A shift to preparedness now defines Cebu City’s response as heat and dry conditions continue to strain communities across upland and lowland areas.
The City Council has approved a resolution placing Cebu City under a state of preparedness amid worsening heat conditions, water supply concerns, and agricultural strain linked to prolonged dry weather.
The declaration, passed on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, was authored by Councilor Dave Tumulak and is intended to allow the city to act early through coordinated response measures before conditions escalate into a full-blown emergency.
The resolution cited increasing temperatures, extended dry spells, and reduced water availability as emerging risks to public health, food security, and environmental stability.
It also allows local authorities to mobilize resources more quickly and strengthen coordination among concerned agencies in line with Republic Act No. 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act.
While the measure applies citywide, upland and agricultural communities remain among the most affected, with farmers reporting declining yields, heat stress on livestock, and worsening soil conditions.
The council noted that some upland areas are already experiencing reduced productivity and market losses, as transport costs rise while farmgate prices continue to fall.
Recent reports from mountain barangays have shown unsold produce and deteriorating crop conditions, adding pressure on local livelihoods.
In response, the City Council has urged the Cebu City Agriculture Office to intensify monitoring and expand support services for affected farmers.
These include technical assistance, improved water management measures, and interventions aimed at protecting livestock from extreme heat.
The city is also moving forward with programs designed to ease transportation burdens for farmers, including plans for free transport services to bring goods from upland barangays to urban markets.
Officials are likewise considering financial assistance and the expansion of existing support programs such as the distribution of seedlings and fertilizers.
Mayor Nestor Archival had earlier said that a possible declaration of a state of calamity remains under evaluation, particularly for upland barangays, depending on assessment reports from agriculture and disaster response offices.
The city government said the current preparedness status is intended to cushion the impact of climate-related stress while long-term solutions are being developed. (LLP)
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