San Carlos declares state of calamity; cites drought damage to crops

DAMAGED CROPS One of the corn farms in North Cotabato province severely battered by El Niño. INQUIRER file photo / BONG S. SARMIENTO

BACOLOD CITY – San Carlos City in Negros Occidental was placed under a state of calamity amid the devastation brought about by the El Niño phenomenon.

The town’s council approved the recommendation of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council headed by Mayor Renato Gustilo on Monday, May 6.

The City Agriculture Office reported that the damage to crops in San Carlos has hit P17,681,328.50 affecting 518 farmers tilling 375.72 hectares of agricultural land.

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“In order to hasten the coordination and mobilization of resources aimed at prioritizing immediate response and early recovery efforts to the affected populace, the CDRRMC necessitates the declaration of a state of calamity,” it said.

San Enrique town and Kabankalan City in Negros Occidental also declared states of calamity earlier.