THE municipality of Kabayan in Benguet has declared a state of calamity following the severe damages inflicted by monsoon rains on the town’s infrastructure and crops.
The municipal council approved Resolution 149-21 entitled ” A Resolution declaring the municipality of Kabayan, Benguet Province under State of Calamity” on August 2, which was then transmitted to the office of Kabayan Mayor Basilio Louie Daoal Jr. on August 9.
According to Vice Mayor Mircoles Lamses, some 85 percent of the municipality’s crops were damaged by the three weeks of nonstop monsoon rains, damaging as well farm-to-market roads that have become impassable.
In total, the municipality has to date seen P123,750,000 worth of damages to both infrastructure and crops.
Some 720 farmers have reportedly been affected by the monsoon rains. The municipality is highly agricultural, with about 80 percent of its residents relying on agriculture for their income.
According to Lamses, the state of calamity is to allow the town to use their calamity fund to assist affected farmers, as well as to empower agencies and the provincial government in aiding recovery.
