The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) has recommended the extension of the state of calamity in Cagayan province until December 31 because of lingering El Niño drought.
Cesar Cuntapay, PDRRMO officer-in-charge, said the resolution was transmitted to the Cagayan provincial board on Thursday, urging it to retain the state of calamity because extreme heat and the lack of rain have severely affected agriculture, fisheries, water resources, and other sources of livelihood.
As of July 21, 76,328 hectares of farmland and local fisheries have been affected by the dry spell, with an estimated 64,978 farmers and fishermen directly impacted, and the total crop damage has reached P1.44 billion.
The declaration of a state of calamity was first approved on April 20 to address the worsening effects of El Niño and a prolonged period of drought in various parts of the province.
The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) presented the latest report on the damage caused by the extreme heat during the council’s second-quarter meeting.
Chief of Staff Felipe Buena, Jr., at the provincial Capitol, said it was important to extend the state of calamity so the provincial government could continue to provide immediate aid, intervention programs, and other necessary support to residents who have lost their livelihoods due to the severe drought.