Frost coats cabbages in Atok, Benguet

The low temperatures in Atok, Benguet caused frost to coat certain crops in Barangay Paoay.

According to Jasmin Gabriel-Galban’s “24 Oras” report on Tuesday, the temperature in Atok fell to 6 degrees celsius at around 5 a.m., causing frost to form.

The farmers were thankful that the layer of frost was quite thin, allowing them to force harvest their crops.

“Actually, ‘yung na-damage na area is na-ani na ‘yung mga gulay na nandoon. [Forced harvest] ang ginagawa ng mga farmer ngayon. Tapos ‘yung ipapalit nila na gulay… is ‘yung andap [frost] resistant,” Eduard Haight said.

The provincial agricultural office said the frost has not yet affected the farmers’ livelihoods.

The planting of Chinese cabbage is not recommended from January to March as it is susceptible to frost.

Farmers said they would instead focus on other produce like radish and potatoes. — Julia Mari Ornedo/BM, GMA News