8K residents affected by drought in Cagayan, Isabela receive help from GMA Kapuso Foundation

Farmers in Cagayan and Isabela fear that they may not be able to harvest crops, including peanuts and corn, in the coming days because of the drought that they have been experiencing.

According to “24 Oras,” Wednesday, the town of Enrile in Cagayan is considered one of the top producers of peanuts in the country, which is why it is called “The Peanut Capital of the Philippines.”

Among those affected by the dry season is Renato Caranguian, who has been a farmer for three decades.

“Walang bunga ‘yung aming tanim. One month pa lang, pa-dry na ‘yung dahon nila kaya wala kaming gaanong ani ngayon,” he said.

Nine barangays are affected by the drought period, including Barangay Lan-na, where GMA Kapuso Foundation conducted a feeding program for 300 students.

The dry period is also experienced in San Agustin, Isabela, which doesn’t have access to the Magat Dam.

“Run of the river kasi ‘yung kanilang pinanggagalingan ng tubig, so kung talagang mahina ‘yung tubig galing sa source ay talagang hindi kayang patubigan lahat nung kanilang area. Dito lang kasi sa atin sa Magat ay nakakapag-imbak din tayo ng tubig para magamit natin sa irigasyon,” Engr. Gileu Michael O. Dimoloy said.

“Meron po kaming totally damaged po ‘yung nasa 245 hectares po. Umaasa naman po ang mga farmers natin sa mga tubig ulan,” agricultural technologist Christopher Salvacion said.

To help the farmers, GMA Kapuso Foundation gave food packs to 8,000 individuals in Cagayan and Isabela. Some farmers were also given vegetable seeds.

For those who want to take part in GMA Kapuso Foundation’s initiatives, you may send your donations through bank deposits, Cebuana Lhuillier, GCash, Shopee, PayMaya, Zalora, MegaMart, Globe Rewards, Metrobank credit card, and Lazada.

For more information, visit the GMA Kapuso Foundation website.

—Carby Basina/MGP, GMA Integrated News