The agricultural North Cotabato town of Tulunan has been placed under a state of calamity after recent strong winds and heavy downpour destroyed some PHP184-million worth of crops.
Tulunan Mayor Reuel Limbungan said Tuesday that most of the damaged crops, supposedly due for harvest this month, are beyond recovery.
Monday’s state of calamity declaration by the town council came after the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC) noted that more than 45 percent of crops due for harvest had been severely damaged.
The series of inclement weather that began two weeks ago led to the destruction of crops such as palay and corn.
“With the state of calamity declared, the local government can use its calamity fund to aid affected farmers,” Limbungan said.
Close to 3,000 hectares of rice and cornfields and small banana plantations have been affected by the recurring weather disturbances, the mayor said.
Farmers whose crops were not insured with the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation would be the first to receive calamity assistance, he added.