Task force to lead agri rehab in Cebu

THE Cebu provincial government has created a task force to oversee and speed up the rehabilitation of the province’s farm lands which sustained more than P800 million in crop losses due to supertyphoon Yolanda.

Provincial Agriculturist Roldan Saragena said the rehabilitation plan will be implemented in a two-month period and will start with the planting of typhoon-resilient crops in typhoon-hit areas.

“We estimate the farmers to recover in two to three months,” he told Cebu Daily News yesterday.

Dr. Romulo Davide, the provincial government’s consultant on agriculture, said he will extend his expertise in the rehabilitation program.

Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III approved an initial P6 million to buy seedlings for the 19,898 farmers in 14 affected towns and cities.

These areas include Santa Fe, Bantayan and Madridejos in Bantayan Island, San Francisco, Poro, Tudela and Pilar in Camotes island and the mainland towns of San Remigio, Medellin, Tabogon, Borbon, Tabuelan, Tuburan and Bogo City.

Also affected were Asturias, Balamban, Toledo City, Tuburan, Sogod, Catmon, Carmen, and Danao City.

In a report, Dr. Davide said crops like camote (sweet potato) have better survival chances.

Dr. Davide said farmers should also be encouraged to plant vegetables, mongo (mung beans), peanuts, corn, jackfruit, guyabano and bananas. Correspondent Peter L. Romanillos