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Tuesday, July 31, 2007
La Union placed under state of calamity
MANILA -- A state of calamity has been declared in La Union following a prolonged dry spell that affected farmlands in the province planted mostly with rice and corn, said National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) executive director Glen Rabonza on Monday.
Rabonza said with the declaration, they would now be able to access their local calamity fund.
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At least 26,000 hectares of farmlands in La Union were affected by the dry spell, including 47,000 hectares in Pangasinan and 11,000 hectares in Ilocos Sur, Rabonza said in a text message to Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye.
He said a Department of Agriculture field unit is already monitoring the situation, adding that the agency remains "on top of the situation." Rabonza said the DA has been conducting "cloud-seeding operation" to produce rain in the drought-stricken province.
Two Philippine Air Force Nomad planes have been tapped to do cloud-seeding operations in San Fernando City in La Union and in Cauayan in Isabela to support the irrigation of farmlands and augment the water level in the different dams.
He said a civilian Islander aircraft is also engaged in cloud-seeding operations in Metro Manila and Bulacan, including the Angat dam area, which has also reported low water levels resulting in the shutting down of several power turbines operated by the Angat Hydroelectric power plant.
In parts of Pangasinan, particularly in the Narvacan area, Rabonza reported that rains have already started falling.
"NDCC continues to monitor progress," said Rabonza.
Malacañang earlier ordered the different government agencies to start conserving water and power as part of contingency plans in light of the dry spell.
Aside from the cloud-seeding operations, they have enjoined the public to do their share in conserving water and electricity. (JMR/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Baguio. (July 31, 2007 issue)
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