Frost has blanketed sections of Atok town in Benguet once again, but it’s a seasonal phenomenon that most vegetable farmers are prepared for. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO / GLADYS MAXIMO
MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Sunday allayed fears that the freezing of vegetables in Benguet would affect Metro Manila’s vegetable supply.
“The Department of Agriculture has quickly mobilized its resources to address frosting on vegetables in three [villages] of Benguet and its possible effect on Metro Manila’s vegetable supply, even as its said damage has been very minimal thus far,” the agency said in a statement.
The DA has been monitoring Barangay (village) Paoay, Atok and Madaymen in Kibungan, Benguet after vegetables in the area showed signs of frost because of the cold weather.
Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala is also set to meet with local DA officials to come up with strategies that would prevent “future frost incidences in one of the country’s vegetable bowls.”
The DA-Cordilla Administrative Region (CAR) earlier reported that three hectares of potato and cabbage farms were affected by frost as temperatures there fell to nine degrees Celsius. However, only one-fourth hectare of the crops was totally damaged.
DA-CAR Director Marilyn Sta. Catalina said frosting or the formation of ice crystals is a “regular episode” in high-altitude areas.
“These normal occurrences have taught Cordillera farmers mitigation measures such as water sprinkling. They also adjust the schedule of planting, which is why they were able to harvest most of their crops ahead of the frost occurrence,” she said.
DA has allotted P2.4 million for the construction of a small water impounding facility and several units of power sprayers, in addition to the construction of a greenhouse that would allow the farms to grow crops amid harsh weather conditions.
The department is looking to Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino as alternative sources of upland vegetables amid fears that frost damage would push prices of vegetables upward.
Benguet accounts for nearly three-fourths of Metro Manila’s supply of semi-temperate vegetables, such as cabbage, lettuce, carrots, potatoes, beans and bokchoy (petsay).