BOHOL’s agriculture damage to the tune of over P420 million brought about by El Nino with intense heat has prompted the declaration putting the province under the state of calamity.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan chaired by Vice-Gov. Dionisio Victor Balite wasted no time during its regular session on Tuesday made such declaration following the recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) chaired by the governor.
The prolonged El Nino phenomenon resulted to a total damage in agriculture of P420,843,454.31 based on the report of the provincial agricultural office.
The boiling heat has been experienced in the city and other town over 40 degrees Celsius the past weeks and has produced fire that burnt some of the chocolate hills in Carmen town and some mountains in other places, like The Alicia’s Panoramic Park (TAPP).
The biggest damage wrought by dry spell is in crops with a total of P419,652,670.51. This includes rice with 92.42% in damage; corn, P4%; High value crops, 1.42%; and cassava, 2.09%, based on the 36 of 48 towns report.
The biggest damage in crops is in Carmen town with P46,364,360 and followed by Ubay, P36,792,266; Getafe, P34,430,600; Danao, P33,833,237; Dagohoy, P32,882,717; and Alicia, P32,612,173, based on the data of the provincial agriculturist office.
Others are: Dauis, P4,067,288; Baclayon, 4,727,513; Alburquerque, P124,000; Sikatuna, P9,664,150; Corella, 697,000; Maribojoc; P490,000; Loon, P1,050,000; Calape, P5,654,488; and Catigbian, P1,476,334.
Clarin, P16,735,208; Sagbayan, P4,884,877; Bien-Unido, P4,073,174; Pres. Carlos P. Garcia, P11,078,154; Trinidad, P17,996,266; and San Miguel, P15,524,013.
In 3rd district: Loboc, P5,490,660; Dimiao, P7,006,000; Valencia, P2,207,118; Garcia-Hernandez, P2,740,800; Jagna, P6,300,781; Duero, P6,982,612; Guindulman, P1,927,250; Candijay, P21,114,766; Mabini, P17,306,170; Pilar, P8,226,380; Sierra-Bullones, P15,503,369; and Sevilla, P2,593,292.
On livestock, the total damage is pegged at P433,294.00 based on the reports of seven towns.
The fishery sector incurred a total damage of P756,900.00 from nine (9) towns reports. This includes tilapia fish, 98.15% and bangus, 1.85%.
The provincial government has put in effect some interventions in mitigating the impacts of the dry spell. According to its media office “the comprehensive plan includes substantial financial allocations, cloud seeding operations, and a moratorium on the use of geo-resistivity devices and drilling machines.”
“To address water scarcity and ensure the sustainability of crops, the provincial government has allocated ₱25,510,700 for irrigation materials. In addition, cloud seeding operations are set to commence with a combined budget of ₱7.5 million, with ₱2.5 million provided by the provincial government and ₱5 million from the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM).”
To support farmers during this critical period, the SP passed Resolution No. 2024-150, granting a six-month moratorium on fees for the use of geo-resistivity devices and drilling machines. This moratorium, effective Feb. 19 to Aug. 19, is designed to ease the financial burden on farmers seeking to access groundwater resources, PIMO said.
On the other hand, Resolution No. 2024-151 extends this moratorium to farmer cooperatives and people’s organizations producing high-value crops that are not yet accredited with the provincial government.
This was the offshoot of Aumentado’s effort in convening a meeting with Bohol mayors and stakeholders on Friday.
Provincial administrator Asteria Caberte, Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) member Jamie Villamor, Dr. Anthony Damalerio, PDRRMO Head, Dr. Larry Pamugas, OPA OIC, APCO-Bohol Roman Dabalos, the mayors of Bohol led by Mayor Fernando Estavilla, LMP president, Leonard Samar of PAGASA, and representatives from the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) were among those present. (rvo)
