stable.
“Wa man ta’y problema sa tubig sa pagkakaron but ang kato lang irrigation sa mga basak,” he said.
On Monday, the southern towns of Argao and Moalboal also issued the same declaration.
Moalboal Mayor Inocentes Cabaron disclosed that the barangays of Tuble, Basdiot, and Saavedra have reported that their water supply is already in “critical status.” Moalboal comprises 15 barangays.
Argao Mayor Edsel Galeos also raised the same concern, saying he will convene the barangay officials next week to discuss concerns related to the ill effects of El Niño.
The towns are also distributing water to the affected areas as immediate response.
Other town mayors in the province said they are just waiting for the declaration from the Capitol.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council on Tuesday recommended to the Provincial Board to place the entire province under state of calamity.
The PB is expected to discuss the matter during its regular session next week.
Under the law, the declaration of a state of calamity is based on the results of the damage assessment. It allows a local government unit to utilize its Quick Response Fund (QRF) and automatically freeze price of prime commodities.