Less rainfall taking toll on Cebu farmers

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu farmers have expressed concerns over the effects of less rainfall and the erratic behavior of weather conditions recently.

Lilia Yanong, spokesperson of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas in Cebu, said  farmers are complaining of lack of rain since it disrupts the planting season of corns that are eventually milled into rice.

“Grabi kadako sa deperensya karon. Lahi na gyud ang panahon. Tingtanom man unta niadtong Septyembre pero kulang man ang ulan maong nausab hinuon,” she told The FREEMAN in an interview.

She said most of the affected farmers are from the southern and midwest Cebu like Toledo City and the towns of Aloguinsan, Pinamungahan, Balamban and Asturias, among others.

She said lesser rains have also taken a toll on peasants who tend and sell vegetables.

With the current situation, Yanong said, the group is asking the Cebu provincial government, the Department of Agriculture and other concerned agencies to allot subsidy or provide assistance to affected farmers.

She said the farmers need seeds and other materials for irrigation and rice production.

Yanong said some of the farmers are already starving and are having a hard time supporting their families’ daily subsistence.

The local weather station in Mactan recorded scarce rains last July and August, while an El Niño event is feared to occur.

Romeo Aguirre, weather specialist from Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration in Lapu-Lapu City station, said July and August, respectively, had 30 percent and 70 percent rainfall deficit.

He, however, said that in the succeeding months of September and October, rainfall conditions returned to normal.

Particularly this month, he said, Cebu already achieved its expected rainfall amount of 200 millimeters.

Yesterday, heavy rains poured in Metro Cebu increasing the actual rain the province normally receives.

Aguirre said the weather bureau is monitoring a 50-55 percent probability of an El Niño developing by the end of this year. (FREEMAN)