Calamity state in Isabela due to dry spell

CITY OF ILAGAN—The Isabela provincial board on Wednesday declared a state of calamity in the province after the prolonged dry spell damaged P705 million worth of corn.

Vice Gov. Antonio “Tonypet” Albano said the board members would discuss with Gov. Faustino Dy III the type of assistance, whether in the form of seeds or fertilizers, need to be extended to corn farmers suffering from the drought.

Dy said the provincial government needs to help farmers preserve Isabela’s status as the leading corn producer in the country.

Danilo Tumamao, Isabela provincial agriculturist, said at least 55,000 metric tons of corn were damaged due to the absence of heavy rain in the past months.

Tumamao said authorities are projecting losses to reach P1 billion. The province’s corn production target this year, he said, may not be reached due to the “leaner than expected” corn harvest.

Of the 34 towns and two cities growing corn in the province, at least 23 towns and the cities of Ilagan and Cauayan have reported damage due to the dry spell.

Tumamao said reports showed that corn farms in San Mariano town suffered heavily from the drought, although he did not provide figures.

He said the second district had the highest reported losses of P197 million. Villamor Visaya Jr., Inquirer Northern Luzon