• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
San Carlos City in Negros Occidental is now under a state of calamity.
The declaration was recommended by the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) chaired by Mayor Renato Gustilo, which was concurred by the City Council during its special session on May 6.
Based on reports of the City Agriculture Office, damage to crops due to drought was pegged at P17,681, 328.50, affecting 518 farmers tilling 375 hectares of land.
Kabankalan City and San Enrique town in Negros Occidental also earlier placed their respective local government units under a state of calamity.
Drought has damaged more than P214 million agricultural crops in the province as of May 3.
To hasten the coordination and mobilization of resources aimed at prioritizing immediate response and early recovery efforts to the affected populace, the CDRRMC said it is necessary to declare the state of calamity, noting a widespread and increased devastation to the livelihood of farmers, as damage to crops has already reached beyond their coping capacities.
Joe Recalex Alingasa, head of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said he will meet with farmers and livestock raisers in San Carlos City to determine the amount they will use from the Quick Response Fund, after the state of calamity declaration. | GB
