Matalam, Cotabato under state of calamity as drought destroys crops

The municipality of Matalam in Cotabato was placed in a state of calamity after crops dried up from the intense and prolonged drought, a report on GMA News TV's News to Go said on Tuesday.

Eighteen of 34 barangays were reported affected.

According to the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, more than P100 million worth of crops were affected by the extreme heat.

Rain came just a few hours before the declaration of state of calamity, but authorities said there was not enough water to save to be used on all the crops.

Farmers are hoping more rains will pour in the coming days. —Karen Galarpe/TJD, GMA News