BAGUIO CITY – The Sangguniang Bayan (Municipal Council) of La Trinidad, Benguet has adopted Resolution 263-2025 declaring the municipality under a state of calamity following widespread damage from recent weather disturbances.
Mayor Roderick Awingan said in a phone interview on Wednesday that while he has yet to receive the copy of the resolution, this is considered approved, considering it was recommended by the municipal disaster risk reduction management committee (MDRRMC).
“I have yet to receive the official copy, but since it originated from the MDRRMC, it’s considered approved,” he said.
Preliminary reports placed the damage at PHP14 million in agriculture, PHP2.5 million in agri-fisheries, and PHP10.7 million in infrastructure.
Awingan noted that losses from the town’s strawberry farms are still being assessed and the damage list continues to grow as monsoon rains persist.
“The damage at the strawberry farm is not yet included and it is a running list because we continue to record damage due to the continuing effects of the southwest monsoon,” the mayor said.
La Trinidad is widely known as the Strawberry and Rose Capital, also cultivates vegetables, coffee, and other crops. The local government has a PHP10 million quick response fund, which Awingan admitted is limited. He appealed for assistance from national agencies.**Liza Agoot
