Isabela farmers harvest ahead of season as Rosita approaches

Farmers in the province of Isabela decided to harvest their crops ahead of time as Typhoon Rosita continues to make its way to their area.

In Raffy Tima's report on GMA News TV's Balitanghali on Monday, the farmers in Santiago City decided to reap their palay crops--a week ahead of its season--in order to prevent further damage once the typhoon hits their province.

"Eh may bagyo naman na eh, mas maganda kung maani na ngayon. Baka masira pa... mas mahal po 'yung reaper," farmer Ferdinand Tiglao said.

The farmers recounted the losses they experienced because of Typhoon Ompong's destructive blow.

They added that their agricultural yield has previously gone down by 50 percent.

The inclement weather poses economic threats to Santiago City; its primary crops are palay, corn and various vegetables.

'Rescue and relief'

The local government has also geared up its rescue and relief supplies because based on weather forecasts, Typhoon Rosita will possibly have a direct impact in Santiago City, in case it does not change its course.

"Puspusan 'yung ginagawa nating pagpe-prepare, 'yung mga usual na ginagawa natin na ina-alert natin kaagad 'yung mga brangay officials, 'yung warning system natin in place," Julius Agustin of CDRRMO said.

The monitoring center of the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office is continuously tracking the typhoon based on information from PAGASA and some equipment installed in their office.

The temperature in the city hit 24 degrees Celsius, one of the coldest in the recent months in their area.

In its 11 a.m. update, PAGASA said Isabela, Quirino, and Northern Aurora is under Signal No. 3. — Dona Magsino/RSJ, GMA News