CDRRMC pushes for state of calamity in Kidapawan

KIDAPAWAN CITY (May 4) – The Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (DRRM) here has strongly recommended the declaration of the city under ‘state of calamity’ so as to ‘cushion’ the impact of drought to thousands of farmers. City Mayor Joseph Evangelista, chair of the Kidapawan DRRM, met on Monday with the members of the council and his staff to discuss how much funds would be allotted and the distribution of calamity assistance. Initial data from the City Agriculture Office showed the drought has affected some P103.8 million worth of crops, including bananas, fruit trees, palay, corn, rubber, coffee, cacao, and livestock. At least four tribal communities in two barangays here have suffered lack of potable water after the wells and springs have dried up due to continued dry spell. In a resolution passed on Monday, the CDRRMC strongly recommended the declaration of state of calamity. Such resolution would be submitted to the Sangguniang Panglungsod ng Kidapawan during its regular meeting on Thursday for approval. The city government, Evangelista said, is set to allot some P3 million as assistance to thousands of affected sector.Such amount is taken from the annual Quick Response Fund, which is 30 percent of the total Calamity Fund. The other 70 percent of the Calamity Fund, according to the mayor, is for disaster mitigation, including the construction of flood control projects in flood-prone areas water system improvement of health services and facilities among others. Evangelista said that he has already ordered the city’s health unit to monitor the rise of dengue cases now that the rainy season is coming.