CEBU CITY: Nearly 800 farmers in 28 upland barangays here have received various assistance from the local government unit to cushion the impact of the dry spell due to the El Nin~o phenomenon, Mayor Michael Rama said on Thursday.

Rama said the city government noted the difficulties experienced by the upland residents as the drought damaged their livelihood which mostly on agriculture and livestock farming.

The City Agriculture Office, he said, distributed rice, water, and groceries to 786 families in Busay and Adlaon villages on Wednesday, and more farmers will get the aid in the coming days.

‘These rice and canned goods are enough for them to use in their homes for two months. Of course, these 10,976 (farmers) will still receive. This is just the first batch of aid,’ Rama said.

The beneficiaries, including those who grow vegetables and legumes and raise livestock, who are registered with the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp., will also automatically get free insurance.

On March 27, the Cebu City Council d
eclared the 28 barangays affected by the El Nin~o phenomenon under a ‘state of calamity’.

On April 4, Rama confirmed the allocation of PHP96.94 million in calamity funds to be used for various assistance to affected farmers.

The said funds are entrusted by the city government to its Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, he said.

Source: Philippines News Agency