In solidarity with fellow Bagonhons currently in evacuation centers and with the imminent danger being faced due to Mt. Kanlaon’s recent eruption, the city government of Bago, with its officials, department heads, and employees, decided to cancel the Employees Yearend Assembly 2024 initially scheduled on Dec. 19.
“Instead, food will be donated to treat our kasimanwas at the evacuation centers in the spirit of the holiday season,” the city said in a statement, adding that each group of employees will “adopt” an evacuation center, or centers, for a one-day activity in celebration of Christmas.
The city said that all 24 barangays of Bago have been affected by ashfall and strong sulfuric odor from the Dec. 9 volcano eruption, leading to the displacement of 830 families, with 2,782 individuals, from identified high-risk villages.
Mayor Nicholas Yulo said Dec. 16 that 113 families, consisting of 366 individuals, have been staying in four evacuation centers.
The Office of the City Agriculturist, meanwhile, reported almost P5.6 million in losses to Bago’s agriculture sector due to the recent eruption of Mount Kanlaon.
This involved 175 Bagonhon farmers with total farm area of 118.27 hectares.
As of Dec. 17, the Office of the City Agriculturist said the high value crops (HVC) sector incurred the highest amount of damage at about P3.72 million.
Some 29 HVC farmers with 25-hectare areas were affected.
It was followed by the rice sector with P1.72 million worth of damage affecting 139 farmers and covering 90.42 rice farms.
Seven corn farmers with 2.85-hectare plantation, meanwhile, incurred P153,352.50 in losses, it added.
City agriculturist-designate Marvin John Blance said they are currently implementing various rehabilitation measures. “We have standby organic fertilizers, vegetable seeds, and coffee, banana and cacao planting materials needed by the farmers for replanting.” ||
