Mayon ashfall destroys P27M worth of crops in Albay towns

CROPS IN PERIL A Camalig resident holds pechay leaves covered in volcanic ash after Mayon Volcano’s largest pyroclastic density current this year swept through Albay towns on Monday, threatening local crops and farmers’ livelihoods. —MICHAEL B. JAUCIAN

LIGAO CITY—Heavy ashfall from Mayon Volcano has damaged P27 million worth of crops in Camalig town, Albay, affecting 430 farmers across 125.5 hectares, local officials reported.

Vegetable farms in Tumpa, Sua, and Quirangay—growing okra, pole sitao, pechay, squash, beans, tomato, eggplant, and chili pepper—were particularly affected at their flowering, reproductive, and vegetative stages, according to Camalig Mayor Carlos Irwin Baldo Jr.

“Food packs were distributed to residents within the 7-kilometer to 8-kilometer danger zone affected by the ashfall,” Baldo told the Inquirer.

Daryl John Buenconsejo, assistant provincial agriculturist, said farmers hit by the ashfall on Monday have been endorsed to the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s cash-for-work program, which provides P13,050 for 30 days of work.

Some farmers were also included in a package of assistance under the Department of Labor and Employment’s emergency employment program, which provides 10 days of work for displaced workers.

In Daraga town, southern barangays including Busay, Salvacion, Mi-isi, and Bañadero also experienced light to thick ashfall from frequent pyroclastic density currents.