The town of Kabayan, Benguet was declared under state of calamity due to the adverse effects of Typhoon Fabian and the monsoon rains on infrastructure and agriculture.
The municipal council of Kabayan through Resolution 149-21 stated some farm-to-market roads were rendered impassable while 85 percent of agricultural crops were damaged due to the inclement weather the past weeks.
“For these reasons, there is a need to declare the whole municipality due to the damage on farm-to-market roads, irrigation, waterworks systems, and agricultural crops,” the resolution reads.
Vice Mayor Mircoles Lamses said the damage in the agriculture was pegged at more than P123 million, affecting 720 farmers and their families.
Lamses said the monsoon rains also heavily damaged a total of 63,896.58 metric tons of vegetables, especially cauliflower and broccoli.
Kabayan, the only town in Benguet to declare a state of calamity, is one of the top producers of cauliflower and broccoli in the province. These vegetables cannot withstand the almost three weeks of continuous rains.
Lamses said the declaration is not only to allow the municipal government to use a portion of its calamity fund but also to request other agencies and the provincial government to help the town recover from its losses.
Kabayan is also waiting for assistance, such as farm inputs and seedlings, from the Department of Agriculture.
Mayor Basilio Louie Daoal Jr. and Gov. Melchor Diclas were furnished a copy of the resolution. – Ofelia C. Empian
April 24, 2024
