MINDANAO, PHILIPPINES – Two areas in North Cotabato have been placed under state of calamity due to the effects of the El Niño phenomenon, authorities said Friday.
Kabacan City and Kidapawan City in North Cotabato have been placed under calamity state due to the damages in agriculture and the series of grassfires that have damaged plantations and farms as a result of the severe dry spell.
Prior to the declaration of a state calamity, residents in those areas have already urged the local governments for help due to the effects of the El Niño to their livelihood.
North Cotabato Provincial Agriculturist Elizeo Mangliwan said the extre dry spell has already damaged about P230 million in agriculture.
Among the agricultural products that were severely damaged by the dry spell are bananas, rice, rubber and coffee.
Mangliwan fears that the damage will continue to widen as El Niño continues to hit the province. – BusinessNewsAsia.com