Zamboanga Sibugay declares state of calamity due to drought

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Zamboanga Sibugay province, known as the rice granary of the south, has declared a state of calamity in response to a drought that is seen to affect 2,375 hectares of agricultural land, Gov. Wilter Palma said.

Palma said the Sangguniang Panlalawigan approved on Tuesday the recommendation of the Provincial Dissater Risk Reduction Management Council to place the province under the state of calamity.

Palma said the provincial council also approved the use of P20 million for programs that will help mitigate the impact of the dry spell, especially on farmers.

He said the severe temperatures have affected farming communities that rely mainly on the rain. Irrigated areas have also been drying up since January.

He said the timely approval of the state of calamity will allow them release calamity funds to address the dry spell.

According to Palma, at least 11 of the province's 16 towns have experienced the adverse effort the El Niño phenomenon.

He said provincial agriculturist Aurelia Cababat reported that a total of 2,872 farmers were also affected during the first quarter of 2019. An estimated P75 million worth of crops have been damaged by the drought.

The Department of Agriculture regional office earlier reported that close to P80 million worth of rice and corn crops have been damaged in Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, and Zamboanga City.

The DA has yet to assess the estimate damage of the drought that is also affecting large areas of Zamboanga del Norte.