BUTUAN CITY — The City Government of Butuan is strengthening coordination with regional line agencies as it expands assistance for families affected by the ongoing severe dry spell. With the city under a state of calamity due to serious water supply disruptions, Mayor Law Fortun emphasized the need for a coordinated response that addresses not only water shortages but also the effects of the drought on agriculture, health, and household livelihoods. Through partnerships with the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the city is working to bring targeted interventions closer to communities affected by the crisis.
Support for Farmers, Health, and Livelihoods
Agricultural assistance focuses on helping farmers adapt to prolonged dry conditions. Joint programs of the DA and city government are providing resilient seeds and fertilizers, promoting crop-shifting strategies, and identifying potential supplemental groundwater sources. These measures are intended to help affected farmers maintain agricultural production while adapting to changing water conditions. Health interventions are also being expanded through coordination with the DOH. These include disease surveillance, water quality testing, and the distribution of medical supplies and Aquatabs, with each tablet capable of treating 20 liters of water. The measures are aimed at helping communities maintain safer water supplies and reduce health risks associated with water shortages. For households whose agricultural income has been affected, coordination with DOLE and DSWD is being used to prepare emergency livelihood and employment assistance. The programs are intended to provide alternative income opportunities for farmers whose crops have been rendered unviable by the drought.
Task Force Awas Supports Water Relief Efforts
The city's response also includes the activation of Task Force Awas, which has mobilized additional equipment for water rationing and water sourcing in affected areas. This complements the broader assistance being coordinated with regional and national government agencies. The multi-agency response brings together resources and expertise from different sectors to address the immediate and wider effects of the dry spell. By coordinating water relief with agricultural, health, employment, and social welfare measures, the City Government of Butuan and its partner agencies are working to support affected families while strengthening the city's capacity to respond to the continuing drought.
