Gov't allots P882M to help farmers battered by El Niño

The government is spending P882 million to help farmers and fishers affected by the prolonged drought brought by El Niño in 14 provinces in Luzon and the Visayas. In a statement, the Agriculture department said the dry spell, expected to last until July, has damaged more than 200,000 metric tons (MT) of palay or unhusked rice, corn and other crops worth P2.84 billion. Agriculture Undersecretary Joel Rudinas told reporters in Davao City on Thursday measures put in place include cloud seeding, irrigation and monitoring of a possible outbreak of pests triggered by drought. Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said field units in five El Niño-hit regions were drawing up with local governments a list of farmers eligible for food aid. Some farmers may also qualify to enroll in training programs for emergency jobs in the construction or repair of farm-to-market roads and irrigation facilities. The 14 affected provinces are Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino in Northern Luzon; Bulacan and Nueva Ecija in Central Luzon; Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque and Romblon in Region 4-B; Masbate in Bicol; and Antique, Guimaras and Negros Occidental in Western Visayas. According to a Feb. 16 report by the department's Central Action Center, the dry spell threatens 158,166 hectares of farmland with about 200,000 metric tons of assorted crops worth P2.84 billion. Of the total, 10,533 hectares have no chance of recovery. — NPA, GMANews.TV