CEBU CITY – Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia on Friday declared a state of calamity for the entire Cebu province as 32 of its 50 local governments reported P176.8 million in damage to crops and livestock amid the onslaught of the El Niño phenomenon.

Garcia said the provincial government will focus on assisting the agricultural sector.

She, however, clarified that the declaration does not intend to give "dole outs" to residents but is a recognition of the damage being beyond normal.

"The culture we wish to nurture in the entire province of Cebu [is] not a culture of mendicancy," she said.

Records show that as of May 16, the dry spell has affected 12,312 farmers tilling a total area of 3,179.32 hectares.

Garcia said she would issue an executive order to lay down the parameters for providing assistance to farmers.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Board is set to pass a resolution on May 20 to support the governor's declaration.

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