PAGASA allays fears frost to damage vegetables in Baguio

Amid the cold weather in several parts of the country, state weather forecasters on Friday allayed fears of frost damaging vegetables in Baguio and other areas in Northern Luzon. PAGASA forecaster Buddy Javier said the chance of frost damaging vegetables may become stronger if the temperatures go below 9.5 degrees Celsius. “Wala pang reported na nangyaring ganyan [damage from frost]. 'Pag mas mababa sa 9.5, 'yan na, baka masira ang gulay sa Baguio," Javier said in an interview on dzBB radio. Last week, Baguio experienced its lowest temperature so far this year at 9.5 degrees Celsius, but temperatures since then had gone slightly up. The low temperatures in recent weeks have raised fears of frost damaging vegetables in the north. For its part, the Department of Agriculture said it has readied power sprayers that will spray water over frost affecting vegetables. DA Assistant Secretary Salvador Salacup said the department’s regional office in Cordillera is ready to provide the equipment to rangers and production areas. Salacup also said there is no need for farmers and vendors to raise their vegetable prices at this time. “Naka-ready ang power sprayer, anytime dumating ang frost... There is no reason for artificial na pagtaas sa presyo sa palengke," Salacup said in a separate interview on dzBB. — LBG, GMA News