The provincial government of Cebu has identified several local government units at high risk of severe impacts from the upcoming El Niño phenomenon, prompting proactive disaster preparations.
According to the province’s El Niño Vulnerability Mapping, the most vulnerable areas include the towns of Tuburan, Daanbantayan, Catmon, Carmen, Borbon, Sogod, and Tabuelan, alongside Bogo City. Tuburan recorded the highest number of potentially affected barangays at 36, followed by Daanbantayan and Catmon with 20 barangays each.
To mitigate the effects of impending drought, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) chief Dennis Francis Pastor announced plans to procure additional water trucks and broaden support programs for local fisherfolk.
”Pastor said the province has three 10,000-liter water trucks for water rationing.”
To further improve water distribution efficiency for communities facing shortages, strategic staging areas will be established in Carcar City to serve southern Cebu and in Bogo City for northern Cebu.
Pastor noted that the PDRRMO is actively coordinating with local government units to map out accessible water sources and determine reliable distribution routes to vulnerable neighborhoods.
Meteorological forecasts indicate that dry conditions could begin as early as December, transitioning into a dry spell from January to February, and culminating in full drought conditions by March.