SP mulls placing some Pampanga towns under state of calamity due to El Niño

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, March 12 (PNA) - The members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) are contemplating on filing a resolution for the declaration of some towns in the province under a state of calamity as a result of the reported huge damages in agricultural and aquatic produce due to El Niño phenomenon.

Board Member Johnny “JQ” Quiambao, committee chair on agriculture and 4th District Board Member Ricardo Yabut, said they have already consulted with some mayors of the El Nino-affected municipalities about the actual situation in their respective towns.

Quiambao said fishpond operators in the province were highly affected as they suffered great losses from the fish kill brought about by the dry spell.

He said should the El Niño affected towns meet the requirements for declaring a state of calamity, they would definitely approve a resolution for such purpose.

San Simon Mayor Digos Canlas said that his town has been severely affected by continued dry spell that is why is asking for the declaration of the state of calamity, he said.

Yabut said he was informed that farmer leaders and local officials from the El Niño-affected municipalities such as Apalit, Candaba, Macabebe, Masantol, Minalin, San Luis, San Simon, Santo Tomas would seek the help of the national government in saving the crops of affected farmers and fisher folks.

With this, Yabut disclosed that the provincial board is set to conduct a committee hearing on Monday to determine whether or not the situation calls for the declaration of calamity in some selected municipalities of the province particularly in the province’s fourth district.

The board member said he would also conduct physical inspection and consultation with the farmer leaders to verify the extent of damages and if given the accurate data of agricultural losses, he would help local officials in his district through sponsoring of a resolution for the declaration of state of calamity.

Quiambao said that if some selected municipalities would be declared under a state of calamity, they could use their five percent calamity reserve fund to extend assistance to the affected farmers and fishermen.

“The affected municipalities could also request assistance from the national government if they are under the state of calamity,” he said.

With the province now experiencing dry spell, Yabut has appealed to all concerned authorities and stakeholders to act altogether in order to cope with the given situation.

Quiambao, on the other hand, said there is a need for a massive information dissemination on the adverse effects of El Niño which could last until June. (PNA)
LAP/zst/JM/ps