CROP DAMAGE. An agriculture official checked Monday (April 22, 2024) corn fields in Maguindanao del Sur that started to wither as early as January of this year when the dry spell began to destroy crops. Many farmers anticipated a longer dry season and harvested their corn earlier rather than allowing it to be destroyed by extreme heat. (Photo courtesy of Maguindanao del Sur Agriculture Office)
COTABATO CITY – Maguindanao del Sur Governor Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu has approved a resolution declaring the entire province a state of calamity due to huge agricultural losses brought about by drought.
“The drought has affected 5,601 farmers and destroyed over P345.9 million of crops. Heavily affected are palay and corn fields, banana plantations, livestock and poultry, and freshwater fish,” she said in a statement on Tuesday.
On Monday, Mangudadatu signed Sangguniang Panlalawigan Resolution No. 039 after 20 of the province’s 24 municipalities experienced heavy losses in agriculture, livestock, poultry, and inland fisheries.
The affected towns include Ampatuan, Buluan, Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, Datu Montawal, Datu Paglas, Datu Salibo, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, and Datu Unsay.
Also affected are the towns of Gen. SK Pendatun, Guindulungan, Mangudadatu, Pagalungan, Paglat, Pandag, Rajah Buayan, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, South Upi, Sultan sa Barongis and Talayan.
Mangudadatu said the absence of rainfall has led to dwindling water sources, posing a significant challenge to farmers in irrigating their crops, including rice, corn, and vegetables.
Last week, the entire province of Sultan Kudarat, adjacent to Maguindanao del Sur, was placed under a state of calamity by the provincial disaster risk reduction and management council and was approved by Governor Pax Ali Mangudadatu, son of Maguindanao del Sur Governor Mangudadatu. (PNA)
