08 September 2006
LEGAZPI CITY—AGRICULTURists have estimated the damage wrought by the slow eruption of Mayon volcano at P1.1 million.
“Our damage assessment is still ongoing. There are agricultural areas we are still not able to visit because of the risks caused by the eruption,” according to provincial agriculturist Archimedes Reynoso.
Damages to crops in Sto. Domingo, Albay have reached P275,000 and in Malilipot, Albay, at least P859,000 in crops were reported destroyed by the municipal disaster coordinating council.
The towns of Malilipot and Sto. Domingo are within the southeast sector of the volcano, which is the most critical since the crater rim is lowest in this sector.
Reynoso said ash falls and lava flow did the most damage.
“Small quantities of ash can be good for the plants as it drives insects and pests away. The sulfur in the ash can also be a good source of micro-nutrients but when it covers the plants in excessive quantities it destroys them,” Reynoso said.
The soil at the foot of Mt. Mayon is believed to be fertile as micro-nutrients from organic materials from the volcano, when washed away by rainfall, are spread to the ground.
Volcanologists at the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology observatory at the Lignon Hill in Daraga, Albay yesterday said Mayon was cooling down.
There were 10 volcanic earthquakes recorded while alert level 4 remains raised.
Farming is the most common form of livelihood among affected villagers, most of them still in evacuation centers.
Agricultural areas surrounding Mt. Mayon are planted to root crops, vegetables and fruits but mostly to abaca and coconut.
In the five municipalities and three cities affected by the eruption, around 924 hectares of land are planted to rice; around 700 ha are planted to fruits, vegetable, and root crops; while 2,525 ha are planted to coconut and abaca. Ephraim Aguilar, Inquirer Southern Luzon
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