KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Mar. 22 (PIA) -- South Cotabato is now under a state of calamity due to El Niño phenomenon.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan, approved in its meeting Monday (March 21) the resolution from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) recommending a declaration of a state of calamity.
The PDRRMC resolution passed on Friday (March 18) was prompted by extensive damage the province has sustained from the almost four months of drought.
Data from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG) indicated that damage to crops since November 2015 has already exceeded Php284 million.
Some 11,011 hectares of rice, corn, high value crops and inland fish ponds were affected; these involved at least 9,380 farmers.
However, Provincial Agriculturist Justina Navarrete and Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Nelida Pereira confirmed that the extent of actual damage is expectedly much higher because the production areas reported were limited to the farms tilled at present and the number of individuals affected did not account for the farm laborers and plantation workers as well as the households who have lost sources of income and food.
The report did not also account the communities that are facing concerns of depleting sources of drinking water.
Mila Lorca, PDRRMC action officer, said in an interview that placing the province under a state of calamity means that the provincial government can start relief operations using the 2016 Quick Response Fund (QRF).
South Cotabato LGU has earmarked Php22.13 million as QRF this year.
Lorca, however, clarified that of the total allocation, only Php17 million will be spent for the relief operations and mitigation activities for residents affected by the El Niño as the provincial government must also prepare for possibility of other disasters or calamities that may occur with the onset of the rainy season.
Among the provincial government’s immediate responses include distribution of food packs to affected families as well as feeds and food concentrates for livestocks.
“Since the election period has already taken effect, the distribution of relief assistance will be consigned to the Philippine Red Cross in coordination with the Commission on Audit,” Lorca said.
PDRRMC personnel will visit affected communities only to conduct Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis ( RDANA), she added.
Meanwhile, Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes expressed concern that the brunt of the ongoing drought may still be felt around the third quarter of this year.
“If it will not rain in May, the effects of El Nino, particularly on food sufficiency and agricultural production, could last until September or October,” Gov. Fuentes said, adding that the Php22-million QRF may not be sufficient to provide the needed assistance.
“If this happens, the provincial government may have to allocate funds for relief operations from the General Funds,” the lady governor said. “This also means that we have to cut down on some items such as expenses on travels and seminars and trainings.” (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)