It was unfortunate that the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan was made to believe by a high ranking agriculture official of the Province that damages inflected to the agriculture sector in the aftermath of the flashfloods as an effect of Tropical Depression Quinta was pegged at P209 million.

In the December 27, 2012 special session of this body, Provincial Agriculturist William Castillo was invited as one of the resource persons which included the APDRRMC Executive Officer Galo Ibardolaza and certain members of the council. They were invited as a consequence of the handwritten request of Gov. Carlito S. Marquez for the declaration of a provincewide state of calamity.

What made Castillo reveal the figure of P209 million was not in the province of the SP because as a responsible and authoritative official, the body respects his process and formula of estimation.

Even then, the Aklan SP did not heed the governor’s request for a provincewide state of calamity. Instead, the provincial legislative body decided to declare a limited state of calamity confined in the towns of Kalibo, Banga, Numancia, Lezo, Malinao, Madalag and Libacao, to include the town of Ibajay, west of Aklan.

Why Ibajay was included was because of Castillo’s statement that there was heavy damage to agriculture in the said town, hence, the SP was convinced. Not too long after the inclusion of Ibajay under the state of calamity, this corner was deluged with ridiculous queries as to why Ibajay was included when it was spared from floodings, with no visible damages either to agriculture and infrastructure.

Worst, the figure registered in the minds of local mediamen covering the special session. PNA picked it up, PIA, too, was gullible. Thereafter, regional and local papers carried the headline, “Quinta inflicted P209 million damage to agriculture in Aklan.” This corner likewise was also made to believe.

What made the erroneous initial estimate of damages to agriculture in Aklan ridiculous is that when as Secretary to the SP I carried Castillo’s report in one of the ‘whereases’ in the SP resolution declaring a state of calamity.

The final damage assessment report released by the APDRRMC as of Jan. 4, 2013 as of 2 p.m. revealed only some P13 million damage to agriculture in Aklan. Ibajay town has not reported any damage.

Let this be a warning to all those we are invited as resource persons in the SP sessions and committee hearings who are considered responsible and authoritative officials of the government.

Please do not engage the SP members in a guessing game. Figures can distort policy and decision making process. It can distort the flow of government resources. Worst, if such figures form part of a legal document like an SP resolution.

Please be accurate, or, near accurate with your stats, folks.*