After massive flooding
(DR. BENJIE E. VER FACEBOOK ACCOUNT)
TACLOBAN CITY — The local government of Jipapad, Eastern Samar is urgently appealing for food aid and livelihood assistance for farmers and residents severely affected by massive flooding that began on Friday, January 10.
The continuous heavy rains destroyed newly planted rice crops and impacted over 1,800 families in the low-lying town.
Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Victorina Abestros reported that the floods affected 1,817 families, or approximately 9,913 individuals, across Jipapad.
The devastation included the destruction of 47.99 hectares of rice fields, resulting in crop losses valued at P719,850.
“This involves newly planted rice crops that were completely wiped out,” Abestros said in an online interview on Tuesday, January 14. She emphasized the need for assistance, stating that the local calamity fund of P7.551 million is insufficient to cover the extensive damage.
“We cannot fully use the fund considering that it is just the start of the New Year. For this year, our calamity fund is about P7.551 million,” she added.
Despite limited resources, the local government has prepared food packs for distribution to affected families.
However, Abestros highlighted that the primary concern remains the livelihood of farmers who lost their crops.
The Sangguniang Bayan declared Jipapad under a state of calamity on Sunday, Jan.12, following the recommendation of Mayor Benjamin Ver.
This declaration allows the local government to access emergency funds to support recovery efforts.
Jipapad, situated near the Oras River and Pambujan River, is highly prone to flooding, particularly during prolonged heavy rains. The recent flooding, triggered by the shearline, submerged rice fields and disrupted the lives of its people.
In previous incidents, floodwaters have submerged houses, schools, and other structures in Jipapad.
JOEY A. GABIETA
