‘Auring damages P184M crops in Cotabato town

KIDAPAWAN CITY –– Although there were no reported evacuations from the flood in Cotabato town during last week’s onslaught of Tropical Storm ’Auring’, some P184 million in crops were damaged in Tulunan town, prompting the local government to declare a state of calamity.

Tulunan Mayor Reuel Limbungan said most of the damaged crops were beyond recovery. They were supposedly due for harvest this month.

The municipal council recently passed a resolution putting the entire town under a calamity state upon recommendation of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC).

With the declaration, the municipal government can now use its calamity fund to address post-disaster rehab and recovery needs.

Limbungan said the combination of strong winds and heavy downpour flattened close to 3,000 hectares of rice, corn, and banana fields in 15 of the town’s 19 villages.

Limbungan added that some 40 percent of the town’s rice fields were damaged.

The MDRRMC estimated the total damage at P184 million.

Limbungan said farmers, whose crops were not insured with the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation, would be the first to receive calamity assistance.

The assistance will mainly be for seeds and fertilizer acquisition.

Some 1,616 farmers lost their crops due to the wrath of Auring, according to the MDRRMC.

LZB