Cebu City Farmers Urge Local Government for More Machinery Ahead of Potential Drought

As Cebu City farmers brace for a possible drought, they are seeking increased support from the local government, particularly additional machinery to aid in water distribution for farming.

While acknowledging the City Agriculture Department (CAD) for its preparedness efforts regarding a potential El Niño event, Casimero Pilones, head of the Alliance of Cebu City Farmers Association, emphasized the urgent need for water pumps. Speaking to SunStar Cebu on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, Pilones noted that while CAD's initiatives are beneficial, the current supply of water containers is inadequate.

Pilones, who farms in the mountain barangay of Paril, highlighted that without sufficient water storage or water pumps, farmers must rely on an irrigation system that does not always reach higher elevations. He expressed concerns that, should El Niño strike, farmers may be unable to plant crops due to the lack of adequate water supply.

Efforts to Enhance Water Storage

CAD chief Arleigh Gesta stated on Friday, Jan. 31, that the department has begun distributing water drums and hoses to farmers in areas with accessible water sources. Additionally, upland farmers have started constructing water impounding areas to capture runoff from creeks.

The CAD continues to implement programs to support agriculture, including crop production extension, livestock production, alternative marketing, nursery operations, reforestation, institutional development, urban agriculture, and food security initiatives. Efforts to update farmer profiles are also ongoing to ensure registered farmers receive the necessary aid. According to Gesta, approximately 1,000 farmers have recently been added to the city’s agricultural registry, bringing the total to 10,976.

Gesta recalled that unregistered farmers were unable to receive additional rice aid last year. To prevent similar issues, the CAD is conducting a barangay-level registration drive. The department has also launched an awareness campaign to educate farmers on optimal crop choices, advising them to plant varieties with short growing cycles of around 45 days to minimize costs and losses.

Impact of Previous El Niño Events

The 2024 El Niño phenomenon caused severe agricultural losses in Cebu City, affecting approximately 10,000 farmers. In April 2024, 1,047 farmers reported direct losses, prompting the city government to declare a water crisis on April 1. Less than half of the city's 44 irrigation facilities remained operational, further straining the farming sector.

In March 2024, the local government placed 28 mountain barangays under a state of calamity due to the drought’s effects. The CAD responded by training farmers on water conservation methods, identifying new water sources, and providing emergency food assistance, including rice and other essential supplies. Despite these efforts, some farmers criticized the delayed response from authorities and called for improved coordination and quicker aid distribution.

Councilor Pastor Alcover Jr. also criticized former CAD chief Joselito Baclayon for failing to implement effective plans to assist farmers during the crisis.

Nationally, the El Niño phenomenon that began on July 4, 2023, was one of the strongest recorded, ranking as the fifth most intense worldwide. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) reported P2.63 billion in agricultural losses, particularly affecting rice and corn production and contributing to food insecurity. The weather bureau officially declared the end of the El Niño event on June 7, 2024, but its effects continue to be felt across the agricultural sector.

Despite the relatively low 30% probability of another El Niño occurring in 2025, weather specialists caution that conditions could shift, increasing the likelihood of drought. In response, Cebu City farmers are urging the government to proactively provide them with the necessary resources to mitigate potential agricultural losses.