TWO more Cebu municipalities have been placed under a state of calamity due to below-normal rainfall since March.
Argao in the south and Borbon in the north joined Tuburan in passing separate resolutions declaring a state of calamity.
“We are worried that the farmers can no longer sustain the educational expenses of their children this school year,” said Argao Mayor Edsel Galeos in a telephone interview yesterday.
“Maybe we’ll give them rice and school supplies for their children especially that next month, classes will resume,” he added.
READ: State of calamity for 31 upland barangays
Borbon municipal executive secretary Rolando Bucog said water supply from six springs in Borbon is less than half its normal volume.
“We are constantly monitoring all barangays affected by the water shortage. As of now, we are providing water through our fire truck to help our people,” he said.
Galeos said he hoped Gov. Hilario Davide III will meet with mayors to discuss the impact of the El Niño phenomenon.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council is recommending that the entire Cebu province be placed under a state of calamity to mitigate the effects of the El Niño.
Provincial disaster risk officer Baltazar Tribunalo, Jr. the other day described the effects of the below-normal rainfall values as a “creeping disaster.”
Weather specialists said Cebu was among 12 provinces that will suffer a dry spell as effects of the El Niño will continue and intensify, possibly until the end of the year.
A dry spell or drought occurs when rainfall is re below normal for three straight months.