South Cebu supply of crops down by 50%

CEBU, Philippines - After two successive typhoons that hit the southern part of Cebu, the Provincial Agriculture Office says the crop supply from the area has decreased by more than 50 percent.

Provincial Agriculturist Roldan Saragena reported that the agriculture sector incurred severe damaged from tropical depression Queenie in November and tropical storm Seniang the following month.

Based on the assessment report of the agriculture office, the damage to crops brought by Queenie was pegged at P47.7 million. Most affected crops are corn, rice, banana, mango, and vegetables.

On the other hand, damage to crops due to Seniang was placed at P7 million.

Saragena, quoting the report of the Municipal Agriculture Office in Dalaguete, said that Queenie damaged 95 percent of the town’s total agriculture area. Dalaguete has been tagged as the “vegetable basket” of Cebu.

“Sensitive baya kaayo nang mga leafy vegetables, dali ra malata,” he said.

Along with Dalaguete town, crop supply in the mountain barangays of Alcoy, parts of Boljoon, and Argao is also reportedly limited, Saragena added.

He pointed out that the challenge in transporting the products from the southern part of the province is another factor that limits supply of crops since the Dumlog Bridge in Sibonga is still impassable after its approach collapsed due to the flood brought by Seniang.

“Ang effect mosaka ang presyo diri sa Carbon market. There is low supply but dako ang demand. Ang cost pud sa transportation, mosaka pud,” he said.

The agriculture office projected that it would take three to four months for the affected agriculture sector to recover should there be no more calamities to hit the province again.

Saragena said planting short-maturing crops like pechay would help. “Kay ang pechay 15 to 20 days puwede na man ma-harvest.”

Saragena further said that affected fishermen and farmers covered by the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation are already insured.

He added those who want to claim the insurance would have to coordinate with the local government units.— Michael Vencynth H. Braga/ATO (FREEMAN)