DAF-ARMM prepares mitigating programs for La Nina

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=887356
• Saturday, May 21, 2016

(PNA)

COTABATO CITY, May 21 (PNA) – Preparations are underway to mitigate the possible impact of rainy season to farmers in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARM), agriculture officials said on Saturday.

“We are ready and I hope the La Nina will not be as worst as we fear it to be,” Alexander Alonto Jr, Department of Agriculture and Fishery (DAF-ARMM) regional secretary said, referring to the feared rainy season expected to hit the country by June or July.

Alonto reported that the El Nino phenomenon-triggered long dry spell that hit the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi have damaged about PHP180 million worth of agricultural crops and work animals.

For the incoming rainy season, Alonto told repoters that his office has prepared a PHP45 million funds to mitigate the impact of the wet season.

Alonto said Regional Gov. Mujiv Hataman has created an inter-agency task force composed of several regional government agencies, headed by DAF-ARMM to cushion the impact of the rainy season.

“DAF-ARMM is the lead agency implementing the mitigating measures to ensure food sufficiency is not affected,” Alonto said, adding that his department will submit the La Nina Mitigation Plan to DA national office for assistance to farmers who are the most vulnerable sector during the rainy days.

As the regional agency celebrated Friday its 25th year devolution, Alonto led the dispersal of about PHP24 million worth of equipment and farm assistance to farmers affected by the long dry spell.