San Lorenzo placed under state of calamity as agri damage hits P17M

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 i t s 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 C o r d e r o J r. s a i d t h e Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council ( MDRRMC) has e a r l i e r r e c o mmended placing the town under a state of calamity due to El Niño.

A c c o r d i n g t o t h e

MDRRMC, 66.42 percent of the total 8,048 households, or approximately 60 percent of the 31,271 population, were affected by t he El Niño phenomenon based on the assessment conducted by t he 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.

R i c e , m e a n w h i l e , accounted for around 84 percent of overall l osses 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

* Hi g h- va l u e C r o ps ( 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 i n t ervention and help address the pressing needs of its people,” read part of the resolution.

San Lorenzo was t he second town in Guimaras to declare a state of calamity following Buenavista.

T h e P h i l i p p i n e Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services A d m i n i s t r a t i o n s a i d Guimaras is experiencing drought triggered by the El Niño weather phenomenon this April./