The City Council has concurred the resolution of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) chaired by Mayor John Dalipe, declaring a state of calamity in Zamboanga City due to the adverse effects of the El Niño phenomenon.
Resolution 486 was unanimously approved by all members of the City Council during the regular session Monday, March 4. The Council concurrence makes the declaration of a state of calamity in Zamboanga City, operational.
As this developed, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) Chief Dr. Elmeir Apolinario, who authored the CDRRMC resolution said the declaration is based on the report of the Zamboanga City Water District stating that water shortage in the city is worsening due to the dry spell.
PAG-ASA has reported that the dry spell will persist until the end of this year’s second quarter before the city transitions into a near normal rainfall condition.
The declaration of the state of calamity will allow the ZCWD to utilize its calamity funds and mobilize resources and implement urgent measures to address the worsening water shortage.
The same would allow the barangays to utilize their 30% Quick Response Fund (QRF) in response to the impact of the dry spell.
(Source: City Government of Zamboanga Facebook page)