The frostbite that caused massive destruction to highland crops in Benguet and Mt. Province is not likely to happen in Oriental Negros, Provincial Agriculturist Gregorio Paltinca assured recently.

"The province has a higher temperature compared to Baguio even on ordinary days and we have lower elevation," Paltinca said. He added that even the crops in Canlaon City, which has the coolest temperature in the province, is safe from frostbites.

In the past few weeks, the country experienced a drop in temperature, resulting in frostbite affecting fruits and vegetables in Baguio.

Edsin Culi, Provincial Chief meteorological officer of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, said the cooler temperature over the Philippines and mainland Asia in the past few days is associated with the peak of the Northeast monsoon, locally known as "hanging amihan."

The cold air stream that affected the country is the high-pressure area that developed over Mongolia and Mainland China.

Aside from the colder temperatures, the occurrence of passing light rains in the country is also associated with the seasonal wind pattern that started in October 2006 and is expected to end this month, the PAG-ASA said. April signals the start of the transition period from the northeast monsoon to the southwest monsoon commonly known as habagat. PAGASA said it is likely to occur from mid May to the first half of June. Thunderstorms are expected which may produce incidences of excessive rains causing floods and landslides.

One tropical cyclone in May is likely to trigger the onset of the rains, said the PAGASA. The cyclones are likely to follow a normal track, usually across Luzon or Visayas area.*RG

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