At least 4,000 farmers in Sarangani affected by extreme heat

The livelihood of at least 4,000 farmers in Alabel, Sarangani are affected by the extreme weather with their crops damaged by the heat.

Among the visible effects of the intense heat are stunted banana plants with fruits not grown fully, corn that is barely surviving, and cattle struggling to find grass in fields that are drying up.

A farmer from Barangay Pag-asa admitted that the quality of their vegetable harvests has also been affected by the prolonged dry weather.

“Lisud gyud kay ang ang among mga tanum apektuhan gyud sa init labi na ang gulay ang talong namu ginagmay ra og bunga . sige og bisbis pero lahi gyud katung tingulan siya,” farmer, Emiteria Partosa Gorolan, said.

Based on initial report of the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist in April 2026, most of the 4,000 families affected are engaged in planting corn, vegetables, bananas, rice, and high-value crops such as abaca.

The damage covered no less than 6,000 hectares of farmland.

“Sad to say grabe naman kaayo ang kainit pila na ka semana nga walay gaulan here sa lowland up to sa upland areas dinhi sa Alabel, daghan gyud mga reports nga mortality o pagkamatay sa atuang mga crops,” Municipal Agriculturist, Giselle Gestupa, said.

Because of this, the office is now strengthening the enrollment of farmers in crop insurance through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC).

“Through Philippine crops insurance corporation.  In fact naga-barangayan mi dinhi naga sitio sitio kay aron ma -enroll sa insurance para at least man lang maka-claim isla og indemnity. So magamit nila para maka recover sila after makabalik ang ulan makatanum,” Gestupa added.

Aside from this, the office is also educating the children and spouses of farmers on alternative livelihood opportunities, especially during the dry season.

One of the programs conducted in Barangay Poblacion highlights products made locally such as herbal tea coffee, breadsticks made from squash, and chips made from taro and bananas that can be sold for additional income.

“Ato silang gi-capacitae, gi-train nga mo-venture into entrepreneurship. Parehas ani, wala kaayo tay dagkong harvest, pwede sila mo-process sa mga produkto nga mag-provide income sa ilaha,” Gestupa said.

The office also continues to assess water sources nearby that could support irrigation systems for upland farming areas. —Efren Yunting Mamac, GMA Regional TV News