State of calamity sought in Isabela due to drought

CAUAYAN CITY, Philippines — The Isabela provincial disaster risk reduction and management council (PDRRMC) has recommended to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to place the entire province under a state of calamity due to the effects of El Niño.

PDRRMC officer Constante Foronda said damage to agriculture due to drought in the province has ballooned to P1.5 billion.

Foronda cited data from the provincial agriculture office which showed that damage to rice production was placed at P635 million; corn, P629 million; high-value crops, P215 million, and fisheries, P7 million. At least 9,773 farmers were affected.

PDRRMC officials sought the declaration of a state of calamity to allow the provincial government to use its calamity funds to provide assistance to affected farmers.

Eight provinces had earlier been placed under a state of calamity due to El Niño.

These are Negros Oriental, Occidental Mindoro, Antique, Sultan Kudarat, Basilan, Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte and South Cotabato.