The municipal council of Bayambang has placed the town under a state of calamity after Tropical Storms “Luis” and “Maymay” and the enhanced southwest monsoon, or habagat, caused more than P31 million in agricultural losses.
Municipal Resolution No. 371, Series of 2026, cited prolonged rains and flooding that affected hundreds of farmers and damaged crops and livestock across the predominantly agricultural municipality.
The Municipal Agriculture Office reported that 577 farmers were affected, with damage covering 615.79 hectares of agricultural land and estimated losses totaling P31,280,958.81.
Rice farmers accounted for most of those affected, with 550 farmers reporting losses across 586.53 hectares of rice fields. Damage to the sector was estimated at P17,849,243.81.
The high-value crop sector recorded the second-largest losses at P13,362,995, affecting 25 farmers and 28.26 hectares of farmland.
Corn production was also affected, with one farmer losing crops on one hectare of land, resulting in an estimated P43,720 in damage. Another farmer lost three goats valued at P25,000.
Bayambang is largely dependent on agriculture, with a significant portion of its population engaged in rice farming, high-value crop and corn production, livestock raising and other agriculture-related activities.
The Sangguniang Bayan said the damage went beyond the loss of standing crops, warning that the prolonged adverse weather had disrupted farmers’ livelihoods and affected their ability to purchase farm inputs, prepare their fields and replant.
Under the state of calamity declaration, the municipal government may intensify disaster response and recovery efforts and mobilize available resources for relief, rehabilitation and livelihood restoration.
The resolution directed the Municipal Agriculture Office to coordinate with the Department of Agriculture, Provincial Agriculture Office, Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. and other concerned agencies to secure assistance for affected farmers.
These may include seeds, planting materials, fertilizers, livestock support, crop insurance and other interventions.
Priority will be given to rehabilitating damaged agricultural areas, replacing lost farm inputs, supporting replanting and helping farmers resume production.
The state of calamity will remain in effect until conditions normalize and the Sangguniang Bayan determines, based on an updated damage assessment and the recommendation of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, that it can be lifted.
Source - https://newsinfo.inquirer.net
