Pagadian City declares state of calamity due to dry spell

By Leah Agonoy

March 12, 2019, 5:50 pm

Pagadian City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Action Officer 

Haron Damada (on green shirt) on Tuesday presented the effects of the 
prolonged dry spell on the agriculture sector during the regular session of 
the City Council. (Photo by Leah D. Agonoy)

 PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur -- The City Council here declared the city under a state of calamity Tuesday following the estimated PHP102 million damages on agricultural products brought by the dry spell.

City Agriculturist Annie Tenorio said the drought has affected more than a thousand farmers from the city's 40 barangays.

Tenorio said damages in rice reached PHP9.3 million from the 18 barangays while corn damages reached PHP69.6 million from the eight barangays.

Tenorio said corn incurred the most severe damage as the drought transpired during the maturity stage of the crops, while the planting season for it is just about to start.

Tenorio said they quantified the opportunity loss of farmers or the supposed average of harvest for the season.

She said the other barangays also suffered damages on high-value commercial crops and seaweeds costing PHP23.4 million, with big losses in almost all their standing crops as irrigation waters fell below the ideal amount.

Dr. Leonora Sulay, city veterinarian, also declared damages on livestock products in the different barangays stating the need of farmers for assistance as they could no longer afford for the feeds since they have no income due to damages in their farmlands.

The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) in their resolution suggested the need for assistance to farmers through a possible cash-for-work program allocating funds from the Quick Response Fund (QRF) for their daily needs especially after Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) declared the drought is expected until June, this year.

In the entire province, Engr. Francisco Maca, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management action officer, said the local DRRMOs in the municipalities were still conducting assessments on the damages caused by the dry season.

Maca said Dimataling town was the first to declare a state of calamity last week. (PNA)