NO WINTER WONDERLAND Ashfall from the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon on Monday has blanketed much of Negros Occidental province, like here at Guintubdan Spring in Barangay Araal, La Carlota City. Photo taken on December 10. —LA CARLOTA CITY WATER DISTRICT PHOTO free slots 777The eruption of Mt. Kanlaon has adversely affected 6,797 hectares of sugar plantations in Negros Occidental, the Philippines’ sugar capital, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA). Citing a report from the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said affected sugar crops include those in La Carlota, La Castellana, Bago City, and Murcia. Article continues after this advertisementThe SRA said earlier that La Carlota, one of the largest sugarcane areas in the country, is home to one of the biggest single mills in Negros. Also, the Association of Farmers of Carlota and Pontevedra Inc. is among the biggest sugar groups nationwide, accounting for 10 percent of the domestic production. FEATURED STORIES BUSINESS BIZ BUZZ: Spare MAP the drama: Bonoan drops presidency BUSINESS It’s final: BCDA regains control of John Hay BUSINESS RLC to spend P100M on office lobby ‘reinvention’READ: More ash from Kanlaon threatens sugar supply SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona said on Tuesday that domestic sugar output may decline further if Mt. Kanlaon’s eruption dumps more ash onto sugarcane areas, noting the ashfall’s “burning effect” on sugarcane that could lead to decreased harvests. Data from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) showed the combined gross domestic and external borrowings of the government amounted to P174 billion in August, up by 40.3 percent from last year’s P124.05 billion. Senator Pia Cayetano, head of the Senate committee on energy and sponsor of Senate Bill 2793, or the Philippine Natural Gas Industry Development Act, provided the data to debunk claims that current LNG prices are lower than indigenous or Malampaya gas. Article continues after this advertisementAzcona said that if standing crops get affected, the country’s buffer stock of sugar would take a hit. Article continues after this advertisementHe said that if the ash stays longer on sugarcane leaves, plants could die as this harmful compound could burn them and cause early maturation. Article continues after this advertisementMt. Kanlaon erupted again on Monday, spewing heavy ashfall and emitting strong sulfuric fumes. The last eruption was recorded on June 3, damaging P84.1 million in crops and fisheries. The SRA’s research and development arm, the La Granja Research Station in La Carlota, said in June that the immediate impact of volcanic ash could result in physical damage to the leaves, reducing their photosynthesis capability, and biological and chemical disruption on the soil, which can result in reduced yield. INQ Subscribe to our daily newsletter |
