#EntengPH left vast hectares of rice farms in Bicol inundated, destroyed

The calamitous effects of severe Tropical Storm #EntengPH are more evident as the storm left the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). In Bicol region, hundreds of hectares of rice farms remain submerged as #EntengPH lashed the region over the weekend, causing heavy to torrential rains and flash floods. In some areas, flooding reached up to 6 to 7 feet. The government estimates that more than 2,000 families were affected across Bicol.

According to Kilusang Magbubukid ng Bicol (KMB), Albay, Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte farmers are severely affected. Among the flooded areas were rice farms in Brgy. Balangibang in Polangui and Brgy Sta. Cruz and San Agustin in Libon, the rice granaries of Albay province, affect 400 rice farmers. The inundated palay crops were planted in July and are set for harvesting by the end of the month or early October. Based on initial reports gathered by KMB, most of the rice farms were 90 to 100 percent destroyed.

The heavy rainfall caused rivers to overflow in low-lying areas including farms and communities. Farming villages in Bato and Nabua in Camarines Sur and other areas surrounding the Bicol River Basin were also flooded. According to PAGASA, #EntengPH and the intensified Habagat dumped two weeks to one month’s worth of rain in affected areas in Bicol, Cavite, and Rizal provinces.

In a statement, KMB said: “Ayon sa mga magsasaka, posibleng magtagal ang tubig baha ng mula isa hanggang dalawang buwan bago mawala o humupa. Tinatayang nasa 90-100% ang napinsala sa mga binahang palayan. Wala nang inaasahang maaani at kung mayron man, nasa 5 hanggang 10 kaban na lang ng palay at hindi na rin magandang klase ng bigas. Pagtyayagaan na lang itong kainin ng mga pamilyang magsasaka na nasalanta.”

“Halos lahat ng ginastos sa pagtatanim ay inutang ng mga magsasaka at hindi na mababayaran. Pinakamababang gastos ay umaabot ng P30,000.00-P40,000.00 kada ektarya dahil sariling trabaho at sobrang tinipid ang pataba at iba pang inputs. Ang iba naman ay umaabot ng P60-P70k ang ginastos kada ektarya. Ang karaniwang inaani ng mga magsasaka ay mula 60-150 kaban kada ektarya depende sa inilalagay na mga pataba at sa kalagayan ng patubig.”

“Suma-total, ang nawala at nalugi dahil sa pagbaha ay ang ginastos at ang inaasahang kikitain sana ng mga magsasaka sa darating na anihan.”

KMB said despite the heavy losses due to #EntengPH, farmers will have to shoulder higher loan interests and their daily cost of living. To date, farmers in KMB areas have yet to receive assistance from the local government. The farmers’ group is demanding urgent economic aid and relief, production subsidies, and compensation for the damaged crops of farmers. #

Photos from Kilusang Magbubukid ng Bicol (KMB).