Powerful tornado damages banana plantations in Cotabato town

M'LANG, North Cotabato – A powerful tornado hit two villages here Thursday afternoon, causing heavy damage to banana plantations, an municipal agriculture official confirmed.

 

Nogie Saligumba, the town’s agriculture technologist, said at least 20 hectares of fruit-bearing banana plants were damaged in Pag-asa and Gaunan villages.

 

He said from 8,000 to 12,000 banana plants were damaged by the tornado which lasted for at least three minutes.

 

The damage to the plantations was pegged at P3.5 million. “Each tree with fruits ready to be harvested cost from P350 to P380,” Saligumba explained.

 

Roberto Santoyo, a plantation owner, said he lost at least P2.7 million to the tornado. The plantation helps pay for his family's daily needs, including the school expenses of his children. “But because of the incident...we’ve lost everything,” he said.

 

Some banana farmers have appealed to the local government for financial assistance. 

 

M'lang Mayor Joselito Piñol said the town must first determine the extent of the damage so he can ask the Sangguniang Bayan "for any assistance in the soonest possible time." — Williamor Magbanua with Amanda Fernandez/JDS, GMA News