Cagayan disaster council seeks extension of state of calamity due to El Niño drought

TUGUEGARAO CITY – The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) has recommended the extension of the state of calamity in Cagayan province until December 31, citing the lingering effects of the El Niño drought. The resolution was transmitted to the Cagayan provincial board on Thursday. Cesar Cuntapay, PDRRMO officer-in-charge, stated that the extreme heat and 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 impacted by the dry spell, directly affecting an estimated 64,978 farmers and fishermen. 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 drought. 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. Felipe Buena, Jr., Chief of Staff at the provincial Capitol, emphasized the importance of extending the state of calamity to enable the provincial government to continue providing immediate aid, intervention programs, and other necessary support to residents who have lost their livelihoods due to the severe drought.