by: Angelica Arquero

Farmers in La Trinidad, Benguet are thankful that floodwaters spared their crops during the onslaught of Super Typhoon Uwan, thanks to the recent dredging and cleanup operations at Bolo Creek and nearby drainage canals.

At the Strawberry Farm, plastic covers were torn apart and rows of lettuce and wombok were flattened by strong winds.

Farmer Marvilyn Sic-open said she started repairing her damaged crops as early as six in the morning.

“There were still some crops destroyed because of the strong wind,” she said. “It hurts, ma’am, but we can’t do anything about it, it’s a typhoon after all.”

Despite some losses, she expressed relief that not all her vegetables were damaged, recalling that the previous monsoon had already destroyed most of her harvests earlier this year.

“Last time, there were more damages compared to now,” Marvilyn said. “Luckily, the water didn’t rise this time.”

In past storms, the Strawberry Farm was among the areas worst hit by flooding, with crops submerged for days.

But this time, local officials said their month-long cleanup drive paid off.

Mayor Roderick Awingan of La Trinidad said they prepared ahead after forecasts warned of heavy rains.

“We were alarmed because the forecast said there would be heavy rain. But thankfully, it wasn’t that strong,” Mayor Awingan said. “We’re grateful for everyone’s cooperation and the community’s teamwork.”

He added that the municipal government launched a cleanup and declogging operation in October, focusing on drainage systems and waterways including Bolo Creek.

“We’ve been digging, declogging, and cleaning drainage canals,” the mayor said. “Maybe it didn’t solve everything, but it showed that through cooperation, we can protect our town.”

The local government continues to urge residents to remain alert as the outer bands of Typhoon Uwan still bring rains over Benguet.