Food shortage in islands off Cagayan feared
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – Food and medical supplies in the islands dotting the Babuyan Chanel off the coast of Cagayan province are dwindling fast.
In a phone inteview, Calayan Mayor Joseph Llopis said that his constituents as well as residents in the islands of Fuga, Batanes and Babuyan Claro, badly need the supplies since there is not much help coming from mainland Cagayan province.
Llopis, who is in Manila, said that food shortage is already felt in the tiny island of Babuyan Claro. He said there were about 500 packs of provisions sent to the island for its 1,200 residents but it was not enough for the number of people who are in dire need of food and medicines.
Bonifacio Cuarteros of Cagayan’s Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council has made the same appeal five days ago. He said that there are still enough relief goods at their disposal but the province has yet to find ways to deliver it fast to the islands.
According to Llopis, small motorized boats that are usually used by residents in going to the mainland may not be able to weather the rough seas.
“We only have two seaworthy boats but these are only a two-tonner and a three-tonner and it will take us at least 16 hours of sea travel to reach Aparri for our provisions and back. Likewise, travel time from Babuyan Claro to Santa Ana is almost the same," he said.
Relief operations by the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine Navy, has not reached the islands yet but Llopis said delivery of supplies has already started in Batanes Island.
After a tragic sea disaster that claimed the lives of 50 Calayan residents a few days before Christmas of 2008, a bigger vessel was planned for acquisition last February with Cagayan Governor Alvaro Antonio reportedly pledging some P10 million in support and another P15 million from Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile’s development fund.
Calayan lies midway between Aparri, Cagayan and Batanes.
Llopis reported that almost all of the island’s rice and corn fields were not spared by typhoon Pepeng. Damage to agriculture and property was estimated to have reached P50 million including their fertilizer stock that was wiped out. - GMANews.TV
In a phone inteview, Calayan Mayor Joseph Llopis said that his constituents as well as residents in the islands of Fuga, Batanes and Babuyan Claro, badly need the supplies since there is not much help coming from mainland Cagayan province.
Llopis, who is in Manila, said that food shortage is already felt in the tiny island of Babuyan Claro. He said there were about 500 packs of provisions sent to the island for its 1,200 residents but it was not enough for the number of people who are in dire need of food and medicines.
Bonifacio Cuarteros of Cagayan’s Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council has made the same appeal five days ago. He said that there are still enough relief goods at their disposal but the province has yet to find ways to deliver it fast to the islands.
According to Llopis, small motorized boats that are usually used by residents in going to the mainland may not be able to weather the rough seas.
“We only have two seaworthy boats but these are only a two-tonner and a three-tonner and it will take us at least 16 hours of sea travel to reach Aparri for our provisions and back. Likewise, travel time from Babuyan Claro to Santa Ana is almost the same," he said.
Relief operations by the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine Navy, has not reached the islands yet but Llopis said delivery of supplies has already started in Batanes Island.
After a tragic sea disaster that claimed the lives of 50 Calayan residents a few days before Christmas of 2008, a bigger vessel was planned for acquisition last February with Cagayan Governor Alvaro Antonio reportedly pledging some P10 million in support and another P15 million from Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile’s development fund.
Calayan lies midway between Aparri, Cagayan and Batanes.
Llopis reported that almost all of the island’s rice and corn fields were not spared by typhoon Pepeng. Damage to agriculture and property was estimated to have reached P50 million including their fertilizer stock that was wiped out. - GMANews.TV
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