The Provincial Board, led by Board Member Ryan D. Maminta, has strongly advised the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) and the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAgO), along with other government agencies, to promptly conduct a Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (RDANA) to evaluate the impact of the ongoing El Niño phenomenon on agriculture and livelihoods in Palawan.
Maminta emphasized the necessity for comprehensive data from the RDANA to determine the current effects of the severe heat on the province, particularly on the agriculture sector and livelihoods. This data will serve as a crucial basis for declaring a State of Calamity in Palawan.
Highlighting the importance of such a declaration, Maminta stressed that it would expedite the provision of assistance and interventions from both local and national government agencies, including the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), to affected farmers.
Currently, four municipalities in Palawan, including San Vicente, El Nido, Brooke’s Point, and Balabac, have already declared a State of Calamity due to the adverse effects of the drought on farmers’ livelihoods.
Furthermore, Board Member Ariston D. Arzaga presented a report from PAgO stating that the total damages to agricultural crops and products from various municipalities due to the drought have reached over P955 million.
The Provincial Board swiftly approved the recommendation, referring to the appropriate committee for further discussion and the formulation of necessary policies.
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