GUIMARAS – The town of San Lorenzo in this island province was placed under a state of calamity due to the effects of the El Niño phenomenon.
The Sangguniang Bayan (SB), during its regular session on April 17, passed Resolution No. 73, Series of 2024 declaring a state of calamity in the entire municipality of San Lorenzo with damage to agriculture and fishery sector now at P17,226,683.36.
Vice Mayor Constantino Cordero Jr. said the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC) has earlier recommended placing the town under a state of calamity due to El Niño phenomenon.
According to the MDRRMC, 66.42 percent of the total 8,048 households, or approximately 60 percent of the 31,271 population, were affected by the El Niño phenomenon based on the assessment conducted by the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office.
Data from the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist further showed that as of March 2024, a total of 4,899 registered farmers were affected.
Rice, meanwhile, accounted for around 84 percent of overall losses with P14,430,323.36
Here is the breakdown of the damage:
* Rice (688 hectares) – P14,430,323.36
* Corn (37.35 hectares) – P2,088,180
* Livestock and poultry – P179,400
* High-value Crops (10.62 hectares) – P456,780
* Fishery – P72,000
“Looking into the data presented by offices, it is but vital and proper for the Local government unit of San Lorenzo to extend intervention and help address the pressing needs of its people,” read part of the resolution.
San Lorenzo was the second town in Guimaras to declare a state of calamity following Buenavista.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Guimaras is experiencing drought triggered by the El Niño weather phenomenon this April./PN
