NEWSFLASH

ERAP ORDERS RELEASE OF P5-M FOR ZAMBO CYCLONE VICTIMS

Malacanang, Feb. 2, 2000 - President Joseph "Erap" Ejercito Estrada has ordered the release of P5 million from his Calamity Fund as livelihood and relief assistance to hundreds of coastal residents and fishermen in Zamboanga City, which was struck by a cyclone last week.

Secretary Edgardo Angara of the Department of Agriculture (DA), who recommended the fund release for Zamboanga City, asked the President to approve another P15 million from the Calamity Fund as emergency agricultural aid to farmers hit by flashfloods in Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley.

Continuous heavy rains and strong winds in Southeastern Mindanao damaged P107 million worth of crops like rice, corn, vegetables, banana, root crops, sorghum and calamansi, the DA said.

"There is a need for the Department of Agriculture to undertake rehabilitation activities. The fund will be utilized for the procurement of seeds and planting materials to be distributed to affected farmers," Angara said in his memorandum to the President.

On the release of P5 million for Zamboanga City, Angara said the amount would be used to rehabilitate fishing grounds and seaweed- producing areas damaged when great waves triggered by strong winds struck seaside barangays in the city.

Reports reaching the DA central office in Manila indicate that over 200 fisherfolk in five coastal barangays in the city were adversely affected when the cyclone hit seaweed farms and fishing grounds. Seaweed production, from which the export product carageenan is derived, is a major source of livelihood in the city and contributes a big portion to the Zamboanga economy.

On the calamity that hit Southeastern Mindanao, the DA chief cited field reports showing that 14,664 hectares of agricultural land in the area were affected by flash floods.

To mitigate future crop losses due to weather disturbances, Angara has ordered DA Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban to create "quick response task forces," which shall be mobilized to provide immediate assistance to affected farmers and fisher folk.

Panganiban said the teams will be headed by DA regional directors, with operations at the provincial level done in coordination with local government units.