Temperature reaches zero degree on Mt. Pulag in north Luzon

The cold weather has reached a new low this year on Mount Pulag in Northern Luzon: zero degree Celsius. But the low temperatures have also caused worry among some farmers in Benguet, according to a report Wednesday night on "Saksi." Mount Pulag, located within the Benguet-Ifugao-Nueva Vizcaya area in Northern Luzon, is a popular site for hikers and trekkers. Some travel sites had pitched Mount Pulag as featuring temperatures as low as zero degrees Celsius "due to high winds at topside," and recommending that trekkers wear thermal jackets or windbreakers for chill protection. The "Saksi" report said the low temperature had been partly due to the northeast monsoon, which is expected to cause cold weather until February. Meanwhile, the report also said farmers in Benguet province are concerned the cold weather would damage their crops. The report said many farmers in Baguio City are particularly worried frostbite would damage or even kill their vegetables and strawberries. Last Monday, PAGASA recorded the coldest weather so far this year in Metro Manila at 18.8 degrees Celsius. Baguio City experienced its coldest temperature so far this year last Friday at 9.5 degrees Celsius. — LBG, GMA News