PAGASA tells Cebu City, other LGUs to prepare

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has recommended that the city declare a state of preparedness in anticipation of the intensified El Niño in the coming weeks.

In an emergency meeting yesterday, CCDRRMC chairman and City Councilor David Tumulak yielded to the suggestion of Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration-Visayas Director Oscar Tabada to prepare for the “strong” El Niño.

“We recommend the declaration of the City of Cebu under state of preparedness so that we can use our calamity funds in preparation sa dry spell and drought,” Tumulak said.

He asked all departments at City Hall to submit a proposal of the things they might need, including, medicines and vaccines for animals, water hoses, and drums, among others.

The city’s Agricultural Department is gearing for the small water impounding project for 31 mountain barangays.

Tabada, who was present during the meeting yesterday, said the city should brace for the worse effects of the El Niño.

“2015 still running to be the hottest year,” he said.

Starting this month until September, Cebu will experience below normal rainfall condition, he added.

The dry spell will be experienced from October to November and will intensify from December to April 2016.

“Bantayanan ang water supply in January 2016. January kay supposedly the coldest month of the year pero anha ang grabe nga init magsugod. Water supply atong concern starting January gyod, hasta pong rice supply,” Tabada warned.

He said it pays to prepare as early as now.

Among the possible effects of the dry session include depletion of water sources, mass fish death, and grass fire.

Tabada said local government units should prepare to rehabilitatetheir irrigation system, prioritize calamity funds, and conduct intensive health education, among others.

In May, the City Council declared the 31 mountain barangays under a state of calamity owing to water shortage due to the mild El Niño experienced in the areas.

These include Adlaon, Agsungot, Bacayan, Binaliw, Budlaan, Busay, Cambinocot, Guba, Lusaran, Mabini, Malubog, Paril, Pit-os, Pulangbato, Talamban, Taptap, Sirao, Kalunasan, Buhisan, Sapangdaku, Bonbon, Babag, Sudlon 1, Sudlon 2, Toong, Sinsin, Tabunan, Pung-ol Sibugay, Buot, Tagbao, and Pamutan. — (FREEMAN)