Town reeling from crop loss declares another war on rats

M’LANG, North Cotabato, Philippines—Still reeling from the damage wrought by rodents during the previous cropping season, this town declared a war on rats.

Mayor Joselito Piñol last week even issued his first executive order this year, which contained an instruction to chiefs of the 37 villages to make sure the campaign against rodents was implemented before cropping begins in the third week of this month.

He said aside from hunting down rats, farmers should also strive to synchronize their planting.

“We are doing this to prevent these pests from wreaking havoc on our crops,” he said.

To boost the campaign, Piñol said the local government would also give rewards to those actively involved in the campaign.

For example, a farmer or any resident, who could turn in 20 pieces of rat tails, will get one kilogram of rice.

“The LGU has allotted some P500,000 for purchase of rice,” he said.

Piñol also urged other residents to join the campaign, saying food security is not just the concern of farmers.

He ordered village officials to also convince their constituents to help in the campaign.

“With this program, we will help our farmers combat the rodent problem in our town. At the same time, it would ensure that our harvest will not be compromised,” he said.

The agriculture department is projecting good harvest this year that would make it unnecessary to rely on imported rice.

Rice importation has been linked to kickbacks during the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

According to officials of the current administration, rice imported from Vietnam has been overpriced, benefiting not only importers but also corrupt officials of the National Food Authority under the previous administration. Williamor A. Magbanua, Inquirer Mindanao