Koronadal declares a state of calamity

KORONADAL CITY—A state of calamity has been declared here as damage to crops due to the dry spell rose to over P40 million, according to agriculture and disaster officials.

In a special session on Friday, the city council approved a resolution placing the entire Koronadal under a state of calamity in response to a recommendation of Mayor Peter Miguel and the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC).

More than 4,000 families have been affected by the drought. Fifteen of the city’s 27 villages had earlier declared their own states of calamity through the local councils.

CDRRMC records showed that the dry spell had destroyed some 40,000 hectares of rice and corn fields and other high-value crops.

Vice Mayor Eliordo Ogena, the council’s presiding officer, said the extent of damage to crops had been so enormous that it warranted putting the city under such state to allow the local government to use its calamity fund amounting to P10 million.

With the declaration, Ogena said the city government would prioritize distribution of food packs to severely affected villages, water rationing to communities suffering from water shortage, and assistance to farmers.

Planting materials will be provided to farmers and shallow tube wells will be installed, said Eric Medel of the city agriculture office.