The Provincial Government of Bohol has declared a state of calamity due to the severe agricultural damage caused by the El Niño phenomenon, with losses estimated at around P420.8 million from April to May 2024, as reported by 36 municipalities.
The losses include a staggering P419.7 million in crop damages, P756,900 in the fisheries sector across nine municipalities, and P433,294 in livestock from seven municipalities.
The UNESCO Global Geopark island province has been hit hard, prompting urgent action from local authorities.
Governor Aris Aumentado and Vice Governor Dionisio Victor Balite led the declaration, aiming to address the critical needs of the agricultural sector and ensure food security amid worsening weather conditions.
The state of calamity allows access to emergency funds and enables the implementation of necessary measures to support affected communities and industries.
The move underscores the significant impact of climate-related events on local economies and the livelihoods of residents, highlighting the need for continued vigilance and preparedness in the face of environmental challenges, according to Capitol.
Calls to declare a State of Calamity in Bohol were made as early as April, but it was not until May 21, 2024, when the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) finally made the call, said First District Board Member Aldner Damalerio during a Newsmakers ug Uban Pa episode on May 23, 2024, hosted by Ardy Araneta-Batoy.
Key provincial government officials discussed the possibility of declaring a state of calamity in Bohol in April.
However, they were unable to churn the numbers, thus delaying the declaration.
It was only last Tuesday when the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) chief Dr. Anthony Damalerio was able to provide a reason to make the declaration.
With the declaration, the province can use its calamity fund, primarily to help farmers severely affected by the drought.
Damalerio said cloud seeding operations have been stalled as the aircraft that was supposed to be used for making rain was reportedly busted.
The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) has looked into cloud seeding as a way to help the non-irrigated agricultural lands during the drought.
It is also a way to fill the dams in Bohol, which have seen low water levels due to the sporadic rains as a result of the El Niño phenomenon.
There have been issues with the suppliers of equipment that the OPA was supposed to use to help farmers cope with the El Niño, according to Damalerio.
The delays in the delivery of the equipment have been seen as one of the reasons why Bohol was unable to mitigate the effects of the drought earlier than usual.