The intense heat brought about by the El Niño phenomenon has affected the production of vegetables of the upland barangays in at least five towns in the southern part of Cebu province.
“These places are from the mountain areas of Dalaguete, Alegria, Badian, Oslob, and Argao,” said Virgilio Jakosalem, chief of operations of the Provincial Agriculture Office.
He also noted the low production of upland vegetables specifically pechay, cabbages and other leafy crops coming from these towns due to the phenomenon.
Dr. Roldan Saragena, Cebu provincial agriculturist, said the interventions given by the provincial government to farmers affected by the El Niño included the distribution of assorted vegetable seeds in preparation for the next cropping season on May, the giving of plastic drums, and the agri-fishery insurance program.
Saragena also cited 5th district Provincial Board Member Miguel Antonio Magpale’s resolution requesting the Provincial Agriculturist Office and all local government units in Cebu province to help the farmers against the increasing heat which resulted to the drop of water levels needed by the farmers to irrigate their crops which leads to the loss of their crops.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), the El Niño will still be experienced this month and will be expected to weaken on May or June.