Leader of farmers’ groups scored the Department of Agriculture for allegedly doing nothing to contain the impact of the dry spell that has resulted in more than P2 billion in losses in crops and livestock in the Caraga region. The farmers added that the drop in the prices of unmilled rice from P15 to P17 per kilo has aggravated farmers’ woes and that their members have not seen a crisis of this scale in many years. The farmers also fall prey to loan sharks providing the traditional “5-6” lending scheme. Meanwhile, Sebastian Pelonio, regional chairman of the National Association of Fisherfolks of the Philippines, said drying up of rivers, lakes and heavy siltation of coastal areas in most parts of Caraga region especially in Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur has caused decline in fish catch.

Guanzon, A. (2015, May 20). Farmers: Agri Dept failed to help us during dry spell. Manila Standard, p. A7.