THE DAVAO City government is allocating P7.8 million to help 22 local government units (LGUs) heavily affected by the long dry spell. The budget was approved by the city council last week. The biggest slice of the fund, which will be disbursed through the Philippine National Red Cross, will go to Camarines Sur in the Bicol Region at P1 million. The cities of Kidapawan and Zamboanga will get P500,000 each, while the town of Sultan Kudarat in Maguindanao will receive P400,000. The city government will also hand over a check of P300,000 each to the towns of San Isidro, Davao Oriental; Alabel, Sarangani; Matalam, Alamada, Aleosan, Magpet, Pigkawayan, Mlang, Pikit, Tulunan, and Arakan in Cotabato; Bagumbayan and Lutayan in Sultan Kudarat; Paracelis, Mountain Province; Dupax del Norte, Nueva Vizcaya; and, Santa Barbara, Januay and Maasin in Iloilo. Alfredo D. Baloran, chief of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, explained that the amounts are not the same as “some municipalities, cities, and provinces were greatly affected by the dry spell.” Earlier, the city government said it is not placing the city under a state of calamity just yet as damage, especially to agriculture, remain minimal. Nonetheless, it is planning to set aside P25 million to set up or rehabilitate small irrigation systems where these are needed. — Carmelito Q. Francisco

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