Habagat devastates La Union agri sector
The OPAG projected that the amount of damages will increase as assessments or evaluation will also arrive from the other municipalities of the province
BAGUIO CITY — The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG) of La Union disclosed that the damages caused by the southwest monsoon or habagat to the agriculture sector in the province have already reached at least P2.4 million.
The agency noted that P2,466,339 worth of vegetables, rice farm and farm products and farm animals as well as fish farm produce went to waste and of the total amount, P1,003,339 worth of damages was recorded in the 193 hectares of rice farms.
It added that at least P574,000 worth of destroyed vegetables from 3.30 hectares of vegetable plantations while P889,000 worth of fishes was wasted in several fish farms.
The OPAG projected that the amount of damages will increase as assessments or evaluation will also arrive from the other municipalities of the province.
The agency stated that the local government will be assisting the affected farmers financially and technically.
Meantime, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong on Wednesday suspended government work due to the southwest monsoon.
"Work will be temporarily suspended, owing to inclement weather, to safeguard the general welfare of all persons in the city, and to allow our workers and employees to go home early so that they may be secured in their residence as we wait improved weather conditions," Magalong said.
He added that the issuance is in accordance to section 16 if Republic Act 7610 or the local government code of 1991 regarding such weather conditions.
Authorities are reminding the public especially the motorists to be extra cautious when passing at landslide prone areas and slippery roads. The latest landslide recorded in the city was in the morning of 28 July 2021 at Leonard Wood Road.
Meantime, the Municipal Council of La Trinidad, Benguet gave authority to La Trinidad Mayor Romeo Salda to slap charges against the land developers following the passage of a resolution to empower the mayor to go after the developers in Upper Cogcoga and Piripin Bato of Barangay Pico, La Trinidad.
The local legislative’s move came after the stretch of the Halsema Highway particulary at KM. 3 and KM. 4 in La Trinidad was flooded with muddy waters coming from the said areas at the height of the southwest monsoon.
Work will be temporarily suspended, owing to inclement weather, to safeguard the general welfare of all persons in the city, and to allow our workers and employees to go home early so that they may be secured in their residence as we wait improved weather conditions.
According to La Trinidad Vice Mayor Roderick Awingan, criminal charges and civil case are being readied against the developers. He said an environmental case will also be slapped against them so that a Temporary Environmental Protection Order will be issued against the development projects in the areas.