The local government of M’lang in North Cotabato has declared a state of calamity due to the effects of the El Niño phenomenon, raising the number of towns under calamity in the province to four.

M’lang Mayor Russel Abonado said the drought had affected about PHP345 million worth of crops and livestock in the town’s 37 villages.

Earlier, the towns of Alamada, Aleosan and Arakan also declared their respective localities under a state of calamity.

Provincial Agriculture Office officer Ruel Villanueva reported during a recent meeting that the drought had destroyed PHP306 million worth of crops in the initial three affected towns and has also hit parts of Magpet and Pigcawayan municipalities and Kidapawan City.

With M’lang having over PHP345 million in damage, the amount of damage to crops and livestock in the province rose to about PHP650 million, he said.

The heavily damaged crops include palay, corn, vegetables, and banana. Livestock and poultry farms are also affected.

Provincial government aid

To cushion the drought’s impact, the provincial agriculture office has started dispersing seeds, assistance and water pumps to farmer associations to cushion the impact of the dry spell.

Also, North Cotabato Governor Emmylou Mendoza has directed the agriculture office to bridge the farmers with the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) to avail of agriculture sector programs during calamities. (PNA)