CEBU, Philippines — To alleviate the problem on water shortage in upland barangays, the Cebu City Agriculture Department will be distributing 430 drums to farmers in 28 barangays of the city today.
CAD Head Apple Tribunalo said there will also be farm inputs that will be distributed to the farmers in Barangays Bonbon and Taptap.
“Initially, karong Friday (today), we will be distributing 430 drums. Initial rana siya while waiting sa atong P10 to P12 million nga naay power sprayers, mao paman paghuman sa bidding,” she told The FREEMAN.
Tribunalo said the 430 drums, hauling truck, and over 55 goats is a program to assist the farmers.
There are at least 14,000 farmers listed by the department in the 28 mountain barangays in the city.
The 430 drums are charged against last year’s budget of the department, since it was purchased last year and was just delivered in time for the onset of the weak El Niño experienced in the upland barangays.
“Ang katong makadawat aning 430 drums kay from 28 mountain barangays gyud ni sila nga mga farmers nga wala pa makadawat og drums,” Tribunalo said.
While admitting that the drums would not directly eradicate the water shortage supply, Tribunalo said it would assist the farmers in storing water.
It would also help them to manage the limited water supply efficiently and effectively, she added.
At least 60 to 70 percent of the water supply in the mountain area is already gone even if the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has yet to announce the onset of the dry season.
As for this year, Tribunalo said the city is now processing the P10 million to P12 million assistance for the farmers.
She said the bidding was done earlier this week but the distribution is targeted by the end of April because of the post-qualification and other bureaucratic processes.
The amount covers the purchase of 1,200 drums, 500 hoses and 150 power sprayers to farmer beneficiaries.
If the worst scenario will happen, her office might recommend for the city to be placed under the state of calamity which would allow them to use at least P15 million for additional assistance to farmers, she said.
According to Jhomer Eclarino, weather specialist of The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the temperature data in Cebu for March 10 peaked at 32 degrees celsius.
The public can expect light to moderate weather for the next five days and added that El Niño is weak until the month of May.
Eclarino has asked the public, especially the farmers and construction workers, to drink plenty of water to avoid heat stroke and other health conditions. — Moira Beatrice Zamora, USC Intern GAN (FREEMAN)