In light of the magnitude 6.1 earthquake that hit Luzon on Monday, and the magnitude 6.2 earthquake that hit the Visayas on Tuesday, AGRI Party-list has called on government to check whether critical agricultural infrastructure such as irrigation systems have been damaged and to take appropriate measures to immediately repair them if necessary.
“The country cannot afford any more loss in agricultural productivity that could arise from critical infrastructure being casualties of natural disasters,” AGRI Party-list secretary general Benjie Martinez said.
Martinez stressed that “the government needs to act, and act quickly, or our farmers will also be casualties of this earthquake––as well as the consumers who depend on their crops.”
“We don’t just brace ourselves for earthquakes, but also for the aftershocks; the same applies to the fallout of such phenomena.”
Martinez urged the Department of Agriculture to immediately conduct a thorough inspection of the country’s irrigation systems, especially as the country continues to grapple with El Niño.
Martinez also said it was time agricultural infrastructure were reviewed to ensure they can withstand the effects of natural disasters.
“Kailangan masiguro natin na makakayanan ng mga irrigation system at silos na i-absorb ang epekto ng mga lindol at bagyo,” said the former undersecretary.
He added that the damage sustained by Clark International Airport raises red flags regarding other infrastructure, given that the Philippine Institute for Volcanology and Seismology said the April 22 temblor was not a major earthquake.
Government, emphasized Martinez, is responsible for ensuring that public structures comply with the standards set by the National Structural Code of the Philippines.
“Ensuring that food and water supplies continue to operate after natural disasters is a priority.”
Agricultural infrastructure, in particular, should be disaster-resilient to guarantee that the country’s food security is not endangered when major calamities hit the country.
“We don’t just brace ourselves for earthquakes, but also for the aftershocks; the same applies to the fallout of such phenomena. Ensuring that food and water supplies continue to operate after natural disasters is a priority if we want to be able to immediately recover from such.”
