NEWSFLASH

FAMINE THREATENS ALBAY TOWNS AFTER FLOODS

Legazpi City, Jan. 11, 2000 - The Manila Times reports that more than 100 families dependent on palay production face famine after heavy floods destroyed crops in Albay province.

Provincial agricultural officer Angel Nieva said at least 1,500 hectares of rice farms were devastated by floods after three days of heavy rains in early December, causing damage to agricultural products valued at millions of pesos.

The rains affected all municipalities, particularly the 3rd district of Albay, which is considered the major source of rice for the province.

Most of the ruined rice fields, particularly in the municipalities of Camalig, Polangui, Oas and Libon, were those with ripening palay and newly planted seedlings. Floods also destroyed 11 irrigation dams in Albay.

Cedric Daep, who heads the provincial disaster management office, has recommended to Gov. Alfrancis Bichara and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Albay that the entire province be placed under a state of calamity, so that the government can utilize the five percent calamity fund for repair and construction of damaged infrastructure.