By John Rey Saavedra
In Cebu City, a highland farmer generously distributed approximately 20,000 kilograms of tomatoes to visitors at his farm this Monday.
Emilio Secretaria, whose agricultural land has been adversely affected by the drought, decided to open his farm to the public for tomato harvesting. He believed that these tomatoes might not reach the market due to their condition.
“My intention in giving away these tomatoes for free is to prevent wastage. I don’t want these tomatoes to go to waste. People are welcome to come and harvest them themselves,” Secretaria expressed in Cebuano, as shared in his social media video.
He blamed the lack of water brought about by the El Niño phenomenon that took a toll on his crops.
Sizes of the tomatoes were greatly affected because of the drought.
He clarified that even during the normal harvest season before the El Niño, he was fond of giving out tomatoes for free to those in need.
Councilor Pastor Alcover Jr., chair of the committee on agriculture of the Cebu City Council, said the city government was assessing the impact of El Niño on the farmlands in the hinterland.
In March, the city government declared 28 mountain barangays under a state of calamity after reports of dwindling water sources and agricultural distress affecting upland communities in the city.
The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office record shows that 506 farmers tilling 155 hectares of agricultural land in the 28 upland villages need urgent intervention.
A total of PHP600 million in response funds and PHP100 million in its local disaster risk reduction and management fund are readied to assist distressed upland farmers. (PNA)
