LAOAG CITY — Ilocos farmers have long been praying for rain and with the prolonged rainfall brought about the southwest monsoon, Fiel Camacho’s face lit up with excitement, as he can now till the once dried up farmland that is dependent on rainwater.
For a week now, farmers here had been busy preparing their farms as they take advantage of the rainwater.
“We are glad rain has finally come so that we can start planting,” said Camacho as he prepared the rice field in Bacarra town on Thursday.
The first rain of June is also an opportunity for other farmers to earn extra income as they enjoy catching exotic frogs and sell it in the neighborhood, or in the market.
Pegged at PHP250 or less per kilo, the demand for exotic foods is high as some balikbayans, mostly based in Hawaii and mainland United States, even bring these along with them for family and friends craving for a taste of these exotic delicacies in the Ilocos region.
Ilocos Norte is currently experiencing heavy rains and gale winds brought by the monsoon season.
Ilocos Norte Governor Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” Marcos reminded the local community, especially farmers, and resiliency councils that disaster management should be a year-round task.
As of Thursday, several flooded areas have already been reported to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council such as in Batac, Paoay, Solsona and Dingras towns.
The most recent storm which occurred in Ilocos Norte was the 2016 Super Typhoon “Lawin”, which left behind over PHP2 billion in agricultural and infrastructural damages. (Leilanie Adriano/PNA)
