Typhoon destroys mango plantations in Pangasinan

LINGAYEN, Philippines - The province of Pangasinan used to pride itself as the top producer of mango in the Ilocos Region and one of the top producers in the country. But it could no longer hold on to this record as typhoon Cosme has destroyed the mango plantations in Pangasinan particularly in districts 1, 2, 3 and 4. Hardest hit was San Carlos City, where bamboo plantations were also flattened by Cosme. The city is known for its mango and bamboo industries. City Agriculturist Domingo Resuello reported that 541.35 hectares of mango plantation in the city was affected. The damage was at P476.4 million. San Carlos Vice Mayor Joseres Resuello said it pains him seeing fallen mango trees in the barangays as this means loss of income for a lot of families who depended on their mango harvest. More so, that it will take five years before a newly planted seedling will bear fruit. Third district Representative Ma. Rachel Arenas said she will intensify her distribution of hybrid mango seedlings to help her mango producer-constituents in the district. She said what they are doing now is to conduct relief operations and assess the damage sustained by Cosme in San Carlos City and the five towns in her district to properly address the problems. Part of the livelihood program of Arenas is the dispersal of goat and pig, and the distribution of certified vegetables seeds and mango seedlings. She said no time must be wasted especially in the planting of mango seedlings in areas where mango trees fell. Accordingly, more than 85 percent of the region's mango production is from Pangasinan. The province contributes a big chunk to the country's mango production. The province's district 3, led by San Carlos City, produces the bulk of Pangasinan's mango. The other mango-producing localities are Malasiqui, Bayambang, Calasiao, Sta. Barbara, Mangatarem, Aguilar, Urdaneta City, Bolinao, Villasis, Urbiztondo, Umingan, Pozorrubio, Mabini, Infanta, Sison, Bugallon, San Manuel, Basista and Mangaldan. It is yet to be determined how many percent of the damaged trees were beyond rehabilitation. - Sun.Star Pangasinan