Capiz declared under state of calamity due to El Niño

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – The province of Capiz was placed under a state of calamity due to the effects of the El Niño phenomenon.

The declaration was made Friday afternoon, May 24, during Special Session No. 9 of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Capiz, following a recommendation from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC).

Data from the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) revealed that approximately P379,085,043.01 worth of agricultural crops were damaged, affecting 6,403 hectares and 7,930 families.

In the fishery sector, P22.7 million in damages were reported by Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Provincial Manager Edwin Javier. He noted that 1,312 captured fisheries operators and 367 aquaculture operators were impacted by the phenomenon.

About 600 hectares of fishponds were severely affected, with 579 hectares of fresh water and 52 hectares of brackish water impacted.

Previously, five municipalities—Tapaz, Dumarao, Maayon, Pontevedra, and Panay—had already declared a state of calamity to mitigate the effects of the severe heat index on residents.

Under Resolution No. 2 of the PDRRMC, the declaration of a state of calamity allows the local government to utilize its calamity fund to address the adverse effects of El Niño.

The provincial government, through Governor Fredenil Castro, can also seek funds from the national government.