City distributes relief goods to dry spell-hit barangays

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City government distributed relief goods to 500 families in 31 mountain barangays in the city affected by the dry spell.

“Kaning 31 ka barangay nga among gihatagan sa bugas, nagnihit sa tubig og nangaguba ang umahan hinungdan nga wala na g’yu’y makaon ang mga residente sa maong dapit,” said Dr. Ester Concha, chief of the city’s Department of Social Welfare Services.

DSWS’ first tranche of distribution included 500 packs each containing three kilos of rice and five canned goods.

At least P6 million taken from the city’s calamity fund was allocated for the aid.

Concha said they have acquired the list of the affected families from the city agriculture office.

She further said they submitted a resolution to the council beforehand regarding the distribution of the aid.

DSWS has finished the distribution in the southern and northern part of Cebu City but assured that this will continue.

“Kada-adlaw mi maghatod sa mga hinabang sugod niadtong Sabado. Unya amo na usab sugdan ang second tranche sa pagpanghatag ugma,” she said, adding that six kilos of rice will be given this time.

Concha described this year’s effect of El Niño as much worse than in the previous year.

“Sa Barangay Sapangdaku, naa g’yu’y naghuwat namo nga naghilak kay walay malung-ag,” she shared.

But contrary to what Concha had said, Councilor Margot Osmeña said this did not pass through the council.

"Wala ni niagi sa konseho. We did declare the calamity pero walay authorities in charge. Di ba what they need is water, more than rice? The timing is really very good," she said.

"Tan-awon lang nato if after elections, they will continue this," Osmeña added. (FREEMAN)