Cebu placed under a state of calamity due to El Niño

The local government of Cebu has declared a state of calamity in the province due to the effects of the El Niño phenomenon.

In a Facebook post, Cebu Vice Governor Junjun Davide said the Cebu Provincial Board approved Monday a resolution declaring the state of calamity as the province continues to battle the adverse effects of the El Niño on farmlands, fisheries, livestock, and communities.

Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia endorsed the measure following the recommendation of Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

"The persistent heat indexes severely depleted the water resources, which are crucial for agriculture, livestock and those who are in the fish pond/pen business. The extreme heat also caused a surge in heat-related illnesses and exacerbated pre-existing health conditions, increasing the number of patients in provincial and district hospitals," the Facebook post read.

It added, "The resolution added that forest and grass fire accidents pose a significant threat that may cause injury/death to persons or damage to property."

The declaration of a state of calamity allows the local government to impose price controls, acquire funds for calamity response, and obtain loans from the government.

The Facebook post quoted Garcia as saying that the declaration "prompts us to think about ways and means of addressing this huge challenge, not necessarily giving ayuda. But we will be helping farmers help themselves. That is the culture that we wish to nurture in the entire province, not the culture of mendicancy."

In early April, a total of 28 barangays in Cebu City were placed under a state of calamity amid the threat of El Niño.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) earlier said that over 4.5 million people have been affected by the extreme climate phenomenon.

State weather bureau PAGASA said at least 44 areas in the country will experience a heat index under the danger level on Wednesday. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/ VDV, GMA Integrtated News