Icy 9-degree temperature frosts crops in Benguet town

MANILA, Philippines - Temperature in Atok, Benguet dropped to a near-icy 9°C on New Year's Day, threatening local livelihood with frost.

Vegetable and fruit crops were covered with ice crystals, which was seen to adversely affect the farmers' production and deliveries at the onset of the new year.

In a radio report on Tuesday, Atok farmers said that about 90 percent of their crops were destroyed due to frosting and may be completely lost if temperature continues to drop to 6°C.

Livelihood in Paoay village is said to have been affected the most.

Farmers, however, admitted that the the cold weather improves the quality of vegetables and fruits that survived, making them sweeter.

Building greenhouses worth P250,000 to P500,000 is said to protect the yield from the low temperatures experienced in the area especially this season.