State of calamity declared in Surallah, South Cotabato due to El Niño

The local government of Surallah town in South Cotabato has declared a state of calamity due to the adverse effects of the El Niño phenomenon.

The Office of the Municipal Agriculturist in Surallah said that as of March 31, almost 1,000 hectares of farm lands and fish ponds are drying up, a report on Unang Balita said.

Damage to agriculture has been placed at almost P71 million.

The Surallah local government plans to use calamity funds to provide assistance to some 1,000 farmers who are coping with the scorching heat brought about by the extreme weather phenomenon. 

According to state weather bureau PAGASA, the temperature in the southern major city of General Santos hit 34.7°C — the ninth-highest recorded in the country on April 16, Tuesday.

Earlier this month, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that the country’s agriculture losses due to the impact of the ongoing El Niño phenomenon have reached more than P1.2 billion.

At least 26,731 hectares of crops and 29,409 farmers and fisherfolk were likewise affected. Around 84,731 families or 416,820 individuals in 378 barangays in 10 provinces were adversely impacted by the scorching heat.

Meanwhile, a Senate investigation has been sought regarding the ongoing El Niño phenomenon and its effects. — VDV, GMA Integrated News