By Bohol Island News Staff / 3:58 PM October 15, 2019
The Bohol provincial government has declared a state of calamity, following massive agricultural damage due to the ongoing weak El Niño.
On Tuesday afternoon, October 15, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Bohol Provincial Board) presided by acting Vice Governor Ricky Masayor approved a resolution submitted by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMC) to declare Bohol under a state of calamity.
El Niño is a meteorological phenomenon characterized by an extended dry season and warmer temperatures.
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According to the Bohol provincial government, damage to agriculture and fisheries has already reached an estimated P179 million.
The declaration of a state of calamity will prevent further damage to agricultural crops, livestick, fishery and water supply if appropriate interventions and assistance are immediately provided to the vulnerable sectors.
It will also allow the provincial government to disburse in emergency funds to affected areas.
READ: 6 towns in Bohol declare ‘State of Calamity’ due to El Niño
Six towns have already declared state of calamity due to the ill effects of the El Niño phenomenon.
Last October 3, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) has approved the proposal to place Bohol under state of calamity due effects of El Niño in the province.
Bohol Governor Art Yap convened the PDRRMC, where he presided the meeting as its chairman.
Dr. Larry Pamugas, acting provincial agriculturist, (OPA), 38 out of 48 towns in Bohol are affected by the drought.
He said P179 million worth of rice was damaged by the drought.
Major dams in Bohol —Malinao in Pilar town, Bayongan in San Miguel town, Capayas in Ubay town and Zamora in Talibon town— are now depleted by months of El Niño that has affected irrigation system in its service area and has affected at least 100,000 families of farmers.
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