Rats as big as cats ‘invade’ ricefields

CANDABA, Pampanga - Hordes of rats, reportedly as big as cats, have invaded thousands of hectares of ricefields in eight towns in Pampanga, destroying about 10 percent of rice farms in this province.

"The rats approximate the size of cats and their population has been noted to be unusual," said Dr. Emmanuel Guanlao, executive director of the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council.

He attributed the large rat population to floodings in Pampanga during the last rainy season.

Provincial agriculturist Mario Mangiliman said rat infestation has been noted in the towns of Arayat, San Simon, Candaba, San Luis, Apalit, Lubao, Floridablanca and Porac.

He said the infestation seems to be most prevalent these days in the Candaba swamp here where farmers have recently planted rice crops. — Ding Cervantes