The Department of Agriculture (DA) assured Canlaon City Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas of its support for the city’s recovery efforts to aid farmers affected by the Mt. Kanlaon eruption.
DA-Negros Island Region (NIR) executive director Jose Albert Barrogo told the Philippine News Agency that assistant secretary Daniel Atayde gave the assurance during a meeting with the mayor and other city officials at the City Hall Jan. 3.
Funds would be sourced for recovery efforts once Canlaon finalizes its rehabilitation plan, Barrogo said.
The DA plans to provide seeds, fertilizers, and silage for livestock affected by the eruption after Cardenas specifically requested aid “in kind and not in cash”, he added.
Farmers from villages within the six-kilometer permanent danger zone of Mt. Kanlaon remain in evacuation centers since the Dec. 9 eruption.
They are allowed to tend to their farms during the day, but must return to the evacuation centers by night.
Some livestock have been transferred to a holding area at the City Agriculture Office while other farmers opted to have their farm animals “adopted” temporarily by relatives until they are cleared to return to their homes.
Canlaon City is a major rice producer and source of vegetables in Negros Oriental.
The local government is expected to submit its final rehabilitation plan this week, detailing the scope of damage to farmers, agricultural lands, livestock, and high-value crops. ||
