Dry spell’s damage to agri industry rises

CEBU, Philippines - The El Niño phenomenon has continued to take its toll on Cebu’s agricultural production, with the damage now reaching to more than P140 million, the Provincial Risk Reduction and Management Council reports.

PDRRMO Chief Balthazar Tribunalo, Jr. said the P140 million is a consolidated figure from the 37 out of 53, or 70 percent of local government units in the province. The other 16 LGUs have yet to finish their reports, he said.

“Duna gihapoy pipila nga wala g’yud ka-submit but we’re very happy because we are now moving the damage assessment by the Department of Agriculture,” he said.

Based on yesterday’s report, the figure reflects at least 25,000 farmers and more than 3,000 hectares of land affected by the dry spell, said Tribunalo.

Damage to agricultural products was most severe in the fourth district at P47M; followed by the fifth district at P36M; and second district at P23M.

The least affected was the sixth district with over P600,000 in damage.

Damage to high-valued crops alone was P90.7M, followed by corn at P39.4M, the report further showed.

As for the livestock, damage was highest in the third district at P1.6M, followed by the fifth district at P1.2M.

Among the 16 LGUs that are yet to submit their report to the Provincial Agriculture Office are Sibonga, Samboan, Asturias, Tuburan, Tabuelan, Tabugon, Madridejos, Bantayan, Mandaue, Cordova, Carmen, Alegria, Ginatilan and Ronda.

Tribunalo said the P140 million damage is lesser compared to the P196 million reported last month since it has not yet included the damage to fruits.

Compostela town reportedly has suffered damage of P151 million from withered mango trees. This has yet to be validated though, said Tribunalo. (FREEMAN)