As much as 6,182 hectares (ha) of crops may be affected by Mayon Volcano’s unrest now under the more intensified alert level 3, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).
According to the DA, at grave risk destruction are 1,378 ha. Planted to rice, 1,125 ha. of corn, 626 ha. of vegetables and 3,053 ha. of fruits.
A total of 52,626 animal heads are similarly affected by the volcano now reported in a relatively high level of unrest, with an eruption possible within weeks or even just days away.
The DA regional field office in Bicol has activated a command center as early as last month and has identified 26 animal evacuation and pooling sites outside the 6-kilometer radius extended danger zone (EDZ) from the volcano.
To date, 20 animal pooling sites host 1,120 animals the include cattle, carabao, goat and sheep evacuated by 467 farmers with more animals coming.
The DA has so far provided P1.25 million worth of drugs, biologics and feeds for the evacuated animals, as well as regular livestock health monitoring and disease surveillance to safeguard the well-being and health of the animals in the centers, while simultaneously preventing the spread of potentially harmful diseases.
Another P1.17 million worth of agricultural inputs were distributed for the establishment of communal gardens and Kadiwa rolling stores near evacuation centers.
