PDRRMO: No politics in drought aid

CEBU, Philippines — As the Capitol maps out measures to mitigate the impact of the mild El Niño, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) yesterday assured there will be no politicking in the distribution of aid to affected LGUs.

“We are assessing the effects of El Niño in every local government unit, regardless of their political affiliations. We do not politicize the aid,” said PDRRMO assistant head Totch dela Cruz.

Dela Cruz also said that Capitol officials need not be present during the distribution of aid.

After the Provincial Board placed the province under the state of calamity Monday, the provincial government will now be laying out the implementation plan how the quick response fund will be used.

So far, 27 LGUs have been reported affected by the drought.

Officials from the Capitol’s Agriculture’s Office, Veterinary Office, Social Welfare and other departments will meet tomorrow to iron out guidelines for the distribution of the assistance.

“We really need to gather together again para i-specificy because the next responsibility after declaring the state of calamity is how we go forward. Like we say for example there are two months nga relief operation, unsaon siya plan nga ang first month ma-prioritize tong heavily-affected, so it needs programming,” dela Cruz said.

The province has P59 million in quick response fund this year.

PDRRMO chief Baltazar Tribunalo Jr. admitted that the amount will not be enough to help all hit LGUs.

An estimated P100 million in damages to agriculture and fishery has been in Cebu so far.

The Capitol continues its monitoring of different towns and cities, as well as the farmers and fishermen affected by the phenomenon.

The PDRRMO has recorded at least 800 farmers already affected and dela Cruz said they are expecting the number to further increase in next days.

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) has released tips for the public to conserve water as supply interruptions are common during this dry season.

MCWD suggested using recycled water for the plants and watering them early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Recycled waters can also be used to flush or to clean garage.

Using jeans for a week and wearing similarly colored clothes can also save at least 10 liters of water by also limiting wash load to one or two.

To those who have vehicles, washing cars once or twice a month can also save up to 50 gallons of water.

“Reuse glasses, mugs, and drinking bottles if you’re just at home all day and save two liters of water. Use the right size of pots and pans to limit your water use in food preparation and dishwashing,” MCWD said.  — JMD (FREEMAN)