City agriculturist under fire: ‘Unprepared for drought’

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City’s agriculture department is facing mounting criticism over its apparent lack of preparedness for the looming El Niño phenomenon, with reinstated City Agriculturist Joelito “Joey” Baclayon once again coming under fire from councilors.

An executive session conducted by the Cebu City Council earlier this week exposed stalled irrigation projects, budget confusion, and the absence of a clear mitigation plan from the City Agriculture Department (CAD).

“It seems like your department is not prepared for this forthcoming El Niño,” Councilor Sisinio Andales bluntly told Baclayon during the session.

Baclayon admitted that only 21 out of 44 irrigation facilities were operational, although he later revised the number to 31. He explained that many of the systems rely on electricity, which many farmers could not afford, leaving upland farming communities vulnerable to drought.

“Most of these operating facilities are now also affected by the drought,” Baclayon said.

CAD proposed P10 million for irrigation repairs and another P15 million for supplies, including hoses, drums, seeds, fertilizer, and solar pumps.

However, Baclayon claimed that the proposed funding was excluded from Supplemental Budget No. 1, only to be corrected by Councilor Dave Tumulak, who pointed out that the P10 million allocation had already been approved.

“Maybe sayop siguro ang information nga nadawat nako,” Baclayon said, drawing outrage from several councilors.

Councilor Pastor “Jun” Alcover, chairman of the City Council’s agriculture committee, intensified the criticism.

“Mao mani problema, kay until now as chairman of the committee on agriculture, I don’t have any idea kung unsay preparation nga gihimo sa CAD,” Alcover said.

He demanded that CAD submit a list of irrigation facilities and recipients of water containers and other assistance.

“Ang Cebu City walay klarong irrigation system. It is run by NIA. It is not our irrigation system,” he added.

Alcover also criticized CAD for failing to purchase water tankers intended for upland barangays.

“Para inig-abot sa huwaw dili na ma-disturbo ang mga tanker diri sa ubos kay kasagaran sa mga tanker diri gigamit man sa fire,” he said.

Echoing his earlier criticisms, Alcover openly called for Baclayon’s replacement.

“I’m not really satisfied aning performance ni Baclayon as an agriculturist dugay na… Di ta ka-demand sa Mayor, pero I’m expressing my dissatisfaction ani niya. It’s up to the Mayor to decide… Pero if I will be asked personally, I really want him out, I want him replaced!” Alcover said in an interview with The Freeman yesterday.

Baclayon’s leadership has long been controversial.

In December 2024, during the administration of then Mayor Raymond Garcia, Baclayon was removed as city agriculturist following repeated privilege speeches by Alcover accusing him of negligence and poor performance.

Farmers had complained of expired seed distribution, lack of irrigation support, and the alleged failure to utilize P45 million in budget allocations.

“Imagine, na-approve na namong P10 million para sa CAD karon… Unya, wa siyay kalibutan… Mao ra gihapon sauna… There was a P45 million nga na-approve unya wa niya gastuha… Nauli na nuon… Imagine, gahuwaw atong panahuna… He is not functioning… El Niño pud to during sa time ni Mike (Rama as mayor). Karon, El Niño gihapon,” Alcover said.

Engineer Arleigh Gesta was appointed to replace Baclayon and was tasked with modernizing the department through tractor acquisitions, post-harvest facilities, and hydroponics projects.

However, Baclayon was later reinstated under the administration of Mayor Nestor Archival, while Gesta was retained as assistant department head.

Since his return, Baclayon has again clashed with Alcover, who insists that CAD continues to rely on “band-aid solutions” such as water drums and hoses instead of developing permanent irrigation systems.

With the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warning that El Niño conditions may emerge by August, Cebu City farmers are once again facing uncertainty.

The City Council has given CAD one week to submit an irrigation status report, agreements with the NIA, a list of aid recipients, and a written mitigation plan.

Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña also urged CAD to study the possibility of linking the planned dam projects in Barangays Cambinocot and Cotcot to local farms to ensure water supply for at least 18 villages. (CEBU NEWS)