CEBU CITY – Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia has issued an executive order (EO) placing the entire province of Cebu under a state of calamity “due to the devastating effects of the El Niño phenomenon.”
Garcia issued EO No. 9 days after the provincial board approved a resolution declaring a state of calamity in the province.
The extremely high heat index has threatened the province’s food security and livelihood as the drought significantly impacted the agriculture, fisheries, and livestock sectors, Garcia said.
The extreme heat has also caused a surge in heat-related illnesses and exacerbated pre-existing health conditions that strained provincial and district hospitals, Garcia added.
The El Niño phenomenon has caused spontaneous forest and grass fires, posing significant threats to communities, lives, and property, she added.
“The intense heat has led to a dramatic increase in electricity demand, resulting in rotational outages that further exacerbate the suffering of the Cebuanos,” Garcia said.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council recommended the urgent declaration of a state of calamity.
Prior to the issuance of the EO, the governor presided over a stakeholder’s meeting where it was agreed that a state of calamity must be declared in the province.
The declaration of the state of calamity will allow local government units in the province to have access to calamity funds or quick relief funds to mitigate the impact of the dry spell.