Cebu City allots ₱9.15M for 122 tractors to modernize mountain farming

CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Cebu City Council on Tuesday approved a P9.15-million allocation to procure 122 agricultural machines aimed at modernizing farming operations and boosting productivity in the city’s mountain barangays.

The council unanimously approved the resolution authorizing the City Agriculture Department (CAD) to charge P9.15 million against the Local Development Fund for the purchase of 62 crawler-type hand tractors and 60 multi-cultivators.

The appropriation is part of the city’s 2025 capital outlay, which seeks to strengthen agricultural production and improve support services for farmers in Cebu City’s upland communities.

READ: Cebu City readies ₱30M fund, expands farmer assistance as El Niño looms

This funding comes on top of the P30 million previously approved under Supplemental Budget 1 for El Niño mitigation measures.

Allocation coverage

The approved allocation covers:

62 units of crawler-type hand tractors worth P4.65 million, or P75,000 per unit.

60 units of multi-cultivators (hand tractors) worth P4.5 million, also at P75,000 per unit.

The total approved budget amounts to P9,150,000.

The resolution, sponsored by Councilor Alvin Arcilla and approved during the council’s regular session on Tuesday, June 16, authorizes the procurement as a capital outlay chargeable against the Local Development Fund.

Supporting documents attached to the measure include certifications from Acting City Budget Officer Roseny Reyes confirming the availability of appropriations for both procurement items, as well as a certification from OIC-City Treasurer Emma Villarete stating that sufficient funds remain available under the Local Development Fund.

READ: Cebu City readies ₱30M fund, expands farmer assistance as El Niño looms

The procurement request originated from City Agriculturist Joelito Baclayon, who, in a May 11 letter addressed to Mayor Nestor Archival, sought authority to purchase the equipment to strengthen services for Cebu City’s farming communities.

Baclayon said the request aligns with the administration’s goal of delivering efficient services to constituents, particularly those living in mountain barangays, while improving the department’s productivity and operational efficiency.

The mayor subsequently approved the request.

Boosting farm productivity

The acquisition comes as Cebu City continues expanding programs aimed at improving agricultural productivity and strengthening support for thousands of registered farmers in its upland barangays.

The City Agriculture Department has previously rolled out initiatives ranging from irrigation support and equipment distribution to greenhouse projects, seedling assistance, fertilizer programs, and transportation services for farmers bringing produce to market.

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Officials have also intensified climate adaptation measures as changing weather patterns and prolonged dry conditions continue to threaten agricultural production.

Earlier reports from the department showed that tomatoes, bananas, eggplants, string beans, and other staple crops suffered significant damage from extreme heat and limited water supply, affecting hundreds of farmers across multiple mountain barangays.

The city has likewise allocated separate funding for El Niño mitigation efforts, including water pumps, hoses, irrigation support, crop insurance promotion, and other interventions designed to help farmers adapt to increasingly unpredictable weather conditions.

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