• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) has recommended the declaration of a state of calamity in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, due to the prevailing drought caused by the El Niño phenomenon, Mayor Benjie Miranda disclosed yesterday.
Based on the report of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, damage to agricultural crops rice and corn, in 13 barangays of Kabankalan was pegged at P41.9 million, affecting 1,214 farmers tilling 1,126 hectares of land. Miranda also reported the rationing of potable water in almost all 32 barangays, especially in the hinterland areas of the city.
Miranda, however, said the request of CDRRMC has yet to be acted on by the Sangguniang Panlungsod, whose members await the opinion of the City Legal Office.
While they are not opposing the state of calamity declaration, Kabankalan City Vice Mayor Miguel Zayco said they are asking why sugarcane fields have not been included in the land area computation of affected areas.
Upon the request of the executive branch, the city council held a special session on Tuesday to deliberate the proposal to place Kabankalan City under a state of calamity.
The municipality of San Enrique in Negros Occidental was earlier placed under a state of calamity.
Local government units under a state of calamity can tap their calamity funds to assist affected residents and implement measures to mitigate the impact of El Niño.
HIMAMAYLAN ASSISTANCE
Meanwhile, Mayor Rogelio Raymund Tongson yesterday said that they are now spending the P23 million savings of the city government last year, on food packs being distributed to families of drought affected farmers, infrastructure projects, and logistical items, such as water pumps and hoses, to address the lack of water supply in majority of Himamaylan City’s 19 barangays.
Tongson said they are also planning to purchase a water filter truck.
He also thanked Rep. Emilio Bernardino Yulo (5th district, Negros Occidental) for his augmentation to water related projects of Himamaylan City government, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development for their cash for work program.*
