AID TO SUGAR FARMERS. Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona assures assistance to sugar farmers and SRA employees affected by the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon in a Zoom interview on Thursday (June 6, 2024). He also assured of regular monitoring to assess the effects of ash fall in the sugarcane leaves and ground soil. (Screengrab)
MANILA – The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) on Thursday said it has started distributing aid to affected farmers and research employees following the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon.
In a Zoom interview, SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona said they have activated PHP2.5 million funds for immediate intervention and monitoring.
"Iyong pinaka-important na (The most important) concern is the availability of N95 masks for the farmers and our employees near Kanlaon," he said.
"Ang research station kasi natin nandoon (Our research station is there). So, we have hundreds of SRA employees near Kanlaon. We have a lot of farmer-beneficiaries in that area," Azcona said.
Besides face masks, the SRA is also distributing clean drinking water and other necessities.
"Kasi iyong sources of water nila, pinapasok ng lahar, ng mudflow. So iyon ang major concern (Because their sources of water are being affected by lahat, by mudflow So that's a major concern). And then, we are also giving out food and medicines as assistance," he said.
The SRA said it is also preparing for Stage 3 interventions, which includes the provision of temporary shelters in the research center should the activity of Mt. Kanlaon worsen.
Acidity levels
Meanwhile, Azcona said continuous monitoring and regular soil sampling are being conducted to assess the effects of ash fall, following the increase of acidity levels in the sugarcane and ground soil.
On Wednesday, the SRA reported the pH level of sugarcane leaves to be at 4.14 pH, and 5.06 pH for ground soil, from the 6.48 pH ground testing result last week.
Azcona said the a pH level of 7 is neutral, "but years of tilling sugar fields have affected our soil, and the 6.48 pH result last week should have been ideal."
Azcona, however, said the continuous rains have helped improve the situation.
"Medyo swerte po na umuulan sa affected areas, so I think madi-dilute po iyong effect ng ash. Iyong short term lang po is iyong acidity na baka po masusunog iyong sugarcane natin (It’s fortunate that its is raining in the affected areas, so I think the effects of the ash is diluted. The short term of acidity is that it might destroy our sugarcane)," he said.
To date, around 23,000 hectares of sugarcane plantation are affected in four milling districts, including Binalbagan, La Carlota, Ma-ao, and San Carlos in Negros Occidental. (PNA)
