Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Hailstorms put 2 towns in state of calamity
By Jane Cadalig
THE municipalities of Atok and Kibungan in Benguet have been put under a state of calamity following millions of pesos worth of damages to the vegetable industry due to hailstorms.
More than 40 percent of the agricultural crops in the towns were ruined by the hailstones that separately struck them last April 13 and May 7 and 9.
"The extent of destruction on crops warrants the declaration of the local government units under a state of calamity," the Provincial Board (PB) committee on ways and means reported.
The LGUs were advised to use their respective calamity funds to cope with and alleviate the damages incurred by farmers in Barangays Cattubo and Paoay in Atok, and Barangay Madaymen in Kibungan.
The two town's agriculture industries lost P49,543,446.90 after the hailstones, or dalalo in the local dialect, struck.
A total of 874 farmers were affected and more than 200 hectares of farm lots were devastated by the weather phenomenon, based on the report of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist.
Among the ruined crops include cabbage, potatoes, carrots, celery, garden peas, and cauliflower.
(May 31, 2006 issue)
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