3 northern towns worst hit by El Niño

CEBU, Philippines - Three municipalities of northern Cebu, two of these from Bantayan Island, were affected by the El Niño phenomenon, officials of the Department of Agriculture-7 said.

Officials of the DA-7 were invited by the members of the Cebu Provincial Board to shed light on reports of the affected towns and cities in relation to the impact of the El Niño.

Tomasita Cadungog, chief for operations of the DA-7, told members of the PB that based on an ocular inspection of their personnel at the field, they noted that corns planted by the residents of Bantayan and Madridejos in Bantayan Island and in the municipality of Daanbantayan (in the mainland) were affected by the El Niño.

According to Cadungog, their personnel are now providing assistance to the affected farmers in coordination with the municipal agriculture office of the three towns.

Cadungog said that aside from the three towns, they are also closely monitoring the neighboring municipalities.

For her part, Chen Albarasin, chief of the planning division of the DA-7, said that they advised farmers not only in affected towns to plant either sweet potatoes or cassava.

With the threats of El Niño, both Cadungog and Albarasin said that farmers should plant sweet potatoes instead of the regular agricultural products.

Fourth district PB member Joven Mondigo, Jr. said that with the reports made by officials of DA-7, he is now looking into the possible assistance from the provincial government to the affected farmers of his district.

Oscar Tabada, of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration in Mactan, informed members of the PB that initially they expect El Niño to hit Cebu and other parts of the country by the end of May this year.

Tabada said they hope that rains may fall by first week of June. — Jose P. Sollano/MEEV   (FREEMAN NEWS)