Benguet declares state of calamity over agricultural damage from rains

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Benguet approved the calamity declaration on Monday, recognizing the extensive damage inflicted on the food-producing province by sustained wet weather and ground instability. The decision comes after the region experienced prolonged heavy rains that triggered numerous landslides across Benguet's agricultural areas.

The state of calamity designation allows provincial authorities to mobilize P38 million from the Quick Response Fund for immediate deployment to affected communities. This allocation will support disaster relief operations, damage assessment, and initial recovery measures across the province.

Benguet's agricultural sector has been hit particularly hard by the adverse weather conditions. As one of the country's primary sources of highland vegetables and other food crops, the province's economic losses reflect both direct crop damage and destruction of rural infrastructure critical to farming operations.

The calamity declaration is expected to facilitate faster government response and coordination among relevant agencies responding to the disaster. Provincial officials are assessing the full extent of damage to determine additional support needs from national government agencies.