MANILA: The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on Wednesday assured assistance to farmers and fishers affected by the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon.
In a Zoom interview, Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said they are closely monitoring the situation, and have yet to receive reports of agricultural damage on the ground.
‘Ang priority of course is iyong safety ng ating mga kababayan. Pangalawa, iyong mga animals natin, ilalagay sila sa mga shelter (Of course, the priority is the safety of our people. Secondly, our animals, they should be secured in shelters),” he said.
De Mesa said areas affected include some portion of Canlaon, and areas in Negros Occidental including La Castellana, La Carlota, Pontevedra, Bago, Balidoling, San Enrique, Hinigaran and Binalbagan.
For the fisheries sector, BFAR Spokesperson Nazario Briguera said all provincial fishery offices are prepared to respond to affected fishers, especially in freshwater inland fish ponds.
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We have alerted our regional fishery officers na maging alerto doon sa pagputok ng Mt. Kanlaon (to be alert to the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon),” he said in a separate ambush interview.
Nazario assured fishers of the preposition of fingerlings for distribution should they incur losses in harvest due to the negative effects of ashfall from the volcanic activities.
He also allayed consumers’ concerns over the quality of fish.
‘Kung hindi naman talaga apektado iyong tubig, safe pa naman kainin iyong isda except in cases na nagkaroon na ng massive fishkill at lumutang na iyong mga isda (If the water is not yet affected, it’s safe to eat the fish except in cases of massive fishkill where fish are floating),” Nazario said.
Sugar industry
Meanwhile, the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) reported an increase in acidity levels in sugarcane leaves and ground soil.
From the 6.48 pH ground testing result last week, the pH level in sugarcane leaves is at 4.14 pH and 5.06 pH for ground soil shortly after the ashfall.
“The pH level of 7 is neutral but years of tilling sugar fields have affected our soil, and the 6.48 pH result last week should have been ideal,” SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona said in a separate statement.
“With the current results after the ashfall, if this will not be washed out by rains, we will need soil rejuvenation in affected sugar lands to bring it back to the ideal state and that is long-term,” he added.
The SRA said around 23,000 hectares in four sugar mill districts may be affected by the volcanic eruption.
Source: Philippines News Agency