The municipality of Mabinay has been placed under a state of calamity because of an infestation of army worms.
The Municipal Council declared a State of Calamity after damage to crops in the mostly farming town had reached an alarming proportion.
Mabinay Mayor Ernie Uy said the extent of the damage by the army worm infestation is so widespread, 28 of 32 barangays have been attacked, damaging crops to include corn and a small portion of sugarcane fields.
Of the 28 barangays affected, 18 have declared their respective barangays under a state of calamity to be able to use their calamity fund in terms of buying chemicals, sprayers, drums, seeds, among others.
Mayor Uy also said the municipality is also extending assistance to affected barangays with help from the Department of Agriculture and the provincial government.
At first, Mayor Uy thought they have contained the army worm infestation in five to six barangays but it became worse after it rained for two days following a long drought.
The mayor said army worms ‘skeletonize’ leaves of lettuce, cabbage, beans and their favorite target which is corn.
Mayor Uy, however, said several farms have been able to claim crop insurance from the Philipine Crop Insurance Corp., and that farmers are aware that when rains come after an episode of the el nino phenomenon, there’s always a possibility of an army worm resurgence, as what had happened four years ago. (Juancho Gallarde)
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